Accepted Student Information

students, faculty, and staff group photo at MSW orientation 2022.

This step-by-step guide will help new social work students understand and navigate the process of successfully getting started at the UB School of Social Work. 

On this page:

Former UB students may be able to skip a few steps, as they were previously completed.

First: Let us know you're coming!

To confirm your attendance, you must log back in to your Application Status Portal and complete the "SSW Reply to Offer of Admission" form.

Submit your $50 tuition deposit (via credit card or echeck) using the link in your status portal. You will need your UB person number to complete this step. Your person number is generally available in your status portal 24-48 hours after you are admitted. You will receive an email when it is available.

Can't find the link? Email us at swinfo@buffalo.edu.

  • Your single use password and instructions for changing it and activating your UBIT name will be emailed to you within a few days of acceptance. (If you can't find this email, check your spam folder.)
  • Your UBIT name will allow you to log in to your UBMail, HUB, UBLearns, wireless campus networks and more.
  • Explore the Student Technology Guide and New to UB Technology page for step-by-step instructions and other helpful information.

Your UB email is the official method of communication between you and the university. Be sure to check it regularly to receive important messages and updates.

For those who have been previously affiliated with the University at Buffalo:

Your UBIT name and password remain the same and you will not receive a new password. 

Forgot your UBIT name and/or password or can't find the activation email? Contact the UBIT Help Desk at 716-645-3542 or ubithelp@buffalo.edu.

Second: Get ready to enroll

The next group of steps can be completed simultaneously. Please be sure to complete all steps as soon as possible, as not doing so will delay your registration.

*You must complete the step with the (*) before you can register for classes. The other steps in the second section can be completed before or after you are registered.

In accordance with New York State Public Health Law, UB requires that all students submit a student health background form.

The preferred way to submit health forms is to upload them via the secure patient portal on the Health Office website (see link above).

Alternatively, you can mail health forms to:

Student Health Services
4350 Maple Rd.
Amherst, NY 14226

UB students will not be allowed to register for classes until they have fulfilled these requirements.

If you indicated on your application that you are a New York State resident, and you are not a continuing UB student, you must upload documents to verify your residency to obtain the in-state tuition rate. Upload your documents using the link in your application portal.

All admitted students will be deemed an out-of-state resident for tuition billing purposes until sufficient documentation is provided to verify New York State residency in advance of class registration. 

You can verify your residency one of two ways:

  1. If you graduated from a New York State high school within five years of enrolling at UB, you can upload a copy of your high school transcript.
  2. You can upload three of the documents listed on the NYS Residency Materials list below.

NYS Residency Materials List 

All three documents must have your name on them. Please redact (black out) sensitive information — such as your Social Security number, bank account numbers, etc. — before uploading. Acceptable documents include:

  1. New York State driver’s license or New York State non-driver identification card.
    • Must list your New York state address
    • Issue Date must be at least 12 months prior to when you will begin classes
    • Must be valid and not expired
    • Cannot accept paper interim licenses 
  2. Utility and/or Service statements.
    • Examples include gas, electric, phone bill, NYS bank account, credit card, auto loan and insurance policy (homeowners, renters, auto)
    • Do not upload your most recent statement. Statement must be from 12 months prior to when you will begin classes. 
    • Statement must have your name and NYS address listed.
    • Must be PDF of a regular printed or electronic statement; screen shots of online apps will not be accepted.
  3. Proof of ownership of New York State real property (deed).
    • If deed is in your spouse’s name, you must also submit a marriage certificate. 
  4. Residential lease for property in New York State.
    • You must be listed as one of the tenants. If lease is in your spouse’s name, you must also submit a marriage certificate.
    • The NYS property address must be listed on the lease.
    • Must include term or effective dates, or state “month to month” rent.
    • Must be signed and dated by landlord and tenant, showing you have been residing there for at least 12 months prior.
    • If lease expires prior to first day of classes, you must also provide the renewal lease to demonstrate intent to stay in New York.
    • UB leased apartments on university property are considered permanent housing (e.g. Creekside Village, Hadley Village, South Lake Village, Flint Village and Flickinger Court), but campus dorms are not.
  5. New York State motor vehicle registration
    • Must be in your name and NYS address.
    • Must show issue date or effective date that is at least 12 months prior to when you will begin classes.
    • Must be valid and not expired.
  6. New York State income tax returns.
    • NYS IT 201 State Tax return for residents
      • Should be most recent completed tax year, not an older year.
      • Must be signed and dated by you, even if a preparer has signed it.
      • Must be dated 12 months prior to when you will begin classes.
    • NYS IT 203 Nonresident or part-year resident tax return form
      • Should be most recent completed tax year, not an older year.
      • Page 1 G., date moved to NYS must be 12 months prior to when you will begin classes.
  7. New York State voter registration card.
    • Must have an issue date listed and date must be at least 12 months prior to when you will begin classes.
  8. Proof of public assistance
    • Documentation of receipt of public assistance from New York State or from a city, county or municipal agency in New York State.

If you have questions about the above documentation or what is permissible, email swinfo@buffalo.edu.

Students who go through the initial verification process and are determined to be not eligible for the NYS tuition rate may contact UB’s Student Accounts Office to inquire about an appeal process.

(If you are a part-time traditional student, a dual-degree student who is not beginning in the School of Social Work, or a doctoral student, you will skip this step.)

  • Visit and read the Practicum Education page for on-campus students or online students, depending on your program.
  • You will receive an email when it is time to complete your practicum application. 

It is extremely important that you complete the practicum application in a timely manner when prompted.

