University of Pikeville’s MSW Program

The University of Pikeville is essential to higher education in Eastern Kentucky. The story began in 1889 when the Pikeville Collegiate Institute welcomed its first 125 students. The institution grew substantially over the years and earned university status in 2011 under President Paul E. Patton’s leadership. This recognition reflected its expansion into undergraduate and professional programs.

The School of Social Work has built a stellar reputation in social work education. Since fall 2007, the undergraduate program has shaped knowledgeable, ethical, and competent entry-level social workers. The school reached another milestone in 2019 by joining the newly formed College of Nursing and Health Services. This move showed the university’s steadfast dedication to health and social welfare education.

UPIKE’s School of Social Work has a clear goal – to prepare professionals who make real changes in their communities. The school’s graduates now work in a variety of fields. You’ll find them in mental health centers, substance abuse treatment facilities, crisis intervention units, child advocacy organizations, hospitals, hospice agencies, child/adult protection services, and social work education.

The MSW program at UPIKE stands out because it focuses on mental health and addictions. Students receive advanced training to direct clinical practice with individuals, families, and small groups. The program equips graduates to step into leadership roles and pursue clinical social work licensure.

The MSW program’s mission matches the university’s bigger picture. It creates advanced social work practitioners and leaders who promote well-being, human rights, and social justice in Central Appalachia and beyond through their practice and research.

UPIKE’s MSW program comes with several key benefits:

• Flexible learning formats with fully online options that work for self-directed learners
• Multiple completion paths including accelerated (less than a year), two-year, and three-year options
• Year-round courses with no learning gaps
• A Path to Licensure Initiative that helps pay for licensure exam preparation

The Council on Social Work Education’s Commission on Accreditation has accredited the program. This is a big deal as it means that the program meets quality standards through careful peer review. Students can trust the program’s quality and graduate competence.

UPIKE’s MSW program focuses on Central Appalachia’s unique needs and stands ready to shape tomorrow’s skilled social work professionals.

Programs offered

The University of Pikeville offers social work degrees that fit different learning styles and career paths. Their online Master of Social Work (MSW) program serves as the core of these offerings. Students who prefer self-directed learning will appreciate the program’s flexibility that doesn’t compromise education quality or meaningful connections.

Students in the MSW program can specialize in mental health and addictions. This focus gives you the expertise needed for clinical practice with individuals, families, and small groups. You’ll learn to handle complex challenges that come with these critical areas of social work.

The program adapts to your schedule with these completion options:

• Accelerated track (completable in less than a year)
• Two-year standard track
• Three-year extended track

Students can develop professionally without breaks thanks to the year-round course schedule. The Path to Licensure Initiative helps with costs by providing financial support for national licensure exam preparation materials.

UPIKE’s Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree matches your learning preferences. You can choose between in-person classes, online instruction, or a mix of both. This flexibility works great if you have a job, play college sports, raise children, or juggle other responsibilities with your studies.

UPIKE makes it quick to advance your education through two efficient paths:

• 2+1 Pathway: Students with an associate degree can finish their BSW and earn their MSW in just one more year
• 4+1 Pathway: Traditional students can complete both degrees in five years

The BSW and MSW programs offer complete curricula. The MSW program splits into two main parts: a 30-credit hour Generalist Curriculum that covers basic social work knowledge and a 30-credit hour Specialized Practice Curriculum focused on clinical skills. BSW students get hands-on experience with at least 400 hours of supervised ground work in community settings.

These programs prepare you for diverse careers in mental health facilities, addiction treatment centers, healthcare organizations, schools, and many other settings. Graduates can pursue licensure as clinical social workers and step into leadership roles.

About the online program

UPIKE’s fully online MSW program has flexibility as its substance. The program serves self-directed learners who need quality education that works with their lifestyle. This online format lets you keep meaningful connections with faculty and peers. You’ll enjoy learning from anywhere.

University of Pikeville’s online MSW experience stands out with its smart design that works for busy professionals. The program doesn’t follow typical academic calendars with long breaks. Instead, it offers year-round courses that keep your learning continuous. This steady flow helps you maintain momentum and move toward your degree without interruption.

Flexible Learning That Fits Your Schedule

The program is available to working professionals, parents, and non-traditional students. You can keep your full-time job while getting your credentials. The coursework adapts to your career and family commitments. A user-friendly online platform makes shared learning and independent study possible through strong academic content.

Personalized Completion Pathways

University of Pikeville’s MSW program gives you customized completion options. You can choose what works best:

• An accelerated track you can finish in less than one year
• A standard two-year plan
• A more gradual three-year approach

These options let you earn your degree at a pace that lines up with your professional and personal needs.

Support Beyond Graduation

UPIKE shows its steadfast dedication to your future success through its Path to Licensure Initiative. This program helps pay for national licensure exam prep materials and other licensing costs. This support helps bridge the gap between graduation and professional practice. You’ll have a real advantage when starting your career.

Online students receive the same quality education and specialized training in mental health and addictions as campus-based learners. The curriculum prepares you to work directly with individuals, families, and small groups. You’ll also build leadership skills needed for advanced positions.

University of Pikeville’s online MSW program brings together availability, specialized expertise, and detailed support. This creates an educational experience built for tomorrow’s social work leaders.

