Seven accredited social work degree programs in Kentucky have passed the CSWE’s muster to provide master’s students with the advocacy skills to support the Bluegrass State’s 4.43 million people. Positioned between Illinois and West Virginia, Kentucky is an Appalachian state of the Upland South that’s only ranked 35th for opportunity by the U.S. News. Social workers statewide are busy fighting cyclical poverty that has affected 19.4 percent of Kentuckians. Monticello, Mount Vernon, Middlesborough, Scottsville, and Morgantown are among the poorest towns with median incomes below $19,000! SAMSHA also estimates that Kentucky has 168,000 adults who experience serious mental illnesses. Therefore, Kentucky will be adding to its 7,800 child/family, 1,740 health care, and 820 substance abuse social workers. Position yourself for leading successful wellness initiatives at these accredited graduate social work schools in Kentucky.
Asbury University
School of Graduate and Professional Studies
Affiliated with over 20,000 living alumni in 80 countries, including activists like Frederick Bohn Fisher and E. Stanley Jones, Asbury University is a private, nonprofit Christian CCCU member of the River States Conference that’s teaching 1,838 Eagles on a $27.6 million endowment from its 65-acre Wilmore campus. Reporting 81 percent retention, Asbury is ranked America’s 45th most conservative college on Niche and 320th best private university by Forbes. The School of Graduate and Professional Studies houses 17 master’s degrees, including one of the CSWE accredited social work degree programs in Kentucky.
Master of Social Work
Chaired by Dr. Michele Mallett Wells, Asbury’s Master of Social Work presently charges $595 per credit for on-campus graduates to spend two days weekly in Wilmore developing their advanced practice skills from a Christian perspective. Besides the 60-credit traditional MSW, the Advanced Standing option spans 39 credits for BSW holders with a GPA above 3.25. Social workers could specialize their Biblically-informed curriculum for school certifications in the Child and Family Services Track. Advanced generalists also draw electives from 60+ Asbury Theological Seminary courses. Open for admission until December 12th yearly, the program integrates 414 foundation and 540 advanced hours of fieldwork at agencies like Baptist Health Lexington or the Bluegrass Domestic Violence Program.
Accreditation
• Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
Morrison Hall 409
One Macklem Drive
Wilmore, KY 40390
(859) 858-3511 ext. 2457
msw@asbury.edu
https://www.asbury.edu/gps/academics/degree-programs/masters/social-work
Campbellsville University
Carver School of Social Work
Noted for its Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award, Campbellsville University is a private, four-year Christian college of the Appalachian College Association that’s endowed for $13.2 million to serve 3,349 Tigers from its 95-acre Taylor County campus just 32 miles north of Russell Springs. Graded “C-” by Forbes, Campbellsville is ranked America’s 371st top master’s institution in Washington Monthly and 399th most conservative university on Niche. Founded in 1974 under the Kentucky Baptist Convention’s Covenant Agreement, the Carver School of Social Work was also ranked 14th nationally for online master’s education by AffordableColleges.com for its current price of $559 per credit.
Master of Social Work
Structured for full-time completion in 21 months online, the Carver School’s Master of Social Work is chaired by Dr. Helen Mudd for Campbellsville post-grads to develop their advanced understanding of responsible social welfare leadership to lift up God’s children. Infusing Christian ideals, the 60-credit curriculum is another of the CSWE accredited social work degree programs in Kentucky shaving off 30 credits for Advanced Standing. Available eight-week courses from clinical diagnosis to global social programming will feature 900 approved fieldwork hours after the online field orientation on VoiceThread. Also offering NASW membership, the program requires 15+ credits of liberal arts education, 3.0 GPAs, and TOEFL scores above 550.
