Ever since Simmons became the nation's first institute of higher learning to offer training for clinical social workers in 1904, we've led the way in pioneering social work education. The 3+1 Program continues this tradition by offering an intensive yet rewarding opportunity for students who are motivated to complete their Bachelor in Social Work (B.S.W.) and Master in Social Work (M.S.W) in four years.
As a 3+1 student, you'll benefit from all the advantages that our nationally regarded School of Social Work (SSW) has to offer: acclaimed faculty, alumni who are leaders in the field, and an ideal Boston location in the Fenway and Longwood Medical Area.
Combining stimulating coursework with over 500 hours of field learning, our new B.S.W. Program delivers a solid foundation for practice. Advancing to the M.S.W., you'll develop a specialization in clinical theory and practice, gaining immersive hands-on training through our renowned field education program. The SSW works with more than 300 exciting internship sites, ranging from schools and hospitals to government agencies and private organizations.
You'll head into the field prepared to practice - ready to take on urgent social issues and improve the lives of the people affected by them.
"The 3+1 Program offers the same rigorous experience as all our programs at the School of Social Work. Our goals for 3+1 students are that they receive a high-quality education that they're very proud of, that they feel well prepared and confident, that they know how to practice in an ethical manner, and that they get the job they want."
- Assistant Professor Denise Hildreth, M.S.W., Coordinator of the 3+1 Program at the Simmons School of Social Work
The 3+1 Social Work Program is designed for highly motivated students who want to pursue a career in clinical social work. It is designed for people who want to become a licensed clinical social worker and/or attain leadership positions in the field. You should possess a strong interest in human behavior, social policy, research, and social justice.
In accordance with accreditation guidelines, the program will be open to freshmen in Fall 2013. It will roll out to transfer students after 2013.
Very strong. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, social work employment is expected to increase through 2018. The aging baby boomer generation is driving the demand for gerontology social workers. Likewise, the need for social workers specializing in substance abuse and medical and public health is predicted to rise.
An M.S.W. is an incredibly versatile degree that qualifies you for a wide variety of challenging and fulfilling clinical roles. Some possibilities include:
In keeping with accreditation standards set forth by the Council on Social Work Education and the New England Association of Schools & Colleges, the 3+1 Program will cover the same requirements as our traditional B.S.W. and M.S.W. tracts, except compressed into a shorter amount of time.
College Core Curriculum (20 credits)
Modes of Inquiry Courses (24 credits)
Pre-Requisite to Social Work Major (4 credits)
Required BSW Courses (60 credits)
MSW Advanced Standing Requirements (3 semesters)
| Fall Term - FYS, FYW & 3 additional courses | Spring Term - 4 courses |
|---|---|
| FYS 101 - First-Year Seminar: "Simmons 101" | MCC 102 - Multidisciplinary Core Course: Culture Matters |
| FYW 101 - First-Year Writing | SOCI 101 - Principles of Sociology |
| SW 101 - Introduction to Social Work & Social Welfare | SW 200 Social Welfare Policy |
| Foreign Language | Foreign Language, Mode or Elective |
| MATH Requirement, Mode or Elective |
| Fall Term - 5 courses | Spring Term - 5 courses |
|---|---|
| BIO 102 OR 113 Mode IV: Biology of Human Development OR General Biology | ECON 101 - Mode V: Macroeconomics |
| SOCI 249 - Inequality: Race, Class and Gender | MATH 118 - Mode III: Introductory Statistics |
| SOCI 239 - Introduction to Social Research | Foreign Language |
| Foreign Language | Mode |
| Mode or Elective | Elective or any foundational courses not yet complete |
| Summer I | Summer II |
|---|---|
| SW 251 - Human Behavior in the Social Environment I | SW 252 - Human Behavior in the Social Environment II |
| SW 351 - Social Work Practice I | SW 352 - Social Work Practice II: includes 100 hour field placement |
| Fall Term - 4 courses | Spring Term - 4 courses |
|---|---|
| SW 353 - Social Work Practice III | SW 354 - Social Work Practice IV |
| SW 370 - Social Work Field Placement and Seminar I: integrative seminar & fall sr fld placemt | SW 371 - Social Work Field Placement and Seminar II: integrative seminar & spring senior field placement |
| Elective | SW 390 - Senior Seminar (also satisfies one College ILR requirement) |
| Any foundational courses not yet complete | Any foundational courses not yet complete |
| Fall Term | Spring Term |
|---|---|
| SW 596 - Field Education | SW 447 - Field Education |
| SW 424 - Advanced Clinical Practice | SW 402 - Technology Comps |
| SW 569 - Advanced Standing Seminar | SW 414 - Assessment and Diagnosis |
| SW 509 - Evaluation in Social Work Practice | Social Action Elective |
| Summer I | Summer II |
|---|---|
| SW 447 - Field Education | Clinical Practice Elective |
| Clinical Practice Elective | Open Elective |
Assistant Professor and B.S.W. Program Director Denise Hildreth, M.S.W., LICSW, and Associate Professor of Practice and Field Education Director Allyson Livingstone, M.S.W., LICSW, will oversee the 3+1 Social Work Program.
Close mentorship is vital for 3+1 success. You'll work one on one with your advisor throughout the program to ensure your progress and meet your personal and professional goals.
To find out more about the program, contact Professor Hildreth at denise.hildreth@simmons.edu.
Ideally, you will submit an application for the master's part of your program at the end of your freshman year or during your sophomore year. For the SSW program, you'll apply at the start of your third year.
No. You can choose another major or complete just one degree if you find 3+1 isn't a match for you. However, depending on your new major, you may need to decide by the first semester of your sophomore year in order to meet the academic requirements.
Yes, but you will need to do so at the start of your sophomore year. Your ability to complete the program by your senior year will also depend on what courses you took your freshman year and/or your Advanced Placement credits. Contact the 3+1 advisor for your program to learn more.
That's the plan. The curriculum for each program is set up with a careful sequencing of courses. Although there is some flexibility built in, it's highly recommended that you follow the program as it's laid out. If you feel this may be a problem, talk to your 3+1 advisor.
Because the 3+1 Program doesn't "skip" requirements and can demand a workload of five courses per semester, the time commitment is significant. However, your schedule should be flexible enough to allow you to work and join extracurricular activities.
Because the program almost entirely takes place on the Simmons campus and in field sites in the community, it's likely you will need to be in Boston for the academic year and at least some summers. The 3+1 faculty advisors can direct you on how the schedule will work for your program.
Depending on an individual's plan and progress, students may save significantly on both tuition and living expenses.
Yes. If you complete all your academic requirements in three years, you will earn your bachelor degree.
No. You will apply for financial aid as you normally do.
Based on our extensive knowledge of the fields represented, the 3+1 Program will position graduates with an "edge" in the marketplace. You'll be seen as motivated, accomplished, and hard working.
And because the 3+1 Program doesn't cut corners - you complete the same requirements as traditional students but in a shorter amount of time - your credentials and experience will be competitive with other candidates'.
Yes! The strategic combination of course sequencing, complementary learning, and faculty mentoring make the 3+1 an appealing, feasible option. Finishing two degrees in four years will take organization and dedication. Yet in a competitive job market, we anticipate that you'll find the high-quality results and cost savings to be well worth it.