Social Work (MSSW)
MSSW Admission Requirements
Admission to the Kent School of Social Work and Family Science MSSW program is competitive. The selection process includes an evaluation of each applicant's demonstrated and potential abilities as a student, practitioner, and leader in the social work field. Applicants should utilize the MSSW Application Checklist to ensure that all application requirements and relevant deadlines are met which can be found on the MSSW Admissions page of Kent's website. Attending an MSSW prospective student session is beneficial and will likely assist applicants in strengthening their application. Please consult the Kent School website for a list of scheduled prospective student sessions.
An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 is recommended for consideration to the MSSW program.
Applicants to the MSSW program must meet the following requirements:
- A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning
- A minimum of 27 credit hours in the social sciences, i.e., communications (six (6) credit hours), natural sciences (three (3) credit hours), humanities (nine (9) credit hours), and social sciences (nine (9) credit hours)
The application file is complete when all of the following are received by the Graduate School:
- Graduate Admission Application. Application forms are available online and there is a non-refundable application processing fee. It is suggested that you apply online and pay your application with a credit card.
-
Official academic transcripts are required from every college/university attended, including those at which students were enrolled for academic credit as a non-degree student and/or credits that transferred to another college. All transcripts must bear the official seal and signature of the institution attended. Official electronic transcripts are also accepted and encouraged. UofL transcripts for University of Louisville graduates will be provided automatically, with no request needed. All other transcripts must be sent directly from the Registrar or appropriate officer of each institution. Paper official transcripts should be sent directly to:
Graduate School
University of Louisville
Houchens Building, Suite 105
Louisville, KY 40202
-
Two (2) Recommendation Forms. List email addresses of two (2) recommenders in the "Recommendation" section of the Online Graduate Application. Recommendation forms are automatically emailed after the recommender's information is entered and the send to recommender button is clicked.
-
One recommendation must be from a former professor. Applicants who have not been enrolled in classes within the past two (2) years must substitute a professional reference. Please direct all questions pertaining to acceptable recommenders to msswkent@louisville.edu.
-
Personal recommendations are not accepted. These include relatives, co-workers, friends, mentors, personal therapists, clergy, advisors, etc.
-
The Kent School of Social Work and Family Science reserves the right to request additional supportive material from persons acquainted with the applicant's academic or practice capabilities if deemed necessary.
-
Advanced Standing Applicants Only: Applicants who wish to be considered for the 30 credit hour, Advanced Standing program must submit their BSW Final Practicum Field Evaluation (or a fall final evaluation if currently in a BSW program) and two letters of recommendation. Applicants who obtained a BSW within the last seven years from an undergraduate social work program accredited or in candidacy by CSWE may be eligible to apply to the Advanced Standing, 30 credit hour program. There is a preferred, though not required, cumulative GPA of 3.00 and a social work GPA of 3.25.
-
-
Resume. Please include current/past employment as well as volunteer and service roles served. This document can be uploaded in the "Upload Materials" section of the Online Graduate Application or emailed to gradadm@louisville.edu after you have submitted the online application.
-
Admission Essay. Under the "Education and or Life Experiences Responses" section of the Online Graduate Application applicants must respond to the "Leadership" and "Resilience and Adaptability" prompts. Each response should be 300 words or less and fully address each prompt. Applicants should consider and address their values as it relates to their participation in academics, community, and professional social work. Responses should reflect graduate-level writing skills.
-
Additionally, all degree-seeking applicants at the university are required to submit a response of up to 300 words in response to the "Diversity Statement" section of the Online Graduate Application. The response should reflect graduate-level writing skills.
- Applicants who decide to pursue the School Social Work or Psychosocial Oncology concentration must submit an additional essay of up to 3 pages detailing their interest in the concentration, past experience, need for professional development, and how the area will further their educational goals at the time of application.
-
-
Addendum to Admission Essay: Required for applicants with incoming GPA under 3.0. Provide an addendum to your essay discussing gaps, deficiencies in your academic record, or an explanation of any previous academic review. Include planned strategies for maintaining the required 3.0 GPA in Graduate School.
