This unique partnership allows undergraduate students from a university other than UB to earn both their bachelor’s degree and their master’s in social work in only five years.
Canisius University students enrolled in either the Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in psychology may be eligible to apply to the 3+2 program. If accepted, you can pursue the Master of Social Work (MSW) degree rather than entering into a fourth year of undergraduate study. This allows you to complete both bachelor's and MSW degrees in less time and fewer credits than if completed separately.
The Canisius/UB 3+2 program is intended for high school graduates majoring in psychology at Canisius. Total program length: 5 years full-time (3 years undergraduate + 2 years graduate).
If you are enrolled in a different major at Canisius University, or attend a different undergraduate institution, you can apply directly to one of our other MSW programs once you complete your bachelor's degree.
First, you'll complete three years of undergraduate coursework towards your BA or BS in psychology, administered by the College of Arts and Sciences at Canisius University. If you are not already a student at Canisius, you'll need to apply for admission.
For questions about undergraduate requirements/courses, contact Dr. Charles Goodsell, chair of the Canisius University Psychology Department, at goodselc@canisius.edu or 716-888-2527.
If you are an undergraduate transfer student, the five-year timeline may not be possible based on your transfer credits. Have your credits evaluated and meet with the Canisius Psychology Department Chair before applying to the BA or BS program to make sure the course of study and timeline will still work for you.
Students start the application process to the 3+2 program during their third year of study at Canisius University in order to ensure that all degree and prerequisite program requirements will be successfully completed.
STEP 1:
During your junior undergraduate year (or equivalent), meet with the Canisius Psychology Department chair to begin the eligibility screening process. You must be on track to meet the following Canisius prerequisites by the end of your junior year.
If approved by the Canisius Psychology Department Chair, a screening form will be completed and provided to UB School of Social Work admissions. You may then move to step 2.
STEP 2:
Complete an application to the UB School of Social Work 3+2 MSW program option. In addition to the above prerequisites, you must also meet UB School of Social Work prerequisites. The application process and requirements are the same as the Traditional Full-Time MSW program. The UB School of Social Work will issue a final decision after reviewing your graduate application.
If admitted to the graduate portion, you will be enrolled as a UB School of Social Work graduate student as you complete the two-year MSW program.
As a 3+2 student in the graduate portion, you'll follow the same curriculum as our Traditional Full-Time MSW students.
3+2 students will pay the undergraduate Canisius tuition and apply for financial aid from Canisius for the first three years of study. Once accepted to the graduate MSW program, you will be billed the MSW tuition rate and apply for financial aid as graduate students via the University at Buffalo for the last two years.