Why BSU for a graduate degree in social work? Our program is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The cornerstone of our MSW degree program is social justice. In fact, students and graduates of our Master of Social Work course understand the value of working together to bring about change to support social justice. All Master of Social Work students share our commitment by caring for diverse populations and strengthening the communities in which they live, work and learn.
Among the Master of Social Work courses you’ll enjoy are Dynamics of Diversity and Oppression, Human Behavior in the Social Environment and Social Work Practice.
Admission Requirements and Program Details
Click link below to reveal the program's admission requirements and program description.
Program details from 2024-2025 Undergraduate/Graduate Catalog
Part-time Option
The MSW program is also available as a Part-time Option. Under the part-time option, the MSW program can be completed in either three or four years.
Saturday Cohort Option
Our MSW Saturday cohort option is designed to accommodate working professionals through an intensive hybrid cohort model. Learn more about the
MSW Saturday Cohort Option.
Graduate Program Coordinator: Dr. Wendy Champagnie Williams
Joint MSW/JD Program with UMass Dartmouth Law
The University of Massachusetts Law School-Dartmouth and the Bridgewater State University School of Social Work have a shared vision of social justice and service to the people and communities of the region and are pleased to offer a joint program that allows students to simultaneously earn a master’s in social work and a juris doctor degree. Due to the ability to apply credits earned in one of the programs in the other, the amount of time to earn the joint degree is less than would without the joint program. Each student will take their own pathway, given the elective courses they choose, however they will be provided with a course of study that suggests optimal coursework allocations per semester.
The joint JD/MSW program lets you integrate your social work studies and your law school education on either a full-time or part-time schedule, with classes offered in both day and evening hours. Both degrees may be completed full-time in 4.5 calendar years, and may be accelerated by taking summer courses. A part-time student typically completes both degrees in 5 to 6.5 years depending on the amount of summer study. Students must complete both degrees within 7 years. MSW degrees are awarded by Bridgewater State University and JD degrees by University of Massachusetts Law School-Dartmouth.
Students can take the program in a variety of different ways. They may choose to apply directly to both degree programs at their respective universities, or they may elect the dual program later in their course of study. Students can take the MSW portion part-time or full-time. Students may start with either the law school or social work courses and then transition into a merged curriculum.