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Traditional MSW at Pittsburg State University

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Update for Students Starting Traditional MSW in 2024

The KU Traditional MSW plan of study will not be offered at the Pittsburg State University campus to students beginning the program in 2024 and beyond.

The Traditional MSW will be available at the following campuses for students starting in 2024:


Program Overview

The Pittsburg State University (PSU) Social Work Program and the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare are partnering to offer the KU Master of Social Work (MSW) on the PSU campus.

The Master of Social Work degree 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. 

Our social work program and newly revised course offerings were redesigned with community and student input to ensure a dynamic educational experience that incorporates real-world opportunities.

Our uniquely qualified and confident graduates are equipped with the knowledge to provide counseling and direct services to individuals, families and groups. They make changes in organizations, communities, and policies that affect large populations in our society.

Courses guide students on how to engage and assess the needs of individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Students learn how to intervene and evaluate those interventions at all levels of practice.

KU's MSW is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The KU MSW has consistently ranked in the top 12% of graduate social work programs at public institutions, according to U.S. News & World Report. It is the top-ranked and longest-running MSW program in Kansas.

Request MSW Program Info

CONTACT US

Vicki Mignot, MSW Academic Advisor

vmignot@ku.edu

785-864-8976

Interested in an MSW from KU?

For students applying to start the Traditional MSW in 2024, KU will offer the program at the following campuses: Lawrence, Edwards, Salina and online.
Stone Jayhawk outside of Strong Hall on the Lawrence campus

Advance your career in social work

KU licensure pass rates exceed the national averages for the LMSW and LSCSW. The KU MSW prepares graduates for careers in clinical or macro practice.

Licensing & Career Options

Learn More

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Curriculum

Learn more about the program curriculum and class schedule below.

Note: For students beginning the program in 2024 and beyond, KU will not offer the Traditional MSW at the Pittsburg State University campus. The Traditional MSW will be offered at the following campuses for students starting the program in 2024 and beyond: Lawrence, Edwards (Overland Park), Salina and online through Jayhawk Global.

The first two semesters are offered through PSU’s Social Work program. These classes lead to a Graduate Social Work Foundation Certificate. Classes take place on the PSU campus on Monday and Wednesday afternoons. 

The second year is offered by the KU School of Social Welfare on the PSU campus. Classes are taught in a blended format that combines online learning with in-class attendance occurring every other Saturday on the PSU campus. 

Applicants who meet the following criteria will apply to the KU School of Social Welfare Traditional plan of study.

  • A bachelor's degree from an accredited university
  • Undergraduate studies must reflect the successful completion of liberal arts courses, including those in the social sciences and humanities which focus on the development of knowledge in communication; social, biological, and behavioral sciences; history; philosophy and the ways in which knowledge is gained and applied; and the value of a multicultural and diverse society.
  • Undergraduate grade-point average of 3.0 or above is preferred

For students beginning the program in 2024 and beyond, the Traditional MSW plan of study is offered on the Lawrence campus, Edwards Campus or Kansas State University Salina campus, and online.

You will choose to specialize in either Clinical Practice or Macro Practice. 

Clinical Social Work Practice

Emphasis on a particular field of practice, such as children and families, health, mental health, schools, or aging populations.

Macro Social Work Practice

Emphasis on leadership, social service administration, social policy development and social advocacy.

PSU and KU have entered into a cooperative MSW program in which students take their first year (foundation year) curriculum from PSU's social work program. Upon completion of the foundation year, the students will transition to the second year (clinical year) at KU's program, delivered on the PSU campus. This certificate will allow students to continue their studies with KU and will give students something to show for the work they completed at PSU.

The School of Social Welfare requires a total of 64 credit hours for the MSW degree.

The first-year Graduate Social Work Foundation Certificate offered from PSU consists of:

  • 18 credit hours of classroom work
  • 14 credit hours of field practicum

Upon completion of this certificate, students advance to the second year of the program, which is offered by the KU School of Social Welfare on the PSU campus. These are the same classes that the Advanced Standing students take and consist of: 

  • 18 credit hours of classroom work
  • 14 hours of field practicum

Current students may enroll in a part-time, three or four-year MSW. Students enrolled in the program will enroll in their field practicum in the third year. More information on the Traditional MSW online part-time curriculum webpage.


