Join a School built on relationships鈥攁mong students, faculty, alumni, and the communities we serve. From cohort initiatives to student organizations to lifelong alumni networks, community is at the center of the BCSSW experience.聽
Walking Together: Accompaniment for the Common Good
Grounded in Jesuit values, accompaniment centers solidarity, compassion, deep listening, and shared dignity to build meaningful relationships, support communities, and challenge unjust systems.
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BCSSW students, faculty, and staff gather outside for a community photo
Nationally ranked by U.S. News and World Report (2024)鈥� #1 in New England
Events every year offering opportunities to connect, give back, and grow
Social work alumni who have graduated from the BC Master of Social Work program
Student-led groups across practice areas and identities鈥攆rom part-time program support to LGBTQ+ affinity groups to macro practice networks.聽
Black Leadership, Latinx Leadership, and Trauma Integration Initiatives build community around shared identity and purpose.聽
Over 11,000 alumni offer mentorship, job connections, and lifelong friendship through reunions and regional chapters.聽
The BCSSW Student Collective is the governing body for students in the School of Social Work. The purpose of the organization is to enhance the quality of the BCSSW student life through programs, activities, and open meetings. It also serves as a liaison between students and BCSSW administration. Within the Student Collective, there are various groups and committees that focus on specific areas of interest. All committees are open for participation by all BCSSW students during the entire year.
Macro Social Work Student Group: This group is a gathering place for macro and clinical students to discuss topics of relevance for macro social work, including opportunities for professional growth and activities in which students can get involved on campus and in the community.
Social Work and Spirituality: This group provides a forum for BCSSW students of various spiritual backgrounds to come together to discuss and explore the intersection between their personal spiritual beliefs and practices and their professional practice as social workers.
Spectrum: This is a student group for BCSSW LGBTQIA+ students as well as allies. Spectrum provides a supportive space for students to build community, engage in meaningful discussions, and enjoy social time together. It can also be a platform for engaging in advocacy and education related to LGBTQIA+ discrimination and other issues affecting the LGBTQIA+ community.
Three-Year & Four-Year Program Student Group: This is a support group for students in the three- and four-year programs of study.
UMOJA: Umoja, an African word meaning unity, is the student organization for people of color (Asian American, African American, Native American, and Latino American). Umoja is a support group for its members and strives to increase awareness of the SSW community around issues related to people of color.
UNIDES (Spanish word for United): The Unides group is a student organization for people who want to share their Latino/a/e/x cultures while centering their shared experiences, intersecting identities, and different outlooks in an effort to increase the awareness of the SSW community around issues related to the Latino/a/e/x experience.
DOC (Doctoral Outreach and Community): The goal of this group is to enhance the overall well-being of doctoral students at all stages in the academic program. The group seeks to build community among doctoral students by providing social and academic events.
SSW Executive Board: The purpose of the Executive Board is to encourage and stimulate excellence in the continuing development of the School of Social Work. The Board is the legislative body for the SSW with five student representatives.
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Students at the Latinx Leadership Initiative retreat
Grounded in the ideals that inspired our Jesuit founders, we ask our students to explore the big questions and challenge them to ask: What difference will I make? How will my knowledge serve the world?
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-Teresa Schirmer
Associate Dean, Student Experience
Shape your MSW experience with the academic pathways, practical experiences, and specialized training that prepare you to lead in the areas that matter most to you.
