University at Buffalo MSW
The University at Buffalo’s School of Social Work ranks among six health sciences schools within UB, New York State’s flagship university and a recognized leader in public research education. The school’s 89-year-old continuous accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) since 1934 shows its steadfast dedication to quality education in the field.
The School of Social Work’s core values prepare future social workers to make a difference in their communities. Students learn to promote social justice, protect human rights, and tackle structural oppression and power inequities. These values help students direct their approach to complex social challenges.
Students find their academic home at 685 Baldy Hall on UB’s campus, which serves as Western New York’s social work education hub. The university sits on the traditional territory of the Seneca Nation, a member of the Haudenosaunee/Six Nations Confederacy, and proudly embraces this indigenous heritage as part of its identity.
The School’s expertise in trauma-informed and human rights approaches to social work education has earned it widespread recognition. Students see their policy and practice work through these unique lenses. The school’s high MSW program ranking draws students who want to create lasting changes for their clients and service delivery systems.
Working professionals looking to pursue graduate education can choose from flexible program options. Students earn identical diplomas whether they study on-campus or through the fully online format. The online part-time MSW program offers comprehensive knowledge and skills training through a mix of asynchronous and synchronous learning.
The School’s partnerships with hundreds of agencies enrich student learning experiences. These collaborations span schools, hospitals, healthcare facilities, community organizations, local government, and research centers throughout Western New York and beyond. Students gain valuable ground experience through these connections.
Programs offered
University at Buffalo runs two MSW programs that fit different educational backgrounds and schedules. The curriculum of both Traditional and Advanced Standing programs weaves trauma-informed and human rights viewpoints throughout.
The Traditional MSW program welcomes students with bachelor’s degrees from any field. Students need to complete 60 credit hours and 900 total practicum hours. This includes a 420-hour foundation practicum and a 480-hour advanced year practicum. On-campus students can finish the program in 2 years full-time or 3 years part-time. The online Traditional MSW runs only as a part-time program that takes 3 years.
Students with a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) can take the Advanced Standing MSW program. This faster option needs 35 credit hours and 480 hours of field practicum. Students on campus can graduate in 1 year full-time or 1.5 years part-time. The online Advanced Standing MSW runs part-time only and takes 1.5 years or five semesters.
Each program has specific start dates. The Traditional MSW programs, both on-campus and online, start only in fall. Advanced Standing works differently – full-time students begin in summer while part-time and online students start in spring.
Both programs include hands-on practicum experiences that let students explore different practice areas. Students should expect to:
- Work at least 15 hours weekly
- Complete hours during weekday business hours
- Have options for practicums at their current social service workplace
Students aiming for clinical social work licensure (LCSW) can earn their required 12 clinical course credits in either program. Students can also shape their advanced-year courses around specific populations and issues they care about.
Online MSW programs give priority to students who live 50+ miles from campus. These students complete their field work in their local areas, which helps them transition into their professional roles.
The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) fully accredits both Traditional and Advanced Standing programs. These program options give working professionals the flexibility to pursue advanced social work education without compromising on quality standards.
Online options
SUNY Buffalo’s online MSW students learn from the same challenging curriculum as campus students through a unique digital format. This online program blends academic excellence with flexibility, making it perfect for students who need to balance work and life with their graduate studies.
The University of Buffalo’s online MSW creates a learning environment that combines scheduled and self-paced components. You can watch pre-recorded lectures and complete assignments whenever it suits your schedule. The program builds a strong community through weekly live sessions, usually scheduled in early evenings to fit working professionals’ schedules.
Each course in the University of Buffalo MSW online program uses a learning system that puts readings, lectures, assignments, and discussions in one user-friendly place. Classes stay small with about 25 students per group to encourage meaningful connections with teachers and classmates in the virtual setting.
The online program matches its campus version in several important ways:
- Same distinguished faculty teaching both formats
- Similar curriculum and graduation requirements
- Equal access to university resources and support services
- Equivalent field practicum requirements completed in your local area
Online MSW students receive dedicated support throughout their educational experience. A program coordinator helps you navigate the online platform, while faculty advisors check in regularly to guide you. You’ll have access to technical support if you face any digital challenges.
The program helps you build professional connections through virtual student groups, online events, and team projects. This approach lets distance learners develop professional relationships that matter for career growth in social work.
This online format works well for students who want to advance their education while working. Instead of regular campus commutes, you can study during lunch breaks, evenings, or weekends. This flexibility lets you keep your current job and apply what you learn right away at work.
About the online program
Buffalo’s online MSW program gives working professionals a flexible path to advanced social work education. The program has full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and doesn’t need any campus visits.
Students can choose between two program formats. The Traditional program needs 60 credit hours and 900 practicum hours. Students complete this part-time over three years (nine semesters). The Advanced Standing option takes just five semesters (1.5 years) with 35 credit hours and 480 field practicum hours. The Traditional program starts only in fall semesters, while Advanced Standing begins in spring.
Students learn through both self-paced and live sessions. Most coursework is self-paced, but foundation courses have some virtual live sessions during weeknight evenings (Eastern Time). Advanced year live sessions vary based on your chosen topics. This setup lets students balance their studies with other commitments while staying connected with peers and faculty.
Field placements happen in your local area, which works great for online students. You’ll need to complete at least 15 hours weekly during regular business hours. Social service agency employees might qualify to do their practicum at their workplace.
