Kent School of Social Work
Proudly educating social workers since 1936
Embrace your passion for helping others and join the
league of Social Workers who touch hearts, challenge
minds and make a difference in others’ lives every day.
Educating minds,
Empowering change
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Elizabeth McDaniel [email protected]800.871.8635
Master of Science in
Social Work
100% Online
About Us
About University of Louisville
The University of Louisville is a state supported research university located in Kentucky’s largest metropolitan area that offers 170 majors and degrees, certificates and professional development programs.
The University of Louisville’s mission is to be a premier, nationally recognized metropolitan research university with a commitment to the liberal arts and sciences and to the intellectual, cultural, and economic development of our diverse communities and citizens through the pursuit of excellence.
With a student body exceeding 22,500 and with more than 6,500 faculty members, the University of Louisville paves the road for students of all ages to achieve their academic, professionals and personal goals through quality education.
About UofL Online Learning
The University of Louisville understands the challenges of adult professionals who want to earn a college degree and extends its education offerings through UofLOnline Learning to connect nontraditional students with flexible online education options. Online learning can help them acquire the necessary knowledge and skills in a convenient and affordable manner. UofL Online Learning delivers a wide variety of online courses and in-demand undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs completely online to students in the U.S. and around the world.
About Kent School of Social Work
The Kent School of Social Work at the University of Louisville has been proudly educating social workers since 1936. Kent School seeks to prepare highly qualified social workers who practice from a strong professional value-base to serve the metropolitan mission of the University. Our graduates promote social justice through their practices with diverse client systems.
In the context of a research institution, Kent School is committed to knowledge development that informs social work practice, recognizing the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration to solve complex social problems.
Accreditations
The Master of Science in Social Work program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. The University of Louisville is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
From the Dean’s Desk
Dear Future Student,Welcome to Kent School of Social Work at the University of Louisville, the place where your passion and desire to help others lead a better, healthier and safer life can transform into a fulfilling career.
The Kent School of Social Work offers students like you the opportunity to engage a learning process that pre-pares them to become leaders in solving the problems of urban life. Committed to the belief that cities have rich potential to foster healthy community living, the School provides an educational experience to develop knowledge and skills of problem solving, blending theories of economics, politics, social policy, family systems, and psychol-ogy to name a few.
The profession of social work is grounded in a belief in the dignity and worth of individuals, the importance of social and environmental context, the need to advocate for the oppressed and disempowered, the celebration of diversity, and a commitment to working with the focus on the strength of the client.
Students in the program find a strong generalist orientation in the foundation curriculum that prepares them to work with a range of systems from individuals, groups, and families to organizations and communities. In the advanced curriculum, students deepen their understanding of social problems through skills and knowledge associated with complex critical thinking and best-practice evidence.
In recognition of the value of greater interdisciplinary involvement, students will find the faculty involved in research interests with a number of other disciplines, including urban studies, medicine, nursing, dentistry, and others. This provides a rich learning environment in the classroom. At Kent, efforts have been made to meet a variety of students’ needs in preparation for advanced social work practice, whether it be programs on the main campus or distance sites, evening or weekend options.
The Master of Science in Social Work program has established a high mark of excellence and is known to provide high quality preparation for research and leadership in addressing social needs that extend from the Commonwealth to the international community.
We are proud to be your educator of choice and we look forward to welcoming you as a new student in the MSSW Online program!
Terry L. Singer, Ph.D.
Dean, Kent School of Social Work
About Dean Singer
Dean Singer is the most senior and longest standing dean in any school of social work in the U.S. He has led the social work faculty and staff at Kent School for more than 15 years. His dedication and passion for furthering the social work field inspires all of us, faculty, staff, peers and students alike, and has been recognized through many awards and honors such as:
• 1995; 2011 Distinguished Alumnus of the School of Social Work at the University of Pittsburgh • 2003; 2004 Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers
• 2009 Lyman T. Johnson Distinguished Leadership Award for outstanding leadership and service • 2010 Leadership Louisville Connectors (5,500 nominees)
• 2011 Fullbright grant to work in Cyprus (explore the impact of changing technology and its influence on the future direction of social work, incorporating international dimensions)
Master of Science in Social Work – Online Program Info
The online MSSW degree is specifically designed for social workers who have earned a bachelor’s degree in any area of study other than Social Work. It provides proper credentials for career advancements and prepares social workers for the ever changing and evolving needs and demands of today’s and tomorrow’s society.
MSSW program is delivered 100% online and it is comprised of 60 credit hours. You can opt for a 3-year or 4-year curriculum plan that accommodates your learning style, professional and personal commitments and schedule, and helps you achieve your goals at your own pace.
As a graduate of the MSSW degree online, you will achieve a deeper, more complex understanding of social work, critically evaluating and contemplating the material while experimenting with the flexible application of the knowledge in a variety of contexts. Your skills and knowledge will focus around 1) children and families, 2) health and mental health, and 3) community and international practice.
Specialized Elective Coursework:
Although the online MSSW program does not offer concentrations, students may take elective coursework in the following subjects: Alcohol & Drug Counseling, Psychosocial Oncology, Mental Health and Gerontology.
Kent School Curriculum
The MSSW curriculum poise graduate social workers to think critically about what they do, why they do it, and what
outcomes will result from their social work practice. The focus is on forming decisions that promote social justice. To achieve this, our curriculum is guided by the following:
Cognitive Flexibility Theory as developed by Spiro (1990) provides avenues and tools for students to integrate their learning experiences in such a way as to maximize their potential to meet the demands of the profession upon graduation.
