The Nation's Oldest School of Social Work, Simmons College School of Social Work, Welcomes Inaugural Class of Online Students

BOSTON, July 23, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Simmons College School of Social Work announced today that its inaugural class of students has begun courses in SocialWork@Simmons, the school's online Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) program.  

In 1904, Simmons College became the first college in the country to offer a clinical social work program; today the Simmons School of Social Work continues to be a pioneer in social work education with SocialWork@Simmons. This new online program offers aspiring social workers from around the country the opportunity to earn a prestigious M.S.W. degree from a nationally accredited institution with a focus in clinical social work.

"SocialWork@Simmons brings the same high quality, rigorous, clinical training offered on campus to students across the nation, preparing them with the knowledge, skills, and field training to become compassionate, experienced practitioners," says Stefan Krug, MSW, Ph.D., deputy provost of Simmons College. "We are so proud to support this first class of students, all of whom share the social work profession's commitment to improving the mental and social well-being of people in their communities across the country."

SocialWork@Simmons features dynamic, immersive coursework and live, seminar-style online classes taught by the Simmons School of Social Work's dedicated faculty. Students apply what they learn in supervised, direct-practice internships in their own communities, offering students the chance to work with individuals, groups, agencies, and communities.

"I am excited to begin my studies with SocialWork@Simmons," said Kerry Collins, CSW, Therapist and SocialWork@Simmons student. "I chose this program because it's a collaborative, innovative and accredited program with a high level of professional standards and expectations."

Students in SocialWork@Simmons have met the same admissions criteria as the on-campus program and through their application have demonstrated a level of professionalism and commitment to social work values that will lead to success in the rigorous online program.

Additional facts about the inaugural SocialWork@Simmons class include:

• Students reside in 25 states
• Approximately one-third of the students have an academic background in a social science field
• More than half of the students have experience working in the mental health field

"I am particularly excited that we have the unique opportunity to create a new community of faculty and students who come from across the United States," said Dana Grossman Leeman, Ph.D., M.S.W., SocialWork@Simmons program director and associate professor of Practice. "My hope is to co-create an online community that has its own unique, warm and connected culture and marry it with the Simmons School of Social Work on ground culture that is both student centered and nurturing of teachers and their teaching. Distance does not have to be synonymous with disconnection."

SocialWork@Simmons offers students four concentrations: Child and Family; Trauma and Interpersonal Violence; Mental Health and Addictions; and Health and Aging.

SocialWork@Simmons is delivered in partnership with 2U, Inc. (NASDAQ: TWOU), a leading provider of cloud-based software-as-a-service solutions that enable leading nonprofit colleges and universities to deliver high-quality education to qualified students anywhere.

The online program enrolls new students throughout the year. The deadline for the next start of class is August 8, 2014. For more information about SocialWork@Simmons, please visit socialwork.simmons.edu or follow the program on Twitter at @SimmonsMSW.

Simmons School of Social Work
The Simmons School of Social Work (www.simmons.edu/ssw), founded in 1904 as a joint venture with Harvard University, is the nation's oldest school of social work. With a nationally acclaimed clinical social work program, Simmons SSW is a leader in educating students for the demands of contemporary practice with individuals, families, groups and communities. Simmons College (www.simmons.edu) is a nationally recognized private university located in the heart of Boston.

Media contacts:

Kalimah Knight
617-521-2369
[email protected]

SOURCE Simmons School of Social Work