Buffalo State University Social Work Programs

SUNY Buffalo State is a prominent public college in the State University of New York system. Founded in 1871, the institution has earned recognition for academic excellence. Students and community members actively participate in programs throughout Western New York and beyond.

The 125-acre campus sits in Buffalo’s vibrant Elmwood Village neighborhood. Historic architecture blends with modern facilities. Small class sizes enable meaningful interactions between students and professors, creating a customized educational environment where students develop interpersonal skills needed for social work practice.

The college offers more than 70 undergraduate and 60 graduate programs in disciplines of all types. The Social Work Department stands out as one of its distinguished academic units. SUNY Buffalo State’s steadfast dedication to community service and social justice lines up with social work profession’s ethical standards.

Students in social work programs get exceptional hands-on learning through extensive field placements and community partnerships. These real-life application opportunities prepare graduates to tackle complex social issues in their careers.

The faculty consists of experienced practitioners and researchers who bring practical knowledge from a variety of settings. Their expertise covers several specializations in social work – child welfare, mental health, gerontology, and community organization.

SUNY Buffalo State holds accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Its social work programs meet the rigorous standards of the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). This dual accreditation gives students education that satisfies both broad academic quality standards and specific professional requirements.

SUNY Buffalo State gives prospective social work students an ideal mix of affordability, academic quality, and practical experience. The institution remains a top choice for students who want to help others and create positive social change.

Social work programs offered

SUNY Buffalo State provides a detailed range of social work education programs that help students build successful careers in the field. Students become well-rounded social work professionals through a mix of theory and hands-on experience.

The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Social Work program teaches generalist practice and helps students work with individuals, families, groups, and communities. This CSWE-accredited program builds on liberal arts foundations and the profession’s core values: service, competence, integrity, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, and human relationships’ importance. The core curriculum blends micro, mezzo, and macro levels of social work practice.

The college’s 18-credit interdisciplinary Social Justice Minor looks at citizenship’s historical and socio-cultural significance, social justice movements, poverty, and diversity. Students boost their readiness for careers in government, non-profits, law, politics, health, and social planning through this minor.

The Master of Social Work (MSW) program offers flexible study options:

• Full-time track (60 credits completed in 2 years/4 semesters)
• Part-time track (60 credits completed in 3 years/9 semesters)

Both tracks begin in fall semester and include trauma-informed and human rights points of view.

Field practicum experience sets these programs apart. Bachelor’s students complete their field placement during the final year. MSW students finish 900 total practicum hours, split between a 420-hour foundation practicum and a 480-hour advanced year practicum. Students can take evening courses throughout the curriculum, with some evening and weekend field practicum options.

The Child Advocacy Studies Certificate adds specialized training to the mix. This nationally recognized curriculum teaches students to handle child abuse and neglect cases through team coordination across disciplines.

SUNY Buffalo State’s social work programs focus on hands-on learning, ethical practice, critical thinking, and social justice advocacy. Graduates make meaningful contributions in settings of all types.

Online program options

SUNY Buffalo’s flexible online Master of Social Work (MSW) programs deliver quality education without location constraints. Students can complete these programs entirely online without visiting campus. Working professionals and distant learners get the same comprehensive knowledge as traditional programs in a format that fits their schedule.

Students can choose between two online MSW options at SUNY Buffalo: Traditional and Advanced Standing. The Traditional program needs 60 credit hours and takes three years to complete part-time. The Advanced Standing program requires 35 credit hours over five semesters. The Traditional program welcomes new students every Fall, while Advanced Standing begins each Spring.

The programs focus on trauma-informed and human rights points of view. Learning happens through a mix of virtual live sessions (synchronous) and independent study (asynchronous). Students attend weeknight evening sessions in Eastern Time for foundation courses.

Field experience is a vital part of the online program. Students must complete:

• 900 total practicum hours in the Traditional program (420 foundation + 480 advanced)
• A minimum of 15 hours each week during weekday daytime hours
• Practical training at organizations close to their home

The program gives preference to students who live 50 or more miles from campus. Students need reliable access to computers with high-speed internet and audio/visual capabilities. Students who take all courses online qualify for reduced tuition rates.

The same expert faculty members teach both online and on-campus programs, which ensures high educational standards. Each online student gets a dedicated advisor who helps with questions and concerns throughout their studies.

Admissions

SUNY Buffalo State social work programs have specific admission requirements based on your chosen degree path. Students can submit all their documents through the online application portal.

Students applying to undergraduate social work programs need a minimum GPA of 2.0. The graduate programs look for candidates with a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and prefer a minimum GPA of 3.0.

The school accepts up to 90 transfer credits, and students must provide official transcripts from their previous colleges. Transfer students can qualify for merit scholarships if they have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25.

Graduate programs charge a non-refundable application fee of $65. The fee doesn’t apply to active-duty military members, veterans, their spouses, and students in EOP, HEOP, and SEEK programs.

MSW program applicants need three professional recommendations. These should come from faculty, instructors, advisors, or employers. The school doesn’t accept references from personal contacts, relatives, or clients.

New York state residents must prove their residency status to get in-state tuition rates after acceptance. Students with past felony convictions should know that they might need to disclose this information after admission, especially when they have field placements.

Tuition

SUNY Buffalo State’s social work education comes with a major cost advantage. The tuition rates are substantially lower than private institutions. Students pay about one-third of what private universities charge.

New York residents enrolled as full-time undergraduates (12+ credit hours) pay $3,535 per semester plus $731.50 in mandatory fees. Part-time undergraduate students’ costs are $295 per credit hour with additional mandatory fees of $60.85 per credit. Students from outside New York pay $9,405 per semester for full-time undergraduate studies.

New York residents in graduate programs pay $5,655 per semester for full-time study with $449 in fees. Graduate students studying part-time pay $471 per credit hour. Non-resident graduate students’ costs are much higher at $11,895 per semester for full-time study.

The good news is that financial support is easy to access. Buffalo State’s students receive financial aid 91% of the time. The school offers more than 160 scholarships. Advanced-year MSW students with financial need can apply for specialized funding through the Make a Difference Scholarship Fund.

Buffalo State helps students manage their budget through interest-free monthly payment plans. Students pay a $35 enrollment fee each semester.

Social work graduates can take advantage of loan forgiveness programs. These include the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness and the Licensed Social Worker Loan Forgiveness Program.

Other information

SUNY Buffalo State Social Work Programs deliver exceptional career outcomes, with approximately half of BSW graduates starting their careers right after graduation. Buffalo State creates paths to accelerated MSW programs through Advanced Standing options that students can complete in just one year (Summer, Fall, and Spring semesters).

Students can join several engaging organizations:

• Phi Alpha Honor Society (for students in the top 35% of social work classes)
• Student Social Work Organization (SSWO)
• Child Advocacy Studies Student Organization
• NAMI on Campus for mental health awareness
• Bengals Vote Coalition

The Social Work Department at Buffalo State, 47 years old, is one of the largest and most established undergraduate social work programs in the SUNY system. Students learn from faculty members who bring decades of clinical, administrative, research, and teaching expertise to the classroom.

Students can explore unique opportunities like studying abroad in Rwanda with the Anne Frank Project, joining NASW at Capitol Action Day, or securing specialized funding through the SUNY/OMH Mental Health Scholarship Pipeline. The Career and Professional Education Center guides students throughout their academic journey and after graduation.