Accreditation
• Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
Carver Building 13
1 University Drive
Campbellsville, KY 42718
(270) 789-5045
hkmudd@campbellsville.edu
https://online.campbellsville.edu/online-degrees/msw-master-social-work/
Northern Kentucky University
College of Education and Human Services
Enrolling 15,405 Norse in the Horizon League, Northern Kentucky University is a public, coeducational liberal arts institution directed by President Gerard St. Armand on an $89 million endowment to operate six colleges upon its 425-acre suburban campus in Highland Heights just seven miles southeast of Cincinnati. NKU is declared America’s 246th best public university in Forbes, 165th best athletics college on Niche, and 31st most LGBTQ-friendly college by College Choice. The College of Education and Human Services awards one of the accredited social work degree programs in Kentucky and an optional BACB-approved Autism Concentration with 91 percent admission.
Social Work, MSW
Currently charging $584 for Kentuckians or $898 for non-residents per credit, the Social Work MSW program is chaired by Dr. Verl Pope in Highland Heights for NKU post-grads to further develop their assessment and intervention skills for promoting human well-being. With a 19:1 student-faculty ratio, the Department produces advanced generalists for LCSW licensing in clinical care, forensics, justice, gerontology, child welfare, and more. Admitting each Fall with a $40 fee, the 60-credit Traditional or 30-credit Advanced Standing curriculum injects courses like family public policy and human behavior. Adhering to the NASW Code of Ethics, the degree includes 800+ field practice hours at agencies, such as Benchmark Family Services or Scarlet Oaks Retirement Community.
Accreditation
• Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
MEP Center 203B
400 Nunn Drive
Highland Heights, KY 41099
(859) 572-7892
msw@nku.edu
https://nku.edu/academics/coehs/programs/graduate/msw.html
Spalding University
Graduate Programs Division
Operated by the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth since 1814, Spalding University is one of the Midwest’s oldest private, nonprofit Catholic institutions in the Kentuckiana Metroversity Consortium that’s directed by President Tori Murden McClure to enroll 2,514 Eagles on its six-acre Old Louisville campus with the Egan Leadership Center. Spalding is ranked America’s 51st best standout college on Niche and 177th best social work school by the U.S. News. Given a $1 million HRSA Grant in 2016, the Graduate Programs Division funds another of the accredited social work degree programs in Kentucky under Chair Kevin Borders, PhD, with a selective 50 percent acceptance rate.
Master of Social Work
Taught by licensed faculty from Ball State, Louisville, Purdue, Indiana-Bloomington, and others at a 14:1 ratio, Spalding’s Master of Social Work successfully supports post-grads who are meaningfully advancing their practical career from a global perspective. Offering optional LCADC certification courses, the 58-credit Regular Standing or 34-credit Advanced Standing curriculum focuses on generalist social justice and peacemaking skills. Courses like global conflict resolution and social welfare policy are scheduled on alternating weekends for working full-time. Active Day-Watterson Park, Kentucky Counseling Services, Coalition for the Homeless, and The Morton Center are a few agencies used for practicum. Interested bachelor’s grads must submit transcripts, personal essays, and three recommendations for admission.
Accreditation
• Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
901 South 4th Street
Louisville, KY 40203
(502) 588-7183
kborders@spalding.edu
http://spalding.edu/social-work/master-of-social-work/
University of Kentucky
College of Social Work
Occupying 784 acres of Fayette County in Lexington, the seventh best city for college grads according to SmartAsset, the University of Kentucky is a public, land-grant flagship institution that’s budgeting $3.7 billion yearly to educate 30,720 Wildcats and employ 13,145 academic staff. Kentucky is named America’s 44th best employer by Forbes, 111th top college on Plexuss, and 61st best Greek life university on Niche. Anticipating CSWE reaffirmation in 2018, the College of Social Work is also ranked the 53rd best graduate social work school by the U.S. News and the 59th best MSW provider in TFE Times Magazine.
Master of Social Work
Awarding several $10,000 Integrated Behavioral Health stipends starting Fall 2017, the UK Master of Social Work is one of the most customized accredited social work degree programs in Kentucky where post-grads expand their sound evaluation and intervention skills in specialties. The 60-credit Regular or 39-credit Advanced Standing curriculum lets you concentrate in Clinical Social Work, Community and Social Development, Military Health, School Practice, Geriatrics, or Developmentally Disabled Services. Each Spring, the Army MSW track also admits military personnel for a 26-month advancement experience. Along with courses in Lexington, Morehead, or Hazard, the program directed by Janet Ford, PhD, integrates Situational Awareness Training online with three field placements of 300 clock hours apiece.
