St. Bonaventure University sits in the beautiful Allegheny foothills of western New York. This respected Franciscan institution combines traditional values with innovative education methods. Students find a supportive environment where both intellectual growth and personal development thrive.
The university’s educational philosophy centers on complete student development. Students join an academic community that values professional preparation, ethical leadership, and service to others. These principles match the social work profession’s core values perfectly, making it an ideal place for future social workers who want to make positive changes in their communities.
Social work programs in the School of Health Professions have gained recognition for academic excellence and practical relevance. St. Bonaventure offers educational paths that fit your needs, whether you’re starting your social work trip or advancing your career.
The university’s social work programs stand out by balancing academic excellence with hands-on experience. Experienced faculty bring their field expertise to classrooms and teach current practices and emerging trends. Strong partnerships with community organizations create excellent opportunities for fieldwork and professional networking.
Students experience a close-knit campus community where they build lasting connections with peers and mentors. The university’s smaller size allows for a tailored educational experience. Faculty members know their students’ names and guide them throughout their academic development.
Your search for social work education should include St. Bonaventure University’s unique advantages. These advantages help evaluate both traditional and online MSW programs effectively. The university’s steadfast dedication to excellence and student success are the foundations of the program details we’ll explore next.
Social work programs offered
St. Bonaventure University has a complete Master of Social Work (MSW) program that balances flexibility with professional development. The program’s foundation lies in Franciscan tradition, which values service, human dignity, and critical thinking. Students learn to help people from all backgrounds with their complex needs.
The university gives students two program tracks based on their education background. The Traditional track needs 60 credits and works well for students without a Bachelor’s in Social Work, or those who finished their BSW more than five years ago. These students need to complete both Foundation and Advanced Year curricula, and they can finish in about 31 months with part-time study.
Students who graduated from CSWE-accredited programs within the last five years can choose the Advanced Standing track (30 credits). They need a minimum 3.0 GPA and B or higher in all social work courses. This faster option lets students skip foundation courses and start their advanced clinical training right away.
Both tracks feature clinical training that prepares graduates to become licensed clinical social workers. The core courses cover practice foundations, human behavior in social environments, clinical interventions, research methods, and social welfare policy. The program also weaves anti-racism, diversity, trauma-informed practice, and social justice principles throughout the curriculum.
Field experience plays a vital role in the MSW programs. Traditional track students must complete 900 hours of supervised practicum work. This breaks down into 400 hours during the foundation year and 500 hours in the advanced year. These placements help students apply classroom learning to real-life situations under professional guidance.
The MSW program holds pre-candidacy status from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and has New York State Education Department approval. Students who start the program from Spring 2025 will graduate from an accredited program. This qualifies them to take licensure exams and work in mental health, substance abuse counseling, schools, and medical facilities.
Online program options
St. Bonaventure University’s online Master of Social Work program features a fully asynchronous format. You can complete coursework on your schedule without compromising educational quality. This flexible program caters to working professionals and provides detailed support throughout your educational trip – all without requiring campus visits.
The program offers both Traditional and Advanced Standing tracks online with a similar curriculum to campus-based programs. Students without a BSW or those whose degree is over five years old can choose the Traditional track. This track lets you graduate in as few as 31 months through part-time study. BSW holders can opt for the Advanced Standing track, which offers a faster path to graduation – 12 months full-time or 18 months part-time.
Field education plays a vital role in the online experience. The program has integrated placement support at no extra cost to help you find suitable practicum sites in your local community. Traditional track students must complete 900 total practicum hours – 400 in the foundation year and 500 in the advanced year. Advanced Standing students need to complete 500 hours. Students typically gain experience at:
- Community organizations and human service agencies
- Counseling and addiction treatment centers
- Healthcare facilities and senior care settings
- Correctional institutions
Online students receive the same services as their on-campus peers. A dedicated placement team cooperates with you to find quality experiential learning sites that match your educational goals and career aspirations. The team ensures all experiences meet accreditation standards. This tailored support shows St. Bonaventure’s commitment to online education – delivering academic excellence while meeting the needs of students from various backgrounds.
Admissions
St. Bonaventure University’s MSW programs have a simple application process with no fees. Students can apply anytime thanks to rolling admissions. The university asks you to submit your application 20 days before your preferred start date to get a full review.
Your chosen track determines the admission requirements. Traditional track students need a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Advanced Standing track needs a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program earned in the last seven years with a 3.0 GPA minimum.
All applicants must submit:
- Official transcripts from all colleges attended
- Two letters of recommendation
- Application essay
- Resume
Advanced Standing applicants need to include their BSW field evaluation. Working professionals will appreciate that no GRE or GMAT scores are required for either program.
The university’s enrollment advisors are ready to help you every step of the way. They provide detailed program information and guide you based on your academic background and career goals.
Once accepted, you’ll get all the information you need about course selection and enrollment to start your graduate studies smoothly.
Tuition
St. Bonaventure University’s Master of Social Work program offers competitive tuition rates within New York State. Students pay $825 per credit hour for both Traditional track (60 credits) and Advanced Standing track (30 credits), plus a $15 per credit fee for online students. The university ranks as New York State’s sixth most affordable online MSW program, with total costs around $19,161.
St. Bonaventure’s financial planning options make the program available to more students. The university’s interest-free tuition payment plans through Nelnet Campus Commerce let students spread their payments over monthly installments instead of large lump sums. Students can pay 25% as their original payment and complete the remaining balance through three monthly installments of 25% each.
The university’s data shows that more than 98% of St. Bonaventure’s students get some type of financial assistance. Each student’s financial aid package depends on their financial need and academic performance. Graduate students can access several scholarship opportunities, but School of Health Professions students, including those in Social Work programs, cannot receive St. Bonaventure’s institutional aid or scholarships.
Eligible students who enroll at least half-time can still access federal loan programs. The university’s competitive pricing structure makes it comparable to public institutions, even with its private status.
Other information
St. Bonaventure’s MSW program graduates step into a field that’s growing faster than ever. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows social work jobs will grow 6% through 2034, creating about 44,000 new positions. Clinical social workers now provide 51% of all mental health services in the United States, and their nationwide median salaries have reached $61,330.
St. Bonaventure’s MSW program stands out in several ways. The curriculum takes a trauma-informed approach driven by social justice that prepares you to help communities in need. Students work closely with faculty members who have spent years helping people facing adversity, trauma, oppression, and discrimination.
Field placements are the core of student experience here. Dedicated coordinators help students find quality placement sites right in their local communities. Students typically complete their field hours at:
- Community centers and human service agencies
- Counseling and mental health treatment facilities
- Senior care facilities and hospitals
- Correctional institutions
The program’s success speaks through its numbers. All but one of these graduates land jobs or enter graduate school within six months of graduation. The student satisfaction runs deep – 9 out of 10 graduates say they would pick St. Bonaventure again.