Buffalo State social work program becomes first bachelor-level to offer ACOSA Community Practice Certificate

Buffalo State's social work program recently became the first and only bachelor-level program permitted to offer students the opportunity to obtain a Community Practice Certificate through the Association of Community Organization and Social Action (ACOSA), an interdisciplinary professional association that promotes social change by strengthening community practice in social work. The certificate, which ACOSA offers to students enrolled in select programs with curriculum that focuses on the domains of community practice-community organizing, planning, development, and social change-strengthens student portfolios when seeking employment and career advancement opportunities, said Social Work Department chair Jessica Fitzpatrick.

"When people think of social work, they most often think of the direct work we do with individuals," Fitzpatrick said. "However, macro social work focuses on changing systems, policies, and communities-getting at the root causes of individual's problems. The Community Practice Certificate through ACOSA is an important step in highlighting the breadth of opportunities in the field of social work our students have when they graduate. We are very excited to offer this to our students."

Through this partnership, ACOSA will:

• Promote the Buffalo State social work program's alignment with ACOSA's mission of advancing social change through community practice, including posting Buffalo State's logo on its website;
• Endorse the program's community practice curriculum; and
• Provide a Community Practice Certificate to Buffalo State students and alumni, which they can use to strengthen their portfolio when seeking employment and career advancement in community practice.

This opportunity comes at an exciting time for the Buffalo State social work program, as the undergraduate degree will become available as a fully online program in fall 2026, allowing more students access to an affordable, high-value education.