Accreditation
• Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
Patterson Office Tower 671
120 Patterson Drive
Lexington, NY 40506
(859) 257-1971
jpford01@uky.edu
https://socialwork.uky.edu/msw/
University of Louisville
Kent School of Social Work
Attracting 5,670 post-grad Cardinals for $681 in-state and $1,417 out-of-state per credit, the University of Louisville is a public, coeducational research-intensive center that’s budgeting $1.3 billion annually under President Gregory Postel on its 345-acre Belknap campus in Forbes’ 54th best city for careers. Louisville is ranked America’s 359th top college by Times Higher Education, 113th best public university on Niche, and 28th most vet-friendly school by BestColleges.com. The Kent School of Social Work also landed 32nd nationally on the USNWR survey for its accredited social work degree programs in Kentucky.
Master of Science in Social Work
Adhering to the Cognitive Flexibility Theory founded by Spiro, Louisville’s Master of Science in Social Work challenges Kent post-grads to maximize their leadership potential for implementing effective justice interventions in diverse contexts. Coordinated by Dr. Shawnise Miller, the 60-hour Traditional and 30-hour Advanced Standing curricula can be finished on-site in “Derby City” or online with 16-week practicum assignments. Courses are easily specialized in seven social work areas: Couple & Family, Military, School, Alcohol & Drug, Gerontology, Clinical Mental Health, and Oncology. Dual degree opportunities extend from Pan-African Studies to Law. Students might also contribute to the PEACC Program, join the Kent School Student Association, research with the DV Project, and travel to Munich.
Accreditation
• Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) – Probation
Contact
Oppenheimer Hall 109
2217 S. Third Street
Louisville, KY 40292
(502) 852-0414
msswkent@louisville.edu
http://louisville.edu/kent/academics/master-of-science-in-social-work
Western Kentucky University
College of Health and Human Services
Known for prominent alums like Michael Rosenbaum, John Carpenter, and Larnelle Harris, Western Kentucky University is a public, coeducational research hub founded in 1906 that’s developed its $125.5 million endowment to serve 3,066 post-grad Hilltoppers from its 200-acre Bowling Green campus. WKU is ranked America’s 96th best Greek life college on Niche, 15th top master’s institution by the Institute of International Education, and 233rd best university in Washington Monthly. The College of Health and Human Services has eight academic units, including one of the CSWE accredited social work degree programs in Kentucky, with 73 percent retention overall.
Master of Social Work
Headed by Dr. J. Dean May, the Master of Social Work has transformed WKU post-grads into informed, integrated practitioners with the advanced 21st-century skills to improve social functioning in rural Kentucky since 2003. Presently priced at $5,101 in-state or $12,756 out-of-state per semester, the program focuses on producing generalist, non-urban social workers with optional Aging Studies or Nonprofit Administration certificates. The 60-credit Regular and 30-credit Advanced Standing tracks spans courses from group dynamics to community organization. At least 900 fieldwork hours are completed at agencies like Barren River Long-Term Care, Compass Counseling, Park Place Recovery, and T.C. Cherry School. Students may also join Phi Alpha, GSSW, the Kentucky Victim Assistance Academy, and Public Child Welfare Certification Program.
Accreditation
• Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
Academic Complex 210
1906 College Heights Blvd.
Bowling Green, KY 42101
(270) 745-5312
dean.may@wku.edu
http://www.wku.edu/socialwork/msw/
The BLS reports that licensed social workers bring home mean wages $48,630 in Kentucky. Earning a master’s degree can increase your salary potential since PayScale reports that LCSW social workers make 55,544. Even though social work is rarely lucrative, social workers can supplement their modest income with the emotional and intellectual rewards of making life better for fellow Kentuckians. With 10-year job growth at 12 percent, the hiring outlook is also especially bright for master’s graduates of accredited social work degree programs in Kentucky.
Related Resource: Top 10 Best Online Social Work Degree Programs
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