Financial Aid & Scholarships | Career Opportunities | Admission | Curriculum Plan | Scholarship Application |MSSW FAQs |Request More Info |

The Kent School of Social Work, University of Louisville offers its highly regarded Master of Science of Social Work (MSSW) degree online. The Kent School is committed to teaching the next generation of social workers.There are two options for earning a MSSW degree online:

1. Standard MSSW (60 credit hours) - This program is designed for those who have a bachelor's degree in any area other than social work (BSW)¹.

2. Advanced Standing MSSW (30 credit hours) - This program is designed for those with a BSW degree, a minimum undergraduate coursework GPA of 3.0, and a minimum Social Work coursework GPA of 3.25.

Our renowned and experienced faculty use their expertise to provide top-notch social work education in a web-based environment. The online program mirrors the on-campus program although you are able to complete your coursework on your schedule. The program combines online learning and hands-on supervised field instruction, completed in your community, which helps you become a part of the fast-growing field of social work.

Quick Facts:

Distinctions: The Kent School of Social Work's MSSW program has received the following distinctions:

• Ranked #1 in Kentucky, in the top 16% of all master's programs in the country, and among the top 28 public university social work programs in the country by US News & World Report.
• Ranked #3 in the nation by GraduatePrograms.com
  

Accreditation: The Council on Social Work Education

Entrance Date(s): The Standard MSSW (60 credit hours) begins each fall. The Advanced MSSW (30 credit hours) will be offered in Fall 2014 and will begin each fall after. Click to view our curriculum plan.

Financial Aid & Scholarships

In addition to the financial aid opportunities offered by the University, the Kent School of Social Work also offers various scholarships that cover a variety of interests. There are scholarships available to students who plan to practice in rural Kentucky, students with an interest in working in gerontology, policy or legislative areas.

Scholarship application and information can be found at http://louisville.edu/kent/students/future-students/future-students-information. The scholarship deadline is May 15.

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Career Opportunities

A master's degree in social work is required to provide therapy and also prepares you for clinical practice. In many states, attaining a master's degree in social work from a CSWE accredited program will make you eligible to become a:

• Certified Social Worker (CSW)
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

For a list of state requirements for CSW and LCSW licensure, visit: http://www.allpsychologycareers.com/social-work-license.html

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Admission

To be considered for admission into the online MSSW program (fall term), you must submit your complete application packet by February 15.

Due to the highly competitive program, we encourage you to submit your online application as soon as possible so you get counted for the next start. Strong applications submitted after February 15 (deadline for admission to MSSW Online program)  may be considered by the Admissions Committee on a case by case basis and as space (enrollment count) allows.

To help you navigate through the application process, please refer to the MSSW Application Checklist (includes Technology Requirement and Personal Commitment Contract).

In addition to completing the application for admission and paying the $60 non-refundable application fee, applicants must submit the following:

• Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work
• 2.75 (or higher) cumulative grade point average (GPA) on 4.0 scale
• If your cumulative undergraduate GPA is less than 2.75 you will need to submit test scores from either the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Miller Analogies (MAT)². For specific test scores needed please contact our online enrollment office: online@louisville.edu.
• Three letters of recommendation (use graduate recommendation forms [PDF])
• Personal statement approximately 700-1000 words  - This statement must be submitted with the application for admission, and must include a statement of authenticity.
• The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required of all foreign students from countries in which English is not the native language. Students holding a baccalaureate or advanced degree from an accredited institution in the U.S. are exempt from this requirement.
• International transcripts - International students may be required to have their transcripts evaluated by a credential evaluation service in the U.S., and may be required to participate in a brief telephone interview.³

Credentials should be mailed to:
Graduate Admissions
University of Louisville
Louisville, KY 40292

International Students

MSSW applications submitted by U.S. citizens living abroad and international students are not being accepted at this time for Fall 2013, except in rare circumstances when all of the following requirements are met:

• No language barriers exist
• A qualified practicum supervisor is readily available (e.g., the supervisor has a MSSW degree from a CSWE-accredited institution or similar CSWE-type accreditation)

UofL’s Kent School of Social Work has previously established partnerships with practicum sites and faculty liaisons

Notes:

1. The "Advanced Standing" M.S. in Social Work, designed for those who currently have a bachelor's degree in Social Work, is not yet available online. Please contact us using this link if you are interested in the online "Advanced Standing MSSW". We will be glad to notify you before registration opens for this program. It is anticipated to begin in the fall of 2014. However, the program is currently offered on-campus. Visit the Kent School website to find out about our campus-based programs.
   
2. Meeting GRE/MAT score and GPA minimum requirements does not guarantee a student will be accepted to the program.
3. If you live outside of the United States and intend to complete an online academic program from your home country, be sure to view special requirements for international students.

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