University of Louisville MSW
Founded in 1798, the University of Louisville (UofL) is one of the oldest public colleges funded by a city in the United States. What started as Jefferson Seminary has grown into a research university that serves more than 24,000 students in undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs.
The Carnegie Foundation recognizes UofL as both a Research 1 and an Opportunity College university. Only 21 universities nationwide have earned this dual classification. The university also holds the Carnegie Community Engaged designation, which shows its strong ties with local and global communities.
The university has three main campuses in Louisville:
- Belknap Campus: This 345-acre main campus sits south of downtown Louisville and houses eight of the university’s 12 academic schools and colleges. Many consider it Kentucky’s most beautiful campus, with its park-like grounds where students take most undergraduate programs.
- Health Sciences Center: This 62-acre campus in downtown Louisville’s medical complex is home to the schools of Medicine, Nursing, Dentistry, and Public Health and Information Sciences. The UofL health academic healthcare system runs its operations from this location.
- Shelby Campus: Located in eastern Louisville, this 233-acre space hosts several university centers and the Shelbyhurst office park for business and technology projects.
The university’s academic reputation continues to grow. U.S. News & World Report ranks UofL at No. 84 among Top Public Schools and No. 158 in Best National Universities, up 13 spots. UofL also ranks among the top 30% of universities worldwide as a Best Global University.
Students can choose from more than 70 bachelor’s degrees, 78 master’s programs, and 22 doctoral disciplines. The university received $188 million in research funding in 2024. Small class sizes with a 14:1 student-faculty ratio help students get individual attention throughout their academic experience.
The student community at UofL is diverse and welcoming. First-generation college students made up 34% of enrollment in fall 2024. Kentucky residents form the majority, but more than 26% of students come from other U.S. states and territories, plus a growing number of international students. This mix of viewpoints creates a learning environment that prepares students for global careers.
Military-friendly school designations show UofL’s dedication to military-affiliated students. The university’s alumni network has grown to more than 172,000 professionals worldwide who make their mark in various fields and industries.
Programs offered
The Raymond A. Kent School of Social Work & Family Science has a Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) program that will prepare you to work with diverse and vulnerable populations as an advanced generalist social worker. You can adapt the program’s flexible structure to match your educational background and career goals.
Program Structure
Your educational background determines which of these two paths you’ll take:
- Regular Program (60 credit hours): This option suits students with bachelor’s degrees in fields other than social work. The program needs 45 credit hours of core curriculum, 6 hours of practicum education, and 9 credit hours of elective courses. Students can finish this program in just 4 semesters.
- Advanced Standing Program (30 credit hours): Students who earned their Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) in the last 7 years from a CSWE-accredited program can choose this path. It requires 15 credit hours of core curriculum, 6 hours of practicum education, and 9 credit hours of electives. Students can complete this accelerated option in just 2 semesters.
Students can choose to complete either program 100% online, on-campus, or through a combination of both. The program also offers full-time and part-time study plans to fit different schedules.
Specialization Options
You can customize your MSSW degree by selecting one of seven concentration paths with your 9 elective credits:
- Alcohol & Drug Counseling: This path prepares you for substance abuse counselor roles and helps meet CADC certification requirements.
- Gerontology: You’ll learn to help older adults and their families in settings like hospices and nursing homes.
- Mental Health: The focus lies on diagnostic skills and evidence-based approaches for mental health services.
- Military Social Work: You’ll learn to help active-duty service members, veterans, and their families.
- Psychosocial Oncology: This unique concentration, the first of its kind nationwide, addresses cancer patients’ psychosocial health needs.
- Forensic Social Work: You’ll learn to work at the intersection of social work, law, and the legal system.
- School Social Work: Kentucky residents can exclusively access this concentration.
Dual Degree Options
You can pair your MSSW with other degrees like Couple and Family Therapy (MS CFT), Law (JD), Pan-African Studies (MA), Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies (MA), Healthcare Ethics (MA), or Master of Divinity. All the same, some dual degree options might not work fully online.
Graduates qualify for social work careers in children and family advocacy, substance abuse counseling, mental health services, international practice, and case management. The job market looks promising, with social work employment projected to grow by 16% between 2016-2026.
About the online program
The University of Louisville’s online Master of Science in Social Work brings a complete digital learning experience that maintains high educational standards. Students can take all courses online with flexible scheduling options. You’ll complete coursework at your own pace through asynchronous classes that run during standard terms. The program lets you access materials anywhere and work with classmates through online tools.
This program stands out because it matches the campus experience perfectly. You’ll study with the same respected Kent School faculty and take courses just like on-campus MSSW students. Your online degree is 100% equivalent to the on-campus qualification, which means you’ll get the same respected credentials.
Hands-on experience through practicum remains key to your development. The program places you in human service organizations close to home. A field coordinator helps find the right practicum settings in your area. These courses run during Fall and Spring terms or Spring and Summer terms. Students must take practicum and practice courses together as co-requisites.
Kent School field faculty lead virtual orientation sessions for online students. This gives you full preparation even if you’re far from campus. Students in rural areas should know they might need to travel to practicum sites if local options aren’t available.
The program comes with several key benefits:
- Professors give personal attention despite the online format
- You can grow your professional network
- Special options exist for international students and U.S. citizens abroad
Students interested in school social work can meet Kentucky’s certification requirements through this program. The online education prepares you to help vulnerable populations and promote social justice in many professional settings.
The University of Louisville’s online MSSW program gives you a solid path to advance your social work career from anywhere. It’s perfect for balancing work, family, and other life commitments.
