Next Steps for MSW Admitted Students


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Next steps for Admitted MSW Students

Congratulations on being admitted to the Master of Social Work program at KU! Next, you have important steps to take to fully accept admission, prepare for enrollment and get ready to start the MSW program.


What to do right now




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  • Submit the MSW seat fee

    Paying the $50 MSW seat fee is required to hold your place in the program and begin the practicum placement process. Advanced Standing MSW and Traditional Online Full-Time MSW students must accept their offer and pay the seat fee by March 7, 2025. Traditional On-Campus Full-Time and Part-Time MSW students for all campuses must accept and pay seat fee by May 2, 2025.

Ready to accept your MSW admission?

To fully finalize acceptance for admission to the MSW program, students must accept their offer and pay the $50 MSW seat fee.

Before program orientation




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  • Submit final transcripts

    Offers of admission to the KU MSW program are contingent upon our receipt of an official final transcript conferred by the student's undergraduate institution.

  • Create a KU online ID

    Set up your personal KU account, which requires an online ID and password. You’ll use your ID to access crucial online services, including Enroll & Pay, university email, Canvas, and your myKU portal. You will need the 7-digit KU ID number from your decision letter to set up your online ID.

  • Start practicum planning

    After submitting the MSW seat fee, admitted full-time students will receive detailed practicum planning instructions via KU email. Part-time students will begin practicum planning towards the end of the fall 2025 semester. In the meantime, if you would like a practicum planning consultation, explore the Practicum Planning FAQ and contact the Practicum Education Office at practicum@ku.edu.

  • File your FAFSA

    Financial aid can only be processed when a student's FAFSA is on file. The University of Kansas encourages early submission of the FAFSA. International, non-resident students will need to file the Institutional Student Need Analysis Worksheet, or ISNAW. The School of Social Welfare recommends FAFSA or ISNAW submission no later than March 1, 2025.

  • Follow KU Social Welfare

    Follow the KU School of Social Welfare on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn to stay up to date on stories from the School.

  • Register for MSW Orientation

    The School of Social Welfare hosts a required MSW Orientation. Orientation for Advanced Standing MSW students will be in April 2025. Orientation for Traditional MSW students will be in June 2025. More information will be emailed to students when they have fully accepted MSW admission.


Before starting classes




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  • Review your financial aid package

    If you have been admitted to KU and filed a FAFSA, KU will email you a link to a digital financial prospectus. This prospectus outlines your KU costs and how they’ll be covered. Once you’ve reviewed your financial aid package, you’ll accept or decline your awards in Enroll & Pay.

  • Attend MSW Orientation

    Students will attend a required MSW Orientation. More information and registration will be emailed to the email address used for your application.

  • Review the MSW Orientation Canvas course

    In addition to the live MSW Orientation program, additional prerecorded content and resources will be available in Canvas. Students will use their KU email and online ID to access the MSW Orientation course in Canvas.


Admitted students with specific statuses

KU offers resources for academic success, technology requirements, using the Canvas learning system, and wellness for online and distance learning students. Review resources: Resources for Success.

Technology resources for KU online MSW students

If you experience technical difficulties using Canvas, please check the Help section in the left navigation bar of your Canvas course.  You can also contact KU Information Technology 785-864-8080 or email itedtech@ku.edu.

Technology requirements:

KU's Privacy Policy provides information on protecting student data and privacy. 

After being admitted, international students have their own series of steps to take before enrolling in and arriving at KU, including registering for Orientation. Visit International Support Services for more details.

To ensure a smooth enrollment and avoid payment delays, students should reach out to the Military-Affiliated Student Center to confirm their G.I. Bill benefits.

Non-native English-speaking students may have an enrollment hold placed on their account until they have successfully completed certain testing or coursework through the Applied English Center (AEC). If this applies to you, reach out to the AEC at aec@ku.edu to discuss your next steps.


MSW Academic Advisors


MSW Stories

School of Social Welfare alumni Latrese Kabuya

Alumni Spotlight: Latrese Kabuya

Making hard topics digestible is at the core of Kabuya’s social work journey. Her leap of faith took her from a place where mental health was taboo to a career where she helps families in need.
Former Sigler Aging Scholars cohort members Lindsay Huddlestun (left), Olivia Sabal (middle) and Kristin Nichols (right).

Sigler Aging Scholars Program continues to produce leaders in social work

Recent graduates share how the Sigler Scholars program helped develop an interest in social work careers supporting older adults.
Student Spotlights: MSW Salina student experience

Student Spotlights: MSW Salina student experience

Students and recent graduates from the KU MSW program in Salina share their experiences. The partnership with Kansas State University Salina is now in its second year.
KU School of Social Welfare student support staff members Amea Chandler, Joseph Bush and Hazel Rogers.

Social Welfare support staff is dedicated to guiding students

Expanded student services include a professional writing consultant, retention coordinator and support coordinator - specifically for social work students.