Online Master of Social Work (MSW)

An online Master of Social Work from the KU School of Social Welfare with Traditional and Advanced Standing pathways, full-time and part-time options, live online class sessions every other week and required local field practicum. Tuition is a flat per-credit rate regardless of residency.

Official program name

Online Master of Social Work (MSW)

Awarded degree

Master of Social Work

Source: online.ku.edu · verified October 10, 2026

Degree level

Master's

University

University of Kansas — KU School of Social Welfare

Source: online.ku.edu · verified October 10, 2026

Administering location

Lawrence, KSWhere the university or its administering campus is located. Study is online; this is not a residency requirement and does not decide whether you may enroll from your state.

Subject

Social Work (BSW, MSW, DSW)

Specializations

Clinical social work practice · Macro social work practice

Source: socwel.ku.edu · verified October 10, 2026

Required credits

Not verified

Duration

Traditional: 2 years full-time or 3 to 4 years part-time; Advanced Standing: 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time (Traditional plan of study, full-time)A minimum under the stated conditions, not a typical length.

Source: online.ku.edu · verified October 10, 2026

Start terms

Summer, Fall

Source: socwel.ku.edu · verified October 10, 2026

Teaching language

English (not separately stated)

Academic delivery

Online coursework + local placementCoursework is online; a clinical placement, practicum, internship, fieldwork or student teaching is completed in person, usually near the student.Coursework is online; a clinical placement, practicum, internship, fieldwork or student teaching is completed in person, usually near the student.

Source: online.ku.edu · verified October 10, 2026

Campus visits

Campus visits: not verified

Practical placement

Practical placement required

Source: online.ku.edu · verified October 10, 2026

Class schedule

Mixed (live + self-paced)

Source: online.ku.edu · verified October 10, 2026

Study intensity

Full-time, Part-time

Source: online.ku.edu · verified October 10, 2026

Prior degree

RequiredTraditional: bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited university or foreign equivalent

Source: socwel.ku.edu · verified October 10, 2026

Prior degree

RequiredAdvanced Standing: BSW from a CSWE-accredited program

Source: socwel.ku.edu · verified October 10, 2026

Minimum GPA

RecommendedMinimum 3 — Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or above preferred

Source: socwel.ku.edu · verified October 10, 2026

Statement / essay

RequiredNarrative statement

Source: socwel.ku.edu · verified October 10, 2026

Recommendation letters

Required3 letters — Contact information for three professional references

Source: socwel.ku.edu · verified October 10, 2026

Résumé / CV

RequiredProfessional resume

Source: socwel.ku.edu · verified October 10, 2026

Transcripts

RequiredOfficial transcripts from each college attended

Source: socwel.ku.edu · verified October 10, 2026

Tests

Entrance and English-language test policy: not verified. We publish this only when the institution states it on an official page.

We do not publish acceptance rates or estimate admission chances.

• Application deadline

  February 3, 2027 · for Summer/Fall 2027

  Source: socwel.ku.edu · verified October 10, 2026
  Upcoming

• Application deadline

  February 3, 2027 · for Summer/Fall 2027

  Source: socwel.ku.edu · verified October 10, 2026
  Upcoming

• Application deadline

  April 7, 2027 · for Summer/Fall 2027

  Source: socwel.ku.edu · verified October 10, 2026
  Upcoming

Other published fees

Non-refundable seat fee after acceptance

$50Mandatory

Source: socwel.ku.edu · verified October 10, 2026

Program-specific scholarships: not verified. We publish this only when the institution states it on an official page.

Institutional accreditation

• Higher Learning Commission (HLC) — accreditedSource: ope.ed.gov · verified October 10, 2026

Programmatic accreditation

• Council on Social Work Education — MSW accredited by the Council on Social Work EducationSource: online.ku.edu · verified October 10, 2026

State authorization

• KU has participated in NC-SARA since Jan. 16, 2015 and may enroll residents of SARA member states and territories in all online programs; California residents may also enroll. Official pageSource: online.ku.edu · verified October 10, 2026

Professional licensure

• Students considering a program leading to licensure must seek guidance from their home state licensing agency before enrolling. State-by-state disclosureSource: online.ku.edu · verified October 10, 2026
• Students must seek guidance from their home state licensing agency BEFORE enrolling in the academic program to ensure that a license can be obtained. State-by-state disclosureSource: online.ku.edu · verified October 10, 2026

Accreditation and state authorization do not establish that a program meets licensure requirements in your state.

International applicants

• Non-native English speakers applying to an online graduate degree or certificate program must achieve Full English proficiency.Source: socwel.ku.edu · verified October 10, 2026

1. online.ku.edu/graduate-programs/online-doctor-social-work-dsw — Official program page, verified October 10, 2026
2. online.ku.edu/graduate-programs/online-masters-social-work-msw — Official program page, verified October 10, 2026
3. online.ku.edu/ku-onlines-sara-membership — Official disclosure page, verified October 10, 2026
4. online.ku.edu/professional-licensure-information — Official disclosure page, verified October 10, 2026
5. DAPIP — HLC institutional accreditation record (data files downloaded 2026-10-10) — U.S. Department of Education dataset (IPEDS / DAPIP), verified October 10, 2026
6. socwel.ku.edu/msw-apply — Official admissions page, verified October 10, 2026

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