Master of Social Work - Traditional
The traditional Master of Social Work (MSW) program at the University at Buffalo is des...
Master of Social Work - Traditional
Buffalo, New York
INTAKE: August
Program Overview
The traditional Master of Social Work (MSW) program at the University at Buffalo is designed to equip students with advanced knowledge and skills for generalist social work practice. It emphasizes an integrated trauma-informed and human rights perspective, which is unique to the program and shapes its approach to policy and practice. The program is offered in both on-campus and online formats, with the online option allowing students to complete all coursework remotely. New cohorts for the traditional program typically start in the Fall semester. The curriculum prepares graduates for diverse roles such as clinical social worker, child and family social worker, school social worker, and medical/healthcare worker.
Curriculum: The MSW curriculum is structured around foundational and advanced courses, guided by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) standards. The foundational year covers core social work knowledge and skills, including social welfare history and policy, diversity and oppression, human and organizational theories, introductory interventions, and field education. Required foundation courses include "Social Welfare History," "Social Welfare Policy," "Diversity and Oppression," "Theories of Human Behavior and Development," "Theories of Organizational Behavior and Development," "Introduction to Social Work Research and Evaluation," "Interventions I," and "Interventions II." Students must successfully complete all foundational courses before advancing. The advanced year builds upon this foundation with required courses like "Perspectives on Trauma and Human Rights: Contemporary Theory, Research, Policy & Practice" and advanced field instruction. Students also select advanced interventions courses, advanced topic analysis courses, and electives, allowing for specialization based on their interests. Elective options cover a wide range of topics, including motivational interviewing, forensic social work, evidence-based mental health practice, trauma theory and treatment, solution-focused practice, gender issues, psychopathology, multicultural issues, and social work practice with diverse populations.
Research Focus: The School of Social Work at SUNY Buffalo State and the University at Buffalo actively engages in research that addresses critical social issues. Faculty research interests are diverse and span various areas, including aging and gerontology, behavioral/physical/mental health, child welfare and family services, children and youth, emerging technologies and computational methods, gender/sexuality/reproductive justice, global research and engagement, interventions and treatment, program evaluation and implementation science, racialized and ethnic minorities, social policies and poverty, social services/organizations/institutions, and trauma and human rights. The Buffalo Center for Social Research serves as a hub for much of this activity, fostering collaborations and developing educational and service opportunities. Students are encouraged to engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice, with opportunities to participate in faculty-led projects and capstone research. The school also produces the "inSocialWork" podcast, which features practitioners and researchers discussing contemporary social work topics, promoting the translation of research to practice and vice-versa.
Industry Engagement: The University at Buffalo's School of Social Work fosters strong connections with the professional social work community. Field education is a cornerstone of the MSW program, requiring significant hours of field practicum where students apply academic knowledge in real-world settings. The university's field placement staff actively assists students in securing placements within their geographic location, ensuring practical experience and a smooth transition from student to professional social worker. Joint degree programs, such as the MSW/MBA, demonstrate interdisciplinary engagement, allowing students to combine social work expertise with managerial and economic principles, which can be highly valuable in administration and leadership roles within social service agencies. The School of Management, for example, maintains centers that bridge academia and industry, providing opportunities for transformative education, thought leadership, and societal impact. Faculty also engage in training and workshops for various organizations, building skills for effective cross-cultural communication and inclusive environments.
Global Perspective: The University at Buffalo's School of Social Work strongly emphasizes a global perspective, recognizing the increasingly interconnected nature of social issues. The curriculum incorporates international social work concepts, and students have opportunities for international and out-of-region field placements. These immersion placements, often completed in the final spring or summer of the program, allow students to broaden their self-awareness and cultural consciousness by working in diverse environments, from refugee camps in Thailand to communities in Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, India, Japan, and South Korea. The Institute for Sustainable Global Engagement (ISGE), housed within the School of Social Work, actively promotes global engagement, collaboration, and professional action among faculty, students, and staff. The ISGE facilitates research collaborations and develops educational and service opportunities that promote rights-based approaches to global challenges. Furthermore, the "Global to Local Speaker Series" brings experts to UB to discuss international issues through a social work lens, enriching students' understanding of global contexts and their local relevance.
Location
Buffalo, New York
Score
IELTS 7.5
Tuition Fee
USD 26550
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications: Applicants for postgraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 70% or above in their bachelor's degree.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: Overall band score of 6.5 or 7.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
- TOEFL: Overall score of 90 or higher.
