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.
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.
- 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. All applicants who have been employed in a social work setting should submit a reference 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.
- Transcripts from all previously attended schools regardless of degree status.
- Narrative statement of purpose.
- Resume.
- Non-refundable application fees for domestic and international students.
Learn more about the application process.
Note:
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Students are admitted for summer semester for Advanced Standing and summer or fall semester for Traditional plans of study.
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These are the admission requirements in place at the time this catalog content was published.
International Students
International students from all regions of the world are encouraged to apply. Prior to applying, international students should review eligibility of in-person and online programs. For more information about international student applications and resources and regulations contact International Support Services and the Applied English Center.
Non-native English speakers may be admitted to the MSW program having met Admission Proficiency per KU Graduate Admission policy. Non-native English speaking students admitted to the MSW program must meet Full English Proficiency as published in the Proficiency Bands and Score Requirements in order to begin any practicum experiences as part of the MSW curriculum. If English language courses are required to meet Full proficiency, this will delay the practicum experience and extend MSW degree completion to a minimum of 3 years, full-time.
M.S.W. Traditional Plan of Study Degree Requirements
The School of Social Welfare requires a total of 64 credit hours for the MSW degree, consisting of
- 36 credit hours of classroom work maintaining a grade-point average of 3.0 (B).
- 28 credit hours of practicum with an (S) grade for satisfactory performance.
- Recommendation of the faculty of the School of Social Welfare to the University Registrar that the master’s degree be granted.
M.S.W. Coursework Requirements
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| SW 701 | Generalist Practicum (taken fall and spring semester) | 14 |
| SW 708 | Human Rights and Social, Racial, Economic, and Environmental Justice | 3 |
| SW 710 | Multi-Level Engagement and Assessment | 3 |
| SW 711 | Multi-Level Intervention & Evaluation | 3 |
| SW 720 | Social Policy Analysis and Advocacy in Social Work | 3 |
| SW 740 | Applied Research in Multi-Level Social Work | 3 |
| SW 755 | Anti-racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Social Work Practice | 3 |
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| |
| Total Hours | 64 |
M.S.W. Specialization Curriculum
Following generalist courses and practicum, students advance to one of two areas of specialized practice: (1) clinical practice or (2) macro practice. This selection is based on their goals of working clinically with individuals, families, and groups or at the macro-level of practice with organizations and communities. With the exception of study abroad courses offered by the School of Social Welfare and SW 863, students may not enroll in specialized classes before completing generalist requirements without approval from the M.S.W. Program Director. Students should consult their academic advisor for enrollment guidance.
Note: In the language of our accrediting body (and many social works schools), courses of study are termed “specializations.” However, KU uses the term “concentration” in the same way others use the term “specialization” (i.e., to describe a structured plan of study within a major representing a sub-specialization or emphasis). You will see the term “concentration” used repeatedly throughout our materials. For all intents and purposes, concentration means the same as specialization.
All students completing the M.S.W. degree are eligible to apply for the Kansas and Missouri Licensed Master Social Workers (LMSW). Students who anticipate working towards meeting the requirements for a Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker (LSCSW) examination are encouraged to enroll in the clinical social work practice specialization.
Refer to specific state licensure boards for educational and supervision requirements for social work licensure.
M.S.W. Advanced Standing Plan of Study
The Advanced Standing plan of study requires an enrollment of 38 credit hours, as follows:
- A summer enrollment in 2 classes (6 credit hours):
- SW 712, a social work practice class organized around the school’s major curriculum themes.
- An elective course selected by the student to broaden the base of knowledge.
- The specialization level of the MSW program (32 credit hours). Refer to the clinical practice and macro practice concentration requirements.
- 18 credit hours of classroom work maintaining a grade-point average of 3.0 (B).
- 14 credit hours of practicum with an S grade for satisfactory performance.
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| SW 712 | Social Work Advanced Standing Seminar | 3 |
| Mental Health and Psychopathology | |
| Children's Mental Health | |
| Assessing and Treating Suicide and Self-Harm | |
| |
| Total Hours | 38 |
Practicum Education
The Practicum Office works with community partners to provide practicum opportunities for students. Students are matched to a practicum through a collaborative process with the Practicum Office, the student, and the practicum site. The Practicum Office is responsible for ensuring practicum sites provide social work learning experiences overseen by a qualified Practicum Instructor. Students enrolled in a practicum course attend a practicum in the Fall and Spring semesters for a minimum of 16 hours per week. Learn more about practicum education at .