Accreditation

The University of Pikeville’s Master of Social Work degree program just hit a major milestone. The program received accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) Commission on Accreditation (COA). This achievement comes after three years of hard work that included multiple narrative submissions and visits from CSWE commissioners. The commissioners made sure UPIKE met all Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS) requirements and watched social work education happening in real time.

CSWE accreditation marks a significant difference. It shows that UPIKE’s MSW program meets or goes beyond the quality standards set through detailed peer reviews. This recognition means students who graduate from the program are well-prepared and competent.

CSWE accreditation gives students several key advantages:

• Better job prospects with recognized credentials
• Qualification for advanced standing in future education
• Professional licensing eligibility after graduation
• Quality education across all program locations and delivery methods, whatever way you choose to complete your degree

Accreditation proves a program has enough resources to meet its goals. The Commission on Accreditation checks that programs follow every part of the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards.

Dr. Genesia Kilgore-Bowling, Professor and Chair of UPIKE’s School of Social Work, says getting CSWE accreditation shows the community that their program meets the same standards as other accredited schools nationwide. “Receiving accreditation is important to our students because it assures them they will emerge from the program as competent and ethical advanced-level social work practitioners,” she explains.

UPIKE’s programs must regularly check and report how well students are learning. Students get reviewed on nine core competencies from the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards, plus any extra competencies the program adds. These assessments show how well future social workers develop their knowledge, values, skills, and thinking processes during training.

The university posts updated assessment results on its website at least every two years. This steady focus on evaluation shows the quality of UPIKE’s master’s programs, especially in social work education.

Admission Requirements

The University of Pikeville MSW program offers a clear application process that helps qualified candidates join the program. UPIKE’s admissions team guides students from their first contact through enrollment.

You’ll start by filling out the Master of Social Work application form. The MSW program has its own dedicated form, different from other UPIKE programs. After submitting your application, you’ll need to pay the fee through the university’s payment portal.

Your application package must include official transcripts. These should show all your undergraduate and graduate coursework and must come directly from your previous schools. The admissions team reviews these documents to make sure you meet the program’s academic requirements.

Money matters are a vital part of planning for graduate school. So, UPIKE suggests you complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as part of your application. This helps determine what financial aid you might receive. Be sure to use UPIKE’s code: 1980 on your FAFSA form.

UPIKE’s master’s programs stand out because they don’t require GMAT or GRE scores. This makes it easier for qualified candidates to apply without additional testing barriers.

Students with an accredited Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree might qualify for advanced standing. BSW graduates who meet certain requirements can complete their MSW in just one year. This creates a faster path to earning advanced credentials.

UPIKE’s Office of Admissions provides complete support during your application process. They’re ready to help with any questions you have. You can call them at (606) 218-5251 or send an email to wewantyou@upike.edu.

The university makes sure you succeed from day one. Students work with advisors and faculty who guide them through MSW admission requirements and help them reach their educational goals.

Tuition

The University of Pikeville MSW program offers great value at an affordable price. The MSW program costs $540 per credit hour, and students need between 30-60 credit hours based on their entry pathway.

A student who takes 9 credits each semester pays $4,860 in tuition. The total cost depends on whether you qualify for advanced standing (30 credits) or need the full program (60 credits).

UPIKE’s graduate tuition rates give you more value for your money. The university’s average graduate tuition and fees are $8,550 per academic year. This is a big deal as it means that the national average cost of $46,950 at other schools.

Students at UPIKE get excellent financial support. 96% of UPIKE students receive some form of financial aid. Full-time undergraduate students receive an average yearly financial aid package of $21,534. UPIKE graduates also have less student debt than the national average.

Getting financial aid at UPIKE takes just a few simple steps:

• Apply to UPIKE through the free online application
• Create a Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID
• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) using code 001980

UPIKE’s financial services team helps you every step of the way. A first-generation student shared their experience: “My UPIKE admissions counselor sat down with me and fully explained my financial aid package, line-by-line”.

The university knows tuition is just one part of your education costs. The financial aid team creates tailored financial packages for each student’s unique situation. This makes UPIKE’s master’s programs within reach whatever your financial background.

Additional Information

UPIKE’s MSW program thrives under a team of experienced professionals who are dedicated to student success. The School of Social Work has professors with specializations and advanced credentials in the field. Dr. Genesia Kilgore-Bowling leads the program as both Chair of the School of Social Work and Director of the MSW Program. Her leadership benefits from faculty members who hold DSW and Ph.D. credentials and bring extensive practical experience.

The faculty’s specialized expertise in mental health and addictions treatment sets them apart. Many professors maintain active clinical practices while teaching, which brings real-life insights to the classroom. Students learn in an enriched environment that combines academic knowledge with hands-on experience.

UPIKE makes student achievement its top priority. The university tracks outcomes in all its programs, and social work stands as one of the key performance areas.

The university’s student support services go beyond formal coursework. UPIKE’s graduate students have access to dedicated academic advising, the Canvas learning platform, and various campus offices that help them succeed.

UPIKE MSW students graduate ready for leadership positions and clinical licensure. The program’s Path to Licensure Initiative helps with exam preparation costs and other expenses needed for professional licensure. This support continues after graduation to help new professionals start their careers smoothly.