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Social Work
Your Mission Starts Here
Social work is everywhere, for everyone. Whether you’re focused on mental health, child welfare, sports, environmental justice, or community leadership, our programs will prepare you to serve our communities and make positive impacts where they’re needed the most.
Why Choose UK College of Social Work?
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#1Rank for KY Social Work
Licensing Exam Pass Rate
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+3,000Practicum Partners
Experience practicum your way
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11Certifications
Specialize in an area that’s important to you.
CHOOSE YOUR NEXT LEVEL
Bachelor of Social Work (BASW)
Change the World, One Community at a Time.
Our BASW is your launchpad to becoming a certified difference-maker.
This hands-on program prepares you for real-world social work practice in a variety of fields—from advocacy to child welfare, mental health, and beyond.
Thanks to the generosity of our donors, a wide range of scholarships are available to support students across social work and criminal justice programs.
How to Apply
All UK Scholarships are managed through Scholarship Universe.
Login using your UK linkblue email and password and complete your student profile. Navigate to the “Scholarships” tab to view and apply for opportunities.
When you apply, you’ll automatically be considered for all available scholarships.
Deadline for Lewis Honors College scholarship consideration is December 1.
Last Dollar In Initiative
The Last Dollar Initiative (LDI) expands access to the University of Kentucky by reducing financial and academic barriers for undergraduate students in social work and criminal justice. It connects students across Kentucky with UK programs (online and on-campus), clarifies misconceptions about cost, and provides the support needed for academic success.
Eligibility Requirements
Complete the FAFSA, Scholarship Application, and UK Admission Application by the priority deadline.
Demonstrate unmet financial need, with priority given to Pell-eligible and first-generation students.
Residency requirement: Applicants must be residents of Kentucky.
Minimum GPA requirement: Applicants must have at least a 2.5 high school GPA.
Agree to a work study within CoSW.
Full-time enrollment: Students must enroll full-time in either the Social Work or Criminal Justice program.
Our flexible, nationally recognized master’s programs are designed to elevate your career and prepare you for advanced practice in a variety of settings, from clinical social work to community leadership. With an emphasis on real-world experience and social justice, our MSW sets you up to create meaningful change.
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
Customize your path and stand out in the field with graduate certificates designed to match your goals. Choose from seven specialized options, including:
Army-UK Master’s of Social Work (MSW)
Serve with purpose—at a higher level.
The Army–UK MSW Program educates over two-thirds of all new social workers entering active-duty Army each year and provides an essential function to help maintain the readiness and enhance the well-being of our military service members, family members, and retirees.
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.
Doctorate of Social Work (DSW)
Practice with Purpose
Take the next step in your social work career with our fully-online Doctorate of Social Work (DSW) program. Built for experienced practitioners, this program equips you to lead with confidence and tackle complex challenges, with specialized tracks to fit your goals.
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)
Level up your career in social work education, research, and practice with a Ph.D. in Social Work. Built for scholars and practitioners, our program prepares you to drive real change through research, policy, and leadership.
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
Unlock Funding Opportunities
You’re passionate about your education, research, and career. Secure the funding you need to take your degree to the next level. From teaching and research assistantships to fellowships, scholarships, and travel and research grants, UK offers funding opportunities to help you stay focused on your impact, not expenses. Reach out to explore options.
Our programs are academically rigorous, and prior academic performance is an important indicator of success. If your academic record does not fully reflect your abilities, you may submit additional information for exceptional consideration. Admission decisions are made by a faculty Admissions Committee, with notification provided by phone and/or email.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our programs are rigorous, and prior academic performance is an important indicator of success. If your record does not fully reflect your abilities, you may submit additional information for exceptional consideration.