- PTE: Overall score of 61 or higher.
- DET (Duolingo English Test): Minimum score of 120.
The University at Buffalo (UB) offers a variety of scholarships and financial aid opportunities specifically aimed at supporting international students who wish to pursue their studies in the United States. These scholarships are designed to reward academic excellence, leadership, and community involvement, helping to make education more affordable for talented students worldwide.
Merit-Based Scholarships: UB provides competitive merit scholarships to outstanding international undergraduate and graduate students. Awards such as the International Student Academic Excellence Scholarship recognize high-achieving students based on their academic records, standardized test scores, and extracurricular involvement.
Graduate Fellowships and Assistantships: Graduate international students can apply for teaching assistantships, research assistantships, and fellowships which offer tuition remission and stipends. These opportunities allow students to gain valuable teaching and research experience while offsetting the cost of their education.
Departmental Scholarships: Many academic departments at UB offer scholarships tailored to students in specific programs or fields of study. These awards may consider academic merit, research interests, or financial need.
External Scholarships: UB encourages international students to explore external scholarship options from private organizations, governments, and international foundations that support study in the U.S. The university’s International Student Services office provides guidance on identifying and applying for such funding sources.
A Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo (UB) provides a versatile foundation for a wide array of career paths, enabling graduates to make significant contributions across various sectors. The program's emphasis on trauma-informed and human rights perspectives equips students with a unique lens for addressing complex social issues, making them highly sought after in the field.
Clinical Social Worker: This is one of the most common and direct applications of an MSW degree. Clinical social workers provide psychotherapy and counseling services to individuals, families, and groups dealing with mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and trauma. They work in diverse settings, including private practices, hospitals, mental health clinics, and community health centers. Licensure requirements typically involve post-MSW supervised clinical hours and passing a state-specific exam.
Healthcare Social Worker: Healthcare social workers operate within medical settings like hospitals, hospices, and clinics. They assist patients and their families in navigating the emotional, social, and practical challenges associated with illness, disability, and recovery. Their responsibilities include discharge planning, connecting patients with community resources, providing crisis intervention, and offering emotional support during difficult health journeys.
School Social Worker: These professionals play a crucial role in educational environments, supporting students' academic, social, and emotional well-being. School social workers address issues like bullying, mental health concerns, family problems, and learning difficulties. They collaborate with students, parents, teachers, and administrators to create a supportive learning environment and connect families with essential resources.
Child and Family Social Worker: Focused on the well-being and safety of children, these social workers often work for child protective services, foster care agencies, or adoption agencies. They investigate reports of abuse or neglect, coordinate foster care placements, support families in crisis, and facilitate permanency planning for children. This role often involves direct intervention and advocacy for vulnerable children.
Substance Abuse and Addictions Counselor: With the rising need for addiction services, MSW graduates are well-prepared to work as substance abuse counselors. They provide individual and group counseling, develop treatment plans, and offer support to individuals and families grappling with addiction. They often work in rehabilitation centers, outpatient clinics, and community mental health agencies.
Geriatric Social Worker: Specializing in the needs of older adults, geriatric social workers address issues related to aging, elder abuse, healthcare, and end-of-life care. They work in senior centers, nursing homes, hospitals, and provide in-home services, connecting elderly clients with resources and support systems to enhance their quality of life.
Community Organizer/Developer: For those interested in macro-level social work, community organizing involves working with groups and communities to identify needs, mobilize resources, and advocate for systemic change. Community social workers often work for non-profit organizations, government agencies, or grassroots movements, focusing on issues like poverty, homelessness, and social justice.
Policy Analyst/Advocate: Social workers with an interest in systemic change can pursue careers as policy analysts or advocates. They research and evaluate social welfare policies, develop recommendations for policy improvements, and lobby for legislative changes that promote social justice and address societal inequities. These roles are often found in government agencies, think tanks, and advocacy organizations.
Correctional Social Worker: These social workers operate within the criminal justice system, assisting incarcerated individuals, probationers, and parolees. They provide counseling, facilitate rehabilitation programs, help with reintegration into society, and connect clients with resources such as housing, employment, and mental health services. They may work in prisons, jails, or community-based correctional facilities.
Program Manager/Administrator: Experienced MSW graduates can move into leadership and administrative roles within social service agencies. Program managers oversee the planning, implementation, and evaluation of social service programs, manage budgets, supervise staff, and ensure that services effectively meet community needs. This career path allows social workers to impact a larger population by shaping the delivery of services.
