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
Practicum Spotlight: Julieta Zamora
Julieta Zamora is a student in the Master of Social Work program at the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare. Her Practicum is at the the Family Conservancy Dame La Mano Program.
Practicum Spotlight: Marcello Dodd-Holliday
Marcello Dodd-Holliday, a Master of Social Work student in the University of Kansas’ advanced standing program in Salina, wants to give the youth a role model they can relate to. His practicum with Central Kansas Mental Health Center allows him to do that.
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 trains MSW-level social workers to serve central Kansas.
MSW Alumni 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.
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.
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.
MSW Program News
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.
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.
KU MSW program is No. 22 among public schools in U.S. News rankings
The KU MSW prepares graduates for advanced social work practice in one of two broad specializations – either clinical social work practice with individuals, families and groups or social work macro practice aimed at social service administration, social policy development and social advocacy.
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.