Master of Social Work (MSW)
2017 MSW alumni Kathryn Leonard and Promise Bruce with Assistant Professor Elizabeth Bowen at the Black Business Boom community event they organized.
Our highly ranked MSW program is rooted in evidence-based practice and integrates trauma-informed and human rights perspectives. It's how our students build their understanding of the significant roles that psychological trauma and human rights violations play in a range of social issues. Our curriculum statement articulates our belief that trauma is both a cause and effect of structural oppression and human rights violations. Our graduates are prepared to help create transformational change, in clients and delivery systems.
60-Credit Traditional Program
This program is for students with bachelor degrees from all undergraduate majors. It includes:
- Fundamentals of social work (social welfare history and policy; theories of human and organizational behavior and development; diversity and oppression; interventions; and scientific methods and evaluation)
- Perspectives on trauma and human rights and professional development courses
- Advanced topic analysis, advanced interventions and elective course options for student-designed advanced year concentration
35-Credit Advanced Standing Program
This program is for students that have a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree (please review admissions eligibility requirements for more details). It includes:
- Advanced standing research and seminar courses
- Perspectives on trauma and human rights and professional development courses
- Advanced topic analysis, advanced interventions and elective course options for student-designed advanced year concentration
Field Placements
Field placements are specialized field training opportunities that allow students to explore the practice areas that interest them.
- Completed over the course of two semesters each
- Minimum of 15 hours per week
- Completed during weekday daytime working hours
- Cannot be satisfied using past or current employment or volunteer work
Field Placement Requirements
Hours required for 60-credit MSW
- Foundation placement: 420 hours
- Advanced placement: 480 hours
Hours required for 35-credit MSW - Advanced Standing
- Advanced placement: 480 hours
Expanded Learning Opportunities
During the MSW program, you may also choose to:
- Apply to the Hartford Partnership Program for Aging Education.
- Investigate a placement with an enhanced curricular focus with Veterans via the Joining Forces-UB program and the VA of WNY Healthcare System.
- Complete coursework requirements to become a Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC).
- Complete a Graduate Certificate in Canadian Studies.
