Master of Social Work (MSW)

UB social work group photo at black business boom event.

Kathryn Leonard, MSW ’17, and Promise Bruce with Associate Professor Elizabeth Bowen at the Black Business Boom community event they organized.

At UB, you’ll be immersed in a highly ranked MSW program that will prepare you to create transformational change in clients and delivery systems. 

Our curriculum statement articulates our commitment to the promotion of social justice, the protection of human rights and the necessity of addressing structural oppression and inequities in power and resources. 

Why UB for your MSW? [3:50]

Application Requirements
Information Sessions and Videos
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Program Details

We offer two MSW programs: Traditional and Advanced Standing.

Both programs incorporate trauma-informed and human rights perspectives and allow you to personalize your advanced-year coursework to focus on the populations and issues you are passionate about.

If your goals include obtaining your clinical social work license (LCSW), you can easily earn the 12 required clinical course credits to work towards that goal through our program.

Traditional Advanced Standing

On-Campus Traditional MSW

  • For students with a bachelor's degree in any undergraduate major
  • 60 credits
  • 900 total practicum hours (420-hour foundation practicum + 480-hour advanced year practicum)
  • Offered full time (2 years) or part time (3 years)
View Traditional MSW Curriculum

Practicum Education

MSW Practicum Education
Employment-Based Practicums

Your practicum hours are built right into the program requirements and are specialized training opportunities that allow you to explore the practice areas that interest you. 

  • Completed over the course of two semesters each
  • Minimum of 15 hours per week
  • Completed during weekday daytime working hours
  • Students who are working in a social service agency may want to consider an employment-based practicum
  • Hundreds of agency partners in Western New York, including schools, hospitals, health care and clinical agencies, community agencies, local government, research centers and more

Expand Your Learning

During the MSW program, you may also choose to apply for one of our enhanced curricular opportunities:

You can also choose to complete coursework requirements to become a Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) or get involved in our international opportunities. 

Learn More

Application deadlines and FAQs
Which MSW program is right for you?

Request MSW Information Session Recording

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Student Voices
“I wanted to use my voice to address how immigrants were being portrayed.”
5/27/25

Hector Chaidez Ruacho, MSW ’20

“I always knew I wanted my life to be about helping people.”
1/29/25

Barbara Robertson, MSW ’13

“The school exceeded my expectations—I’m proud to identify as a social worker.”
1/29/25

Alexandria Meranto, MSW ’19

“UB offered me all that I wanted but so much more.”
2/22/21

Haneul Park, MSW ’20

“I’ve learned people are more resilient than they are given credit for.”
2/3/25

Colleen Kristich, MSW ’18

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