Master of Social Work

Social workers help individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities survive and thrive. With a focus on enhancing the social, racial, economic, and environmental wellbeing of disadvantaged, disenfranchised, and marginalized people, social workers can help children and adults resolve problems in living, increase emotional and behavioral health, enhance psychological and social wellbeing, and change policies and programs to better serve communities.

Built upon a commitment to helping identify and enhance the strengths of individuals, families and communities, the Master of Social Work program offers professional education with learning opportunities in the classroom and in the field for students who want to work to increase the quality of life for all people.

Some students have earned a B.S.W. degree before beginning the M.S.W. program, while other students come with different educational backgrounds and undergraduate degrees. We encourage people with all undergraduate degrees to apply to the M.S.W. program if they are passionate about helping others by providing social services and working to achieve social justice.

Full-time students who have already earned a B.S.W. from a CSWE-accredited program are able to complete the M.S.W. in as little as one year (summer, fall, and spring terms) with an advanced standing plan of study. Students with an advanced standing plan of study can also earn their M.S.W. degree on a part-time basis.

Students with undergraduate degrees in fields other than social work can complete the M.S.W. program with a traditional plan of study in as little as two years full-time. We also allow students with traditional plans of study the opportunity to earn their M.S.W. degree part-time in three or four years.

The first year of the traditional plan of study in the M.S.W. program prepares students for generalist social work practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Generalist courses include content on human rights; social, racial, economic, and environmental justice; policy and advocacy; applied research; professional ethics; theory for practice; and anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion. In addition, students learn how to engage, assess, intervene, and evaluate their interventions at all levels of practice in generalist M.S.W. courses and in their first practicum placements.

Following generalist courses and practicum, M.S.W. students advance to one of two areas of social work specialized practice: (1) clinical practice or (2) macro practice. The clinical practice specialization prepares students for social work with individuals, families, and groups in diverse therapeutic settings. The macro specialization prepares students for leadership positions in organizations and communities. Macro specialized courses include advanced content in the administration of programs and agencies, as well as community practice and advocacy.

The M.S.W. program is offered in Lawrence, at the Edwards Campus in Overland Park, in other Kansas communities including Salina, and online through Jayhawk Global.

Master of Social Work

Traditional M.S.W. Plan of Study - Full-Time or Part-Time

Applicants must have undergraduate degrees from accredited universities before beginning the M.S.W. program. Most students with a traditional plan of study do not have B.S.W. degrees. However, some students with a B.S.W. degree want a traditional plan of study in order to get up to speed after a number of years away from social work education and/or two different practicum placements to bolster their M.S.W. education.

Advanced Standing Plan of Study - Full-Time or Part-Time

Advanced standing requires a bachelor’s degree from a CSWE-accredited social work program with a recommended grade-point average of at least 3.0. We are interested in references from instructors who can speak to your academic abilities and readiness for graduate education. In addition, applicants with volunteer and/or work experience in human services and/or social justice are encouraged to submit letters of recommendation from supervisors who can address your competencies in the field. Current seniors who are applying for advanced standing should submit their fall semester transcript and documentation of their successful undergraduate practicum experience.

For both the traditional and advanced standing plans of study, we have a holistic approach to admission decisions. We admit students based on a review of several factors including successful completion of undergraduate liberal arts courses, measures of academic achievement including undergraduate GPA, prior work experience in human services or social justice, and strong references from instructors and supervisors. All applications to the MSW program become the property of the University of Kansas.

Learn more about the M.S.W. programs.

Admission to the M.S.W. Program

Standard Admission Requirements for all Graduate Programs

• All applicants must meet the requirements outlined in the Admission to Graduate Study policy. 
• Bachelor’s degree: A copy of official transcripts showing proof of a bachelor's degree (and any post-bachelor’s coursework or degrees) from a regionally accredited institution, or a foreign university with equivalent bachelor's degree requirements is required.  
• English proficiency: Proof of English proficiency for non-native or non-native-like English speakers is required. There are two bands of English proficiency, including Admission and Full proficiency. For applicants to online programs, Full proficiency is required. 

School of Social Welfare M.S.W. Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited university (Traditional M.S.W.).  Bachelor's of social work degree from a CSWE-accredited social work program (Advanced Standing).
• Undergraduate grade-point average of 3.0 or above preferred.  The admissions committee takes into account special circumstances such as improvement of grades in upper-division or graduate courses. We look for evidence of an applicant’s commitment to the well-being of people and communities; a well-developed sense of self; emotional maturity and the ability to think clearly, creatively, and independently. 
• Online application including three electronic reference forms, transcripts from all previously attended schools regardless of degree status, narrative statement of purpose, and resume.
• All applicants who have been employed in a social work setting should submit an electronic M.S.W. reference form from at least one supervisor who can address the applicant's knowledge, skill and readiness for graduate social work education as one of the three references.
• Non-refundable application fees for domestic and international students.
• Graduate Record Examination scores are not required.  Applicants are evaluated on undergraduate grade-point average, graduate course work (if any), volunteer and/or work experience especially related to social work, and evidence of potential for a social work career in the application narrative and references.

Deadlines

Posted application deadlines for the Advanced Standing and Traditional M.S.W. Plans of Study may be found on the program website.   

Admission Process 

M.S.W. degree program students are admitted for summer semester for Advanced Standing and fall semester for Traditional plans of study. Applications may be submitted anytime between Oct. 1 and the appropriate application deadline. All fully completed applications are reviewed upon receipt. Admission decisions are made in the spring of each year.  M.S.W. students admitted for the Advanced Standing plan of study begin in June; MSW students admitted for the Traditional plan of study (full time and part time) begin in August.  A summer term start may be available for M.S.W. students admitted to the Traditional plan of study.  Contact the Coordinator for Graduate Admissions for more information.

Learn more about the application process.