Program: Social Work Practice in Serious Illness Care Micro-Credential - University at Buffalo

Apr 03, 2025

2023-2024 Graduate Catalog

This micro-credential, available for advanced year MSW students, is focused on the development of knowledge and skills in care for and communication with people who have serious illnesses and their families. Through a combination of academic coursework, specialized internships and experiential opportunities, you will be well prepared for work with people who have serious physical and mental illnesses, and/or disabilities including intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs).

For more information and to apply visit the Office of Micro-Credentials.

Course Requirements

Social Work Practice in Serious Illness Care Core (6 credits)

SW 568LEC - Serious Illness Care Credits: 3
SW 710LEC - Loss and Grief Across the Life Course Credits: 3

Additional Requirements

An internship. Partner organizations, where students have completed their micro-credential internship, have included:
- Alzheimer’s Association of WNY
- BestSelf Behavioral Health
- Canopy of Neighbors
- Chautauqua Hospice & Palliative Care
- Crossroads House (a comfort care home)
- Erie County Medical Center (Supportive and Palliative Medicine Department, Dialysis, Internal Medicine Clinic)
- Grassroots Gardens WNY
- Hospice Buffalo
- Mercy Doula Program at People Inc.
- Pathways Program of Niagara Hospice
- Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center

Attend all eight classroom-to-field seminar sessions.
Submit reflective self-evaluation.

Total Credit Hours: 6

3.0 GPA required

Program Note

SW 568 and SW 710 courses are approved for NYSED social work contact hours to renew your license registration. If you have a license in another state, check with your state regulatory board to determine if New York hours will be accepted in your state.

Instruction Method

In Person (no courses offered online)

Average Time to Completion

Two Semesters