All MSW students are required to complete a 3-credit undergraduate human biology or anatomy and physiology course from an accredited college or university before beginning the advanced coursework. Your acceptance letter will state whether or not you have fulfilled this requirement based on your undergraduate coursework. If you have not yet fulfilled the requirement, choose one of the options below.
The requirement is VERY specific. It must be a 3-credit undergraduate course (lab not required) from an accredited college or university.
The course must cover:
1. Human life span development from birth through aging
2. Basic anatomy and human systems including nervous, skeletal, digestive, reproductive, muscular, cardiovascular and respiratory
Course titles that typically satisfy this requirement are:
Human Biology, The Human Machine, or Anatomy and Physiology
Courses that usually DO NOT count:
Intro to Biology or General Biology
Cell Biology
Anatomy (without Physiology)
Physiology (without Anatomy)
Bio/ Developmental Psychology
If possible, we recommend satisfying this course requirement before you begin your MSW coursework as a matriculated student. There are a few ways to do this:
For students still enrolled in a bachelor's degree program, we recommend taking the human biology course during your last semester, as part of your undergraduate degree.
If students prefer, they can take one of UB's approved courses. If you are starting the MSW program in the fall, then the summer before you begin is a good time to fulfill this requirement.
If you would like to enroll in one of UB's approved courses before you officially begin your program, you will need to apply as a non-degree undergraduate student through the Registrar's Office. Make sure you complete the undergraduate application, since the course you will be taking is an undergraduate level course. View the list of approved UB courses on this page. Please note that non-degree students do not qualify for the reduced online tuition rate, fee reduction, or any type of financial aid.
If you are a Traditional Part-Time Online MSW student, you may need to contact the Academic Processes Coordinator to discuss a temporary lift on your hold so you can register for summer (swinfo@buffalo.edu).
Students can also take the course from a local community college or other regionally accredited institution. If you are beginning the MSW program in the fall, then the summer before you start is a good time to fulfill this requirement.
Community colleges are typically the least expensive option when it comes to taking a non-degree course. In order for the requirement to be fulfilled:
As another option, students can take the human biology course alongside other MSW coursework. Note that if you choose this option, the human biology course must be completed by the June before you begin the advanced coursework.
Consult the list of approved UB courses on this page to select one that works with your schedule.
The registration process for an undergraduate course is different than your other courses. To successfully enroll in an undergraduate course, you must:
**Please note that even though it is an undergraduate course, you will be charged the GRADUATE tuition rate for it if you are registered in other graduate courses. This will not change your bill if you are a full-time student, but if you a part-time student it means you will be billed for an additional 3 graduate credits.
If you are an admitted student that has previously taken a course or combination of courses that you believe cover all the required content outlined above, send a full syllabus for each course to swinfo@buffalo.edu with a subject line of "Human Biology Review Request."
