Traditional MSW Curriculum

We offer multiple courses of study for the MSW degree. If you are planning on working while going to school, you should choose a part-time course of study. If you need assistance deciding which track is best for you, email us at swinfo@buffalo.edu.

This curriculum is effective Fall 2024. If you started your MSW program prior to Fall 2024, please follow the curriculum listed in the Student Handbook for the year in which you began your program.

On this page:

Full-Time Course of Study

  • Credit hours: 60
  • Program length: 2 years (4 semesters)
  • Program start: Fall semester only

First Year

Fall Semester

SW 500 Social Welfare History
SW 505 Theories of Human Behavior and Development
 SW 510 Introduction to Social Work Research and Evaluation
 SW 520 Interventions I 
 SW 550 Field Instruction I
SW 555 Field Seminar (0.5 credit)

Spring Semester

SW 502 Social Welfare Policy
SW 503 Diversity and Oppression
SW 506 Theories of Organizational Behavior and Development 
SW 521 Interventions II 
SW 551 Field Instruction II (4 credits)
SW 555 Field Seminar (0.5 credit)

Second Year

Fall Semester

SW 542 Perspectives on Trauma and Human Rights
SW 552 Field Instruction III, 4 credits
Advanced Interventions (Choose one)
Advanced Topic Analysis (Choose one)

Spring Semester

SW 553 Field Instruction IV
Advanced Topic Analysis (Choose one)
Electives (9 credits total)

Part-Time Course of Study

  • Credit hours: 60
  • Program length: 3 years (9 semesters)
  • Program start: Fall semester only

First Year

Fall Semester

SW 500 Social Welfare History
SW 505 Theories of Human Behavior and Development

Spring Semester

SW 502 Social Welfare Policy
SW 510 Introduction to Social Work Research and Evaluation

Summer Semester

SW 503 Diversity and Oppression
SW 506 Theories of Organizational Behavior and Development
Elective (Choose one)

Second Year

Fall Semester

SW 520 Interventions I
SW 550 Field Instruction I
SW 555 Field Seminar (0.5 credit)

Spring Semester

SW 521 Interventions II
SW 551 Field Instruction II (4 credits)
SW 555 Field Seminar (0.5 credit)

Summer Semester

Advanced Interventions (Choose one)
Elective (Choose one)

Third Year

Fall Semester

SW 542 Perspectives on Trauma and Human Rights
Advanced Topic Analysis (Choose one)

Spring Semester

SW 552 Field Instruction III, 4 credits
Advanced Topic Analysis (Choose one)

Summer Semester

SW 553 Field Instruction IV
Elective (Choose one)

Additional Information

Application Steps
Electives, Advanced Interventions & Advanced Topic Analysis
Online MSW Program