Master of Science in Social Work Program
Experience learning at a nationally recognized top 50 program and prepare for advanced professional social work practice.
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Advance your degree at a leading program
Experience learning at a nationally recognized top 50 program and the number one graduate school social work program in Kentucky, ranked by the 2025 U.S. News and World Report. Our Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
Our mission is to provide an advanced generalist social work education that prepares you for ethical, evidence-informed practice with diverse, vulnerable and marginalized individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities. Our MSSW program will engage you in service and outreach opportunities that improve the quality of life for local and global communities.
We offer seven concentrations to customize your learning experience including alcohol and drug counseling, cancer and health (oncology) social work, forensic social work, gerontology, military social work, mental health social work and school social work.
Your MSSW degree has never been easier
Our MSSW program provides learning options from a campus-based with blended learning to a fully online option, with full-time and part-time paths so you can work at advancing your degree with fewer obstacles. A dual degree in social work and couple and family therapy is available.
Since 1936, the Kent School of Social Work and Family Science has prepared individuals for a professional and rewarding career in social work. Generations of changemakers have pursued their degrees, both nationally and globally, as they work to expand their knowledge in advanced social work practice.
Explore campus life and the Kent experience
Ignite your passion
Pursue your passion and desire to help individuals, families and communities address complex social problems. Our accredited MSSW program offers a campus-based with blending learning or a fully online option. Both are led by our Kent School faculty. Be confident, your learning experience will be the highest quality.
Customize your degree
Seven concentrations are available to customize your pathway and prepare you for the professional social work practice you desire. Select one of the following: Alcohol and Drug Counseling, Cancer and Health Social Work, Gerontology, Forensic Social Work, Mental Health Social Work, Military Social Work and School Social Work. Each concentration has specific coursework requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Apply online at: http://graduate.louisville.edu. The fee is $65 payable by credit card or check. Paying by check delays your application by eight (8) days. Recipients of certain government assistance programs may ask to have the fee waived. For details, contact Graduate Admissions at 502-852-3101 or gradadm@louisville.edu
All MSSW students have access to both online and on-campus courses.
Students who expect to register for any in-person courses should choose the “on-campus” status. Students who live in the region are encouraged to take as many courses in person as possible.
Students who do not reside in the region of the university can choose the “online” status to complete all their courses online.
Students will be charged a small per credit hour fee for all online courses. Students with the “online” status are charged for every course in which they enroll in. Students with the “on-campus” status are charged for every course enrolled in up to nine (9) credits a semester, but may enroll in up to 15 credits a semester without additional charge.
Students do not have to choose a concentration in the MSSW program. However, you may customize your education by choosing any three electives from the many courses offered.
Students who choose a concentration will be expected to register for the electives required by the concentration. Currently, we offer seven concentrations, including alcohol and drug counseling, gerontology, forensic social work, mental health social work, military social work, cancer and health social work and school social work.
Kent School offers joint degrees with the Couple and Family Therapy Program (MSSW/MSCFT), Brandeis School of Law (MSSW/JD), Department of Pan-African Studies (MSSW/MA), Department of Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies (MSSW/MA), Department of Philosophy/Health care Ethics (MSSW/MA) and the Louisville Presbyterian Seminary (MSSW/MDiv). Applications must be submitted independently to each academic unit/institution. Students must apply to the dual degree school in addition to the Kent School of Social Work and Family Science.
Students are required to take additional coursework, take the three MSSW electives in the other program and potentially take a specialized practicum that has the focus of and is approved by the other program. The coursework for a dual degree may extend the student’s period of study.
The MSSW program provides two application opportunities for scholarship awards in both the fall and spring semesters. The scholarship application portal is open May 1 – July 1 for fall semester awards and September 1 – November 1 for spring semester awards. Award recipients are notified an estimated two to three weeks prior to the start of the semester. Applications are not accepted prior to the opening date or after the deadline. Submissions outside of the designated period will receive a message stating the portal is currently unavailable.