Current Student Resources


Students Studying Outside of Twente Hall

Current BSW Students

For your convenience, below are a few quick links for resources that are requested often. If you don't see what you are looking for, most likely it will be located in the handbook. If you need further assistance, please contact your academic advisor. 

Advising: Find academic advising information for BSW, MSW and doctoral students in the School of Social Welfare including a link to the request for leave of absence or change in MSW plan of study form at the top of the Student Success webpage. This page also contains information about accreditation, educational goals of each program and information about additional funding supports.

Work with the School of Social Welfare writing consultant at any point in the writing process - from initial brainstorming to a look-over of a final draft revision. Learn more and schedule an appointment on the writing consultant webpage.

Bachelor's students admitted before fall 2021: View degree requirements, the full-time curriculum, a complete listing of course descriptions, and the schedule of classes on the BSW Curriculum webpage.

For bachelor's students admitted for fall 2021 and beyond: View degree requirements, the curriculum full-time, a complete listing of course descriptions, and the schedule of classes on the incoming student BSW Curriculum webpage.

Guiding Syllabi: The Guiding Syllabus is a template that individual instructors use to develop their courses. This template specifies content, outcomes, and resources for BSW, MSW, and PhD programs. Contact your advisor to request a copy.

SW220 Volunteer Resources webpageVolunteering opportunities need to be sought in human services agencies that focus on addressing the needs and empowerment of people who are vulnerable, oppressed, and impoverished people.

View the BSW Handbook: The BSW Handbook has been created to provide students with information regarding our programs, policies and practices. Students should use this in conjunction with resources available on the School of Social Welfare website and Academic Catalog to orient themselves to our programs, curriculum and resources. It is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract.

Practicum Education webpage: Helpful resources for social work degree students currently involved in Practicum Education.

Read the Practicum Education Handbook: The Practicum Education Office anticipates that this handbook will serve as useful resource for students, field instructors, field liaisons, and faculty to clarify the learning objectives, policies, and procedures guiding practicum education. 

Read the Grievance Procedures: This policy document articulates the procedures for hearing grievances arising in the School of Social Welfare.

Funding Opportunities webpage

  • Emergency Funding: Emergency need request funds through the School of Social Welfare are intended to support students who have encountered an unexpected financial expense or obstacle that may hinder their academic or personal success at KU.  The unexpected expense or obstacle must be an emergency or unplanned non-discretionary expense. To learn more about eligibility and to submit a request for consideration, complete the form on the Emergency Funding webpage. A decision will be emailed to the student within two (2) weeks of submission. If approved, funds will be applied to the student’s account in Enroll & Pay in the form of a refund or paid directly to a KU entity (Watkins Memorial Health Center, KU Bookstores, etc.) via fund transfer. For questions, please get in touch with your academic advisor.

  • Scholars Programs for BSW Students 
    • Toni Johnson Scholars for Racial and Social Justice Program webpage: The Toni Johnson Scholars for Racial and Social Justice Program supports BSW, MSW, and PhD students in the KU School of Social Welfare who have historically and contemporaneously experienced marginalization and oppression. Through financial support, mentoring, leadership, and professional development opportunities, the Toni Johnson Scholars for Racial & Social Justice Program aims to enhance community retention and success for program scholars.

    • Sigler Family Aging Scholars Program webpage: The Sigler Family Aging Scholars Program aims to develop the next generation of leaders in the field of gerontological social work by offering an innovative, individualized, and community-engaged learning opportunity to bachelor's and master’s students in the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare who demonstrate a passion for serving older adults through multi-level gerontology practice, policy, and research.

Graduation and Beyond

School of Social Welfare Student Positions: Student representatives are always needed in various capacities to provide input and feedback to the school and to support our educational mission. Elections for each academic year are held in the fall of that year. If you’re interested in getting involved with the school and have questions about any of the positions, please feel free to contact Kristin Trendel at katrendel@ku.edu. Find a description of student positions and position descriptions, along with other ways to get involved, on the Added Value webpage

Current MSW Students

For your convenience, below are a few quick links for resources that are often requested. If you don't see what you are looking for, most likely it will be located in the handbook. If you need further assistance, please contact your academic advisor. 

Current students that have already been enrolled in MSW courses and are needing to enroll in a future term do not need to meet with an advisor before they enroll. The university registrar assigns an enrollment date and time for each student. This can be found in the Manage Classes section of Enroll & Pay under the “Enrollment Dates” tab. A student can begin enrolling after that date and time have passed. The academic advisors will send MSW students emails with additional details about enrolling.

