University of Kansas MSW Program
The Master of Social Work (MSW) program at the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare is essential to social work education. The program has managed to keep its stellar reputation since receiving accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) in 1947. Kansas’s oldest accredited MSW program now celebrates more than 85 years of educational excellence.
The 2024 U.S. News & World Report rankings place KU’s MSW program at No. 22 among public institutions and No. 36 overall. These rankings put it in the top 11% of graduate social work programs nationwide. The program stands as the highest-ranked MSW in Kansas.
Students can earn their degree at multiple locations including Lawrence, Overland Park (Edwards Campus), and Salina. The program expanded to Pittsburg through a partnership with Pittsburg State University. Jayhawk Global now makes the MSW accessible online.
The School of Social Welfare moved to Green Hall at the start of spring 2025 semester from its previous home at Twente Hall. Green Hall’s renovated third floor improves the student experience with a better learning environment for social work education.
Students who choose KU’s MSW program gain specialized knowledge to help individuals, families, and groups through counseling and direct services. The curriculum features two main paths: clinical social work practice with individuals, families, and groups, or social work macro practice. The macro practice path focuses on social service administration, policy development, and advocacy.
KU’s program stands out as the only one in Kansas that offers social work degrees from undergraduate to doctoral levels, including BSW, MSW, DSW, and PhD programs. This all-encompassing approach will give students a clear path to advance their education at one institution.
Community and student feedback shaped the program’s curriculum to create a dynamic educational experience with ground opportunities. This student-first approach helps maintain the program’s high rankings and reputation for excellence in social work education.
Programs offered
The Master of Social Work program at the University of Kansas offers two curriculum tracks based on your educational background. You can specialize in clinical social work practice with individuals, families, and groups, or choose macro practice that focuses on social service administration, policy development, and advocacy.
Traditional MSW Plan of Study
Students with an undergraduate degree in any field except social work will take the Traditional plan of study. This track needs 64 credit hours, with 36 classroom credits and 28 practicum credits. The first phase includes 32 credit hours of generalist coursework and 14 credit hours of generalist-level practicum. You can complete the Traditional MSW in:
- 2 years with full-time study
- 3-4 years with part-time study
Advanced Standing Plan of Study
Students with a Bachelor of Social Work from a CSWE-accredited program can take a faster path through Advanced Standing. This track requires 38 credit hours total and starts with a summer term of two classes (6 credit hours). You can finish this track in:
- 1 year with full-time study
- 2 years with part-time study
Specialization Areas
After completing your generalist courses, you’ll choose one of two specialized areas:
- Clinical Practice Specialization – This 32-credit-hour concentration prepares you to work with individuals, families, and groups. This path works well if you plan to take the Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Work (LSCSW) examination.
- Macro Practice Specialization – This 32-credit-hour concentration equips you for leadership roles in organizations and communities, including social service administration, policy development, and advocacy.
Practicum Experience
Field experience is a vital part of the MSW program. Traditional MSW students complete two practicum placements: one during the foundation level and another during the advanced level. Each placement runs for two consecutive semesters and gives you ground social work experience with individuals, families, and communities.
Program Locations
The MSW program is available at multiple locations:
- Lawrence campus
- Edwards Campus in Overland Park
- Kansas State University-Salina campus
- Online through Jayhawk Global
The online format uses a blended synchronous approach. It combines online coursework with bi-weekly live online classes, and the same faculty teach both online and on-campus courses.
The School of Social Welfare also offers a complete educational pathway with BSW, DSW (online practice doctorate), and PhD (in-person research-focused) programs.
About the online program
The University of Kansas offers a unique online Master of Social Work program through Jayhawk Global that balances flexibility with academic excellence. Students attend live online classes every other Saturday along with online coursework. This setup helps you balance your work and family life while earning your degree.
U.S. News & World Report ranks KU’s online MSW among the top 12% of public institution social work programs. The program’s CSWE accreditation showcases its commitment to educational excellence.
Students can complete the Advanced Standing plan in one year with full-time study or two years part-time. The Traditional plan takes two years full-time or 3-4 years part-time. You’ll need 64 credits to graduate.
The program’s faculty members are the same experts who teach on-campus classes. You get a similar quality of curriculum and instruction no matter which format you choose. Online students receive the same high-quality education as their on-campus peers.
Online MSW students pay a flat rate of USD 695.00 per credit hour, whatever their residency status. This simple pricing makes financial planning easier for future students.
The program focuses heavily on real-life applications even though it’s online. Students learn to provide counseling and direct services to individuals, families, and groups. They also develop skills to create changes in organizations, communities, and policies.
The School of Social Welfare runs programs in Lawrence, Overland Park, and Salina, but the online option eliminates location barriers. However, the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare currently doesn’t accept international applications for the online Master of Social Work program.
Career readiness
The University of Kansas MSW program ranks at the top for student satisfaction, a significant measure of success. Graduates’ feedback shows the program’s exceptional quality, especially in faculty expertise, curriculum relevance, and career preparation.
The program’s curriculum reflects input from community partners and current students to address practical challenges in social work practice. Students experience a dynamic educational environment that offers meaningful opportunities throughout their learning.
KU’s MSW program graduates demonstrate exceptional career readiness. Traditional track students complete 28 credit hours of hands-on practicum experience, while Advanced Standing students complete 14 credit hours. This real-life training leads directly to professional success.
KU faculty members’ excellence goes beyond teaching. They maintain active professional practices, conduct research, and take part in community service. This combination brings current, relevant expertise to the classroom.
