Earn your Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree from Simmons University

Service Learning

Simmons BSW students begin their practicum work from the start of their academic careers through the Program's service-learning component. Service-learning is defined as community service or volunteer service that both meets the needs of a community agency or program and the student and also contains a formal student reflection component. It is intended that, through community activities, BSW students will gain exposure to and practical experience with social service organizations and various different populations served by social workers within the community. In this way, students will develop some basic social work skills and a beginning sense of professional identity before they enter the more structured practicum education program in their Junior and Senior years.

First year students majoring in social work are required to complete 40 hours of service-learning. Second year students are required to complete 80 hours of service-learning. Some social work courses have service-learning built into the curriculum, allowing students to fulfill some of the service-learning requirement while enrolled in the course. Service-learning hours may be completed at one agency or at different sites, depending on agency and student need. Students are encouraged to seek out service opportunities that appeal to them and to consult their social work faculty advisor for assistance and guidance in making decisions about their service. Service-learning hours may be waived for transfer students after consultation with BSW Program faculty.

Students work with individuals, families, groups, and communities across the entire life cycle in the following areas: case management, resident services, vocational assistance, health, health education, disability support, education, bereavement, community development, trauma, and many more.

Practicum Placement

Classroom and practicum learning have a synergistic and critical relationship within social work education. The Simmons University BSW program progressively socializes students to the profession through theoretical learning in the classroom and hands-on learning in practicum. First, students fulfill service-learning hours and then are placed in formal practicum placements.

During the junior year, BSW interns are required to complete 100 hours of practicum education between the months of January and May, with the University breaks and holidays off. This works out to approximately 8 hours each week in practicum placement and these hours can be scheduled flexibly throughout the week to meet the needs of the agency and the student. During the senior year, BSW interns are required to complete 425 hours between the months of September and May, with the University breaks and holidays off. This works out to 16 hours each week in practicum placement. These hours, too, can be scheduled flexibly depending on agency and study needs, but the hours are generally done in two full days (8 hours) each week.

During Practicum Placement, students are enrolled in advanced BSW courses, such as Social Work Practice II, and Practicum Seminar I and II. These courses will provide students with support and continued theoretical understanding related to practicum education.

Online Bachelor of Social Work for Adult Learners

The social work major is also a possibility for adult learners and transfer students in our fully online program. Join aspiring advocates on our digital campus to learn how you can help and empower people and communities—from anywhere.

• Learn more
• Start your application