Majoring in Social Work: Your 4-Year Timeline

Start Here: Applying to KU

Do you have a passion for helping others? A degree in social work might be the perfect fit for you.

Applying to KU is the first step to majoring in social work at the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare.

You can apply directly to the KU School of Social Welfare as a first-year student. Just choose "Social Welfare" as the academic interest on your undergraduate application.

Learn more about admissions requirements and applying to KU.

Visit KU Social Welfare

Want to learn more about majoring in social work before you apply? Join us for a Join us for an on-campus visit, virtual information session or one-on-one meeting to learn what it’s like to be a student at the School of Social Welfare.

Sign up for a visit, info session or appointment with KU Social Welfare.

Your First Year as a Social Work Student

During your first year, you'll take an introductory social work class, complete KU core requirements, and connect with the KU School of Social Welfare community.

First-Year Curriculum

Classes you'll take in your first year:

• SW 220: Intro to Social Work. This course provides an introduction to social work and the social welfare system.
• Core 34 classes. Students starting the program in fall 2024 and after will follow the KU Core 34 general education curriculum.
• 4-Year Degree Plan. Find a sample 4-year BSW degree plan in the KU Academic Catalog. Your academic advisor will work with you on an individualized degree plan during your first semester.

Community Outside the Classroom

Social work students also find community outside the classroom, with programs including:

• BSW Student Group. All BSW students are invited to this group, which hosts meetings, potlucks and other events throughout the year.
• Pathways to the Profession. Attend a series of professional education events open to all KU Social Welfare students.
• Attend School events. All students are invited to a Welcome Back Bash during Hawk Week, Community Care Days near finals week, and research events throughout the semester. Find upcoming programs on the events calendar.
• Get involved. Explore more than 600 student organizations on campus.
• Volunteer. There are dozens of ways to volunteer in the community.

Resources for Social Work Students

Social work students also find community outside the classroom, with programs including:

• Connect with School of Social Welfare resources. Social work students can meet with a professional writing consultant and student support coordinator, and access wellness resources on campus.
• Meet your academic advisor. BSW students are assigned an academic advisor in Jayhawk Academic Advising. Students can schedule using Jayhawk GPS or the Navigate Student App.
• Meet your faculty advisor. An assigned faculty advisor can answer your questions about career paths, research developments in social work, and professional development.

Choosing an Academic Minor

Choosing a minor to go with your Social Work major can be a great way to supplement your education, pursue your passion and enrich your studies. The BSW 4-year plan has room for choosing a minor and taking courses in years 1-3 of your undergraduate study.

Many disciplines pair well with Social Work, including these options:

• Athletics Coaching
• Business Entrepreneurship
• Education Studies
• Environmental Studies
• Linguistics
• Psychology
• Speech-Language-Hearing
• Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

Find a full list of minors and course requirements in the KU Academic Catalog.

Experiential Learning Certificates

KU offers several experiential learning certificates that combine coursework with experiences outside the classroom.

Popular options for social work students include:

• Certificate in Service Learning
• Global Awareness Program
• Leadership Engagement Certificate

Your Second Year as a Social Work Student

Second-year students in the School of Social Welfare focus on completing their KU core curriculum requirements, taking social work electives and making progress on their academic minors. Sophomore year is a good time to explore career paths, learn about the accelerated master's degree program, and consider studying abroad.

Second-Year Curriculum

Classes you'll take in your second year:

• Social work 300-level electives. Students can take optional social work electives on topics such as Human Sexuality and Stress & Supporting Well-Being.
• More general education courses. Continue completing KU Core 34 requirements, and an additional social science course.
• Courses for academic minor or certificates. Keep working toward your academic minor or certificate program.
• Advancement Review check-in. Meet with your academic advisor to make sure you're on track for Advancement Review, a step that's required before enrolling in 500-level social work classes. Learn more about Advancement Review.

Study Abroad

The KU School of Social Welfare offers two faculty-led, summer study abroad programs. Each 12-day program offers 3 credit hours. The programs are available for both undergraduate and graduate students.

• International Social Services: A Costa Rican Perspective
• International Social Work: An Italian Perspective

Explore Social Work Careers and Graduate School

The BSW program prepares students for generalist practice at the entry level with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities. The program also prepares students for advanced graduate work in social work.

During your sophomore year, take time to explore options after graduation:

• Careers in social work. Popular careers include therapy and counseling, substance use recovery, healthcare, school social work, and nonprofit management. Explore careers in social work.
• Accelerated path to a master's degree. Complete your bachelor's degree in social work, then finish a Master of Social Work (MSW) in just one additional year. Learn more about the Advanced Standing MSW.

Your Third Year as a Social Work Student

During their junior year, KU social work students spend the majority of their time in social work classes. Third-year students typically take nine credit hours of social work classes each semester.

As a third-year student, you'll also work with the Practicum Education Office to find your practicum placement, complete remaining electives or courses for an academic minor, and connect with resources in the School of Social Welfare.

Third-Year Curriculum

During your junior and senior years, you'll take social work classes with fewer than 25 students.

