Review of the University at Buffalo's MSW in Social Work Program (2023)
Photo by Douglas Levere.
Amy IS A STUDENT AT The university at Buffalo in New York.
The University at Buffalo’s School of Social Work program is located in Buffalo, New York. The school is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
Name: Amy Wlosinski
Anticipated graduation date: May 2024
Tuition: Click here for current tuition rates.
Traditional or Advanced Standing: Traditional
In person, online, or hybrid program: In person.
What made you choose your MSW program? The University at Buffalo faculty's breadth of research interests as well as the Trauma Informed/Human Rights focus was very appealing to me.
Why social work? After spending 11 years working in Higher Education and having two children, I was seeking a more fulfilling career. I left Higher Education to work in a non-profit and spent 6 years working with families in a preventative capacity. While I loved the work I was doing, I became frustrated by many of the systems I was encountering and wanted to study the field in hopes of bringing positive changes to my community.
Where is your most recent field placement? Cheektowaga-Sloan Union Free School District (K-2 building)
Who has been your favorite instructor? I always say I think I hit the faculty member jackpot, but truly my peers also have so many positive things to say about the Faculty at the UB SSW. If I had to choose, I think I have learned the most from Dr. Diane Elze (now Associate Professor Emeritus), in my History and Policy class. The resources she connected us with, I have continued to use in many of my other classes!
What has been your favorite class? Policy by far is the class that I was most excited to do the readings and assignments for. However, practically speaking, Interventions with Families has been a really fun course to think about how families "dance" and what our role as a social worker is, in joining and/or supporting that dance.
What was your favorite place to study on campus? There are so many great places! Lockwood Library is a nice quiet space; however I spend a lot of evenings and weekends on campus and at those times I'm often using one of the empty classrooms where you can be free from distractions and work on group projects.
What is your favorite place to eat on campus? One World, hands down! One World has food options representing different areas around the world including, India, China, Japan and Middle Eastern countries.
What are you listening to today? The inSocialWork Podcast-a series from the University at Buffalo and, as far as music goes, classic rock or 90's pop are my go-tos when I'm working on a paper or doing some reading!
What are you currently reading? Besides materials for classes? Raising Kids Who Can.
Where do you see yourself in three to five years? What are your goals? This is a challenging question for me right now. I think I would like to be in a school setting in the immediate future, as education has always been a passion of mine. I would also love to pursue my PhD, and study disproportionality in education, as well as the impact that early intervention can have on that.
Advice to applicants: Ask questions, reach out to the faculty, everyone has been so supportive and welcoming! Connect with your peers (especially if you are in an online program—but for any program!) When I came back for a second master's degree the last thing I was considering was building connections with peers, but it has been one of the best aspects of the program, connect with people and learn from each other!
For more information: Click here for more information about the MSW Program at the University at Buffalo, New York.
Thank you, Amy!
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