Key factors that make students happy with the program include:
- Dedicated faculty’s personal attention with academic and professional credentials
- Detailed preparation for professional license exams
- Strong community partnerships for better practicum placements
- Various specialization options in clinical and macro practice
- Resources and support for student success
The University of Kansas School of Social Welfare prepares graduates to provide counseling and direct services to individuals, families, and groups. Students also learn to implement changes in organizations, communities, and policies.
Students can choose from multiple campus options – Lawrence, Edwards Campus in Overland Park, Salina, and a fully online format. This flexibility lets them customize their education without compromising quality. These options have helped earn the program’s distinguished reputation through high student satisfaction.
Accreditation
Accreditation is a mark of educational quality for social work programs across the country. The University of Kansas School of Social Welfare’s Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work degree programs have earned full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) Board of Accreditation. This recognition shows that the program meets or surpasses quality standards through a complete peer review process.
The KU MSW program, 76 years old since 1947, ranks among the nation’s longest-running accredited programs. The program currently holds the No. 22 spot among public institutions and ranks No. 36 overall out of 319 MSW programs with CSWE accreditation.
CSWE accreditation brings several benefits to your education. This credential shows that:
- The program has enough resources to achieve its mission and goals
- The Board of Accreditation has confirmed the program meets all Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards
- Students at all program locations receive the same accredited education
- Graduates demonstrate program quality and competence
The University of Kansas belongs to an elite group of 38 public universities in the prestigious Association of American Universities, which represents America’s top research institutions. This recognition puts the KU School of Social Welfare in distinguished company.
Programs need regular reviews to keep their accreditation status. Each review must show the program continues to meet standards set by academic communities, practitioners, professionals, and stakeholders.
Choosing a CSWE-accredited program is vital because employers and licensing boards will recognize your degree. This applies to every approved location and teaching method, including the online MSW option, as long as the program grants the degree and lists it as social work.
U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks the program in the top 12% of public institution social work programs. This ranking confirms its outstanding position in social work education.
Admission Requirements
The University of Kansas MSW program welcomes students through two distinct admission paths. Your educational background determines the specific requirements you need to meet.
Students with a Bachelor of Social Work degree from a CSWE-accredited program can apply to the Advanced Standing track. The school looks for candidates with a BSW GPA of 3.0 or higher. This fast-track option starts only in summer semester.
The Traditional MSW track accepts students who have earned their bachelor’s degree from any regionally accredited university or equivalent foreign institution. Similar to Advanced Standing, a 3.0 undergraduate GPA is preferred. Students can begin their journey in either summer or fall semesters.
Both tracks share common application requirements. Students must submit a professional resume that showcases their work and volunteer experience. The application package needs a narrative statement about your interest in graduate social work education, three professional references, and official transcripts from your previous colleges.
Reference requirements vary between the tracks. Students applying for Advanced Standing should include feedback from their practicum supervisor/instructor. Those who earned their BSW in the last three years should also add a faculty member’s reference. Traditional track applicants need professional references – family members and friends won’t be considered.
KU’s current or former students don’t need to submit official KU transcripts. They should upload copies from other institutions if they attended any. Students new to KU must provide official transcripts from all their previous colleges.
The program has specific application deadlines. Advanced Standing applicants (both full-time and part-time) and Traditional Full-time students should apply by February 3, 2026. Traditional Part-time students have until April 1, 2026 to submit their applications.
Students who aren’t native English speakers must prove their English proficiency. Full proficiency is required before starting practicum placements. Without meeting this requirement, students might face delays in starting their MSW classes or practicum experiences.
Tuition
The cost of your MSW degree plays a crucial role when choosing a program. The University of Kansas MSW program’s tuition rates change based on where you live and which campus you select.
Students starting in the 2025-26 academic year will see different rates. Kansas residents pay about $8,548 yearly for tuition, while out-of-state students pay $20,108. These rates cover 18 credit hours each academic year. Students need to plan for additional expenses. Required fees cost $1,119, housing and food expenses run $12,031, and educational materials add $580.
Good news – you have several ways to save money. Students at School of Social Welfare Partnership Sites pay resident tuition rates whatever their actual residency status. Missouri residents get another break – they can qualify for the MetroKC rate at Edwards Campus and pay in-state tuition with no limits on credit hours.
The online MSW program comes with a simple pricing structure. Every student pays $695 per credit hour whatever their residency status.
Money shouldn’t stop you from pursuing your degree. Here’s how to get financial help:
- School of Social Welfare scholarships (apply by March 1)
- Federal grant aid ($5,186 on average goes to 25% of first-year students)
- Multiple scholarship programs that need FAFSA submission
Students must keep a 3.0 GPA minimum to keep their scholarships and submit new applications each year. KU alumni and the KU Endowment Association’s generous support helps many students reduce their actual costs through these financial aid options.
Additional Information
The University of Kansas MSW program pairs academic excellence with complete student support systems to boost your educational experience. Students who face sudden financial challenges that could affect their studies can tap into the School of Social Welfare’s emergency funding program. The school typically responds to these unexpected expense requests within two weeks.
Students who present their research at national or regional professional meetings can get travel funding. The program also lets students take leadership roles as representatives to help shape the school’s educational goals.
The program features distinctive scholar initiatives, including:
- Toni Johnson Scholars Program – Provides financial support, mentoring, and professional development opportunities to promote racial and social justice
- Sigler Family Aging Scholars Program – Specializes in gerontological social work education
KU’s MSW program has held continuous accreditation since 1947, making it Kansas’s longest-running accredited program. The university is Kansas’s only institution offering complete degree preparation from undergraduate to doctoral levels.