MSW Spotlights
Featured MSW Student Spotlight
Shaye White shares her experiences in the Traditional MSW program at the KU Lawrence campus. For White, who is from the Gila River Indian Community (Akimel O'odtham), social work is a path to helping her community.
Overview
The Master of Social Work program at the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare equips graduates with the knowledge to provide counseling and direct services to individuals, families and groups. Our graduates make changes in organizations, communities and policies.
Read stories and watch interviews with KU MSW students and alumni.
MSW Student Spotlights
MSW Student Spotlight: Madi Perkins
Former MSW student Madi Perkins shares her experiences with practicum in the Master of Social Work program at KU.
Graduating Student Spotlight: Madisen Kratz
Learn more about graduating Master of Social Work student Madisen Kratz.
Graduating Student Spotlight: Eva Markoulatos
Eva Markoulatos always knew she wanted to be in a helping profession. An interest in therapy brought her to social work, where she found a set of professional values that aligned with her own. "At the core of it, it's helping people and trying your best to put your own feelings aside for the greater good of who you're working with and society as a whole."
Graduating Student Spotlight: Nicole Brown
Learn more about graduating Master of Social Welfare student Nicole Brown
MSW Alumni Spotlights
Alumni Spotlight: Karen Gutierrez
Gutierrez, a recent graduate of the University of Kansas Master of Social Work program, now serves the community she sought to help as a therapist at Genesis Family Health.
Social Work MSW Macro Spotlight: Melissa Wilson
Wilson, MSW 2023, graduated from the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare with a macro specialization to do just that. Wilson always wanted to help people through her career. Her job at the Missouri State Public Defender's office as a mitigation specialist helps her do that.
Alumni Spotlight: Jacob McKee
Social Welfare alum Jacob McKee is proud of his Master of Social Work degree and the path it led him on. McKee, a deputy director of improvement in the Department of Veterans Affairs' National Improvement Office, shares his experience through a variety of roles in his career.
Social Work MSW Macro Spotlight: Emma Kelley
In her work as a research project coordinator for UMKC's Urban Education Research Center, Emma Kelley, MSW 2024, combines interests in macro-level social work and program evaluation.
MSW Program News
KU social work degree programs earn Council on Social Work Education reaccreditation
The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and Master of Social Work (MSW) programs are fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) for another eight years, through the 2033-2034 academic year.
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.
New KU School of Social Welfare home at Green Hall puts students first
The school moves from Twente Hall to Green Hall in January 2025. An extensive renovation of the space is designed to meet student needs.
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.
MSW Macro Specialization Spotlights
Social Work MSW Macro Spotlight: Melissa Wilson
Wilson, MSW 2023, graduated from the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare with a macro specialization to do just that. Wilson always wanted to help people through her career. Her job at the Missouri State Public Defender's office as a mitigation specialist helps her do that.
Social Work MSW Macro Spotlight: Emma Kelley
In her work as a research project coordinator for UMKC's Urban Education Research Center, Emma Kelley, MSW 2024, combines interests in macro-level social work and program evaluation.
Social Work MSW Macro Alumni Spotlight: Ella Hinson
Recent KU MSW graduate Ella Hinson is putting her macro social work skills to work as an advocacy specialist with the Greater Kansas City Coalition to End Homelessness, managing a community outreach program. Hinson built skills in program administration, community practice and advocacy in the MSW macro specialization at KU.
Alumni Spotlight: Isaac Sanders
Isaac Sanders, MSW 2018, shares how a macro specialization informs their social work career.