Daemen University Social Work Programs
Daemen University is a premier private institution that blends academic excellence with hands-on education. This student-focused university sits in Amherst, New York, and creates a supportive learning environment to prepare skilled professionals in many fields, particularly in social work education.
The university’s commitment to service and community involvement has made it a 40-year-old trusted name in social work education. Students benefit from CSWE-accredited social work programs that meet the Council on Social Work Education’s strict standards. This accreditation will give a clear path to meet professional expectations and licensing requirements.
Daemen’s social work education stands out by balancing theoretical knowledge with ground applications. Strong partnerships with community organizations create field placement opportunities where students can put classroom concepts to work. These experiences are a great way to get professional insights before graduation.
The university’s faculty brings years of professional experience to the classroom and provides mentorship beyond simple instruction. Small classes enable customized attention and strong bonds between students and professors. This approach creates a learning experience that fits each student’s needs.
The curriculum reflects today’s social work practices and tackles pressing social issues through evidence-based interventions. Students tuck into various aspects of human behavior, social policy, research methods, and direct practice techniques. It also weaves diversity and cultural competence throughout its programs to prepare graduates who can work with different populations effectively.
Daemen University provides detailed student support services that include academic advising, career counseling, and professional development opportunities. These resources help create a complete educational experience that goes beyond classroom learning.
Students looking to get quality social work education with clear paths to professional licensing will find Daemen University’s programs ready to shape competent, ethical practitioners who can make a real difference in the field.
Social work programs offered
Daemen University’s social work department has detailed CSWE-accredited programs that prepare you for licensure and professional practice. Students can choose from undergraduate and graduate options with flexible delivery formats that fit different schedules and learning styles.
The Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW) program gives you generalist intervention skills to help diverse individuals, families, groups, and communities in various settings. Students learn critical thinking, research methods, and ways to advocate for social and economic justice. The curriculum has essential components covering social work values, ethics, diversity, populations-at-risk, human behavior, social welfare policy, research, and practice.
Your senior year features a two-semester internship where you’ll work 15 hours weekly (420 hours) with clients under professional supervision. This hands-on experience makes you stand out to employers after graduation.
The Master of Social Work (MSW) program has two paths:
- A full-time, two-year, 60-credit curriculum that welcomes students from all undergraduate backgrounds
- A full-time, one-year, 30-33 credit advanced entry option if you have a bachelor’s degree in social work
Students can complete both MSW tracks on-campus or online, with a focus on clinical practice with children and families. First-year MSW students build their generalist practice skills through coursework and a 450-hour internship supervised by licensed professionals. The advanced year builds clinical skills in assessment, diagnosis, and evidence-based interventions, paired with a 500-hour clinical internship.
MSW students get a valuable bonus – a built-in licensure preparation course that helps you pass the Association of Social Work Boards examinations. This preparation pays off well, as 100% of Daemen’s MSW job seekers have found employment at or before graduation over the last several years.
Graduate students receive a substantial 30% tuition discount that makes this professional education more available. Working students can attend classes in afternoons and evenings, while the online format lets you take two courses at a time in eight-week segments.
Online program options
Daemen University’s online MSW program leads as the only private institution in the Buffalo Niagara region offering a fully online MSW degree format. Working professionals can follow the same distinctive curriculum as the traditional program through this convenient path.
Students take two courses at a time in eight-week segments. The program’s design lets you keep your job while studying, with courses tailored to fit a working student’s schedule. Unlike the on-campus version that starts in September, the online MSW program kicks off in October.
Students can complete most coursework on their own time. The program includes valuable one-on-one sessions between students and faculty. These interactive meetings become crucial in social work practice courses where faculty help you develop and polish clinical skills and techniques.
The program’s field experience requirements come with practical solutions. Students can complete their internship at their current workplace or another organization close to home. This setup helps you apply concepts in real life without moving or disrupting your professional commitments.
The online MSW program holds CSWE accreditation, matching the quality of on-campus education. Students can choose between two paths: a full two-year, 60-credit curriculum or an Advanced Standing one-year option with 30-33 credits. This online format gives you a well-laid-out yet adaptable way to get advanced social work credentials while managing personal commitments.
Admissions
Students who want to join Daemen University’s social work programs must meet specific requirements based on their academic level.
The bachelor’s program welcomes many applicants with an acceptance rate of 85%. Students seeking upper division admission should complete key prerequisites like BIO103, MTH104, PSY103, and sociology courses. A 2.0 cumulative GPA with C or better grades in social work courses is mandatory. The program requires 120 hours of volunteer experience in human services. Students must write a personal statement, get two recommendation letters, and complete an interview successfully.
The MSW program welcomes students through different paths. Regular admission calls for a baccalaureate degree and a 2.7+ GPA. Students need C or better grades in Human Biology and Statistics. The application package should include a 3-4 page personal statement, three reference letters, and GRE or MAT test scores.
Qualified candidates can choose the Advanced Standing option. This path requires a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program earned within five years. Students need a 3.0 overall GPA and 3.2+ in major courses, along with field evaluations. Students who don’t meet all requirements can apply for provisional admission.
Transfer students get individual-specific experiences at Daemen. The university’s student body includes 30% transfers. Students can transfer up to 90 credits with a minimum 2.0 GPA, though science programs need higher grades. Merit-based scholarships range from $7,000-$12,500.
Tuition
Daemen University offers several ways to fund your social work education. The 2025-2026 academic year tuition costs $35,854 annually for undergraduates. Graduate students pay $1,155 per credit hour, though rates change yearly.
Daemen’s commitment to affordable education shows in its rankings. The university stands among the top 25 private colleges nationwide where students graduate with the lowest private loan debt. Students receive an average aid package of $24,943, which helps make education accessible to more people.
The university’s social work program features some of the most important financial support options. Five MSW students interested in clinical practice can receive $10,000 annual scholarships from the Patrick P. Lee Foundation. These opportunities target Western New York’s eight-county region students who keep a 3.5 GPA.
Students can also access these additional options:
- Graduate Alumni Scholarships for returning students
- Americorps Matching Scholarship for service alumni
Students should note some additional costs. Foundational practice courses have a $45 fee. New students starting after Summer 2025 will pay an annual complete fee of $1,790, while continuing students pay $530.
The 2026-2027 academic year brings changes to tuition rates. Undergraduate costs will reach $37,290, and graduate rates will increase to $1,198 per credit hour. These changes highlight why securing available financial aid matters now.
Other information
Daemen University’s social work graduates continue to achieve strong career outcomes. 100% of recent MSW program job seekers found jobs at or before graduation during the past four years. Surveys show that 95.8% of Daemen graduates have successfully moved into employment, graduate school, service positions, or volunteer work.
Students can access comprehensive support through the university’s Career Services office. The office creates individual-specific Career Action Plans and helps with resume building, mock interviews, and employer networking events. The WildcatWorks platform serves as a central hub where students can search for internships and job opportunities.
Professional development extends beyond regular coursework through field experiences. Social work students earn academic credit through supervised internships, with one credit awarded for every forty hours completed. Students can broaden their experience through programs like the Washington D.C. Internship Institute, New York State Assembly Internship, or Disney Internship.
Dr. Diane Bessel leads the department and has joined the Council on Social Work Education Board of Accreditation for a three-year term. The MSW program has also secured a $2.38 million grant from the US Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration.