With its variety of work and school options, Massachusetts can be an excellent state for social work students. Massachusetts has a variety of urban, suburban, and rural areas that need the services of educated social workers. In total, there are almost 6.7 million people living in Massachusetts. The U.S. Census Bureau reports that there are 839.4 people per square mile in Massachusetts, compared to the national average of 87.4 people per square mile.
The cost of living in Massachusetts is approximately 38% higher than the national average, according to Sperling’s Best Places. However, as a result, the median household income in Massachusetts is more than $13,000 higher than the national average.
Tuition and Curriculum Information for MSW Programs in Massachusetts
As you explore your educational options in the small state of Massachusetts, you may be surprised to find that it is home to 20 MSW programs. The overall average cost of tuition is $27,326, which is similar to average tuition costs in other New England states. However, one unique facet of Massachusetts is its financial aid. The average scholarship award in Massachusetts is $15,444, which would pay for almost 2/3 of your education.
Curriculum
While all schools in Massachusetts prepare you for work as a generalist practitioner, there are some schools that give you the opportunity to specialize in a certain field. For example, Boston University offers a wide array of social work specialties. While earning your MSW, you can choose to specialize in family therapy, group work, human services management, aging, or trauma.
The first half of each MSW program is where you learn the core of social work. In addition to learning about social policies and analysis, both of which will drive your practice, you learn the hands on techniques you need to work with and counselor variety of people. During these classes, you will be expected to contribute individually as well as working well with groups of students.
Practicum
The lecture courses you take every semester are taken in conjunction with practicum hours. At each practicum site, you will have to demonstrate how you are successfully able to use your academic knowledge to work with clients of differing needs and backgrounds. In general, most Massachusetts schools require about 900 hours of field work.
MSW Salary and Job Outlook in Massachusetts
As you go through your MSW program, you may wonder what employment options are available to you after graduation. If you wish to work in a clinical setting, you may look for an employment site that can provide you with the supervised work hours that you need to meet this goal. However, you may also work for government organizations and healthcare agencies, both of which are large employers of social workers, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
There are many different fields that hire social workers, so there may be many different careers to consider after graduation. Some of the largest social work employers in Massachusetts include South Bay Mental Health, Fresenius Medical Care, and Cape Regency Rehabilitation & Health Care Center.
Social Worker Salary in Massachusetts
Social worker salaries in Massachusetts depend on a variety of factors, including your licensure level, your area of concentration, and what type of employment you seek. In general, LISWs are the highest-paid social workers in Massachusetts.
O*Net reports that healthcare social workers earn the highest average salary in Massachusetts, with an average salary of $55,100 per year. They are followed by family social workers, who earn an average of $45,500 per year (O*Net, 2012). Mental health social workers, who may work in mental health clinics, earn an average salary of $38,800 per year (O*Net, 2012).
Social Worker Job Outlook in Massachusetts
Overall, Massachusetts social workers can look forward to a strong job outlook between 2010 and 2020. In highest demand are mental health social workers, who can look forward to job growth of 25% through 2020 (O*Net, 2012). Child and family social workers can expected job openings to increase by 20% in the same time frame (O*Net, 2012).
Social Work Licensure in Massachusetts
In order to legally work as a social worker in Massachusetts, you must get your license from the Board of Registration of Social Workers. With an MSW, you can apply for Licensed Clinical Social Worker status. You will need to pay a $173 licensing fee and submit transcripts, references from fieldwork supervisors, and an application. Once you sit for the exam, you receive your license.
To reach the highest level of licensure in Massachusetts, you have to complete 3500 hours of supervised work experience. Once you submit proof of these hours, you can apply for Licensed Independent Social Worker status.