Every enrolled MSW student has a “No Drops” hold placed on their account. This will not prevent students from enrolling in courses. It will keep them from accidentally dropping a course. The MSW program only offers the most required courses once per year. If a course is dropped, the graduation date is likely pushed back an entire year. The hold prompts students to reach out to advisors before dropping so they can have a conversation about the implications dropping can have for their graduation timeline.

Each student also has a faculty member assigned as an advisor for consultation on career matters, fields of practice, and concentration.

To request a leave of absence or change your MSW plan of study, you must complete the Leave of Absence/Change of Plan form

One intermit (leave of absence) or change to a plan of study can be made without speaking to a faculty advisor. The proposed change to the plan will be reviewed by the MSW program director, who will approve the plan, approve the plan with modifications, or reject the plan and refer you to your faculty advisor in order to explore other options. A response by the MSW program director to the proposal will be sent to you within five working days.

You can review the School of Social Welfare’s policies and procedures for an intermit or change to a plan of study and receive additional information on MSW program advising in the MSW Handbook.

Work with the School of Social Welfare writing consultant at any point in the writing process - from initial brainstorming to a look-over of a final draft revision. Learn more and schedule an appointment on the writing consultant webpage.

Master's students admitted prior to fall 2021: View degree requirements, curriculum full-time and part-time completion plans, a full listing of course descriptions, and the schedule of classes for both the Advanced Standing and Traditional Plans of Study on the MSW Curriculum webpage.

For master's students admitted for fall 2021 and beyond: View degree requirements, curriculum full-time and part-time completion plans, a full listing of course descriptions, and the schedule of classes for both the Advanced Standing and Traditional Plans of Study on the incoming student MSW Curriculum webpage.

Guiding Syllabi: Guiding Syllabus for an individual course is a template that is used by individual instructors to develop their course. This template specifies content, outcomes, and resources for BSW, MSW, and PhD programs. Request a copy of a  Guiding Syllabi by contacting your advisor.

View the MSW Handbook: The MSW Handbook has been created to provide students with information regarding our programs, policies, and practices. Students should use this in conjunction with resources available on the School of Social Welfare website and Academic Catalog to orient themselves to our programs, curriculum, and resources. It is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract.

Field Education webpageHelpful resources for social work degree students currently involved in Field Education.

View the Field Education Handbook: The Field Education Office anticipates that this handbook will serve as useful resource for students, field instructors, field liaisons, and faculty to clarify the learning objectives, policies, and procedures guiding field education. 

Read the Grievance Procedures: This policy document articulates the procedures for hearing grievances arising in the School of Social Welfare.

Funding Opportunities webpage

  • Graduate Student Travel Funding: Travel funding available for graduate students who are needing to travel to present their research or the disciplinary equivalent at a national or regional meeting of a learned or professional society. Find out more about the application process on the Request for Travel Authorization webpage

  • Emergency Funding: Emergency need request funds through the School of Social Welfare are intended to support students who have encountered an unexpected financial expense or obstacle which may hinder their academic or personal success at KU.  The unexpected expense or obstacle must be an emergency or unplanned non-discretionary expense. To learn more about eligibility and to submit a request for consideration, complete the form on the Emergency Funding webpage. A decision will be shared via email with the student within (2) weeks of submission. If approved, funds will be applied to the student’s account in Enroll & Pay in the form of a refund or paid directly to a KU entity (Watkins Memorial Health Center, KU Bookstores, etc.) via fund transfer. For questions, please contact your academic advisor.

  • Scholars Programs for MSW students 
    • Toni Johnson Scholars for Racial and Social Justice Program webpage: The Toni Johnson Scholars for Racial and Social Justice Program supports BSW, MSW, and PhD students in the KU School of Social Welfare who have historically and contemporarily experienced marginalization and oppression. Through financial support, mentoring, leadership and professional development opportunities, the Toni Johnson Scholars for Racial & Social Justice Program aims to enhance community, retention, and success for program scholars.

    • Sigler Family Aging Scholars Program webpage: The Sigler Family Aging Scholars Program aims to develop the next generation of leaders in the field of gerontological social work by offering an innovative, individualized, and community-engaged learning opportunity to bachelor's and master’s students in the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare who demonstrate a passion for serving older adults through multi-level gerontology practice, policy, and research.