Full-time Curriculum

The first two semesters are offered through PSU’s Social Work program. These classes lead to a Graduate Social Work Foundation Certificate. These classes take place on the PSU campus on Monday and Wednesday afternoons. 

Fall

  • SWK 701 Advanced Social Work Practice I: Micro (3 credit hours)
  • SWK 721 Foundation Social Work Practicum (6 credit hours)
  • SWK 722 Foundation Practicum Integrative Seminar I (1 credit hour)
  • SWK 765 Social Welfare Policy Analysis (3 credit hours)
  • SWK 785 Human Behavior in the Social Environment (3 credit hours)

Spring

  • SWK 702 Advanced Social Work Practice II: Mezzo (3 credit hours)
  • SWK 703 Advanced Social Work Practice III (6 credit hours)
  • SWK 723 Foundation Social Work Practicum II (1 credit hour)
  • SWK 724 Foundation Practicum Integrative Seminar II (3 credit hours)
  • SWK 783 Fundamentals of Research in Social Work (3 credit hours

The second year is offered by the KU School of Social Welfare on the PSU campus. Classes are taught in a blended format that combines online learning with in-class attendance occurring every other Saturday on the PSU campus.

Fall

  • SW 801 Advanced Field Practicum-Clinical Practice (7 credit hours)
  • SW 810 Clinical Practice Skills I (3 credit hours)
  • SW 863 Mental Health & Psychopathology (3 credit hours)

Choose one diversity-focused elective (options vary by campus):

  • SW 855 Study Abroad (3 credit hours)*
  • SW 833 Interdisciplinary Aging Practice (3 credit hours)
  • SW 871 Indigenous Families (3 credit hours)
  • SW 873 Sexuality & Gender Diversity (3 credit hours)
  • SW 874 Social Work with Womxn and Femmes (3 credit hours)

Spring

  • SW 801 Advanced Field Practicum-Clinical Practice (7 credit hours)
  • SW 811 Clinical Practice Skills II (3 credit hours)
  • SW 885 Professional Development Seminar (3 credit hours)

Choose one clinical elective (options vary by campus):

  • SW 834 Social Work in Schools (3 credit hours)
  • SW 860 Loss and Grief Across the Life Course (3 credit hours)
  • SW 861 Global Gender-based Violence Prevention & Intervention (3 credit hours)
  • SW 867 Trauma Related Care Across the Life Course (3 credit hours)
  • SW 869 Assessing and Treating Substance Misuse (3 credit hours)

*A social welfare study abroad fulfills the diversity selective requirement. Study abroad programs are typically offered in the summer.

The second year is offered by the KU School of Social Welfare on the PSU campus. Classes are taught in a blended format that combines online learning with in-class attendance occurring every other Saturday on the PSU campus. 

Fall

  • SW 804 Advanced Field Practicum - Macro Practice (7 credit hours)
  • SW 840 Multi-system Community-Engaged Program Design (3 credit hours)
  • SW 841 Advanced Policy Analysis (3 credit hours)
  • SW 843 Leadership and Supervision in Program Management (3 credit hours)

Spring

  • SW 804 Advanced Field Practicum - Macro Practice (7 credit hours)
  • SW 842 Agency-based Evaluation (3 credit hours)
  • SW 846 Advanced Justice-centered Community and Advocacy Practice (3 credit hours)
  • SW 885 Professional Development Seminar (3 credit hours)

The first two semesters are offered through PSU’s Social Work program. These classes lead to a Graduate Social Work Foundation Certificate. These classes take place on the PSU campus on Monday and Wednesday afternoons. 

Fall

  • SWK 701 Advanced Social Work Practice I: Micro (3 credit hours)
  • SWK 721 Foundation Social Work Practicum (6 credit hours)
  • SWK 722 Foundation Practicum Integrative Seminar I (1 credit hour)
  • SWK 765 Social Welfare Policy Analysis (3 credit hours)
  • SWK 785 Human Behavior in the Social Environment (3 credit hours)

Spring

  • SWK 702 Advanced Social Work Practice II: Mezzo (3 credit hours)
  • SWK 703 Advanced Social Work Practice III (6 credit hours)
  • SWK 723 Foundation Social Work Practicum II (1 credit hour)
  • SWK 724 Foundation Practicum Integrative Seminar II (3 credit hours)
  • SWK 783 Fundamentals of Research in Social Work (3 credit hours

The second year is offered by the KU School of Social Welfare on the PSU campus. Classes are taught in a blended format that combines online learning with in-class attendance occurring every other Saturday on the PSU campus.

