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 reaching 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.
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 Behavioral Health Education & Research
The Center for Innovation in Behavioral Health Education & Research at Simmons University (CIBER) is a hub of innovation in training and research in health care, technology, and substance use that aims to serve urban and rural communities by increasing access to high-quality, evidence-informed care.
Ciber
SSW Field Educator
The Field Educator was created to promote communication and knowledge exchange among field 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.
Current IssueSchool of Social Work News
Alumna Ann Batchelder is the author of Craving Spring: A mother’s quest, a daughter’s depression, and the Greek myth that brought them together (Legacy Book Press, forthcoming 2023). In this deeply personal account, Batchelder identifies with the Greek goddess Demeter as she helps her daughter recover from addiction and supports her on the road to recovery.
What The Job Entails Bianca Dunbar is a school-based social worker at UP Academy Dorchester, a Boston Public School serving PreK-8 students. As one of three social workers, she handles a caseload of 13 middle-school students who have individualized education...
McLean Hospital recently launched Deconstructing Stigma: Changing Attitudes toward Mental Health. This campaign challenges popular and erroneous assumptions about psychiatric disorders. Social work major Marina McCollum is a participant in the program. She spoke with us about her personal experiences...
Annmary Connor '23DSW is the Executive Director of Bread & Roses Housing (BRH) in Lawrence, MA, a community land trust that provides affordable homeownership opportunities for low-income individuals in Greater Lawrence. We spoke to Annmary about the importance of this...
What the job entails Erika Cadena is a clinical social worker in the Emergency Department at Boston Children's Hospital. In this fast-paced and varied role, she identifies and works with patients and families in need of support and resources related...
Since she majored in Social Work at Simmons, Erin Curley has supported vulnerable individuals in her community. In her current role, she’s helping others engage as well by connecting Northeastern students with community service opportunities in Boston and beyond. Curley...
What the Job Entails Jonathan Stewart is a school social worker for the Metropolitan Council for Educational Opportunity (METCO) Program for Arlington Public Schools in Arlington, Massachusetts—part of one of the longest-running voluntary school-integration programs in the country. Dividing his...
What made you choose Simmons for your undergraduate degree? The biggest draw for me was Boston. I'm from Portland, Maine, so Boston is only two hours away, and I could envision myself in Boston. Simmons was appealing for the small...