About the Program

Council on Social Work Education Accredited

The social work program prepares students for social work practice at the first professional level. Consistent with accreditation standards, the social work courses cover the following areas: human behavior and the social environment, social welfare policy and services, intervention methods, research, values and ethics, diversity, social and economic justice, populations at risk, and field instruction.

Social work is an upper-division major that builds on a liberal arts base. Academic evaluation includes GPA, class performance, and conduct that is ethical and professional. Interested students should contact the department for specific information on these academic standards.

Evening courses are available. Evening and weekend field practicum is available on an extremely limited basis.

The Social Work program is designed to begin in the fall semester. The program may accept a student in the spring or summer semester.

About the Social Work Department

354 Caudell Hall
1300 Elmwood Ave
Buffalo, NY 14222
Phone: (716) 878-5705
Fax: (716) 878-3539
https://socialwork.buffalostate.edu/

Admission Requirements

Some Social Work courses require pre-requisites, including:

  • Successfully complete the SUNY Buffalo State required college Writing (CWP 101/CWP 102) or its equivalent. Grade of C or better is required.
  • Human Biology (BIO 101) or Anatomy & Physiology (BIO 308) or its equivalent.
  • PSY 101 or its equivalent.
  • SOC 100 or its equivalent.

Some Social Work courses require a grade of C+ or better:
  • SWK 330
  • SWK 340
  • SWK 350

Successful completion of a year-long field practicum is required for graduation.

Learning Outcomes

Students will acquire:

1. The skills required to work with clients on a micro, mezzo, and macro level of generalist social work practice.

2. The history of the social work profession and social welfare policy; existing policy and services; and methods to analyze social welfare policy

3. The value and use of the scientific method to assess social work theory and practice

4. The knowledge and skills learned from a liberal arts education, including writing, logical thinking and analysis, human origins, government processes, aspects of social institutions, and psychological functions

Program Requirements

General Education 23 Requirements
33 credit hours 33

Social Work Major Requirements (51 credit hours)

Required Courses (39 credit hours)
SWK 101: Introduction to Social Work (3)
SWK 201: Professional Skills for Social Workers (3)
SWK 230: Intersectionality of Difference (3)
SWK 302: Social Justice Advocacy (3)
SWK 330: Foundations of Social Work (3)
SWK 340: Social Work Theory & Assessment (3)
SWK 350: Social Work in Action (3)
SWK 400: Evidence Based Practice (3)
SWK 493: Field Practicum I (6)
SWK 494: Field Practicum II (6)
SWK 497: Senior Capstone (3)

Social Work electives (12 credit hours)
SWK 301: Poverty and Public Policy (3)
SWK 335: Mental Health and Social Work (3)
SWK 424: Groups (3)
SWK 425: Social Work with Families (3)
SWK 426: Solution Focused Case Management (3)
SWK 429: Advanced Policy Practice (3)
SWK 485: Senior Seminar (3)
SWK 495: Special Projects (1-3)
SWK 499: Independent Study (3-9)
CAS 301: Perspectives on Child Abuse and Advocacy (3)
CAS 302: Global Child Advocacy Issues (3)
CAS 401: Professional and Systemic Approaches to Child Abuse and Maltreatment

All College Electives
30-36 credit hours 30-36

Total Credit Hours 120