Simmons University Reviews of Master's in Social Work

I'm disappointed I didn't find this website prior to starting this program. I actually transferred here from a major University primarily because I needed the online class consistency. I also work full time and have a family, so with the pandemic, going to class / not going to class and school/no school for my daughter was too complex to manage. I also have a Master's in Public Administration from a number one ranked university and am appalled by how bad the content is for this program. We are 4... Read More weeks in and the online asynchronous work is outdated, does include a lot of ridiculous (and FREE) youtube videos, podcasts and other free content that we could find on our own. To date, I haven't had a single actual lecture and frankly find that the scope of the coursework is absurd even though I know they are following what they need to follow for certification. But NO, you should not be trying to teach biased social policy and government from youTube (that's why you go get your MPA!). The professors are very young and are very busy with their other jobs. If I was paying a reasonable amount, I could get behind this program as a means to an end. However, for two classes, i'm paying over $6000 and they charge you student fees even tho you get nothing for that fee. Their marketing team has been well trained and they definitely spend a lot of money on people to call you and help you sign up for class - it's like having a manager. But then you are dropped. I've had to email for the last month to get my scholarship money applied (they also tried to take it away from me after tricking me into signing up for November when the classes they told me to take were not even offered and then forcing me to instead start in January). I also emailed asking for a financial aid officer to call me about option for the public service loans that are repaid and that was a week ago. I still haven't heard back. The other thing I would strongly caution is that they promise "tons of classes and class times." this is not true. many of the classes are late at night, which is just not conducive to my life. For each class this semester, only one was offered during the hours when my daughter was a school. When I told my "manager" that I could only find one time slot for each class that worked and he cautioned there would be times where I didn't have a choice. Frankly, I think this program is probably a huge racket. In order to pay for school, I do have to work and I do have an obligation to my family. But not surprisingly, neither social work program I was in gave two sh**s about that. So basically they rail on systemic failings of our social welfare systems but opt out of the role they play. And, to date, I haven't learned anything I haven't learned in my prior stats and policy classes. It feels like a HUGE waste of money.

I did learn a lot, and I liked that it was very clinical. But many of the online courses are the same, covering much of the same material. Some professors are good (and many are women of color, which is great!), others seem disinterested and don't respond to email. That said, it is offensive that the program costs tens of thousands of dollars (for an online program that is largely video-based), and requires you to complete multiple UNPAID internships in addition to coursework. The workload is intense,... Read More leaving little time for daily responsibilities, never mind down time. If you're single, good luck. If you have a family, your family will be under some serious strain that they might not be prepared for. Which is bitterly ironic, given that the goal of social work is to improve people's mental health and well-being.

Please, please believe the bad reviews!! I think the good ones are fake! I’ve had nothing but bad experiences at this school, from teachers who don’t respond to emails or texts, to bully classmates. The online program is NOT taught by teachers from the actual school, and a lot of the asynchronous homework involves watching cheap, boring YouTube videos. It’s a bait and switch program only designed to make money for the actual Simmons campus. They will tell you lies to get you into the school but only... Read More do it if it’s your last hope. I was told it’s a great program for moms but during the pandemic Simmons was NOT understanding about the fact that many of us were at home with our kids and had no choice about it. Awful, condescending staff run the school for the most part as well. Please think twice before attending this school. I owe thousands of dollars and completely regret going to Simmons.

I feel pulled to leave a review to hopefully provide a more dynamic view of this school. I am enrolled in the online MSW program. I have had such a wonderful experience and will be graduating soon. I want to validate some of the experiences noted in other reviews, and at the same time remind those reading that often folks who had bad experiences leave reviews and there are thousands of good experiences not mentioned. The admission process was so welcoming and warming, Simmons has a ton of departments... Read More each step of the way provided to ensure each student feels supported. I have an advisor AND a student success specialist I talk with every few weeks to make sure I am doing well. My classes are SO interesting and I've loved each professor. The courses place a strong emphasis on social justice and systems of privilege and oppression. I've had professors who own private practices, and others that do macro work advocating for policy change. My internship has been an extremely enriching educational opportunity. I know tens of people who have graduated from this program and are now successful LICSW or LCSW. Having classmates all over the US provides a rich and dynamic perspective. The only downside I have noticed so far is at times the courses are offered are at annoying times for me. This is small potatoes.