Note: Students who have a past felony must understand that they may encounter challenges in securing a practicum, depending on the nature of the charge(s). If students are unable to successfully complete practicum requirements it will result in dismissal from the program. 

Questions? Email sw-practicum@buffalo.edu.

  • Check our New Student Orientation page to see when your orientation session takes place.
  • MSW students must complete a pre-orientation course in UBLearns before attending your New Student Orientation session. We will let you know when the pre-orientation course becomes available.

Questions? Contact sw-studentservices@buffalo.edu.

Full- and part-time students who are U.S. citizens and registered for at least 6 credit hours can be eligible for loans through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

This is a requirement for all MSW and dual-degree students.

In your acceptance letter, it will state whether you have completed the human biology requirement. If you have not already completed the human biology prerequisite, view your options and make a plan to satisfy this prerequisite as soon as possible.

With the exception of degrees earned at UB, all students must provide final official transcripts* from your conferring undergraduate institution verifying that you have earned an undergraduate degree. Students with graduate credits they are transferring and/or graduate degrees must also provide final official transcripts from their graduate institution(s). 

If you are a recent graduate, please check with your institution to make sure the official transcript is final and will have your degree conferred on it before it is sent.

Please have your final official transcripts mailed to:
University at Buffalo
School of Social Work - Admissions
685 Baldy Hall
205 Founders Promenade
Buffalo, NY 14260-1050

or have official electronic copies sent via email to swinfo@buffalo.edu.

Students are responsible for assuring the delivery of the documents to the School of Social Work. Please note that using any other university address may result in non-delivery to our department.

Check your application portal to see if we have received your final official transcripts.

Questions about what is needed? Email swinfo@buffalo.edu.

*Any offer of admission is provisional pending receipt of all official transcripts and proof of completion of an earned baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university by the date of intended enrollment.

As you prepare to enroll in any of our graduate programs, review the technology requirements to make sure you have the required hardware and software and skills to be successful. 

Third: Register for classes

Note: You will not be able to register until you have completed the step above with the (*), enrolled in DUO two-step verification, and all holds have been removed from your account.

Online Traditional MSW students will have a registration hold until they attend the mandatory orientation. The hold will be listed as "Preregistration Meeting- SW." This hold will be lifted and you can register for classes after orientation has been completed. Seats will be reserved in the required courses for you.

Before you are able to access your HUB account and other UBIT services, you must enroll in DUO two-step verification. Standard for account security online, two-step verification pairs something you know (your UBITName and password) with something you have (like a smartphone or a security key) to provide secure access to your UB services.

Next, remove any holds in HUB:

  1. Log in to the HUB Student Center through MyUB and review your "Holds" box. 
  2. Click on the holds individually to read and affirm. 

UB students cannot register for classes until they have fulfilled these requirements.

To view the date when you are able to begin registering for classes, log into your HUB student center, available in MyUB.

In the HUB student center, on the right-hand-side bar, you will be able to view the open enrollment windows under the "enrollment dates" box.

The curriculum for each program is prescribed. This means you must register for all of and only the courses listed in the first semester of your program curriculum on the website.

Please note that students do not need to meet with an advisor before registering
. Advisors for MSW students will be assigned at orientation.

Click on your program below to see which courses you must register for your first semester*: 

*PhD students should contact their advisor to discuss their course schedule before registering.

As soon as enrollment opens and your holds have been lifted, follow the steps below to register.

  1. View all the graduate social work course offerings by semester on the class schedules section of the UB Office of the Registrar's website. 
  2. Take a look at the open sections for each of your prescribed classes, according to the curriculum, and write down the 5-digit class number for each that you wish to enroll in. Please note that seated students cannot register for online/virtual course sections.
  3. Enroll in your selected classes via the HUB Student Center, which is available in MyUB, using the class numbers. You can read the instructions for how to register online. If you try to register for a course that is full, you may need to go back and select a different course section. 
Questions about or problems with registration?

Email Ashley Allen, academic processes coordinator and registrar for the School of Social Work, at asallen@buffalo.edu.

Fourth: Final steps

Students are required to obtain a student ID card (UB Card). To get your UB Card, visit the UB Campus Dining and Shops page (online students) or the UB Card Office on the North Campus, in 1Capen (Capen Hall).

Note: You must be registered for classes before you can obtain your UB Card.

To park on campus, UB students, faculty, staff and vendors need a parking permit.

  • UB requires all new graduate students to pass Haven Plus, an online education requirement, in addition to coursework for your field of study.  
  • Haven Plus is available on the Student Life Gateway website.

Additional Information

All students will be expected to abide by the NASW Code of Ethics and the Technical Standards for Admission, Promotion and Graduation, in accordance with program requirements, with or without reasonable accommodations, to enroll in, fully participate in, progress through and graduate from any UB School of Social Work program.

Students enrolled in our online programs who live more than 75 miles from campus can request an activity fee waiver.

Non-resident online MSW students (out-of-state and international) MUST take all of their coursework fully online in order to be eligible for the lower non-resident online tuition rate. If you register for a seated or hybrid course, you will be charged the full non-resident rate for all courses that semester.

Learn more about your I-20 status, immigration and visa information on the UB Graduate School's Immigration and International Arrival Information page.

Learn more about UB Veteran Services and VA Educational Benefits on the UB Veteran Services page.

It helps to self-disclose to the Accessibility Resources Office as soon as possible so that appropriate accommodations can be arranged in advance. Visit the Office of Accessibility Resources website to learn about the process for self-disclosing and requesting accommodations.