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Social Sciences

Social Work

Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

Improving lives is all in a day's work.

You know the potential of people. You envision what they can do, and what they might become. You care deeply about human rights and social justice. And you understand that everybody needs someone in their corner.

A career in social work can let you do what you were born to do. Whether it’s helping individuals, families, or entire communities, you’ll be directly involved with facilitating well-being, growth, education, and real change in the lives of the most vulnerable populations who often can’t do it alone.

Lesley University has a long tradition of preparing people just like you for professions in fields of practice such as child and family welfare, substance abuse, health and wellness, mental health, developmental disabilities, and homelessness. You'll join a large network of alumni who've been doing transformative work for years across Massachusetts, New England, and the country.

Lesley’s BSW program integrates our well-known strengths in helping professions, education, the arts and liberal arts into the professional curriculum. Our reimagined general education curriculum will prepare you to make a positive impact in today’s rapidly changing world. And, with a required 510-hour internship program (including 400 hours during senior year), you’ll graduate with the experience needed to step into a generalist position and make your impact felt.

With hands-on experiences in places like the Massachusetts State House, National Organization for Women, UN Association of Greater Boston, Lahey Health, Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office, Senator Elizabeth Warren’s Office, and many more, you'll have graduate ready to launch in a career where you'll blaze a trail as a change maker and creative problem solver.

You'll experience first-hand the relationships between human behavior and the social environment, while understanding how to facilitate change for individuals, families, organizations, and communities. 

Lesley also offers a wide selection of electives, minors, and certificates (psychology, non-profit management, Spanish, and Child Homelessness to name a few) that will allow you to stand out and gain a competitive edge when going for the job you want after you graduate.

View the BSW assessment measures.

Undergraduate Program Inquiry Form

Program Structure

Full-time or part-time on-campus program

120 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

Thinking about transferring here?

Log in to Transferology, add the courses you've taken, and see how they'll transfer to Lesley University.

Craft Creative Combinations
As a Social Work major, you can pursue a second major or one of our 45+ minors—in art & design or a liberal arts subject—to expand your career opportunities.

Forge your own path with a creative combination:
Gain Skills and Expertise
A BSW from Lesley will prepare you to:
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.

students interacting in classroom

Small College, Big University

Within the dynamic environment of a larger university, you'll receive the personalized education of a small liberal arts college of 1,300 students. You'll learn from our highly specialized faculty who are passionate experts in the social sciences and beyond—from child homelessness to social work, human services, political science, and more.

$50,470
Average salary for social workers in the U.S.
The overall employment of social workers is projected to grow 13% from 2019-2029, which is much higher than the average growth rate for all occupations (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2019).
Careers
Fields of Practice
There's a wide variety of industries and organizations that have real (and growing) needs for social workers.
Careers
Organizations 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 just a few places you could work.
doble campus during the fall

Cambridge is our campus. Boston is our neighbor.

Whether you're pursuing social work, political science, or another major in the social sciences, you'll take classes on our three beautiful Cambridge campuses. You'll discover the Cambridge and Boston area—a dynamic hub of professional opportunity, service work, culture, and fun few other cities can match. And, you'll build your résumé and make connections through internships as you take advantage of the rich resources in Massachusetts, home to 20,000+ nonprofits.

Faculty

Approximate cost, before financial aid, for one year of study in this undergraduate program.
Social Work
Housing Options
Compare the cost of the program for students who live on campus in a residence hall with the cost for commuter students.
  • Tuition
    Fall Tuition
    $15,945
    Spring Tuition
    $15,945
  • Fees
    Fall Comprehensive Fee
    $445
    Spring Comprehensive Fee
    $445
    MAP Tevera Fee
    $200
  • Room & Board
    Fall Health and Wellness Fee
    $445
    Spring Health and Wellness Fee
    $445
    Fall Room (double, triple, or quad room)
    $5,740
    Spring Room (double, triple, or quad room)
    $5,740
    Housing Deposit (one-time fee)
    $300
    Fall Meal Plan
    $3,790
    Spring Meal Plan
    $3,790
  • Total cost before financial aid
Estimated Cost

Merit Scholarships & Financial Aid

It’s our goal at Lesley to break down financial barriers so that students who want to learn here, can learn here. That’s why we offer generous, customized aid packages for students based on their individual needs. In fact, more than 98% of our full-time undergraduate students receive some form of financial aid. Learn more about Financial Aid & Scholarships.

Tuition & Fees

Other fees may apply. Review all undergraduate tuition and fees, and what they cover.

Tuition and fees are subject to change each year, effective June 1.

Housing Options
Compare the cost of the program for students who live on campus in a residence hall with the cost for commuter students.
  • Tuition
    Fall Tuition
    $15,945
    Spring Tuition
    $15,945
  • Fees
    Fall Comprehensive Fee
    $445
    Spring Comprehensive Fee
    $445
    MAP Tevera Fee
    $200
  • Room & Board
    Fall Health and Wellness Fee
    $445
    Spring Health and Wellness Fee
    $445
    Fall Room (double, triple, or quad room)
    $5,740
    Spring Room (double, triple, or quad room)
    $5,740
    Housing Deposit (one-time fee)
    $300
    Fall Meal Plan
    $3,790
    Spring Meal Plan
    $3,790
  • Total cost before financial aid
Estimated Cost

Merit Scholarships & Financial Aid

It’s our goal at Lesley to break down financial barriers so that students who want to learn here, can learn here. That’s why we offer generous, customized aid packages for students based on their individual needs. In fact, more than 98% of our full-time undergraduate students receive some form of financial aid. Learn more about Financial Aid & Scholarships.

Tuition & Fees

Other fees may apply. Review all undergraduate tuition and fees, and what they cover.

Tuition and fees are subject to change each year, effective June 1.

Apply Now

Ready to get started? We're here to make the application process as smooth as possible. Just answer a few quick questions, and get your customized application guide.

Approximate cost, before financial aid, for one year of study in this undergraduate program. Tuition and fees are for the 2023-2024 academic year.
Use our step-by-step guide to apply for federal, state, and university funding. Scholarships, grants, Work-Study, and loans. It’s all right here.

Next steps to apply

Ready to get started? We're here to make the application process as smooth as possible. Just answer a few quick questions, and get your customized application guide.