Special Advanced Standing Admissions for Kent School BSW Seniors and Graduates
University of Louisville BSW students may be eligible for special Advanced Standing admission to the MSSW program by providing only one letter of recommendation from a BSW professor, a copy of their BSW Final or Fall Practicum Evaluation (current BSW seniors will have their evaluations provided for them automatically) in addition to the other application requirements. University of Louisville transcripts will be provided automatically. For more information, contact msswkent@louisville.edu or visit the Kent School's Admission page. The Admissions Committee may request additional admissions materials prior to admitting if necessary. If interested in the School Social Work or Psychosocial Oncology concentration, the additional essay must be submitted by the priority deadline.
Special Advanced Standing Admissions for Historically Black College and University BSW Seniors and Graduates
Through the Kent School's "HBCU Cardinal Express to Success" admissions program, social work undergraduates from accredited HBCU institutions may qualify for special Advanced Standing admission by providing only one letter of recommendation from a BSW professor, official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, a copy of their BSW Final Practicum Evaluation (or a fall final evaluation if currently in a BSW program), in addition to the other application requirements. For more information, contact hbcucard@louisville.edu or visit the Kent School's Admission page. The Admissions Committee may request additional admissions materials prior to admitting if necessary. If interested in the School Social Work or Psychosocial Oncology concentration, the additional essay must be submitted by the priority deadline.
Concentrations
If an applicant desires to pursue the School Social Work or Psychosocial Oncology concentration the applicant must submit an additional essay up to 3 pages detailing their interest in the concentration, past experience, need for professional development, and how the area will further their educational goals.
Applicants interested in concentrating in Alcohol & Drug Counseling, Gerontology, Mental Health, or Military Social Work can select their area of interest at the time of application without submitting any additional application material.
-
Advance Standing 30 credit hour applicants: Must select a concentration at the time of application to tailor their education in their area of interest.
-
Regular 60 credit hour applicants: Have the option to select a concentration at the time of application. However, 60 credit hour applicants admitted to the program can contact the Advising Office to pursue a concentration up until their remaining 30 credit hours in the program
Dual Degrees
If you wish to be considered for any of the dual degree programs, you must also complete the other unit's application process. Students accepted into the Online MSSW program are not eligible for dual degrees, though they may be able to take some MSSW courses online.
International students
All MSSW candidates who completed their undergraduate degrees outside of the US are required to have their transcripts evaluated by the credential services World Education Services at wes.org or Educational Credential Evaluators at ece.org Any candidate may be required to participate in a brief telephone interview as part of the admissions process. Candidates who are required to complete an I-20 form should note that they will be placed in a practicum program as part of their education. Admitted students to the on-campus program should contact UofL's International Center to determine if any other immigration documentation is necessary to begin practicum at louisville.edu/internationalcenter.
ALL candidates for whom English is not their primary language must:
- show English proficiency by demonstration of a specified level of proficiency on the TOEFL exam, IELTS or Duolingo examination or by providing an official transcript from an acceptable English language institution
- Minimum TOEFL scores: 213 on the computer-based TOEFL or a score of 79-80 on Internet-based TOEFL is required. More information on TOEFL at www.ets.org/toefl.
- Minimum IELTS score: 6.5 for more information review www.ielts.org
- Duolingo score of 105 for more information review englishtest.duolingo.com/applicants.
MSSW Online US Citizens Living Abroad & Outside of Kentucky
Applicants who live outside of the US will need to consult with the Field Education Office in advance of applying to the MSSW program to ensure the feasibility of meeting the practicum placement requirements in accordance with CSWE policies at fieldedu@louisville.edu. A qualified practicum supervisor must be readily available (e.g., the supervisor has an MSSW/MSW degree from a CSWE accredited institution or similar CSWE type accreditation) and/or the applicant must participate in identifying a qualified practicum supervisor with the support of the Field Education Office. Both applicants outside of the US and outside of Kentucky must be willing to participate in the process of identifying a qualified practicum supervisor with the support of the Field Education Office. MSSW Online applicants in rural areas must consider that they may be required to travel to their practicum placements if no qualifying practicums are available in their local area.
MSSW Admission Deadlines
The final deadline varies as explained below, but because entry into the program is highly competitive, applicants are encouraged to submit their applications early to ensure a space. All admissions materials must be received in the Graduate School by the listed date in order for an applicant to be considered for admission by a particular deadline.
