Massachusetts · Verified October 2026
Social Work Programs in Massachusetts
Where Can You Earn a BSW in Massachusetts, and Can You Be Licensed With It?
10 schools in Massachusetts offer a CSWE bachelor of social work, including Anna Maria College, Assumption University and Bridgewater State University. 4 options are online. In-state tuition and fees at Massachusetts public universities start at $11,389 a year (2023-24). Massachusetts licenses BSW graduates as the Licensed Social Work Associate (LSWA).
- First years: general education and intro coursesPsychology, sociology, human biology, intro to social work
- Apply to the social work majorUsually in the second year, with a GPA minimum
- Senior field practicumAt least 400 supervised hours in an agency
- License: LSWA (ASWB Associate)Or an MSW in about a year with advanced standing
- CSWE BSW schools
- 10
- BSW options
- 14
- online options
- 4
- lowest public in-state tuition, 2023-24
- $11,389
- BSW license
- LSWA
Does Massachusetts License BSW Graduates?
Yes: the Licensed Social Work Associate (LSWA)
- License
- Licensed Social Work Associate (LSWA)
- Degree required
- Associate degree or at least 60 credit hours in a human service field, a bachelor's degree in any field, or a minimum of 1,000 hours of board-approved education in social work theory and methods (258 CMR 9.06); the board's summary also lists a high school diploma with four years of documented experience
- Exam
- ASWB Associate
- License
- Licensed Social Worker (LSW)
- Degree required
- Bachelor's degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program, or a bachelor's degree in another field (or less college education) plus supervised work experience
- Exam
- ASWB Bachelors
- Supervision
- None with a CSWE-accredited BSW. Alternative routes: a bachelor's degree in another field plus a minimum of 3,500 hours of work experience over not less than two years; 2.5 to 4 years of college plus 8,750 hours over not less than five years; two years of college plus 10,500 hours over not less than six years; one year of college plus 14,000 hours over not less than eight years; high school diploma plus 17,500 hours over not less than ten years; supervision at not less than one hour for every 35 hours of work experience
From Massachusetts Board of Registration of Social Workers, Bureau of Health Professions Licensure, reviewed 2026-09-30. Massachusetts board of social work · BSW license checker
Massachusetts BSW Schools Compared
| School | Formats | CSWE | Tuition and fees, 2023-24 | Transfer or completion | Own MSW with advanced standing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgewater State UniversityBridgewater · Public | Campus | CSWE | $11,389$17,529 out-of-state | Yes | Yes |
| Westfield State UniversityWestfield · Public | Campus, Hybrid, Online | CSWE | $11,882$17,962 out-of-state | Yes | Yes |
| Salem State UniversitySalem · Public | Campus, Online | CSWE | $11,978$18,961 out-of-state | Yes | Yes |
| Lesley UniversityCambridge · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $32,780 | Yes | |
| College of Our Lady of the ElmsChicopee · Private nonprofit | Campus, Online | CSWE | $42,061 | Yes | Yes |
| Anna Maria CollegePaxton · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $43,064 | ||
| Springfield CollegeSpringfield · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $43,707 | Yes | |
| Simmons UniversityBoston · Private nonprofit | Campus, Online | CSWE | $45,538 | Yes | Yes |
| Regis CollegeWeston · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $47,770 | Yes | |
| Assumption UniversityWorcester · Private nonprofit | Campus | Candidacy | $49,414 | Yes |
Programs from each school's own pages, reviewed October 2026; CSWE status from CSWE's directory. Tuition and fees are the federal figures for a full-time undergraduate year, 2023-24 (NCES College Navigator).
Every BSW Program in Massachusetts
14 programs in Massachusetts
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) at Bridgewater State University
Bridgewater State University school profile · BridgewaterFormatOn campusTuition$12,790per year · resident rate · with feesAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campus400-hour practicumTuition$42,061per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 · NCESAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOnline400-hour practicumTuition$696per creditAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campusTuition$13,090per year · resident rate · with feesAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOnlineTuition$11,978per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWE
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) at Westfield State University
Westfield State University school profile · WestfieldFormatOn campus, Hybrid, OnlineTuition$11,882per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campus425-hour practicumTuition$45,538per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 · NCESAccreditationCSWE
Social Work (BSW): Online Degree Completion at Simmons University
Simmons University school profile · BostonFormatOnline425-hour practicumTuition$45,538per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 · NCESAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campusTuition$43,064per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 · NCESAccreditationCSWE
Social Work - Bachelor of Social Work at Lesley University
Lesley University school profile · CambridgeFormatOn campusTuition$32,780per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 · NCESAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campusTuition$47,770per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 · NCESAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campusTuition$47,770per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 · NCESAccreditationCSWE
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) at Assumption University
Assumption University school profile · WorcesterFormatOn campusTuition$49,414per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 · NCESAccreditationCandidacyBachelor of Social Work (BSW) at Springfield College
Springfield College school profile · SpringfieldFormatOn campusTuition$46,782per yearAccreditationCSWE
No programs match these filters.
