Eastern Kentucky University MSW Programs

Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) is a 117-year old public institution with a rich educational heritage. The university began its journey in 1906 as a regional, coeducational institution that offers programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Students who enjoy small-town living will find an ideal learning environment on EKU’s 892-acre campus in Richmond, Kentucky.

The university has grown substantially over the years. Today, it serves 15,673 students (fall 2024), with 13,448 undergraduates and 2,225 postgraduates. Students benefit from a 15:1 student-to-faculty ratio that provides individual-specific attention and quality instruction. Small classes are common here – 46% have fewer than 20 students, which creates an intimate learning atmosphere.

Students can choose from more than 100 programs through six distinct colleges:

• College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences
• College of Business
• College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
• College of Education and Applied Human Sciences
• College of Health Sciences
• College of Justice, Safety, and Military Science

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) accredits EKU to award associate, baccalaureate, masters, educational specialist, and doctorate degrees. This accreditation will give a solid foundation to your EKU education.

The Department of Social Work holds a respected position in the College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences. It offers both undergraduate (BSW) and graduate (MSW) social work programs. The BSW program’s accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education dates back to 1977, while the MSW program earned its accreditation in 2020.

EKU shows its dedication to making education accessible. Almost all undergraduate students – 99% – receive financial aid. In-state tuition and fees cost $11,280, while out-of-state students pay $23,500. The university’s success speaks through its graduates – 77% find full-time employment within six months after graduation.

Programs offered

Eastern Kentucky University’s Master of Social Work (MSW) program helps advance your social work career through a well-designed online format. Students benefit from 7-week asynchronous courses combined with practical field experience. This combination creates a perfect balance between theory and real-world application. The MSW curriculum prepares you to work effectively with professionals of all disciplines, settings, and populations.

The program structure adapts to your educational background with two distinct tracks. Regular program students complete 63 graduate credit hours that cover generalist and concentration courses. Students with a Social Work bachelor’s degree might qualify for advanced standing status, needing just 31 graduate hours. Both paths let you choose between part-time and full-time study schedules. The program also offers employer-based practicum placements that work well for busy professionals.

The program stands out by including an Interdisciplinary University Certificate Program. You can choose one of these five specialized certificates that line up with your career goals:

• Addictions Intervention Certificate
• Mental Health Certificate
• Child and Family Services Certificate
• Social Advocacy and Justice Certificate
• Leadership and Management Certificate

This approach gives you valuable insights into professional social work practice within your chosen specialty. Your studies will include three elective courses from your selected certificate’s curriculum to build specialized expertise.

Academic standards remain high throughout the program. Students need to keep an overall GPA of 3.0 or better on all graded courses. They must also show good performance in field practicum experiences. A grade of “B” or higher is required in key courses like SWK 855 Generalist Capstone and SWK 895 Interprofessional Capstone.

Your MSW education concludes with an Integrative Capstone project. This final work shows your expertise in combining social work theory and practice with interdisciplinary knowledge. The project evaluates your skills in applying ethical, culturally-based advanced generalist interprofessional social work practice.

The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) granted full accreditation to EKU’s MSW program in 2020. This recognition shows the university’s steadfast dedication to quality social work education. Graduates emerge as adaptable, innovative leaders who promote positive change in various professional settings.

About the online program

EKU’s online Master of Social Work program offers a top-quality education in a fully virtual learning environment. The program features 7-week asynchronous courses combined with required practicum hours. You can complete your coursework whenever it suits you instead of attending scheduled sessions.

This program puts your convenience first. Based on your life situation, you can pick either full-time or part-time study options. Working professionals find this flexibility valuable as they balance their careers with studies. The program lets you complete field placements at your current workplace when possible, which makes practical training more accessible.

You won’t be alone in your online learning experience. The program gives you exceptional access to faculty and staff who want you to succeed. These experienced professors bring rich knowledge to their virtual classrooms while keeping students at the center of their teaching approach.

The curriculum blends academic theory with real-world application through courses that cover important topics:

• Crisis intervention
• Addictions
• Race and ethnic relations

This complete approach helps you become an adaptable, innovative leader who can promote positive change in the field. EKU Online works hard to create an enriching experience and provides all resources you need to succeed.

The university’s support continues after graduation. EKU helps you excel in your studies and advance your career by identifying and pursuing job opportunities.

Students in this program join a learning community that reaches beyond geographic limits. EKU creates a dynamic virtual environment where you connect with peers and instructors while developing advanced leadership skills in social work. You’ll be ready to serve as an interprofessional practitioner who can take on important roles in organizations and communities.

Career prospects

EKU’s MSW program will prepare you to tackle complex social challenges in your career. After graduation, you’ll have advanced skills that work in professional settings of all types – from government agencies and healthcare facilities to schools and community organizations. This flexibility makes the master’s program an excellent path to advance your career in social work’s diverse field.

Your career possibilities with an EKU MSW degree go beyond traditional social work roles. The program qualifies you to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), which opens doors to clinical practice. The program’s focus on working across professions also sets you up for leadership roles where teamwork between different fields matters most.

Getting your MSW from EKU comes with a unique advantage – specialized certificates built right into your coursework. These certificates boost your expertise in specific areas without adding extra time to graduation. This smart approach gives you an edge when job hunting.

EKU’s program shows a deep understanding of today’s social challenges. Your coursework will cover crisis intervention, addictions, and racial dynamics. This gives you a fresh viewpoint on solving urgent social problems. The employer-based practicums provide hands-on experience that translates directly to ground scenarios.