Kent School deadlines for admission are classified as follows:
Fall Start: August
- Priority Deadline: June 1st
- Deadline: July 15th
Spring Start: January
- Priority Deadline: October 30th
- Deadline: November 15th
Summer Start: May
- Priority Deadline: March 1st
- Deadline: April 1st
Exceptions to deadlines
-
Advance Standing 30 credit hour concentration applicants who apply after the priority deadline may experience a delay in their ability to start practicum immediately if an appropriate practicum site is not readily available.
-
Applications submitted after deadlines will be considered on a case-by-case basis if space allows. Additionally, applicants after the deadline may experience a delay in their ability to start practicum immediately if an appropriate practicum site is not readily available.
Program Requirements
The MSSW program offers flexibility through its variety of degree completion options. Courses are offered on multiple days, times, and can be completed in a traditional classroom format, entirely online, or a combination of the two.
The coursework includes two academic year-long field/practicum placements that require on average 16 to 18 hours per week in the field/practicum placement.
Though not required, students have the opportunity to tailor their education by exploring an optional concentration while obtaining their MSSW.
For concentration elective course requirements, please refer to the Concentration Areas tab.
MSSW 60 Credit Hour Regular Program
Students who are admitted and do not have a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited Bachelor of Social Work degree enter the 60 credit hour regular program. This program can be completed on-campus or online within two to four years. The next listing provides a basic description of the courses needed to complete this program:
Foundation Coursework
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
SW 601 | Human Behavior in the Social Environment I | 3 |
SW 619 | Human Behavior in the Social Environment II | 3 |
SW 602 | Social Welfare Policy I | 3 |
SW 622 | Social Welfare Policy II | 3 |
SW 603 | Diversity, Oppression, and Social Justice Practice | 3 |
SW 604 | Micro Social Work Practice | 3 |
SW 605 | Macro Social Work Practice | 3 |
SW 670 | Foundation/Generalist Social Work Practicum I 1 | 3 |
SW 671 | Foundation/Generalist Social Work Practicum II 1 | 3 |
SW 626 | Research Methodology and Design | 3 |
Minimum Total Hours | 30 |
- 1
16 clock hours per week
Specialized Coursework
(Prerequisite: all Foundation Courses)
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
SW 641 | Social Justice Policy | 3 |
SW 640 | Evidence-Based Practice with Individuals, Families, and Groups | 3 |
SW 642 | Psychopathology | 3 |
SW 677 | Mezzo Practice and Integrated Social Work Practice with Complex Cases | 3 |
SW 668 | Program Evaluation in Social Work | 3 |
SW 672 | Specialized Social Work Practicum I 1 | 3 |
SW 673 | Specialized Social Work Practicum II 1 | 3 |
Select three MSSW Electives | 9 | |
Minimum Total Hours | 30 |
- 1
18 clock hours per week
MSSW 30 Credit Hour Advanced Standing Program
Students holding a CSWE-accredited Bachelor of Social Work degree who have demonstrated good academic performance in their social work courses may be enrolled in the 30 credit hour advanced standing Program.
This program equates to completing the 30 credit hour specialized portion of the 60 credit hour program. No academic credit is given for life or work experience. Advanced Standing is limited to applicants who have earned BSW degrees within the last seven years, at the time of enrollment in the Kent School. This program can be completed on-campus or online within one to two years.