Classes you'll take in your junior year:

• Social work 500-level required classes. Topics include Introduction to Social Work Practice: Interviewing Skills; Introduction to Social Work Research; and Introduction to Social Policy and Advocacy.
• Take single-topic mini-courses. Social work students take several half-semester courses on topics related to current social work issues. Mini-course options might include: Substance Use; Intergenerational and Historical Trauma; or Social Work Across and Among Borders.
• Complete electives and academic minor courses. Juniors finish electives, courses for their minor, and an additional social science degree requirement.
• Prepare for Certificate in Child Welfare. The Certificate in Child Welfare prepares seniors in the BSW program for a career in child welfare. Review requirements and contact the Practicum Education Office in spring of your junior year to apply for the certificate.

Practicum Planning

Students will begin planning for their senior-year practicum in their junior year.

The Practicum Education Office arranges all placements. Students participate directly in planning for practicum by completing an online planning survey. Practicum planning resources include:

• Practicum Planning FAQ. Learn more about practicum planning, placement and logistics in the Practicum Planning FAQ.
• Practicum Day Fair and Celebration. The Practicum Education Office hosts an annual fair with practicum agencies and professional development resources.

Reconnect with Resources

As you start 500-level social work courses, junior year is a good time to connect with support resources in the KU School of Social Welfare.

Resources for students:

• Professional writing consultant. Book an appointment with the School's dedicated writing consultant for help with research papers, reflection papers, APA formatting and more. Learn more about professional writing resources.
• Student support coordinator. The Student Support Coordinator in the KU School of Social Welfare collaborates with staff, community providers and campus partners to provide student support. Schedule an appointment with the student support coordinator.
• Student wellness resources. Students have access to wellness resources on campus. Review student wellness resources.

Your Fourth Year as a Social Work Student

Your final year in the BSW program will be dedicated to social work courses and experiences. Fourth-year students typically take 15 credit hours of social work classes each semester, including a for-credit practicum, or internship.

Senior year is when you'll apply to the Advanced Standing MSW program if you choose to go on to graduate school. Many students also choose to take the LBSW licensing exam and start their careers in generalist social work after graduation.

Fourth-Year Curriculum

Most social work students take 15 credit hours of social work classes during each semester of their senior year. That includes 6 credit hours each semester in your practicum placement.

Classes you'll take in your senior year:

• Social work 600-level required classes. Topics include Multilevel Engagement and Assessment in Social Work Practice; Human Rights, Social, Economic and Environmental Justice; and Seminar in Social Work Professional Issues.
• Continue single-topic mini-courses. Short course topics at the 600-level might include: Child Welfare; Criminal Justice System: Abolish or Reform; Responding to Suicide and Self-Harm; or Grant Writing and Program Development.

BSW Practicum

Undergraduate social work students have one required, for-credit practicum, or internship, during their senior year, for 416 clock hours.

Students complete 16 practicum clock hours a week during both semesters of their senior year. At least 50% of a student's practicum hours must be engaged in direct practice with individuals and families.

The Practicum Office works closely with students to identify a practicum in their area of interest and arrange the practicum placement. Students do not have to find their own practicum.

Learn more about BSW Practicum.

Choose Your Next Step: Generalist Social Work Practice

Majoring in social work at KU will prepare you for generalist social work practice. BSW graduates are prepared to sit for the Kansas LBSW licensing exam and start practicing immediately.

Learn more about becoming licensed as a social worker.

Job titles for BSW graduates may include:

• Caseworker or case manager
• Mental health assistant
• Victims' advocate
• Patient advocate
• Social worker

Explore careers in social work.

Choose Your Next Step: Advanced Standing MSW

About 70% of KU BSW alumni pursue further education (Lightcast, 2023).

Earning your bachelor's degree in social work means you can apply for the Advanced Standing MSW program and finish a Master of Social Work (MSW) in just one additional year.

Highlights of the Advanced Standing MSW:

• Complete in one year. Take courses in summer, fall and spring to complete your MSW in one year while studying full-time. Or, pursue a part-time plan and complete the degree in two years.
• Choose your specialization. KU offers MSW clinical and macro specializations.
• Advanced-level practicum. MSW students complete a practicum in their specialization area.

Job titles for MSW graduates may include:

• Medical social worker
• School social worker
• Policy advocate
• Program manager

Students who want to become therapists would complete their MSW. They then complete a set number of hours of post-graduate, supervised clinical social work experience before taking the exam to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).

Financial and Loan Repayment Resources

Learn about loan repayment options and build up your financial literacy before graduation. Resources include:

Loan Repayment

• NHSC Loan Repayment: The National Health Service Corps offers programs that can repay part or all of a student's school loan debt. Learn about benefits, eligibility and application requirements.
• Other forms of loan forgiveness: Learn more about Student Loan Forgiveness with resources from the U.S. Department of Education.

Personal Finances

• Jayhawk Finances: Meet with a peer financial coach for questions related to student loan repayment or debt management prior to graduation. Jayhawk Finances also provides coaching sessions and workshops to help students manage their money and make informed financial decisions.

Graduation

BSW graduates are invited to a social work graduate recognition ceremony and KU Commencement.

Learn more about getting ready for graduation.