University of Kansas School of Social Welfare
Educating, training and supporting qualified, compassionate social workers.
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Our master's program prepares graduates for advanced social work practice in clinical or macro concentrations. Students can pursue their degree full-time or part-time, both on campus and online.
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
Majoring in social work at KU prepares students for entry-level social work practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities. KU offers the undergraduate BSW program in Lawrence and the KU Edwards Campus in Overland Park.
Doctoral Programs
The online Doctor of Social Work (DSW) is a practice doctorate focused on teaching, leadership and translational science. The Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) is an in-person program focused on research, scholarship and education.
Resources for Current Students
Information and student support
Find student support services within the School.
KU Social Welfare Stories
Partnership provides expanded mental health support for students
KU’s schools of social welfare and law are partnering to provide expanded mental health support for their students. New this academic year, a clinician from KU CAPS is offering counseling services to students in Green Hall.
Move to Green Hall
The School of Social Welfare moved to Green Hall at the beginning of the spring 2025 semester, leaving its long-time academic home at Twente Hall. The renovated third floor of Green Hall is designed to serve students.
Strengthening the mental health workforce in rural Kansas
The Integrated Health Scholars Program trains KU MSW students to provide mental health services in rural, high-need Kansas communities. The program addresses critical gaps in care – 96 of 105 Kansas counties are in Health Professional Shortage Areas for Mental Health.
Latest News
KU MSW program ranks No. 22 among public schools in U.S. News & World Report
KU has 55 graduate programs in the top 50 among public universities — including eight in the top 10 — in the latest U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Schools rankings.
Social Welfare assistant professor Claire Willey-Sthapit to receive International Research Award, deliver talk
Claire Willey-Sthapit, assistant professor in KU's School of Social Welfare, will receive the KU International Affairs Advisory Board International Research Award and speak April 29. Her research examines domestic violence policy across the U.S. and Nepal, highlighting community-based responses and challenging global assumptions about prevention and intervention.
Professional writing course helps Social Welfare students enhance evergreen skills
Joe Bush, professional writing consultant and adjunct instructor for the KU School of Social Welfare, is teaching SW 410 this spring. Bush worked with the Bachelor of Social Work curriculum committee to update and modernize the course.
KU Libraries partner with Social Welfare associate professor to launch inaugural David M. Bergeron and Geraldo Sousa Exhibit
In a new exhibition in Kenneth Spencer Research Library at the University of Kansas, historical texts and contemporary artwork sit side by side, inviting intergenerational exploration and new ideas about the universal experience of growing older. An opening reception for “Aging, Art, and Activism: Reimagining Our Aging Futures through Creative Representations and Personal Narratives” will take place March 31.
Serving Our Communities
$2.4M+
estimated monetary value of student social service volunteer hours in Kansas (2023-2024)
145,000+
practicum hours contributed by KU social work students to the state of Kansas in 2023-2024
$3.6M+
sponsored research funding going directly to Kansas partners (2023)
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