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 BSW degree before beginning the MSW program, while other students come with different educational backgrounds and undergraduate degrees. We encourage people with all undergraduate degrees to apply to the MSW 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 BSW from a CSWE-accredited program are able to complete the MSW 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 MSW degree on a part-time basis.
Students with undergraduate degrees in fields other than social work can complete the MSW 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 MSW degree part-time in three or four years.
The first year of the traditional plan of study in the MSW 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 diversity, equity, and inclusion. In addition, students learn how to engage, assess, intervene, and evaluate their interventions at all levels of practice in generalist MSW courses and in their first practicum placements.
Following generalist courses and practicum, MSW students advance to one of two areas of social work specialization: (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 specialization courses include advanced content in the administration of programs and agencies, as well as community practice and advocacy.
The MSW program is offered in Lawrence, at the Edwards Campus in Overland Park, in other Kansas communities including Pittsburg and Salina, and online through Jayhawk Global.
Master of Social Work
Traditional MSW 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 MSW programs.
Admission to the MSW Program
MSW Admission Requirements
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited university (Traditional MSW). 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 and student-issued transcripts from all previously attended schools regardless of degree status.
- 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 MSW Plans of Study may be found on the program website.
Admission Process
MSW 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. MSW 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 MSW students admitted to the Traditional plan of study. Contact the Coordinator for Graduate Admissions for more information.
Learn more about the application process.
International Students
International students from all regions of the world are encouraged to apply. For more information about international student applications and resources and regulations contact International Support Services and the Applied English Center.
All graduate applicants who are non-native speakers of English must demonstrate English proficiency to be considered for MSW admission. This includes both International Students who reside in the U.S. and outside the U.S. at the time of application. Please consult the English proficiency requirements from KU Graduate Admissions.
In order to begin practicum for the MSW Program, Full Proficiency must be met. If Full Proficiency requirements are not met at the time of admission, and additional language requirements are required from the KU Applied English Center, MSW classes and/or practicum may be delayed. Any English language proficiency coursework required by the KU Applied English Center may increase time to complete the full-time Traditional MSW plan of study from two years to three years.
If admitted to the MSW program, your admission to the School of Social Welfare is provisional. The International Conference on Social Welfare recommends that before seeking professional education for social work in the United States, a student should complete comparable study available in his or her own country and acquire a minimum of 2 years of social work experience there.
Advanced Standing Plan of Study Degree Plan
Students should work with an academic advisor for enrollment guidance and for part-time plans of study.
Clinical
| Year 1 |
|---|
| Summer | Hours | Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
|---|
| SW 712 | 3 | SW 801 | 7 | SW 801 | 7 |
| SW 863 or Clinical Elective | 3 | SW 810 | 3 | SW 811 | 3 |
| | Diversity-Focused Elective | 3 | Clinical Elective | 3 |
| | SW 863 or Clinical Elective | 3 | SW 885 | 3 |
| | 6 | | 16 | | 16 |
| Total Hours 38 |
Macro
Traditional Plan of Study Degree Plan
Students should work with an academic advisor for enrollment guidance and for part-time plans of study.
Clinical
Macro