The next listing provides a basic description of the courses needed to complete this program;
Specialized Coursework
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
BSW degree required | ||
SW 641 | Social Justice Policy | 3 |
SW 640 | Evidence-Based Practice with Individuals, Families, and Groups | 3 |
SW 642 | Psychopathology | 3 |
SW 677 | Mezzo Practice and Integrated Social Work Practice with Complex Cases | 3 |
SW 668 | Program Evaluation in Social Work | 3 |
SW 672 | Specialized Social Work Practicum I 1 | 3 |
SW 673 | Specialized Social Work Practicum II 1 | 3 |
Select three MSSW electives | 9 | |
Minimum Total Hours | 30 |
- 1
18 clock hours per week
Concentration Area Requirements
Alcohol and Drug Counseling
Academic Plan Code(s): SW_ _MSW30A, SW_ _MSW60A, SWONMSW30A, SWONMSW60A
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
SW 660 | Motivation and Change: The Process of Change and Strategies to Elicit Intrinsic Motivation. 1 | 3 |
SW 661 | Special Issues in Alcohol and Drug Counseling | 3 |
SW 662 | Substance Use and Substance Use Disorders 2 | 3 |
Minimum Total Hours | 9 |
- 1
SW 397 for BSW students: Motivation and change (offered in Fall, Spring and Summer semesters)
- 2
SW 362 for BSW students: Substance abuse (to be offered in Spring as a normal class, and in the Summer as an online class)
Gerontology
Academic Plan Code(s): SW_ _MSW30G, SW_ _MSW60G, SWONMSW30G, SWONMSW60G
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
SW 681 | Social Gerontology | 3 |
SW 682 | Social Work Practice with Older Persons | 3 |
One of the following: | 3 | |
Mental Health | ||
Death & Grief | ||
Substance Use and Substance Use Disorders | ||
Spirituality and Social Work | ||
Minimum Total Hours | 9 |
Mental Health
Academic Plan Code(s): SW_ _MSW30M, SW_ _MSW60M, SWONMSW30M, SWONMSW60M
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Required Elective | ||
SW 615 | Mental Health | 3 |
Choose two from the following electives: | 6 | |
Group Methods | ||
Introduction to Family Therapy Practice | ||
Motivation and Change: The Process of Change and Strategies to Elicit Intrinsic Motivation. | ||
Death & Grief | ||
Minimum Total Hours | 9 |
Military Social Work
Academic Plan Code(s): SW_ _MSW30V, SW_ _MSW60V, SWONMSW30V, SWONMSW60V
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
SW 627 | Military Social Work | 3 |
Choose 2 of the following electives: | 6 | |
Mental Health | ||
Introduction to Family Therapy Practice | ||
Substance Use and Substance Use Disorders | ||
Minimum Total Hours | 9 |
Psychosocial Oncology
Academic Plan Code(s): SW_ _MSW30P, SW_ _MSW60P, SWONMSW30P, SWONMSW60P
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
SW 647 | Psychosocial Practice in Oncology I Social Work Practice with Individuals and Families in Healthcare | 3 |
SW 648 | Psychosocial Practice in Oncology II: Social Work Practice to Promote Health Equity | 3 |
Choose one elective course from the following: | 3 | |
Social Work and Human Sexuality | ||
Death & Grief | ||
Spirituality and Social Work | ||
Introduction to Epidemiology (previously PHEP 601) | ||
Other courses of interest—to be approved by chair | ||
SW 672 & SW 673 | Specialized Social Work Practicum I Specialized Social Work Practicum II (Field Practicum (2 days per week in cancer care setting)) | 6 |
Minimum Total Hours | 15 |
School Social Work
Academic Plan Code(s): SW_ _MSW30S, SW_ _MSW60S, SWONMSW30S, SWONMSW60S
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
EDSP 644 | Applied Behavior Analysis | 3 |
SW 630 | School Social Work: Policy and Practice | 3 |
SW 672 | Specialized Social Work Practicum I | 3 |
SW 673 | Specialized Social Work Practicum II | 3 |
Self-selected elective of interest | 3 | |
Student Portfolio | ||
Minimum Total Hours | 15 |
The Master of Science in Social Work program and the concentration area of Alcohol and Drug Counseling prepares students to meet the requirements for certification and/or licensure. If you plan to pursue professional licensure or certification you should first determine your state’s criteria for examination and licensure to see how/if our program meets those requirements prior to enrollment. We recommend that you also contact your state’s licensing board directly to verify that the requirements have not changed recently and to answer any questions especially those regarding additional requirements beyond the degree.
More information about certification or licensure is available at the following website: https://louisville.edu/oapa/licensure-information (you may search by school or by the name of the program then click on 'View Details' to display the information).
For programs with an online option, more information about certification or licensure is available here: http://louisville.edu/online/About-Us (please scroll down near the bottom of the page and click on the licensing disclosures tab).