Letter from Rachel

I am writing as a concerned member of the Cape Cod MSW Cohort (graduating 2027) to highlight a decision by Boston University that will significantly impact our local community: the discontinuation of its in-person Master of Social Work program here on Cape Cod.

This move is deeply troubling, particularly as it seems to contradict the very principles of advocacy, justice, and equity that are fundamental to social work practice and vital for our region.

Ending this program represents a profound loss for Cape Cod. It strips working individuals and parents, many of whom specifically chose this local, in-person format, of invaluable learning opportunities, crucial networking, and the chance to collaboratively address our unique community challenges. This decision not only risks worsening the existing social worker shortage on the Cape but also removes a reputable and invigorating educational resource right when our families need it most. Not only that, but providers will experience greater difficulty in hiring highly trained social workers.

As a parent of a two-year-old, the in-person format of this program was essential for me to balance my roles as a working mother and a student. The prospect of having to commute to Boston for in-person learning or learn online, a requirement never part of my original enrollment, is both frustrating and disheartening. This change disproportionately affects those of us committed to serving our own community. The decision to also lay off our director will significantly diminish our guidance, local knowledge, and support which cannot be replicated.

I urge Boston University to reconsider this decision and to uphold its stated values—Inclusion and Diversity, Service to Society, Integrity, and Community and Collaboration—in how it serves regional communities like ours. We hope this vital issue receives the attention it deserves, prompting a reevaluation that truly prioritizes the needs and future of Cape Cod.

We are calling upon our entire Cape Cod community to join us in this critical effort. Your help is essential to preserving this vital program and ensuring our region continues to have access to highly trained social workers. Please sign our petition on Change.org at https://chng.it/sHDmsrrwzf to make your voice heard directly by Boston University.

Sincerely,

Rachel White Cape Cod Cohort - MSW to graduate 2027

The Issue

 The sudden announcement from Boston University, in the form of an email from the Dean of Social Work, stating that the program is scheduled to be disbanded in the coming months and shut down completely by May 2026, is devastating to those of us who have planned to complete our education by 2027. We were promised continuity until that time, and now we face a premature end that threatens our educational and professional goals.

Historically, the Cape Cod MSW program has been a vital part of our community. For decades, it has provided residents the opportunity to pursue a meaningful education locally, without the need to uproot their lives. The potential closure robs future students of this invaluable opportunity and disrupts the professional pipeline that supports our community's welfare needs.

We respectfully urge Boston University to reconsider this decision. Allow the existing cohort to complete their studies as promised. Extend the program until at least 2027, keeping our program director in her position to support us, and honoring the commitments made and ensuring a continued investment in our local community's social fabric.

 Each member of the Cape Cod cohort has their own unique reasons and passion for choosing the Boston University (BU) School of Social Work's Cape Cod Masters in Social Work program. Despite our varied backgrounds and aspirations, we share a united passion for serving our local community here on Cape Cod. Our commitment as future clinical social workers is deeply rooted in the desire to create positive impact across our local community. This program is an integral part of our journey to becoming effective professionals. We chose this program specifically for its in-person hybrid model that fosters relationships and human-centered learning, hallmarks of effective social work. The commitment to learning in a close knit environment echoes the approach we aspire to uphold as social workers.

Please join us in preserving this crucial educational program for current and future Cape Cod residents. Your signature can make a substantial impact in advocating for the program's continuation and ultimately, the betterment of social services and community well-being on Cape Cod. Sign our petition to keep the Cape Cod MSW program alive and thriving.