Note that online students must have reliable tech access. You’ll need a computer with high-speed internet and audio/visual capabilities. To get the lower online tuition rate, you must take only online courses. Taking any seated or hybrid course will change all your courses to full on-campus rates that semester.
The curriculum weaves trauma-informed and human rights views throughout your studies. Students can customize their advanced-year coursework. The program also helps future clinical social workers earn their required 12 clinical course credits for LCSW licensure.
Students living more than 50 miles from campus get priority enrollment, but the program evaluates all qualified candidates.
Accreditation
UB’s MSW program’s CSWE accreditation is the foundation of its educational excellence. The program has managed to keep its Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accreditation since 1934. Only 3% of schools nationwide have held this difference for 85 years or longer, which shows the program’s steadfast dedication to quality.
The School of Social Work got its full eight-year reaffirmation of accreditation. This will run through October 2027. The complete reaccreditation process looks at each school’s quality, academic improvement, and public accountability. This recognition proves the program meets the highest standards in social work education.
UB School of Social Work’s rankings showcase its academic excellence. The school ranked #24 nationally in U.S. News & World Report’s 2024 rankings, putting it in the top 10% of social work schools across the country. The school ranks #13 among public universities nationwide and holds the #1 spot for social work in both the State University of New York (SUNY) and City University of New York (CUNY) systems.
The CSWE accreditation offers several real-life benefits. Your program will line up with social work competencies needed for professional practice. You’ll need to graduate from a CSWE-accredited program to qualify for professional social work licensure in any state. This makes your degree more accessible to more people and respected.
CSWE accreditation represents transparency and accountability. These programs have the resources, structure, and curriculum to prepare graduates who provide competent and ethical social work services. Employers and licensing boards value your degree from SUNY Buffalo’s MSW program because it meets national standards of excellence.
Admission Requirements
The University at Buffalo MSW program has specific academic requirements and a complete application process. Students need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution to join the Traditional MSW track. The program accepts degrees from any discipline.
Academic preparation needs 24 credits of undergraduate liberal arts coursework. Students must complete 6 credits in social or behavioral sciences like psychology, sociology, anthropology, or political science. Another 6 credits should come from arts or humanities such as history, English, foreign languages, philosophy, or ethnic/gender studies. The other 12 credits can be a mix of these subjects or include natural sciences and mathematics.
Students need a 3-credit human biology undergraduate course before starting the advanced year curriculum if they haven’t taken it already. The school looks for applicants with a 3.0 or higher undergraduate GPA.
The electronic application has several important parts. Students need three professional references who can evaluate their readiness for graduate studies and social work. Faculty members, instructors, academic advisors, employers, supervisors, or professional colleagues make good references. Friends and family members can’t serve as references.
The school needs original transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended. This applies to all previous institutions, whatever the timeline or number of credits. Transfer credit listings won’t work. The application essay plays a crucial role in showing your writing and critical thinking abilities. Students who live 50 or more miles from campus get priority for online MSW program seats.
Tuition
The University at Buffalo provides competitive tuition rates compared to many other public universities nationwide. Students can find great value here as part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system. The university maintains different tuition structures based on whether you’re a New York State resident or from out-of-state/international.
MSW program tuition rates for the 2025-26 academic year look like this:
Full-Time (per semester)
- NY Residents: $8,199.86
- Non-Residents: $13,674.86
Part-Time (per credit)
- NY Residents: $765.83
- Non-Residents: $12,001.83
ONLINE Part-Time (per credit)
- NY Residents: $711.16
- Non-Residents: $820.16
Online students benefit from lower tuition rates. However, keep in mind that you must complete all coursework online to qualify for this reduced rate. Your tuition automatically switches to full on-campus rates for all courses that semester if you take even one seated or hybrid course.
Students have many financial aid options to help with these costs. The FAFSA application opens the door to federal aid programs including loans and grants. New York residents can also access the Graduate Opportunity Program (GOP) Tuition Scholarship. This scholarship covers full tuition (excluding student activity fees) for eligible applicants who graduated from SUNY Equal Opportunity Programs.
The School of Social Work awards merit-based Dean’s Admission Awards to incoming students who show high academic achievement. The school reviews these scholarships during your application process without needing separate applications.
Full-time students can get Graduate Assistantships that cover full tuition (excluding student activity fees). These positions need 20 hours of weekly work with faculty and often involve research projects or teaching assistance.
Out-of-state students can qualify for in-state tuition rates after establishing permanent New York residency. This can be a big deal as it means lower overall program costs for students who plan to stay in the region.
Additional Information
University at Buffalo’s MSW program goes beyond standard curriculum by providing valuable resources and support systems that improve your graduate education experience. The school plans to roll out curriculum changes effective fall 2024. The program will rename “field education” to “practicum education” starting fall 2025, though course titles and materials may still reference “field education”.
The Students Helping Students Fund can help you overcome unexpected challenges that might affect your academic journey. Social work students created this fund to help peers dealing with family deaths, illness, or economic hardship. The fund started with the “Random Acts of Coffee” challenge that raised $3,000. MSW graduate Tabatha Lumely became its first recipient after facing a family tragedy.
Students can get writing help at the UB Center for Excellence in Writing. The center reviews papers, dissertations, job applications, and journal articles. TRIO Student Support Services supports first-generation students, students from income-eligible backgrounds, and those with documented disabilities.