Students love the program’s well-laid-out learning path. You’ll start with core basics and move to specialized content that matches your chosen certificate. This logical progression optimizes your educational experience. The program concludes with a capstone project that combines everything you’ve learned.

EKU’s master’s program in social work provides everything you need to succeed – whether you want to boost your current position or switch to a different specialty. You’ll get academic credentials, practical experience, and professional connections.

Accreditation

CSWE accreditation is a vital standard for quality in social work education programs. The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) leads as the premier accrediting body for social work programs in the United States. They currently oversee 347 accredited master’s programs nationwide. Students looking at EKU masters programs should know how this accreditation affects their future.

Eastern Kentucky University’s Master of Social Work program earned its CSWE accreditation in 2020. The university’s Bachelor of Social Work program has managed to keep continuous accreditation since 1977. This success shows EKU’s steadfast dedication to excellence in social work education.

CSWE accreditation brings real value to your education. Your program goes through a detailed peer-review process that balances consistent educational outcomes with program flexibility. This seal of approval confirms that EKU’s social work curriculum meets professional standards for knowledge, values, and skills.

Your career prospects get a significant boost with CSWE accreditation. A degree from EKU’s MSW program online will meet national professional practice standards. This becomes especially important when you have job opportunities or pursue licensure. Many states require candidates to graduate from CSWE-accredited programs.

CSWE’s vision aims “to ensure a well-educated social work profession equipped to promote health, well-being, and justice for all people in a diverse society”. Programs earning this recognition must meet high standards. They must educate respectful, responsible social workers ready to serve in a variety of communities.

The Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) recognizes CSWE’s Board of Accreditation. This proves it right as an authority in evaluating social work education programs. This quality assurance system protects you from degree mills and will give a legitimate, respected credential from your EKU masters program.

Admission Requirements

EKU’s Master of Social Work program has specific academic requirements that depend on your educational background. The university provides two different paths with unique requirements. This CSWE-accredited program welcomes qualified candidates from diverse academic backgrounds.

Students need a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university (or foreign equivalent) to enter the standard 63-hour program. A minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale is required. Previous graduate work requires a minimum 3.0 GPA in those courses. The program typically favors applicants with undergraduate GPAs of 3.0 or higher.

The accelerated 31-hour program through advanced standing has more specific requirements. Qualified candidates must:

• Hold an undergraduate social work degree from a CSWE-accredited program
• Have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0
• Graduate within five years of starting the MSW program

The program doesn’t require GRE scores for admission. You can submit current GRE General Exam scores to strengthen your application. These scores stay valid for five years after the test date.

The application package needs several additional materials. Three recommendation letters are mandatory, though four would make your application stronger. Advanced standing applicants should get at least one recommendation from a previous professor or field supervisor. They also need to include their BSW final practicum evaluation. A personal statement that addresses all application prompts must be included.

Work experience isn’t mandatory but can make your application more competitive. This hands-on background could better prepare you for the program’s demanding curriculum.

EKU’s College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences offers excellent enrollment advising services. Their advisors create a welcoming environment to help future students direct their way through admissions requirements and reach their academic goals.

Tuition

Smart financial planning plays a vital role in your education investment. You need to understand the complete cost structure of EKU masters programs to make informed decisions about your educational path.

EKU’s online Master of Social Work program offers a straightforward tuition rate of $649.00 per credit hour. Students receive complimentary textbooks with this competitive pricing, which adds great value to their investment. Your total tuition will be approximately $20,119 for 31 credits (Advanced Standing) or $40,887 for 63 credits (Regular Standing), based on your academic background.

Your degree’s financial planning goes beyond just tuition. EKU’s Cost of Attendance has five essential educational expenses: tuition and fees, living expenses (food and housing), loan fees, transportation, and personal/miscellaneous expenses. Your university bill will show only the actual tuition, fees, and on-campus housing costs.

Students can access substantial financial help to reduce these expenses. EKU bases most financial aid awards on full-time enrollment. Graduate students must take at least 9 credit hours per semester. Federal student loans and grants require at least half-time enrollment to stay eligible.

EKU will send your official Financial Aid Offer to your university email account after acceptance. This offer outlines available aid and attendance costs. Students must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements to keep their financial aid eligibility.

EKU’s online tuition rate stays competitive compared to other Kentucky MSW programs. The University of Louisville charges in-state graduate students $11,500 to $17,300, while out-of-state students pay $23,300 to $34,900. The University of Kentucky’s rates range from $11,500 to $17,200 for in-state students and $28,400 to $42,600 for non-residents.

Scholarships provide another excellent funding option. These awards look at various factors like academic achievement, financial need, and professional experience. Students can use these funds for tuition, books, housing, and other educational expenses without paying them back.

Additional Information

EKU’s MSW program offers several valuable features beyond its core curriculum. Expert faculty members are the essence of your educational journey. Their specializations bring depth to the classroom experience. The MSW Program Director and Online Coordinator, Dr. Stefanie Binion, earned her Ph.D. from the University of Alabama. Her research focuses on mental health and youth in foster care. Department Chair Stephanie Saulnier studies foster care, student success, and simple needs.

Students learn to “mobilize the power of interprofessional teams” that promote social welfare, human rights, and justice in various forms. EKU’s Office of Advising and Career Services provides academic guidance and helps students prepare for their job search.

Social work careers show promising growth. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts an 11% increase from 2018 to 2028. Military service members and their spouses can benefit from special tuition rates.

The program’s success speaks through its outcomes. A state-leading 75% of graduates find work within Kentucky – more than any other state university. Students graduate ready to contribute meaningfully to social work by combining academic excellence with ground preparation.