    • Integrated Health Scholars Program webpage: The goal of the program is to expand the number of social work professionals prepared to serve populations across the lifespan in integrated healthcare settings in rural and urban medically underserved areas in Kansas.

Graduation Resources webpage: Find dates, times and additional details regarding the School of Social Welfare Graduation Recognition Ceremonies.

Licensing & Job Resources webpage: Learn more about BSW and MSW licensing information and view job opportunities that are available in your field of study through the University Career Center.

School of Social Welfare Student Positions: Student representatives are always needed in various capacities to provide input and feedback to the School and to support our educational mission. Elections for each academic year are held in the fall of that year. If you’re interested in getting involved with the School and have questions about any of the positions, please feel free to contact Kristin Trendel at katrendel@ku.edu. Find a description of student positions and position descriptions along with other ways to get involved on the Added Value webpage

Current PhD Students 

For your convenience, below are a few quick links for resources that are requested often. If you don't see what you are looking for, most likely it will be located in the handbook. If you need further assistance, please contact your academic advisor. 

Advising: Find academic advising information for BSW, MSW and doctoral students in the School of Social Welfare at the top of the Student Success webpage. This page also contains information about accreditation, educational goals of each program and information about additional funding supports.

Work with the School of Social Welfare writing consultant at any point in the writing process - from initial brainstorming to a look-over of a final draft revision. Learn more and schedule an appointment on the writing consultant webpage.

PhD Curriculum: View degree requirements, full-time curriculum, a full listing of course descriptions, and the schedule of classes on the PhD Curriculum webpage

Guiding Syllabi: Guiding Syllabus for an individual course is a template that is used by individual instructors to develop their course. This template specifies content, outcomes, and resources for BSW, MSW, and PhD programs. Request a copy of a Guiding Syllabi by contacting your advisor.

View the PhD Handbook: This Handbook is written to provide guidance to our doctoral students at all phases in the program: it outlines how the doctoral program works from admission through dissertation defense. It offers answers to many of the questions that arise as students progress through their doctoral education.

Read the Grievance Procedures: This policy document articulates the procedures for hearing grievances arising in the School of Social Welfare.

The School of Social Welfare Research Office provides support to researchers so they may successfully carry out transformative social work scholarship. Learn more about our faculty and researchers on the Research Office webpages

Funding Opportunities webpage

  • Graduate Student Travel Funding: Travel funding available for graduate students who are needing to travel to present their research or the disciplinary equivalent at a national or regional meeting of a learned or professional society. Find out more about the application process on the Request for Travel Authorization webpage

  • Emergency Funding: Emergency need request funds through the School of Social Welfare are intended to support students who have encountered an unexpected financial expense or obstacle which may hinder their academic or personal success at KU.  The unexpected expense or obstacle must be an emergency or unplanned non-discretionary expense. To learn more about eligibility and to submit a request for consideration, complete the form on the Emergency Funding webpage. A decision will be shared via email with the student within (2) weeks of submission. If approved, funds will be applied to the student’s account in Enroll & Pay in the form of a refund or paid directly to a KU entity (Watkins Memorial Health Center, KU Bookstores, etc.) via fund transfer. For questions, please contact your academic advisor.

  • PhD Student funding & support webpage: If enrolled in full-time study, the KU School of Social Welfare will guarantee three years of financial support, as long as student remains in good standing in the program. 

  • Toni Johnson Scholars for Racial and Social Justice Program webpage: The Toni Johnson Scholars for Racial and Social Justice Program supports BSW, MSW, and PhD students in the KU School of Social Welfare who have historically and contemporarily experienced marginalization and oppression. Through financial support, mentoring, leadership and professional development opportunities, the Toni Johnson Scholars for Racial & Social Justice Program aims to enhance community, retention, and success for program scholars.

Graduation Resources webpage: Find dates, times and additional details regarding the School of Social Welfare Graduation Recognition Ceremonies.

School of Social Welfare Student Positions: Student representatives are always needed in various capacities to provide input and feedback to the School and to support our educational mission. Elections for each academic year are held in the fall of that year. If you’re interested in getting involved with the School and have questions about any of the positions, please feel free to contact Kristin Trendel at katrendel@ku.edu. Find a description of student positions and position descriptions along with other ways to get involved on the Added Value webpage




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