Emmanuel Partners with Simmons University to Provide Students a Streamlined Pathway to an MSW Degree

A newly launched partnership between Emmanuel College and Simmons University is creating an expedited bridge for Saints to earn their Master of Social Work (MSW) at Simmons, the nation’s oldest clinical social work program.

The Fenway Social Work Collaborative offers a simplified application process, guaranteed admission, and $12,000 in graduate-tuition scholarships. Up to four graduate courses can be waived for students who have completed specific undergraduate courses at Emmanuel.

“This is exactly the kind of partnership that makes the Fenway such a powerful learning community,” said Cindy O’Callaghan, Chief Strategist and Special Assistant to the President at Emmanuel. “By working together we’re providing Emmanuel students a head-start in pursuing their careers—and in making a profound difference to countless individuals, families, and communities.” 

The Fenway Social Work Collaborative is available for Emmanuel undergraduates with one of the following: a minor in social work, a major in counseling and health psychology, or a major in sociology with a concentration in social work. Applicants must also have a GPA of at least 3.0, and have earned a 3.0 in all social-work related courses. 

The Collaborative is also available to Emmanuel alumni who meet the eligibility requirements and have graduated within the past four years. 

The streamlined application process is initiated through the Emmanuel Sociology Department. Application fees, letters of recommendation, and personal statement requirements are all waived under the program. 

“This partnership recognizes the baseline our social work students have established at Emmanuel and allows them to really hit the ground running for that next step in their careers,” said Associate Professor of Sociology, Dr. Ivy Krull.  

The Simmons Master of Social Work program is the oldest in the country, with a focus on clinical training and hands-on practice, all through a lens of social justice and understanding impacts of systemic factors.  The MSW program is offered both on-campus and in hybrid format, with options for full-time, part-time, and accelerated study. 

“We are delighted to announce this partnership,” said Simmons School of Social Work Dean Dr. Michael LaSala. “Social work is a calling. By earning an MSW, Emmanuel students, known for their excellent preparation and commitment to social justice, can transform this calling into a vocation, taking their caring and compassion and turning it into something that will improve lives and make the world a better place.”

For more information about the Fenway Social Work Collaborative, email Associate Professor of Sociology Dr. Ivy Krull at krulli [at] emmanuel.edu.