Social Work (MSSW)

15_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 non-degree students 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 the 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 Letters. List the 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 one letter 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 their choice of two (2) prompts and the Diversity Statement.

  • The Kent School of Social Work and Family Science MSSW Program takes an anti-oppressive stance in educating students for careers as specialized social work practitioners who apply critical thinking skills and available evidence to inform practice that responds to complex social problems. Upload to the application, a 2-part, three (3) page double-spaced, 12-font essay with sources cited addressing the following:
    • Analyze a systemic/institutionally oppressive policy or practice and discuss the scope, the population affected, causes and consequences, as well as what social workers can do to combat the oppressive policy or practice.
    • Review the NASW Code of Ethics Preamble and Ethical Principles and discuss how your personal values and beliefs are or are not compatible with NASW values. How will you reconcile any conflicts between your personal values and the requirement of the profession? View the Code of Ethics here: https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics/Code-of-Ethics-English.
    • Please contact msswkent@louisville.edu with any questions about the admissions essay.

Kent School BSW to MSSW Admission Criteria

The 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. The 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 admission if necessary. 

Cardinal Express to Success Admission Criteria

The MSSW Cardinal Express to Success admission requirements is exclusive for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) students and graduates who are seeking to pursue their MSSW degree. This approach acknowledges and promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion in the MSSW program by providing a pathway for HBCU and HSI students and graduates to access advanced education and training in the field of social work.   The Cardinal Express to Success Program is open to all eligible applicants regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age.  Applicants can contact the Admissions Team at hbcucard@louisville.edu or visit the Kent School's Admission page for additional details about the application process. The Admissions Committee may request additional admissions materials prior to admission if necessary. 

MSSW Dual Programs

If you wish to pursue any of the dual degree programs, you must also complete the other unit’s application process. All dual degree options may not offer fully online opportunities, so students in the Online MSSW program may be ineligible for some dual degrees.

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

Applications submitted past the deadline may be considered on case-by-case bases if space allows and only if the applicant is willing to pursue courses with availability and potentially delay field/practicum start until the following semester. Please contact the MSSW Admissions Office at msswkent@louisville.edu for questions about the MSSW Program and the Practicum Education Office at fieldedu@louisville.edu for field/practicum questions. 

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:

Generalist Coursework

MSSW 601Human Behavior in the Social Environment I3
MSSW 619Human Behavior in the Social Environment II3
MSSW 602Social Welfare Policy I3
MSSW 622Social Welfare Policy II3
MSSW 603Diversity, Oppression, and Social Justice Practice3
MSSW 604Micro Social Work Practice3
MSSW 605Macro Social Work Practice3
MSSW 670Generalist Social Work Practicum I3
MSSW 671Generalist Social Work Practicum II3
MSSW 626Research Methodology and Design3
Minimum Total Hours30
1

16 clock hours per week

Specialized Coursework
(Prerequisite: all Generalist Courses)

MSSW 641Social Justice Policy3
MSSW 640Evidence-Based Practice with Individuals, Families, and Groups3
MSSW 642Psychopathology3
MSSW 677Mezzo Practice and Integrated Social Work Practice with Complex Cases3
MSSW 668Program Evaluation in Social Work3
MSSW 672Specialized Social Work Practicum I3
MSSW 673Specialized Social Work Practicum II3
Select three MSSW Electives9
Minimum Total Hours30
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

BSW degree required
MSSW 641Social Justice Policy3
MSSW 640Evidence-Based Practice with Individuals, Families, and Groups3
MSSW 642Psychopathology3
MSSW 677Mezzo Practice and Integrated Social Work Practice with Complex Cases3
MSSW 668Program Evaluation in Social Work3
MSSW 672Specialized Social Work Practicum I3
MSSW 673Specialized Social Work Practicum II3
Select three MSSW electives9
Minimum Total Hours30
1

18 clock hours per week

On This Page

Concentration Area Requirements

Alcohol and Drug Counseling 

Academic Plan Code(s): SW_ _MSW30A, SW_ _MSW60A, SWONMSW30A, SWONMSW60A

MSSW 660Motivation and Change: The Process of Change and Strategies to Elicit Intrinsic Motivation.3
MSSW 661Special Issues in Alcohol and Drug Counseling3
MSSW 662Substance Use and Substance Use Disorders3
Minimum Total Hours9

Gerontology 

Academic Plan Code(s): SW_ _MSW30G, SW_ _MSW60G, SWONMSW30G, SWONMSW60G

MSSW 681Social Gerontology3
MSSW 682Social Work Practice with Older Persons3
One of the following:3
MSSW 615
Mental Health
MSSW 636
Death & Grief
MSSW 662
Substance Use and Substance Use Disorders
MSSW 684
Spirituality and Social Work
Minimum Total Hours9

Mental Health 

Academic Plan Code(s): SW_ _MSW30M, SW_ _MSW60M, SWONMSW30M, SWONMSW60M

Required Elective
MSSW 615Mental Health3
Choose two from the following electives:6
MSSW 657
Group Methods
MSSW 659
Introduction to Family Therapy Practice
MSSW 660
Motivation and Change: The Process of Change and Strategies to Elicit Intrinsic Motivation.
MSSW 636
Death & Grief
Minimum Total Hours9

Military Social Work 

Academic Plan Code(s): SW_ _MSW30V, SW_ _MSW60V, SWONMSW30V, SWONMSW60V

MSSW 627Military Social Work3
Choose 2 of the following electives:6
MSSW 615
Mental Health
MSSW 659
Introduction to Family Therapy Practice
MSSW 662
Substance Use and Substance Use Disorders
Minimum Total Hours9

Psychosocial Oncology 

Academic Plan Code(s): SW_ _MSW30P, SW_ _MSW60P, SWONMSW30P, SWONMSW60P

MSSW 647Psychosocial Practice in Oncology I Social Work Practice with Individuals and Families in Healthcare3
MSSW 648Psychosocial Practice in Oncology II: Social Work Practice to Promote Health Equity3
Choose one elective course from the following:3
MSSW 633
Social Work and Human Sexuality
MSSW 636
Death & Grief
MSSW 684
Spirituality and Social Work
PHEP 501
Introduction to Epidemiology (previously PHEP 601)
Other courses of interest—to be approved by chair
MSSW 672
& MSSW 673		Specialized Social Work Practicum I
Specialized Social Work Practicum II (Field Practicum (2 days per week in cancer care setting))		6
Minimum Total Hours15

School Social Work 

Academic Plan Code(s): SW_ _MSW30S, SW_ _MSW60S, SWONMSW30S, SWONMSW60S

EDSP 644Applied Behavior Analysis3
MSSW 630School Social Work: Policy and Practice3
MSSW 672Specialized Social Work Practicum I3
MSSW 673Specialized Social Work Practicum II3
Self-selected elective of interest3
Student Portfolio
Minimum Total Hours15

The Master of Science in Social Work  program and the concentration areas of Alcohol and Drug Counseling and School Social Work 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).