Fall

  • SW 801 Advanced Field Practicum-Clinical Practice (7 credit hours)
  • SW 810 Clinical Practice Skills I (3 credit hours)
  • SW 863 Mental Health & Psychopathology (3 credit hours)

Choose one diversity-focused elective (options vary by campus):

  • SW 855 Study Abroad (3 credit hours)*
  • SW 833 Interdisciplinary Aging Practice (3 credit hours)
  • SW 871 Indigenous Families (3 credit hours)
  • SW 873 Sexuality & Gender Diversity (3 credit hours)
  • SW 874 Social Work with Womxn and Femmes (3 credit hours)

Spring

  • SW 801 Advanced Field Practicum-Clinical Practice (7 credit hours)
  • SW 811 Clinical Practice Skills II (3 credit hours)
  • SW 885 Professional Development Seminar (3 credit hours)

Choose one clinical elective (options vary by campus):

  • SW 834 Social Work in Schools (3 credit hours)
  • SW 860 Loss and Grief Across the Life Course (3 credit hours)
  • SW 861 Global Gender-based Violence Prevention & Intervention (3 credit hours)
  • SW 867 Trauma Related Care Across the Life Course (3 credit hours)
  • SW 869 Assessing and Treating Substance Misuse (3 credit hours)

*A social welfare study abroad fulfills the diversity selective requirement. Study abroad programs are typically offered in the summer.

The second year is offered by the KU School of Social Welfare on the PSU campus. Classes are taught in a blended format that combines online learning with in-class attendance occurring every other Saturday on the PSU campus. 

Fall

  • SW 804 Advanced Field Practicum - Macro Practice (7 credit hours)
  • SW 840 Multi-system Community-Engaged Program Design (3 credit hours)
  • SW 841 Advanced Policy Analysis (3 credit hours)
  • SW 843 Leadership and Supervision in Program Management (3 credit hours)

Spring

  • SW 804 Advanced Field Practicum - Macro Practice (7 credit hours)
  • SW 842 Agency-based Evaluation (3 credit hours)
  • SW 846 Advanced Justice-centered Community and Advocacy Practice (3 credit hours)
  • SW 885 Professional Development Seminar (3 credit hours)

Notes: 

Not all KU MSW courses are offered every semester or on all campuses/online. Course options may change based on enrollment. Check the KU Schedule of Classes for current offerings.

The Macro specialization is currently offered on campus only at the Edwards location. It is also available online through Jayhawk Global. On campus courses may be moved online due to low enrollment.

Senior Associate Field Director Laura Hart at a practicum site with a student and children from the agency

Student Support

MSW students are provided quality teaching, mentoring, and enrollment assistance through advising services and field practicum experiences.

Advising & Field Education

Admission & Application Requirements

Admission Requirements

Applicants who meet the following criteria will apply to the Traditional plan of study.

  • A bachelor's degree from an accredited university
  • Undergraduate studies must reflect the successful completion of liberal arts courses, including those in the social sciences and humanities which focus on the development of knowledge in communication; social, biological, and behavioral sciences; history; philosophy and the ways in which knowledge is gained and applied;   and the value of a multicultural and diverse society.
  • Undergraduate grade-point average of 3.0 or above is preferred

The full-time Traditional MSW application is open October 1 to March 1. The part-time Traditional MSW application is open October 1 to April 1. All Traditional MSW students are admitted for a fall semester start date.


Application Requirements 

 

KU will offer the Traditional MSW plan of study at Lawrence, Edwards, Salina and online for students beginning in 2024 and beyond.

Application requirements and deadlines for each campus are available on these program pages:

Invest in your future

Students sitting in the grass outside at Edwards Campus

Tuition & Aid

Make your MSW a reality by knowing your estimated tuition, fees and common expenses.
Stone Jayhawk outside Strong Hall on the Lawrence campus

Scholarships & Funding

MSW students have the opportunity to apply for a variety of scholarship programs and additional funding sources.
arial view of the campanile on the Lawrence Campus

Scholars Programs

Three scholars programs provide additional funding and safe spaces for critical conversations and expanded learning opportunities.