With the online program, you can complete your MSW degree without any time on campus.
Ranked within the top 10% of programs nationwide and fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the MSW Online curriculum is rooted in evidence-based practice and integrates trauma-informed and human rights perspectives.
The Online Part-Time Advanced Standing Program is completed in five semesters (1.5 years) and begins in the spring only.
Advanced Interventions (Choose one)
Electives (Choose two)
SW 552 Field Instruction III, 4 credits
SW 555 Field Seminar (0.5 credit)
Advanced Topic Analysis (Choose one)
Field placements are specialized field training opportunities that allow students to explore the practice areas that interest them the most. Online students complete the in-person field placements in their home region, and take an active leading role in the field placement process with our Office of Field Education.
Field Placements:
The 35-credit MSW Advanced Standing MSW Online program requires one 480 hour advanced field placement.
| New York Residents* | Out-of-State/ International* | |
| Tuition (per credit hour) | $545 | $654 |
| Tuition + Fees (per credit) | $745.01 | $805.90 |
*Rates above are based on fall 2019 rates and subject to change.
Online MSW students are able to request a waiver for some (not all) of the fees.
Part-Time Online MSW students can apply for financial aid via the FAFSA.
In order to apply for Advanced Standing, you must meet ALL the following:
Don't meet the above requirements? Apply for our 60-credit traditional online MSW program that begins in fall instead.
Apply to the University at Buffalo School of Social Work using our electronic graduate application system.
Be sure to read the drop-down list of program options thoroughly, since each track has different application questions (traditional, advanced standing, on-campus, online, dual-degree, etc.). If you are unsure of which program you need to select, contact us. If you do not see your program listed, it means that it is not currently open. Check our deadlines page for information about when program applications open and close.
On the application form, you will be asked to send electronic recommendation requests to three professional references who are best able to assess your potential for graduate-level academic work and for the profession of social work. This includes:
Do not use personal friends, relatives, friends of the family or other personal relationship sources. In addition, do not use clients or individuals you provide services to, or therapists or other individuals you receive services from.
When you send the requests, your recommenders will receive an email with a link to complete the brief evaluation form and upload their letter of recommendation for you electronically. You will receive a notification email when a recommendation has been received.
Plan ahead to give your references enough time to submit their recommendations before the deadline.
Copies of transcripts should be uploaded to the application portal. You must provide transcripts for all previous schools attended at the undergraduate and graduate levels, regardless of whether a degree was received. Transcripts must include the institution name, all courses taken with semesters, grades received, overall GPA, and transcript key if available (often printed on the back). Do not upload web printouts or advising reports. If you prefer to send official transcripts for the application review process instead of uploading copies, you may do so (see mailing address below).
If accepted to the program, you will be required to submit final official transcripts from your bachelor's (and any graduate degree or graduate coursework, if applicable) institutions (except from the University at Buffalo) if you have not already.
Official transcripts must be mailed to:
University at Buffalo
School of Social Work- Admissions
685 Baldy Hall
Buffalo, NY 14260-1050
or sent via secure and official electronic delivery to: swinfo@buffalo.edu.
After you submit your application form, you will be able to upload your personal statement to your application checklist. This is a key component of your application. Your essay should reflect strong technical writing and critical thinking skills. Write a full essay answering ALL questions in the Guidelines for Writing the Personal Statement.
After you submit your application, you will be redirected to your status portal, where you can find the secure payment link, allowing you to pay the non-refundable application fee by credit card or e-check.
The Advanced Standing Part-Time Online MSW application fee is $100.
Lauren McGowan
Director of Recruitment and Admissions
716-645-1254
swinfo@buffalo.edu

