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. 

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 and Policy
SW 505 Theories of Human Behavior and Development
 SW 510 Scientific Methods in Social Work
 SW 520 Interventions I 
 SW 550 Field Instruction I
SW 555 Field Seminar (0.5 credit)

Spring Semester

SW 503 Diversity and Oppression
 SW 506 Theories of Organizational Behavior and Development 
SW 514 Evaluation in Social Work
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 510 Scientific Methods in Social Work
SW 505 Theories of Human Behavior and Development

Spring Semester

SW 514 Evaluation in Social Work
SW 500 Social Welfare Policy and History

Summer Semester

SW 506 Theories of Organizational Behavior and Development
SW 503 Diversity and Oppression
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