Accreditation
Accreditation is a vital factor to think over when choosing a social work program. The Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) at the University of Louisville is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). This program meets and exceeds national standards for social work education.
Your CSWE accreditation matters because it guarantees competent preparation for professional social work practice. Both on-campus and online MSSW offerings maintain similar quality standards. Employers and licensing boards across the country recognize CSWE-accredited degrees that meet professional requirements.
The Kent School completed its accreditation review process in February 2024. The school received approval without any reporting requirements. The next scheduled review will happen in 2032, which lines up with CSWE’s eight-year reaffirmation protocols.
Let’s take a closer look at the accreditation process. The program must complete a detailed self-study to review its operations and student learning outcomes. CSWE representatives then visit the campus. They meet with students, faculty, and the core team before making their final decision. This process will give a solid foundation to prepare you for effective social work practice.
The Kent School’s accreditation status ranks among Kentucky’s distinguished social work programs. Eight MSW programs in the state have full CSWE accreditation. The University of Louisville’s program stands out as the #1 Social Work program in Kentucky.
This accreditation has real benefits for future students. The program meets the 8-year-old educational standards needed for social work licensure. On top of that, it ensures the curriculum matches core social work values of justice, dignity, human relations, integrity, and competence. Your education will prepare you to think critically, solve problems, and promote justice, equity, inclusion, and diversity.
CSWE accreditation standards don’t allow programs to give course credit for life experience or previous work experience. This rule emphasizes the importance of standardized professional education.
Admission Requirements
The University of Louisville MSW program offers two distinct admission paths based on your educational background. Each path has specific criteria you need to meet.
Students seeking the 30-Hour Advanced Standing program must have earned a BSW degree within the past seven years from a CSWE-accredited social work program. The program looks for applicants with a 3.0 cumulative GPA from all undergraduate programs and a 3.25 social work GPA.
Students with bachelor’s degrees in any field from regionally accredited institutions can join the Regular 60-Hour program. A 3.0 cumulative GPA is preferred.
Whatever track you choose, you’ll need to submit these items:
- A completed online graduate application with a $65 non-refundable application fee
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities you’ve attended
- Graduate School Admissions Essays responding to two prompts (300 words each)
- A two-part MSSW writing sample addressing specific prompts in APA format
- Resume detailing employment, volunteer, and internship experiences
Advanced Standing applicants must provide one recommendation form from a social work faculty member and their final practicum/field evaluation. Regular Program applicants need two recommendation forms, with at least one from a former professor.
Students with GPAs between 2.5 and 2.99 can still apply by submitting a written addendum that explains their challenges and strategies for graduate program success.
The MSSW program doesn’t require GRE or MAT scores. While applications are reviewed year-round, submitting by program deadlines will give you better course registration and field placement options.
International students have extra requirements. They must get their transcripts evaluated by credential services like World Education Services or Educational Credential Evaluators. Non-native English speakers should prove their proficiency through TOEFL (minimum 79-80 on Internet-based test), IELTS (minimum 6.5), or Duolingo (minimum 105) examinations.
Complete applications usually receive decisions within ten working days. After admission, you can apply for practicum placement through the Practicum Education Office for upcoming fall or spring semesters.
Tuition
Your Master’s in Social Work financial investment plays a key role in planning your education. The University of Louisville MSW online program keeps tuition simple, which helps you plan your budget better.
The University of Louisville sets itself apart from other state universities by charging the same tuition for all students in fully online programs, regardless of where they live. The graduate online programs, including the MSSW, cost $850 per credit hour. This means you’ll pay around $25,500 for a 30-credit Advanced Standing program, while the 60-credit Regular program costs about $51,000.
Military service members get a great deal. Active-duty personnel, Coast Guard members, and qualified Reserve and National Guard members pay just $250 per credit hour for most graduate programs. This lets military-affiliated students complete their MSW at a much lower cost.
Your total costs will include more than just tuition. Each online course has a $10 per credit hour fee to improve the online learning experience. The MSSW program comes with extra costs between $200 and $800 throughout your studies. Social work education’s professional nature means you should also budget for practicum insurance and yearly National Association of Social Workers membership fees.
The University’s Bursar’s Office provides several payment options to help manage these expenses. The Raymond A. Kent School of Social Work and Family Science adds many scholarship opportunities. Students can get awards for working in rural Kentucky or specializing in areas like gerontology, policy, or legislative work.
Scholarship amounts change yearly. They range from the $500 Edward Wunsch Scholarship for students focused on gerontology to a $10,000 FlourishCare Trauma-Informed Behavioral Health Internship Program stipend for qualified advanced standing students.
Additional Information
University of Louisville MSW students must complete several professional requirements beyond their academic work. Students need professional liability insurance before starting practicum placements. NASW student membership ($48 annually) lets you get discounted insurance ($15 annually). Students without membership can get separate liability coverage for $25.
Professional appearance matters at practicum sites. Business casual attire is required – students cannot wear denim, see-through clothing, mini-skirts, backless shirts, or casual footwear.
Kent School’s continuing education programs help graduates maintain their professional skills. Kentucky Board of Social Work approves all CEU workshops offered by the school.
Students interested in specialized training can join the Trauma-Informed Integrated FlourishCare Internship. This program provides hands-on experience in trauma-informed behavioral healthcare and offers a competitive $25,000 stipend to eligible students. Students serve rural Kentucky communities through telehealth services.
Graduates can connect with fellow social workers by joining the Kent School Alumni Council. Members mentor current students and meet every two months. The council supports various initiatives, including the “I Am the Change” scholarship that helps students committed to social justice and community advocacy.