MSW Program

Program Overview

Unique to our highly ranked MSW program, is an integrated trauma-informed and human rights perspective, offering a transformational lens to focus your social work policy and practice. The entire curriculum is rooted in an evidence-based practice approach to social work. For this reason, all students learn the critical skills to evaluate their practice in their foundation year. Building on the core of their foundation year courses, students have the ability to create an individualized advanced year curriculum from a wide selection of available advanced topic analysis, advanced interventions, and elective courses.

The University at Buffalo School of Social Work offers a 60 credit hour MSW program with both full time (2 year) and part time (9 semesters) options. The application deadline for both programs is March. Full and part time students complete two field placements to help make the transition from student to social work professional. Specialized training opportunities and the ability to complete placement requirements outside of the region and internationally make our field program unique. Field placements include a minimum of 420 and 480 hours respectively, each divided over two semesters. This works out to be approximately 15-16 hours a week during the academic calendar. Block placement options are available for students completing field outside of the region.

During the MSW program student may also choose to become a Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC); complete a Graduate Certificate in Canadian Studies; or pursue one of our Dual Degree Programs.

Course of Study (Full Time)

First Year

Fall

SW 500 Social Welfare History and Policy
SW 505 Theories of Human Behavior and Development
SW 510 Scientific Methods in Social Work
SW 520 Interventions I
SW 544 Foundation Seminar 1 (0.5 credit)
SW 550 Field I

Spring

SW 503 Diversity and Oppression
SW 506 Theories of Organizational Behavior and Development
SW 514 Evaluation in Social Work
SW 521 Interventions II
SW 545 Foundation Seminar 2 (0.5 credit)
SW 551 Field II

Second Year