School of Social Work
The School of Social Work (SSW) is distinguished in many ways — with nationally acclaimed faculty, a strong emphasis on clinical practice, alumni who are leaders in their fields, and innovative teaching practices that set our graduates above the rest. Our campus location in Boston is embedded in world-renowned teaching hospitals and research facilities, which provides inspiration for our faculty locally and across the country.
Make a difference in the world with our social work programs.
For over a century, Simmons has been a leader in innovative social work education. From cutting-edge simulations (the use of actors to simulate real world practice), to our renowned practicum education program, to our PhD and DSW programs which have strong mentoring components and value practice expertise, the School of Social Work provides students with a one-of-a-kind social work education.
Our faculty love being in the classroom and use their experience as practitioners to inform their research and teaching. Simmons values teaching excellence and our faculty make the real world of practice come alive in the classroom. As the cradle of social work education, Simmons School of Social Work prides itself on engaging in innovative teaching and experiential learning opportunities. Since 1904, our faculty have led the way in creating new knowledge for the social work profession, blazing the trail for our alumni to become the best clinical practitioners, educators, and social work leaders in the country.
For students interested in immersing themselves in the Boston community, we offer state-of-the-art education in our BSW and MSW programs. Our reach extends across the country through our innovative online BSW, MSW, PhD, and DSW programs. Whether you’re interested in a BSW, MSW, DSW or PhD degree, we prepare you for careers as exceptional practitioners, clinicians, leaders, educators, and scholars.
What is Clinical Social Work?
Many enroll in social work school to become psychotherapists, and in fact, you will learn psychotherapy skills at Simmons.
In our program, however, you will develop psychotherapy skills in a clinical social work context. You will hone your skills not only in private practice, but in government and nonprofit agencies, hospitals, home visits, schools, and community organizations.
Clinical social workers are the leading providers of mental health treatment in the United States. Compared to psychotherapists from other disciplines, they are distinguished by their commitment to social justice — assessing the impacts of institutional racism, sexism, and homophobia on their clients. They are devoted to fostering structural and societal change.
As a leader in clinical social work education for more than 120 years, there is no better place than Simmons to learn these vital skills.
About the School of Social Work
Founded in 1904, Simmons was the nation's first institute of higher learning to offer training for clinical social workers.
Online Social Work Programs
Our immersive, fully online MSW and PhD programs bring the transformational Simmons education to you in a format that fits your lifestyle.
Career Development and Alumnae/i Networks
Our programs prepare graduates for successful careers in social work, as practitioners, policy experts, scholars, teachers, and leaders.
Admission Requirements for Social Work Programs
Social Work Graduate Programs
Learn more about our admissions guidelines for our graduate and PhD level social work degrees. Embark on the next chapter of your career today!
Undergraduate Social Work Degrees
Learn more about our admissions process and deadlines for our undergraduate social work degrees. Start your one-of-a-kind social work education experience by applying today!
Center for Innovation in Clinical Social Work
Prioritizing social justice, human rights, and community engagement, the Center for Innovation in Clinical Social Work serves as the intellectual hub for developing innovative clinical social work research and accelerating dissemination into practice communities.
SSW Field Educator
The Field Educator was created to promote communication and knowledge exchange among practicum educators in academia and in the practice community. It offers a variety of presentations of innovative practicum education practice and research, using an online format for maximum accessibility.
School of Social Work in the News
Women in Leadership and Social Justice
Local leaders recently gathered at Simmons University to discuss what it means to lead in today’s world. The event was part of the Unpacking Series and was hosted by the Simmons Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in collaboration with the Institute for Inclusive Leadership, the School of Management, the School of Social Work, and the Stephen D. London Center for Community Engagement and Social Justice.
Simmons Social Work Professor Featured in New Documentary Film
In a new documentary film, Never Cried: Boston’s Busing Legacy, sisters Leola Hampton and Linda Stark reflect on a trauma they endured fifty years ago. Dr. Gary Bailey, Professor of Practice and MSW Director of Simmons’ School of Social Work, makes appearances throughout the film.
Simmons School of Social Work Holds First Annual Veterans Day Celebration
On November 6, the Simmons School of Social Work hosted a hybrid Veterans Day celebration to honor servicemembers past and present, with a keynote address delivered by General Gary M. Brito, the 18th Commanding General of the United States Army Training and Doctrine Command.
Professor Visits University of Johannesburg as Fulbright Specialist
Professor Johnnie Hamilton-Mason received a Fulbright Specialist Award this year. Recipients of the Fulbright Specialist awards are "selected on the basis of academic and professional achievement, demonstrated leadership in their field, and their potential to foster long-term cooperation between institutions in the U.S. and abroad."
Simmons Professor Practices Social Work in Support of Veterans
School of Social Work Associate Professor of Practice Samuel Odom shares the value of the Simmons MSW Clinical Practice with Active Service Members, Veterans, and Families certificate program.
2024 Simmons Faculty Awards Celebrates Stellar Researchers and Educators
Simmons faculty from various disciplines received awards in undergraduate and graduate teaching, research, service, and a commitment to DEI at the 2024 Faculty Awards.
For National Coming Out Day, School of Social Work Dean Michael LaSala Shares His Story
Since 1988, the United States has celebrated National Coming Out Day (NCOD) annually on October 11. To honor NCOD, Dr. Michael LaSala, Dean of Simmons’ School of Social Work, recounts his own coming-out journey.
Gerontological Society of America Selects School of Social Work Chair as Editor-in-Chief
The GSA — the nation’s largest interdisciplinary organization devoted to the field of aging — has named Michelle Putnam, Professor and Jennifer Eckert ’08 Chair of Simmons’ School of Social Work, as the next editor-in-chief of the journal Innovation in Aging.
Upcoming School of Social Work Events
Info Session: On-Campus MSW Program
- Jan 25, 2025
- 11:00 am to 12:30 pm
- Kotzen Room, Ground Floor, Lefavour Building
Contact Us
School of Social Work
For over a century, Simmons has been a leader in innovative social work education. From cutting-edge simulations (the use of actors to simulate real world practice), to our renowned practicum education program, to our PhD and DSW programs which have strong mentoring components and value practice expertise, the School of Social Work provides students with a one-of-a-kind social work education.