Dear Salem State MSW Administration,

We write regarding the lack of online classes for the Spring 2025 semester. Online sections have been reduced over time without notification to the students this decision directly impacts. Due to the lack of online classes, many students are being forced to make choices that have serious consequences both academically and professionally.

Students report that the lack of online classes is making an education through the Salem State MSW program unsustainable. They are having to quit their current jobs, work reduced hours and having to delay graduation due to the lack of flexibility that online classes provide. The switch to fewer online classes has further hidden costs for students who are parents and those who do not live on the North Shore, many of whom entered the program with an understanding that this flexibility was an established feature. This also impacts students who have disabilities that make traveling more difficult. This is causing students to go further into debt, and with the current cost of living, is becoming unsustainable for many students.

Not only does the lack of modality options make continuing to work a job nearly impossible, it also impacts field placements for current students due to the lack of predictability in schedules. This has the potential for damaging relationships with placement organizations as many students are looking to have to change their availability for internships halfway through their placements. 

Salem State is an option for many due to the affordability of the education. The CSWE states in their mission that programs should prioritize accessibility. It should then be part of Salem State's mission to make this an equitably accessible education for all students, which includes offering classes in different modalities. If Salem State plans to shift away from offering online classes, then there should be a broader discussion of that with current students, a conversation which takes into consideration the impacts that effectively ending the online modality has in the mid-year and mid-program. 

We the undersigned students of Salem’s States School of Social Work Master’s Program request increased availability of online and hybrid classes in Spring 2025.