Program facts come from each school's own pages, reviewed October 2026. Tuition is the program's own published rate where the school states one; otherwise it's the school's federal undergraduate tuition and fees for a full-time year, 2023-24 (in-state at public universities), from NCES College Navigator. "Resident rate" means the school charges nonresidents more. CSWE status comes from CSWE's directory of accredited programs.
What a BSW Costs in Massachusetts
By the federal figures for 2023-24, tuition and fees at Massachusetts's BSW schools run from $11,389 at Bridgewater State University to $49,414 at Assumption University; the Massachusetts median is $42,061, against $13,212 nationally. Public universities charge residents less: 3 of 10 schools here are public.
| School | In-state | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| Bridgewater State University tuitionPublic | $11,389 | $17,529 |
| Westfield State University tuitionPublic | $11,882 | $17,962 |
| Salem State University tuitionPublic | $11,978 | $18,961 |
| Lesley University tuitionPrivate nonprofit | $32,780 | $32,780 |
| College of Our Lady of the Elms tuitionPrivate nonprofit | $42,061 | $42,061 |
| Anna Maria College tuitionPrivate nonprofit | $43,064 | $43,064 |
| Springfield College tuitionPrivate nonprofit | $43,707 | $43,707 |
| Simmons University tuitionPrivate nonprofit | $45,538 | $45,538 |
| Regis College tuitionPrivate nonprofit | $47,770 | $47,770 |
| Assumption University tuitionPrivate nonprofit | $49,414 | $49,414 |
Full-time undergraduate tuition and required fees, 2023-24 (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS). Compare schools side by side with the BSW cost comparison.
From a BSW to an MSW in Massachusetts
9 Massachusetts schools also run an MSW that admits BSW graduates with advanced standing, usually about a year of study instead of two: Assumption University, Bridgewater State University, College of Our Lady of the Elms, Lesley University, Regis College and Salem State University and 3 more. Advanced standing is open to graduates of any CSWE BSW, so you can also move to another school.
How BSW-to-MSW advanced standing works · Find a same-school MSW route
Largest BSW Programs in Massachusetts
By BSWs awarded in 2022-23 (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS), Bridgewater State University has Massachusetts's largest program, followed by College of Our Lady of the Elms and Salem State University. Size tells you how many classmates and field placement partners to expect, not how good a program is.
Online BSW Options for Massachusetts Residents
Beyond Massachusetts's own schools, 128 online BSW options at schools in other states accept students from many states. Before you apply, confirm the school can enroll Massachusetts residents and arrange your field practicum in Massachusetts.
| Lowest published per-credit rates, same for every state | Per credit |
|---|---|
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Metro: Bachillerato en Artes con Concentración en Trabajo Social (BATS)Bachillerato en Artes con Concentración en Trabajo Social (BATS) · Puerto Rico | $207 |
| University of the Cumberlands: Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSW), OnlineBachelor of Science in Social Work (BSW), Online · Kentucky | $220 |
| Avila University: Bachelor of Social Work OnlineBachelor of Social Work Online · Missouri | $300 |
| Charter Oak State College: Bachelor of Science in Social WorkBachelor of Science in Social Work · Connecticut | $329 |
| Briar Cliff University: Bachelor of Social Work (online degree completion)Bachelor of Social Work (online degree completion) · Iowa | $340 |
| Capella University: Bachelor of Social WorkBachelor of Social Work · Minnesota | $350 |
Compare every option on the online BSW programs page, or let the program matcher rank them for you.
Pay for BSW Jobs in Massachusetts
| Occupation | Massachusetts median | U.S. median | Jobs in Massachusetts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $75,570 | $59,550 | 10,900 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $47,130 | $45,930 | 9,180 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $94,590 | $66,270 | 1,200 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $81,380 | $80,390 | 8,800 |
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. A high median on few jobs describes a small market. What you can do with a BSW.
Social Work Programs Near Massachusetts Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many BSW Programs Are in Massachusetts?
10 schools in Massachusetts run a BSW that CSWE lists as accredited or in candidacy, 14 options in all, each checked on the school's own site in October 2026.
Can You Be Licensed With a BSW in Massachusetts?
Yes. Massachusetts Board of Registration of Social Workers, Bureau of Health Professions Licensure issues the Licensed Social Work Associate (LSWA), which requires the ASWB Associate exam. It's a license for generalist practice; independent clinical practice needs an MSW, supervised experience and a clinical license.
Can Massachusetts Residents Earn a BSW Online?
Yes. 4 Massachusetts options are offered online, and 128 online BSW options at schools in other states accept students from many states; confirm each school can enroll Massachusetts residents and place you in a field practicum in Massachusetts. Online BSW programs.
What Is the Most Affordable BSW in Massachusetts?
By federal figures for 2023-24, the lowest in-state tuition and fees at a Massachusetts public university with a CSWE BSW are at Bridgewater State University ($11,389), Westfield State University ($11,882) and Salem State University ($11,978). Grants lower most students' price further.
Nearby States
Sources
- Official program, tuition and admissions pages of the 10 Massachusetts schools listed, reviewed October 2026
- Massachusetts Board of Registration of Social Workers, Bureau of Health Professions Licensure
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), directory of accredited programs
- U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS: 2022-23 completions and 2023-24 tuition and fees
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025