University at Buffalo DSW and PhD in Social Work Programs
DSWPhDPublicSchool of Social Work
What Social Work Doctorates Does University at Buffalo Offer?
University at Buffalo in Buffalo, New York offers 2 social work doctorates: Online Doctor of Social Work (DSW) in Social Welfare and PhD in Social Welfare, with the DSW online. Estimated DSW tuition is $31,200 before fees. The PhD is funded, with tuition covered and a stipend or assistantship.
Four-semester capstone project implementing and evaluating an intervention in the student's agency, with a final paper and two dissemination products
Degree you need
MSW from a CSWE-accredited program or international equivalent; 3.0 graduate GPA required
Practice experience
A minimum of two years post-MSW practice experience in a social work setting
License
Valid and active social work licensure, certification or registration where practicing (if applicable); waiver may be requested
GRE
GRE not required
Start terms
Fall
Tuition
$800 per credit hour (New York residents); $1,148 per credit hour (out-of-state/international); tuition plus fees $966.16 and $1,314.16 per credit hourProgram tuition, per credit, 2026-27. Source: socialwork.buffalo.edu, reviewed October 10, 2026.
Estimated tuition
$31,200$800 per credit times 39 credits, before fees.
MSW from a CSWE-accredited program or international equivalent (dual MSW/PhD available for applicants without an MSW)
GRE
GRE not required
Funding
All PhD students receive full tuition coverage for up to 47 credits and a guaranteed four-year graduate assistantship (10-month, 20 hours per week) with a base stipend of $27,000 per year beginning fall 2027; Presidential and Schomburg Fellowships available
From University at Buffalo's own program, admissions and tuition pages, reviewed October 10, 2026. Tuition changes each year; confirm fees with the school.
Blank cells: the school's pages don't give that figure.
How University at Buffalo Compares
Estimated tuition for Online Doctor of Social Work (DSW) in Social Welfare is $31,200, the 2nd lowest of 19 practice doctorates on this site with an estimate (median $45,000).
Online Doctor of Social Work (DSW) in Social Welfare requires 39 credits; the median practice doctorate on this site requires 48.
Online Doctor of Social Work (DSW) in Social Welfare asks for 2 years of post-master's practice, against a median of 2 among DSWs that state a figure.
University at Buffalo states that its PhD students are funded, like 46 of the 77 social work PhDs on this site.
University at Buffalo's practice doctorate isn't in CSWE's practice doctorate directory (captured September 30, 2026). CSWE began accrediting practice doctorates only recently: of the 38 DSW programs on this site, 4 are accredited and 11 are in candidacy or pre-candidacy. State licensing boards look at your MSW, which is where CSWE accreditation is required.
CSWE doesn't accredit research doctorates, so the PhD carries no CSWE status; PhD programs are covered by the university's institutional accreditation.
Social Work Doctorates Awarded at University at Buffalo
research doctorates (PhD) awarded, 2022-23
2
practice doctorates (DSW) awarded, 2022-23
14
Federal completions data (IPEDS, CIP 44.0701) count 16 social work doctorates awarded by University at Buffalo in 2022-23. By research doctorates, that places it 68th of 80 schools on this site that awarded any. These are awards conferred, not graduates or outcomes, and newer programs show none yet.
University at Buffalo DSW and PhD: Common Questions
Is University at Buffalo's DSW CSWE-Accredited?
University at Buffalo's practice doctorate isn't in CSWE's practice doctorate directory (captured September 30, 2026). CSWE began accrediting practice doctorates only recently: of the 38 DSW programs on this site, 4 are accredited and 11 are in candidacy or pre-candidacy. State licensing boards look at your MSW, which is where CSWE accreditation is required.
Can You Earn University at Buffalo's DSW Online?
Yes. Online Doctor of Social Work (DSW) in Social Welfare (online).
How Much Does University at Buffalo's DSW Cost?
Online Doctor of Social Work (DSW) in Social Welfare: $800 per credit hour (New York residents); $1,148 per credit hour (out-of-state/international); tuition plus fees $966.16 and $1,314.16 per credit hour (2026-27), about $31,200 for 39 credits before fees.
Is University at Buffalo's PhD in Social Work Funded?
PhD in Social Welfare: All PhD students receive full tuition coverage for up to 47 credits and a guaranteed four-year graduate assistantship (10-month, 20 hours per week) with a base stipend of $27,000 per year beginning fall 2027; Presidential and Schomburg Fellowships available.
What Do You Need to Apply to University at Buffalo's DSW and PhD?
Online Doctor of Social Work (DSW) in Social Welfare: MSW from a CSWE-accredited program or international equivalent; 3.0 graduate GPA required. A minimum of two years post-MSW practice experience in a social work setting. Valid and active social work licensure, certification or registration where practicing (if applicable); waiver may be requested. PhD in Social Welfare: MSW from a CSWE-accredited program or international equivalent (dual MSW/PhD available for applicants without an MSW).
Does University at Buffalo Require the GRE?
Online Doctor of Social Work (DSW) in Social Welfare: GRE not required. PhD in Social Welfare: GRE not required.
How Long Does University at Buffalo's DSW and PhD Take?
Online Doctor of Social Work (DSW) in Social Welfare: 3 years (7 semesters), part time (39 credit hours). PhD in Social Welfare: Typically four to five years.
Every program on this site was checked on the school's own website in October 2026. CSWE status for practice doctorates comes only from the Council on Social Work Education's own directory, and program size from U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS) doctoral completions. Sponsored listings are labeled as ads and never change which programs we list or how we rank them. How we verify programs