Answer Your Calling to a Career in Social Work
BASW & MSW CSWE-ACCREDITED
100% Online Courses
80+ Years of Excellence
TOP 50 College of Social Work1
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Support for service members and veterans aspiring to social work.
The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.
At the University of Kentucky, we are proud of our long-standing relationship with the men and women in uniform who bravely serve this country. From our founding as a Land Grant University in 1865 to our continued development of leaders for the Army and Air Force through the Reserve Officer Training Corps, UK has consistently contributed to the defense of freedom.
Our mission is to provide exceptional service and accessibility as you prepare for social work practice. Moreover, we deliver numerous support systems and benefits to meet the specific needs of service members and veterans as they continue their education.
The University of Kentucky sets the bar for social work education. With a commitment to advancing your passion for positive social change, we empower you to join more than 6,000 social work graduates in careers that support the well-being of individuals, families, and communities worldwide.
- Recognized by Military Times as a Best for Vets school among public universities in Kentucky2
- Offering the highest social work licensing pass rates in Kentucky for first-time test takers
- Ranked the #1 College of Social Work in Kentucky by College Factual3
- Ranked the #4 College of Social Work for Veterans by College Factual3
- Recipient of INSIGHT Into Diversity’s 2021 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) and Diversity Champion Awards3
2023-2024 Silver Level Military Friendly® School Recognition
The Military Friendly Schools survey is the longest-running most comprehensive review of college and university investments in serving military and veteran students. Award-level schools have gone above and beyond the standard, showing true commitment and dedication in their efforts to support military students.
Benefit from UK’s Education Partnership with the DoD
Since 2016, the University of Kentucky’s College of Social Work has had a partnership with the DoD to offer a one-of-a-kind master’s degree. Today, 70% of incoming Army social work officers hold a UK diploma.
- Duration: 4 years
- Total credits: 120 credits
- Certificates: Yes
Build on your passion for advancing positive change by preparing for careers in social work and social justice with UK’s online BASW program. You can select an undergraduate Certificate in Diversity and Inclusivity Awareness or prepare for positions with the Kentucky Department of Community Based Services through the Public Child Welfare Certification (PCWCP) option.*
UK also offers a 4+1 MSW program, enabling eligible students to complete their MSW one year after finishing the BASW program.
- Duration (Accelerated): 4 semesters
- Total credits: 60 credits
- Certificates: Yes
Empower yourself to create social change as a social work practitioner with UK’s CSWE-accredited MSW program. You can become an expert in your chosen area of focus by following an Individualized Plan of Study or pursuing a certificate in Clinical Social Work Practice, School Social Work, Child Welfare Practice, Military Behavioral Health, and additional areas.
An accelerated format is available for students to take 15 credits per term.
- Duration (Accelerated): 2 semesters
- Total credits: 30 credits
- Certificates: Yes
UK offers this Advanced Standing MSW option for students who earned a CSWE-accredited BSW or BASW within the last seven years. Tailor your education by selecting an Individualized Plan of Study, or pursue a certificate matching your professional interests, such as Clinical Social Work Practice, School Social Work, Child Welfare Practice, and Military Behavioral Health.
An accelerated format is available for students to take 15 credits per term.
- Duration: 2 years
- Total credits: 42 credits
- Certificates: Yes
Pursue your DSW with UK to learn from esteemed scholar-practitioner faculty with expertise in addressing contemporary social work challenges. You can hone your knowledge by selecting a concentration in Administrative Leadership, Clinical Social Work, Military Behavioral Health, or Social Work Education. Graduate with the qualifications for moving into higher education or advancing into social work leadership roles.
Transfer Your Credits
Finish your social work program faster by transferring credits you already earned. With experience supporting service members and veterans, we recognize the difference between accepted and usable credit, and we only award credit that can apply toward your degree. This approach helps you avoid accumulating too much general credit that may negatively impact your financial aid or benefits.
Take Online Classes When and Where You Want
The UK College of Social Work offers high-quality coursework in a flexible format that fits your busy life. You can remain in your current community while earning your social work degree online, developing knowledge for fostering positive change locally. Like our students on campus, you’ll learn from world-class faculty who provide the inspiration and guidance necessary to thrive as a social work student and practitioner.
Use Your Benefits
In addition to waiving the application fee for veterans, our military support teams can help you determine eligibility and benefit from programs that can lower your out-of-pocket costs as much as possible.
Dedicated Military Support
We understand the unique journey that each military student experiences when transitioning back to civilian life and the classroom. The University of Kentucky helps you continue advancing toward your education and career goals by offering dedicated support for military-affiliated students.
Veterans Resource Center
The Veterans Resource Center strives to ensure a smooth transition to college by helping determine your eligibility for education benefits and connecting you to them. Dedicated professionals from several departments comprise the Veterans Resource Team, and they partner on a common goal of helping our veterans accomplish their academic mission.
Student Veterans Association
This group includes student veterans and dependents dedicated to advancing, educating, and supporting all veterans attending and working at the University of Kentucky. They work with the Veterans Resource Center and Student Government to facilitate the needs of non-traditional students.
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Request InfoSources and Disclaimers:
- “Best Schools for Social Work.” U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved Nov. 1, 2023 from https://www.usnews.com/.
- “Best for Vets 2022 Colleges.” Military Times. Retrieved Nov. 1, 2023 from https://www.bestforvets.militarytimes.com/.
- “2024 Rankings for University of Kentucky.” College Factual. Retrieved Nov. 1, 2023 from https://www.collegefactual.com
- “2021 Recipients: Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award 2021.” Insight Into Diversity. Retrieved Nov. 1, 2023, from https://www.insightintodiversity.com/.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
* The PCWCP certification is a collaboration between UK and the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services. It is designed to add highly trained social work graduates to the ranks of child protection workers throughout Kentucky. This is a competitive program that provides in-state tuition, a stipend, and a job upon graduation through a two-year employment commitment with the Cabinet following successful completion of the program.