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Boston College. School of Social Work

 Organization

Historical Note

Founded in 1936 by Walter McGuinn, S.J., and Dorothy L. Book, the Boston College School of Social Work ranks among the oldest schools of social work in the country. Fr. McGuinn served as Dean from 1936–1943, followed by Book—the first woman dean at Boston College—who served in the role until 1955.

Conducted on the graduate level, the School offered a two year-course leading to a Master's Degree in Social Work.It opened with four fields of specialization: case work, public welfare, medical social work, and probation and parole. A fifth - community organization - was quickly added. Upon the completion of McGuinn Hall in 1968, the School moved to Chestnut Hill. The Doctor of Social Work degree program was instituted in 1979.

Found in 3 Collections and/or Records:

Boston College Graduate School of Social Work records

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: BC-1992-034
Scope and Contents

Consists of diaries, scrapbooks, correspondence, reports, and publications. The diaries and scrapbooks document the School's history during the tenures of deans Walter McGuinn, SJ and Dorothy L. Book. The collection also contains files on special projects and programs, such as work with the Peace Corps and the School's anniversary celebrations.

Restrictions on access

Collection is closed until processed.

Dates: 1935 - 1993; Majority of material found within 1936 - 1981

William J. Murphy, SJ, President's Office records

 Collection
Identifier: BC-2004-078
Abstract

The William J. Murphy, SJ, President’s Office Records contain correspondence, memos, student applications, contracts, notes, brochures, and pamphlets documenting Murphy's term as the nineteenth president of Boston College. Murphy's presidency coincided with World War II, and these records also document the war's effects on campus military programs and funding.

Restrictions on access

Collection is open for research.

Dates: 1929 - 1948; Majority of material found within 1939 - 1945

Michael P. Walsh, SJ, President's Office records

 Collection
Identifier: BC-2013-028
Abstract The Michael P. Walsh, SJ, President’s Office Records document Walsh’s tenure as twenty-second president of Boston College, 1958-1968. This collection consists largely of administrative records and contains committee, departmental, and faculty files as well as admission records, building plans, correspondence, subject files, and materials relating to the University's centennial celebrations in 1963. Subject files contain biographical information in addition to other topics of interest to...
Restrictions on access

Collection is open for research. Series I. Admissions is closed in its entirety due to privacy restrictions, and is stored off-site. A small amount of material in other series is also closed due to privacy restrictions.

Dates: 1933 - 1982; Majority of material found within 1958 - 1968