Summer 2025 MSW Credit Course Electives

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Registration

Current UB School of Social Work students: Register through the HUB Student Center in the same manner that you register for all other classes.

Not a current UB School of Social Work student? Non-degree or non-matriculated students: Apply for non-degree status prior to registration. This requires proof of immunization status if not already on file at UB.

Tuition and Fees

Billing is sent electronically to your buffalo.edu email address. Paper bills are no longer mailed by UB. If you do not check your buffalo.edu email and pay your tuition bill on time, you will be charged late fees by UB.

Review the in-state and out-of-state tuition and fees.

Tuition Waivers

Practicum Educators with SUNY Tuition Waivers may use the waivers to pay for tuition costs. Waivers do not cover standard course fees or the non-degree application fee. For more information, contact the Practicum Education Office at 716-645-1234 or sw-field@buffalo.edu.

Add/Drop

  • The Buffalo Niagara Summer Institute courses are considered non-standard courses. Please refer to the Office of the Registrar's non-standard session dates for add/drop dates. 
  • Full attendance is required for credit. 

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an evidence-based psychotherapy that incorporates mindfulness and behavioral strategies to help clients increase their psychological flexibility.  ACT takes a non-pathological approach to clinical presentations and aims to help clients engage in values-based behavior while simultaneously making space for unwanted internal experiences, such as painful thoughts, feelings, body sensations, memories, etc.  Through this, clients learn to put less effort into fighting against their symptoms and put more effort into living the life they want.  This course focuses on the origin, theory, components, and application of core ACT skills to help adults and adolescents from diverse populations and a variety of life problems organize their lives around what matters to them, rather than avoidance of unwanted experiences.  

This course is designed as an introduction to the basic principles of ACT.  No previous experience with ACT is necessary.  Learners will acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to utilize this method appropriately and effectively with diverse client populations and problems.

Class Number 11425
Schedule Wednesday, June 25, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Thursday, June 26, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Friday, June 27, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Location 134/135 Greiner Hall (North)
Credit Hours 1
Instructor  Alexander Rubin, LCSW

SW 593: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

This course focuses on the origin, theory, components, research and application of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, a treatment method originally developed for treating trauma and now being applied to a range of client problems. Students will acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to utilize this method appropriately and effectively with diverse client populations and problems. Such use is based on an understanding of the theoretical bases of EMDR, client safety issues, integration with a comprehensive treatment plan, and supervised practice with the components of EMDR as well as its various applications. Prerequisite: Participants should be either students who have completed at least the first year of a graduate level professional human-services degree program (e.g. MSW foundation year) or licensed/ certified mental health professionals.

Students MUST attend orientation prior to being enrolled in the class. Orientations will be held via Zoom on: 

February 26th, 1-2pm
Meeting ID: 847 5866 0334

May 7th 9-10am
Meeting ID: 827 0329 2734

Class Number 13036
Schedule Friday, June 6, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday, June 7, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Wednesday, June 25, 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday, July 2, 12-4 p.m.
Wednesday, July 9, 12-4 p.m.
Wednesday, July 16, 12-4 p.m.
Wednesday, July 23, 12-4 p.m.
Wednesday, July 30, 12-4 p.m.
Friday, August 1, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Wednesday, August 6, 12-4 p.m.
Friday, August 8, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Location Online
Credit Hours 3
Instructor  Annie Monaco, LCSW, RPT-S & Lisa Prefontaine, LMHC

SW 705: Assessing Lethality

This is a skill focused course on how to assess and respond to adults with psychiatric emergencies where there is a risk of lethality (suicidal/homicidal/self-harm). It will include identification of high risk factors and how to conduct lethality assessments for individuals, including those who are diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illness and/or under the influence of substances. Participants will learn the levels of lethality; how to use lethality assessment tools and rating scales; how to complete documentation of services which reflect clinical assessments in accordance with the most current evidence and best practices; how to create an intervention plan for identified lethality, and when it is appropriate in professional social work practice to break confidentiality based on a current lethality assessment.

Class Number 12076
Schedule Monday, July 21, 8:45 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Tuesday, July 22, 8:45 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Location 134/135 Greiner Hall (North)
Credit Hours 1
Instructor  Lynda Battaglia, LCSW 

SW 975: Internal Family Systems (IFS)

Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a therapeutic model that views the mind as composed of multiple "parts," each with distinct beliefs, roles, feelings, and perspectives, alongside a core Self that embodies healing qualities including compassion. The IFS model helps individuals explore and heal wounded or protective parts by working with the core Self to find balance within the internal system. Through this process, IFS empowers individuals to address inner conflicts, heal trauma, and cultivate greater emotional resilience and self-awareness.

This course provides an overview of the theory and practice of the IFS model.  Concepts and skills will be taught through a combination of lecture, experiential learning, and video of IFS session excerpts to demonstrate key concepts.  Students will have the opportunity to learn and practice IFS techniques that can be applied to clinical practice. 

Class Number 12728
Schedule Monday, July 28, 9 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.
Tuesday, July 29, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Monday, August 11, 9 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.
Tuesday, August 12, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Location Online
Credit Hours 1
Instructor  Michelle Lepak, LCSW

SW 973: Dialectical Behavior Therapy Approaches to Treat Problematic Behavior Patterns

This course will focus on using Dialectical Behavior Therapy theory and interventions to assess and intervene with problematic behavior patterns including behaviors associated with suicidality and self-harm, substance use, and impaired functioning. Marsha Linehan’s theory, psychoeducational material, and phases of treatment will be reviewed and practiced with didactic and experiential methods.

Class Number 11054
Schedule Monday, August 4, 9 a.m. - 4:15 p.m.
Tuesday, August 5, 9 a.m. - 4:15 p.m.
Location Online
Credit Hours 1
Instructor Lisa Prefontaine, LMHC