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Social Sciences

Social Work

Master of Social Work (MSW)

Advance your career and the lives of those you serve.

Building on our Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program, as well as decades of leading in the expressive therapies, counseling, and other helping professions, Lesley’s Master of Social Work (MSW) is a distinctive program with a mission of emphasizing social justice, promoting client well-being, and serving and supporting a diverse range of vulnerable individuals, families, and communities. 

Taught by faculty who are practicing in the field and engaged in ongoing research, you’ll learn state-of-the-art generalist social work practice, as well as specialized training with a variety of individuals ranging from trauma survivors and incarcerated youth, to people living with developmental disorders. In fact, Lesley MSW students have a specific and unique opportunity of experiencing what it’s like to work with a neurodiverse population, including people with autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, Tourette’s syndrome, and other developmental disorders.

REGISTER: Master of Social Work Virtual Information Session

In this 60-credit program, available part-time or full-time, you’ll benefit from intimate class sizes and a minimum of 900 hours of supervised field experiences by licensed social work practitioners. This training will provide you with exposure to a variety of roles and settings, including schools, hospitals, prisons, government agencies, and more.

Another advantage of Lesley’s MSW is our Cambridge location. Our diverse community provides the opportunity to work with clients of different races, ethnicities, gender identities, and many other underserved groups. The Cambridge/Boston area is also one of the best places in the country for internships, with world-renowned facilities like Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital just over the river. Plus, our own Threshold Program gives you the chance to work with many neurodiverse students right here on campus.

Whether you’ve earned your Bachelor of Social Work and want to advance your career, or you’re looking for a new career where you can effect change and help others, Lesley's MSW program might be the perfect fit for you.

Accreditation Update: July 2023

Our Master of Social Work (MSW) program has been granted initial accreditation through the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) through 2030.

View the MSW assessment measures.

Graduate Program Inquiry Form

Program Structure

Full- or part-time on-campus program

60 Credits

  • Lesley-Somerville ARPA Scholars Application

    Lesley University has been awarded a Federal ARPA grant through the City of Somerville to financially support Somerville residents or individuals employed in Somerville who wish to pursue or advance a professional undergraduate or graduate degree at Lesley University in Social Work, Mental Health Counseling, or Human Services.  

    • New students must apply to and be accepted into one of the eligible programs at Lesley to be considered for ARPA funding.
    • Matriculated students in one of the eligible programs may apply for the ARPA funding. 
    • Accepted applicants for the ARPA funds will receive tuition relief at Lesley University for up to one year during the period from July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024. Funding decisions will be made on a funds-available basis. 
    • Lesley’s financial aid team will work with individuals to identify additional funding opportunities beyond the first year of study. 
    • All ARPA funding applicants are required to fill out a FAFSA form regardless of need. 


    Apply for ARPA funding.

  • Apply to be a Threshold Scholar

    A Threshold Scholar is a student in our Master of Social Work (MSW) program looking for real-life experience working with neurodiverse students in Lesley University’s Threshold Program. Threshold Scholars will be awarded a $5,000 scholarship on top of any merit award they may have already received. As part of the scholarship, Threshold Scholars will also receive a graduate assistantship, working up to 20 hours per week to support the students, faculty, and administration in our Threshold Program.

    Learn more about the Threshold Program.

Colleen Shannon stands in a room at the Children's Place.

A Light in the Dark

Social worker Colleen Shannon '04, recipient of the Emerging Leadership Award from the National Association of Social Workers, gives grieving children a healthy way to heal.

FAQs

Have questions about the social work master's program? View our frequently asked questions to find your answer.
  • Social Work FAQs

    What is the mission of the program?  

    Building on our Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program, Lesley’s Master of Social Work (MSW) is a distinctive program with a mission of emphasizing social justice, promoting client well-being, and serving and supporting a diverse range of vulnerable individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.  Founded in 2020, the MSW is a recent addition to Lesley’s distinguished mental health and wellness programs in expressive therapies, counseling, and mindfulness. 

    When does the program begin?  

    The MSW program begins in the Fall each year. 

    How long does the program take to complete?  

    Our 60-credit program can be completed full or part-time and can be completed in 2-4 years.  

    When are classes held? 

    All classes are held in the evenings beginning at 5pm, making it more manageable for those with families or full-time jobs.  

    What is the format of the program?  

    The program is primarily face-to-face which means at least 51% of courses are in-person. We also offer online, and a new option, HY-FLEX, which allows students to do a mix of online and in-person classes.    

    What credentials does the program lead to?  

    Students will gain the advanced degree, education, and experience needed to sit for the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) exam. After two years of supervised practice, students will be eligible to sit for the Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) exam.    

    Is the program accredited?   

    Yes. As of July 2023, Lesley’s Master of Social Work (MSW) program has been granted initial accreditation through the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) through 2030. 

    Does the program offer any electives?  

    Yes. Students can take nine credits (three courses) in electives in the MSW program and/or other associated graduate programs. 

    Does this program have an Advance Standing option? 

    Yes. Students who have made a grade of "B" or better in six BSW courses can receive up to 24 credits towards their MSW. When applying to the MSW program, the transcripts of students with a BSW will be reviewed and awarded these credits upon admission to the program. Non-Lesley students applying to the MSW program who have earned a BSW from a CSWE accredited program will also be allowed to apply for advanced standing. They will adhere to the same standards documented above. In addition, they will be asked to provide a letter of recommendation from their senior year field placement experience.  

    What are the advantages of Lesley’s MSW program? 

    Our program offers small class sizes. In addition, our diverse community provides the opportunity to work with clients of different races, ethnicities, gender identities, and many other underserved and under-represented groups. The Cambridge/Boston area is also one of the best places in the country for internships, with world-renowned facilities like Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital just over the river. Plus, our own Threshold Program gives you the chance to work with many neurodiverse students right here on campus. 

Careers
Fields of Practice
There's a wide variety of industries and organizations that have real (and growing) needs for social workers.
Careers
Where You Could Work
The Boston/Cambridge area may be the best in the country for social work opportunities, in terms of both internships and jobs. Here are some of the organizations in the area that currently employ MSW-level social workers.

Faculty

Total approximate cost for this master's degree program.
Social Work
  • Tuition
    $1,150/credit x 60
    $69,000
  • Fees
    Field Experience Fee
    $3,400
    MAP Tevera Fee
    $200
    Comprehensive Fee
    $1,500
  • Total
Estimated Cost

All graduate students are reviewed for merit scholarships through the admissions process and are awarded at the time of acceptance. Other forms of financial aid are also available. Review all graduate tuition and fees, and what they cover. Tuition and fees are subject to change each year, effective in the Summer term.

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Total approximate cost for this master's degree program. Tuition and fees are for the 2023–2024 academic year.
Use our step-by-step guide to apply for federal and university funding. Scholarships, grants, Work-Study, and loans. It’s all right here.

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