Flowers bloom in front of the social work building at the University of Kansas

University of Kansas School of Social Welfare

Educating, training and supporting qualified, compassionate social workers.

Be a Jayhawk Social Worker

Explore our academic programs and learn get ready to apply for an undergraduate or graduate degree in social work.
Programs Programs
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Master of Social Work (MSW)

Our master's program prepares graduates for advanced social work practice in clinical or macro specializations. Students can pursue their degree full-time or part-time, both on campus and online.

A small group of students study at the Edwards Campus

Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

The undergraduate program in social work prepares students to take the BSW licensing exam and start social work practice after graduation. KU offers the BSW program at the Lawrence campus and at the KU Edwards Campus in Overland Park.

A group of KU students walks across campus

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.

Fraser Hall on the University of Kansas campus

Resources for Current Students

Information and student support
Find student support services within the School.
Current Student Resources

KU Social Welfare Stories

Pegah Naemi Jimenez wins research achievement award

Pegah Naemi Jimenez wins Research Achievement Award

Naemi Jimenez’s scholarship focuses on cross-system approaches and community-engaged research that addresses social problems experienced by children and families in marginalized communities.
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Three graduates of the Integrated Health Scholars Program shared their stories from the program

Alumni Stories from the Integrated Health Scholars Program

Nearly 250 graduates of the Integrated Health Scholars program are now providing integrated health care to under-served communities in Kansas and western Missouri. Hear from recent graduates of the program.
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Sunflowers

Partnerships Equip More Social Workers to Serve Rural Kansas

MSW students taking classes through partnership programs at Pittsburg State University and K-State Salina answer the call for more social workers in underserved communities.
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Latest News

Donors give $22,160 to KU Social Welfare during One Day One KU

The seventh annual One Day One KU set a giving day record for KU Social Welfare. On March 6, donors made 167 gifts totaling $22,160 to support social work education at KU.

Social Welfare student to present at Kansas Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol

Kansas Undergraduate Research Day is intended to raise awareness of the research being conducted by undergraduate students at state universities.

Social work Grand Challenges event focuses on supporting older adults facing social isolation

The Grand Challenges for Social Work is an initiative within the social work profession to champion social progress around a series of grand challenges that the profession works to affect. 

KU scholars strive to advance racial equity through newly funded research projects

The project teams — representing five units across the university — were chosen through a peer-reviewed competition co-sponsored by the Office of Research and the Hall Center for the Humanities. They each will receive approximately $20,000 to support their work.
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Research Impact

$8M+
KU social welfare projects received $8 million in new funding in 2022.
Research Projects
72
Faculty and research staff completed 72 scholarly research presentations in 2022.
Research Presentations
50
50 students worked on research projects in 2022.
Students in Research
Magnolia trees bloom in front of the KU School of Social Welfare

Discoveries That Transform Lives

Research at the KU School of Social Welfare reaches across the state of Kansas and beyond.

Research & Service

Serving Our Communities

$1.5M+
monetary value of social service volunteer hours in Kansas (2022-23)
159,000+
practicum hours completed by KU social work students in 2022-23
$3.6M+
sponsored research funding going directly to Kansas partners (2023)

Connect with KU Social Welfare

Connect with the School through continuing education, professional development, community engagement programs and alumni events.
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Upcoming Events

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Our Vision & Mission

A Foundation of Strengths. A Vision of Justice. A Mission of Change. Learn how the School of Social Welfare is working toward realizing our vision - that all individuals, families and communities utilize their power to achieve justice, equity and well-being.

Our Vision & Mission