KU social work degree programs earn Council on Social Work Education reaccreditation

LAWRENCE – The Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work programs in the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare have earned reaccreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

The BSW and MSW programs are fully accredited by CSWE for another eight years, through the 2033-2034 academic year.

KU’s undergraduate and master’s social work degree programs passed the CSWE peer-reviewed accreditation process “with flying colors,” said Michelle Carney, dean of the KU School of Social Welfare.

“Earning reaccreditation from CSWE is a testament to the consistent strength of social work education at KU,” Carney said. “During this review cycle, our BSW and MSW programs have redesigned curriculum, expanded access and support systems for students, and responded to workforce needs in Kansas and beyond.”

Jason Matejkowski, associate dean for academic programs, led the multiyear reaccreditation process. The project team also included Christopher Ward, MSW program director; Nancy Jo Williams, former MSW program director; and Juliana Carlson, former BSW program director.

To earn reaccreditation, the KU School of Social Welfare completed a comprehensive self-study of the undergraduate and master’s degree programs. The school hosted a site visit with a panel of CSWE reviewers in February 2026 and completed the accreditation review process in June 2026.

“Our team worked hard to ensure our programs are preparing students to be competent, well-trained, compassionate social workers who are prepared to work with a wide range of populations,” Carney said. “The self-study process requires extensive community involvement, data collection, writing and analysis. I am proud of our team’s work and dedication.”

The Master of Social Work program at KU has been CSWE-accredited since 1947, making it the oldest continuously accredited program in Kansas. KU’s MSW program is ranked among the top 25 MSW programs at public institutions by U.S. News & World Report.

KU MSW graduates consistently pass master’s-level social work licensing exams at rates higher than the national and Kansas state averages. The Practicum Education Office in the KU School of Social Welfare provides licensure workshops and access to free licensure exam preparation materials for BSW students, MSW students and alumni.

KU offers the MSW program in Lawrence; at the Edwards Campus in Overland Park; through a partnership with Kansas State University in Salina; and online.

The Bachelor of Social Work program at KU was one of the first in the country to earn CSWE approval and has been continuously accredited since 1974. KU BSW graduates are prepared for generalist social work practice or to pursue an accelerated path to a master’s degree through the Advanced Standing MSW program.

Undergraduate social work courses are designed to meet CSWE competencies in areas including professional ethics; advancing human rights and justice; policy practice; and strategies for engaging, assessing, evaluating and designing interventions to improve outcomes for individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.

BSW students take social work classes with 25 or fewer students. KU offers the BSW program in Lawrence and at the Edwards Campus in Overland Park.