Apply

Why a choose UK Social Work?

• No GRE required
  Learn your way, with online, hybrid and on-campus options
• Earn your degree in as few as 30 credit hours (Advanced Standing) or 60 credit hours (Regular Standing)
• Career-driven curriculum that prepares you to lead in diverse settings
• Quality you can trust: Quality Matters-certified, CSWE-accredited online program
• Top-tier results: Our grads consistently score 10–20 points higher than the national average on licensing exams
• Unmatched support in coursework, field education, and career planning.
• Endless career options, with pathways in clinical practice, policy, nonprofit management, and beyond

Additional Information

• Review full program experience in the MSW Handbook
• The MSW program is academically rigorous, and prior academic performance is a key indicator of success
• Applicants who do not meet GPA requirements may submit a Petition for Exceptional Consideration with supporting evidence of their ability to succeed
• All admission decisions are made by a faculty Admissions Committee, with notification provided by phone and/or email

Your Degree+

Customize your path and stand out in the field with graduate certificates designed to match your goals. Choose from seven specialized options, including:

• Rural Health and Wellbeing
• Military Behavioral Health
• Child Welfare Practice
• School Social Work
• Clinical Social Work
• And more

Admissions Overview

To apply, you must:

• Be accepted by both the College of Social Work and the UK Graduate School
• Meet all UK Graduate School admission requirements
• Uphold the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics

Submission Materials

• Unofficial transcripts (officials required upon admission)
• Résumé
• Two letters of recommendation
• Personal statement (4 pages max, APA format)
• Writing sample on an ethical dilemma (250 words max)

Personal Statement (Autobiography)

• Explain your motivation for pursuing an MSW and why you chose UK
• Highlight relevant life experiences, strengths and skills
• Describe your academic, professional or volunteer background
• Reflect on factors that may support or challenge your success in graduate study

Writing Sample (Ethical Reflection)

• Reflect on the use of AI in your application process
• Apply principles from the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics (Integrity and Competence)
• In 250 words or less, address:
  • How AI may be helpful or harmful in writing
  • How ethical standards apply to AI use
  • What your response reveals about your values and judgment

Application Process

To apply, you must:

• Connect with an Army Medical Department (AMEDD) Health Care Recruiter (HCR) to begin your application
• Be selected by the USAREC accession board for long-term health education
• Be admitted to both the University of Kentucky Graduate School and College of Social Work

Get Started

• Find a recruiter: http://www.goarmy.com
  (Select “Healthcare Students and Professionals” and search by zip code)

Eligibility

To apply, you must:

• Earn a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution by June of the application year
• Have a minimum 3.25 undergraduate GPA (4.0 scale)
• Submit GRE scores (minimum 290 combined verbal + quantitative; taken within the last 5 years)

Important Notes

• Applications must be submitted through an AMEDD recruiter (not directly to UK)
• The USAREC selection board typically reviews applications in early February
• Applicants are notified of results through their recruiter before completing UK admission.

Why UK Social Work?

• Affordable, 100% online program with flexible learning schedule that lets you learn anytime, anywhere
• Built for experienced practitioners in clinical practice, administration, education, and policy
  Earn your degree in 2 years (full-time) or 3 years (part-time)
• Choose your track:
  • Administrative Leadership
  • Clinical Social Work
  • Social Work Education
  • Military Behavioral Health
  • Sport Social Work
• Embedded capstone project with faculty support and annual Virtual Showcase of DSW Scholars
• Access to state-of-the-art research labs
• Graduate into a growing job market with high demand
• Take courses that are certified for excellence in online learning

Admissions Overview

To apply, you must:

• Hold a CSWE-accredited MSW
• Have a minimum 3.0+ cumulative graduate GPA
• Have at least 2 years of post-MSW professional experience
• Demonstrate proficiency with online learning tools

Submission materials:

• Unofficial transcripts (officials required if admitted)
• Résumé or CV
• Two professional or academic references
• Personal statement (4–5 pages)

International applicants:

• $75 application fee
• TOEFL (79 iBT) or IELTS (6.5) required
• No visa sponsorship (I-20 or DS-2019) available
• Up to 9 transfer credits allowed with approval

Why choose UK Social Work?

• Funding opportunities available through scholarships, fellowships, and assistantships
• Full-time and part-time paths for working professionals
• Individualized mentorship from expert faculty
• Conduct research that fits your interests with the potential to influence policy and change lives
• Advance your career in higher education, policy development, and leadership

Admissions Overview

To apply, you’ll need:

• A master’s degree in Social Work or a related field
• Strong academic background and commitment to advancing the profession

Submission materials:

• Online application and required fee
• Unofficial transcripts (officials required upon admission)
• Résumé or CV
• Personal statement explaining research interests, goals, and motivations
• Writing sample (thesis, published article, or research paper preferred)
• Three letters of recommendation
• To be considered for teaching or research assistantships, include a cover letter and name of preferred faculty collaborators

Why a MSCJ at UK?

• Flexible, 100% online program allows you to earn your degree on your schedule
• Apply research, leadership, and policy to real-world settings
• Job-focused curriculum that helps you graduate with the professional tools you need to succeed
• Faculty mentorship from seasoned professionals
• Specialized coursework in Criminal Justice Policy & Analysis; Forensic Science & Investigations; Criminal Justice Leadership; and Ethics in Justice.
• Endless career options within high-demand fields including law enforcement, corrections, policy, research, and the private sector

Admissions Overview

• Bachelor’s degree from accredited institution
• Must be accepted by both the College of Social Work and the UK Graduate School with a minimum 2.75 cumulative undergraduate GPA and 3.0 graduate GPA, if applicable

Submission materials:

• Transcripts
• Application fee
• TOEFL/IELTS scores, if applicable
• Standard Graduate School materials (no GRE required)
• All applicants must meet UK Graduate School requirements.