Bachelor in Social Work +
Master in Social Work
3+1 = a mission to make a difference
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
Who should apply?
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.
What are my job prospects?
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.
What are my career options?
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:
- Addictions counselor
- School social worker
- Medical social worker
- Emergency services worker
- Outpatient mental health therapist
- Policy analyst
- Home-based child and family worker
- Adoption social worker
- Case manager
- Housing advocate
- Child welfare worker
- Psychotherapist
- Forensic social worker
- Employee assistance social worker
- Program evaluation coordinator
- Family therapist and couples counselor
- Program director
- Department chief
- Agency CEO
How does the curriculum work?
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.
Course Requirements
College Core Curriculum (20 credits)
- FYS 101 First-Year Seminar: "Simmons 101"
- FYW 101 First-Year Writing
- MCC 102 Multidisciplinary Core Course: Culture Matters
- Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement I (or elective if test out)
- Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement II
- Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement III
Modes of Inquiry Courses (24 credits)
- Mode I:
- Mode II:
- Mode III: MATH 118 Introductory Statistics
- Mode IV: BIO 102 Biology of Human Development or BIO 113 General Biology
- Mode V: ECON 101 Macroeconomics
- Mode VI:
Pre-Requisite to Social Work Major (4 credits)
- SOCI 101 Principles of Sociology
Required BSW Courses (60 credits)
- SW 101 Introduction to Social Work & Social Welfare
- SW 200 Social Welfare Policy
- SW 251 Human Behavior in the Social Environment I
- SW 252 Human Behavior in the Social Environment II
- SW/SOCI 249 Inequality: Race, Class and Gender
- SW 351 Social Work Practice I: Intro to Generalist Pract & Theory
- SW 352 Social Work Practice II: Work with Individuals/Families (100 hour placement)
- SW 353 Social Work Practice III: Groups
- SW 354 Social Work Practice IV: Macro & Global SW
- SW/SOCI 239 Introduction to Social Research
- SW 370 Social Work Field Placement and Seminar I
- SW 371 Social Work Field Placement and Seminar II
- SW 390 Senior Seminar (ILR requirement)
- 5 General Electives
MSW Advanced Standing Requirements (3 semesters)
- SW 402 Technology Comps
- SW 424 Advanced Clinical Practice
- SW 569 Advanced Standing Seminar
- SW 596 Field Education (Fall)
- SW 414 Assessment and Diagnosis
- SW 447 Field Education (Spring)
- SW 509 Evaluation in Social Work Practice
- SW 447 Field Education (Summer)
- Social Action Elective
- 2 Clinical Practice Electives
- Open Elective
Here's an example of how it will flow from start to finish:
Year 1
| 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 |
Year 2
| 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
| 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 |
Year 3
| 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 |
Year 4
| 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
| Summer I | Summer II |
|---|---|
| SW 447 - Field Education | Clinical Practice Elective |
| Clinical Practice Elective | Open Elective |
Who will advise me?
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.