Prior Work Experience
In accordance with national curriculum policy, prior employment and life experience may not be credited toward classroom course work or practicum requirements.
Clinical Practice Concentration in Social Work
This 32-credit-hour specialization prepares M.S.W. students for clinical social work with individuals, families, and groups. Students specializing in clinical social work develop the knowledge and skills to help people resolve chronic and/or acute problems in living, increase emotional and behavioral health, and enhance psychological and social wellbeing. Clinical social work students learn advanced engagement and assessment practice skills, as well as a wide variety of interventions and how to evaluate the efficacy of those interventions. From a social work perspective, the clinical specialization prepares students to work in diverse counseling and mental health settings with clients who have personal, interpersonal, and social needs requiring theoretically grounded and evidence-based therapeutic services. Students also have the opportunity to practice their clinical skills in practicum settings as part of their graduate studies in social work. We recommend students who anticipate taking the Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Work (LSCSW) examination pursue a clinical specialization.
Please refer to specific state licensure boards for educational and supervision requirements for clinical level licensure.
The following courses must be taken in the clinical area of practice (32 credit hours):
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| SW 801 | Advanced Practicum-Clinical Practice (taken fall and spring semester) | 14 |
| SW 810 | Clinical Practice Strategies I | 3 |
| SW 811 | Clinical Practice Strategies II | 3 |
| SW 863 | Mental Health and Psychopathology | 3 |
| 3 |
| Interdisciplinary Aging Practice | |
| Study Abroad Topics: _____ | |
| Indigenous Families | |
| Sexuality and Gender Diversity | |
| Social Work with Womxn and Femmes | |
| Serving the Black Diaspora | |
| 3 |
| Social Work in Schools | |
| Loss and Grief Across the Life Course | |
| Global Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Intervention | |
| Children's Mental Health | |
| Trauma-Related Care Across the Life Course | |
| Assessing and Treating Suicide and Self-Harm | |
| Assessing and Treating Substance Misuse | |
| SW 885 | Professional Development Seminar | 3 |
| Total Hours | 32 |
Macro Practice Concentration in Social Work
The 32-credit-hour macro practice curriculum prepares M.S.W. students for leadership in social work agencies and social justice organizations. Students specializing in macro practice learn advanced administrative and advocacy skills and abilities for work in both the public and private sectors. The macro specialization helps students achieve competence in designing and implementing human services, community practice, and policy practice from a social work perspective. Knowledge and skills developed in this specialization include program design, managing information and resource, human resource management, community organizing, advanced advocacy, and program evaluation. This specialization prepares MSW students to be program and agency administrators, supervisors, advocates, and evaluators in public agencies and departments (local, state, and federal) and private human services and social justice organizations. Students in the macro practice specialization are eligible to take the LMSW license examination in Kansas immediately upon graduation from the MSW program. Macro students who may seek a Kansas clinical-level licensure are encouraged to add Mental Health and Psychopathology (SW 863) to their course of study. Outside of Kansas, requirements for clinical level licensure varies for students engaging in macro coursework. Please refer to specific state licensure boards for educational and supervision requirements for clinical level licensure.
The following courses must be taken in the macro area of practice (32 credit hours):
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| SW 804 | Advanced Practicum-Macro Practice (taken fall and spring semester) | 14 |
| SW 840 | Multi-System Community-Engaged Program Design | 3 |
| SW 841 | Advanced Policy Analysis | 3 |
| SW 842 | Agency-Based Evaluation | 3 |
| SW 843 | Leadership and Supervision in Program Management | 3 |
| SW 846 | Advanced Justice-Centered Community and Advocacy Practice | 3 |
| SW 885 | Professional Development Seminar | 3 |
| Total Hours | 32 |
Sample degree plans for the Master of Social Work can be found here: MSW with concentration in Clinical Practice, MSW with concentration in Macro Practice or by using the left-side navigation.
At the completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate ethical and professional behavior.
- Advance human rights and social, racial, economic, and environmental justice.
- Engage anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion in practice.
- Engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice.
- Engage in policy practice.
- Engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
- Assess individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
- Intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
- Evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