I have recently started my program at simmons in social work. Thus far it is an expectional program the proffessors are competent and the material is very engaging and prepares you to work in the social work field. This program is perfect for people who want to work in a therapeutic setting it is a clinical focused program so it is about the micro level of social work. So if you want to be a macro level social worker its probably not the best fit. My only compliant is that some professsors will take... Read More a whole semster to grade one assignment and it can be nerv racking that you have no clue what your grade in the class is until the end.

I am completely dissatisfied with this social work program. I went to this school with such high hopes and it is so incredibly disorganized. The classes listed on their website are actually not the classes that you take, and are even assigned to the wrong year. Everyone seems aloof. I literally have no idea what classes I am taking next semester. One of my professors is a self-centered jerk who does not listen to or support his students. The funniest thing is that he doesn't even teach! I came to... Read More this school to learn and my professor claims he is "so busy" and has the students teach the course. Is that legal? I want my money back. There are so many other schools of social work that pay you to go because they actually care. This is definitely a third-tier fallback school. Who and what is Simmons? I am disgusted. If you are going to a social work school in Boston or MA, there is a significant reason why there are at least 3 schools that are rated way higher than this one. What a joke.

I did all my research before applying to this program. Even though it was very expensive, I was impressed with the classes. I had a horrible experience. I didn't continue after one semester and lost thousands of dollars. I'm not going to bash the school but here are some concerns; lack of support, inconsistencies among professors, some of the asynchronous lectures are horrible, the live classes are taken over by a few students who monopolize the class, (I felt invisible most of the time), if you... Read More have been out of school for a while take a writing course, there are a lot of writing assignments and no help, and if you work full time and have a family, this is a very demanding program with little guidance. I hope this helps in your decision;

This entire program is a joke. You pay absurd amounts of money for unqualified instructors and video tutorials. I am in debt now for about 42k and have no degree thanks to Simmons not following their own field placement policies. I had to quit my job for field placement. Also wasn't aware that you can't transfer more than maybe 6-10 credits to a new program so you basically paid for nothing. Its a business through and through. Could you imagine if a retail business or airline pulled that? Half my... Read More instructors were brand new to teaching and to the mental health field and couldn't answer simple clinical based questions (esp regarding diagnosis and harm reduction models). More than a handful have had the bare minimum required client face time and I was told "what does the book say?" more than once when asking questions. The dean of the online MSW is on an ego trip and unless you kiss * * * you will be dismissed. After 20 years in this field I am not kissing up to anyone, so here I am with a 3.8 gpa and a dismissal on my record. Good luck.

This "college" is an utter disgrace to the Boston community. Boston, you have such a good reputation (school wise), but Simmons indeed destroys it. The administration is unorganized and acts as bullies towards students. They will manipulate situations to make you feel as if you were at fault when in reality it is their own. They are also incredibly lazy when it comes to field placements. They do not care where they place you, nor if you are a good match. If you apply, you will get in. This school... Read More is only here to suck the money out of your bank account. Not to mention, they are incredibly cruel and have given me plenty of panic attacks, along with a stress fracture in my hip due to my shaking from the anxiety. I would honestly take them to court and sue them, but I feel that this is the best way to prevent anyone from attending the university. Hey, Simmons, you claim to be so anti-racist and so anti-fascist, but you know what? You fit the bill. You are a complete disgrace to the caring, intellectual universities in this city. Also, if you enjoy Tumblr and all the radical liberals who believe they are wolves, angels, etc. you should attend. They do not facilitate an education; they promote a bubble of ignorance and shame. Oh yeah, and an angry, anxious environment. Sounds healthy, right? Don't attend. If you speak out, Simmons will tell you that you have a learning disability. Yes, in the social work school. I had straight A's. What a joke.

Simmons School of Social Work is a rigorous, well renowned social work program with over 100 years of history at an historically all-women's college. It is a beautiful little campus in Boston's Fenway neighborhood, nestled among several other small colleges. The setting is intimate and personal, and it is easy to develop relationships with professors and advisors quickly. The faculty at the School of Social work are warm, and supportive, and there are many resources and services available to graduate... Read More students to encourage success-- for example there is a research librarian dedicated solely to social work!