Masters in Social Work Degree Programs in Massachusetts
Boston College
(Chestnut Hill, MA)
- Masters in Social Work (MSW)
- $43,140 Tuition Cost
- $30,302 Scholarship and Financial Aid Awards
- Urban Campus Setting
Boston University
(Boston, MA)
- Masters in Social Work (MSW)
- $42,400 Tuition Cost
- $22,614 Scholarship and Financial Aid Awards
- Urban Campus Setting
Brandeis University
(Waltham, MA)
- Masters in Health Policy Analysis
- $42,390 Tuition Cost
- $31,469 Scholarship and Financial Aid Awards
- Urban Campus Setting
Bridgewater State University
(Bridgewater, MA)
- Masters in Social Work (MSW)
- $910 Tuition Cost
- $1,549 Scholarship and Financial Aid Awards
- Suburban Campus Setting
Cambridge College
(Cambridge, MA)
- Masters in Family and Consumer Sciences
- $13,140 Tuition Cost
- $1,809 Scholarship and Financial Aid Awards
- Urban Campus Setting
Harvard University
(Cambridge, MA)
- Masters in Public Policy Analysis
- $37,576 Tuition Cost
- $39,754 Scholarship and Financial Aid Awards
- Urban Campus Setting
Northeastern University
(Boston, MA)
- Masters in Public Policy Analysis
- $39,320 Tuition Cost
- $21,021 Scholarship and Financial Aid Awards
- Urban Campus Setting
Regis College
(Weston, MA)
- Masters in Social Work and Public Administration Policy
- $33,060 Tuition Cost
- $19,479 Scholarship and Financial Aid Awards
- Suburban Campus Setting
Salem State University
(Salem, MA)
- Masters in Social Work (MSW)
- $910 Tuition Cost
- $2,053 Scholarship and Financial Aid Awards
- Suburban Campus Setting
Simmons College
(Boston, MA)
- Masters in Social Work (MSW)
- $33,350 Tuition Cost
- $16,430 Scholarship and Financial Aid Awards
- Urban Campus Setting
Smith College
(Northampton, MA)
- Masters in Social Work (MSW)
- $41,190 Tuition Cost
- $31,450 Scholarship and Financial Aid Awards
- Suburban Campus Setting
Springfield College
(Springfield, MA)
- Masters in Social Work (MSW)
- $31,240 Tuition Cost
- $14,230 Scholarship and Financial Aid Awards
- Urban Campus Setting
Suffolk University
(Boston, MA)
- Masters in Social Work and Public Administration Policy
- $30,672 Tuition Cost
- $13,897 Scholarship and Financial Aid Awards
- Urban Campus Setting
Tufts University
(Medford, MA)
- Masters in Public Policy Analysis
- $43,688 Tuition Cost
- $27,465 Scholarship and Financial Aid Awards
- Suburban Campus Setting
University of Massachusetts Amherst
(Amherst, MA)
- Masters in Public Policy Analysis
- $1,714 Tuition Cost
- $5,541 Scholarship and Financial Aid Awards
- Suburban Campus Setting
University of Massachusetts-Boston
(Boston, MA)
- Masters in Public Policy Analysis
- $1,714 Tuition Cost
- $4,694 Scholarship and Financial Aid Awards
- Urban Campus Setting
University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth
(North Dartmouth, MA)
- Masters in Public Policy Analysis
- $1,417 Tuition Cost
- $4,184 Scholarship and Financial Aid Awards
- Suburban Campus Setting
University of Massachusetts-Lowell
(Lowell, MA)
- Masters in Social Psychology
- $1,454 Tuition Cost
- $5,211 Scholarship and Financial Aid Awards
- Suburban Campus Setting
Westfield State University
(Westfield, MA)
- Masters in Social Work (MSW)
- $970 Tuition Cost
- $1,765 Scholarship and Financial Aid Awards
- Suburban Campus Setting
Wheelock College
(Boston, MA)
- Masters in Social Work (MSW)
- $29,860 Tuition Cost
- $13,963 Scholarship and Financial Aid Awards
- Urban Campus Setting