Critical Thinking Focus helps students develop skills such as problem-solving and the ability to integrate knowledge from multiple disciplines and theories of human behavior. Our curriculum emphasizes critical reflection or appraisal of various points of view and integrates with problem-solving phases such as assessment, intervention, and evaluation.
Bruner’s Spiral curriculum format (1991) is used to implement the cognitive flexibility philosophy in the development of higher-order critical thinking skills. With this format, topics are revisited at increased levels of difficulty, complexity and depth of the area. It also links new knowledge to previous levels of learning on the same topic to expand the competency of the students.
Foundation Curriculum promotes a generalist perspective in which the simultaneous impact of many systemic levels (individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities) on clients’ lives is critically analyzed and recognized.
Advanced Curriculum/Advanced Social Work Practice enables the utilization and application of critical thinking on all levels—reading, professional writing and research, students’ practicum, the classroom, and in the students’ own thinking. Consistently reflecting on ethical practice, evaluating theoretical principles and epistemologies, and utilizing technological advances become basic practice patterns.
The MSSW online program curriculum focuses on developing skills that will be used to actively pursue social change, particularly with and on behalf of vulnerable and oppressed client systems. Students will learn how to become leaders in social-change efforts focused primarily on issues of poverty, discrimination, and other forms of social injustice.
Careers and Salary Information
Employment of social workers is expected to increase by 22% during the 2006-2016 decade. The number of mental health and substance abuse case specialists (social workers and counselors) will grow by 30%.
Growth of medical and public health social worker occupations is expected to reach 24%. Employment of social workers specialized in child, family, and school counseling is expected to grow by 19%. (Bureau of Labor Statistics www.bls.gov)
Social Work Careers
Family Advocate Program Director Substance Abuse Counselor Case Manager
Social Worker–APS Investigator Residential Direct Care Specialist Youth Counselor
Community Action Coordinator Treatment Team Coordinator Senior Level Service Coordinator Family Advocate
Outreach Worker Grant Writer Shelter Director
Veteran Affairs Disability Rating Specialist
Medical Social Worker Oncology Social Worker Research Program Manager Victim Advocate
Psychiatric Intake Clinician
Adoption Specialist Grief Counselor Volunteer Coordinator Therapist/LCSW
(Licensed Clinical Social Worker) Veteran Affairs Social Worker Geriatric Social Worker Child Welfare Specialist Mental Health Counselor
Apply Today!
Dr. Alfonso Batres, ‘74
Chief Readjustment Counseling Officer, Veterans Health Administration
“The Kent School of Social Work at UofL was instrumental in providing me the skills and knowledge that influenced my career. It was a great experience and I found the faculty outstanding in their knowledge of social work and their ability to connect and teach in an effective and personal manner.”
Awards Received:
• 2011 Service to America Medal • 2011 Kent School Alumni Fellow
• 2002 Presidential Distinguished Service Rank Award for Senior Executives
Master of Science in Social Work - Online Curriculum
Foundation Level Courses (30 hours)
SW 601 Human Behavior & the Social Environment I (3) SW 602 Social Welfare Institutions, Policies & Services (3) SW 603 Human Diversity (3)
SW 604 SW Practice I (3)
SW 670 Foundation SW Practicum I (3)
Total Credits (15 hours)
SW 619 Human Behavior & the Social Environment II (3) SW 622 Issues in Policy and Service Delivery (3) SW 626 Research Methodology & Design (3) SW 605 SW Practice II (3)
SW 671 Foundation SW Practicum II (3)
Total Credits (15 hours)
Advanced Level Courses (30 hours) SW 641 Advanced SW Practice I (3) SW 640 Advanced SW Practice II (3) SW 668 Advanced Research Practice I (3) SW 672 Advanced SW Practicum I (3) 1 Elective Course (3 total)
Total Credits (15 hours)
SW 677 Advanced SW Practice III (3) SW 669 Advanced Research Practice II (3) SW 673 Advanced SW Practicum II (3) 2 Elective Courses (6 total)
Total Credits (15 hours)
Lottie Cook, MSSW/LCSW ‘85
Superintendent Evansville Psychiatric Children’s Center
“I received my degree from UofL’s Kent School 26 years ago, but what I remember is the assistance I received as a mother of 2 preschoolers and a full time employee, encouraging me through the educa-tion process so I could be successful. I loved the learning process and found many doors opening up to me once I earned my master’s degree in social work.”
Awards Received:
• 2011 Indiana State Social Worker of the Year
• 2010 NAMI Gloria Goeglin Legislative Award for Public Policy
• Board Member of: YMCA, Dunigan Center, Suicide Prevention Coalition & Disaster Mental Health Team
Hear it from our graduates
Lori Paris, MSSW graduate ‘07
President, KIPDA Region Mental Health and Aging Coalition
“My experience at Kent School paved the way for my career. I obtained a wealth of knowledge from professors and was challenged to apply critical thinking. I learned so much in the 3 years I spent at UofL Kent School and continue to apply the knowledge in my current job. The professors at Kent had a way of tying in real world experience, which made the learning experience even more fascinating. I cherish the 3 years I spent in this wonderful program and I am very thankful for continuing to be able to proudly say I am a graduate of the Kent School of Social Work.”
Awards Received:
• 2009 Hartford Partnership Program for Aging Education
• 2007 Ruth R. Middleman Award for standing for principled and ethical positions in social work • 2007 Kentucky Association for Gerontology Layne Award
Admission
Kent School seeks mature students with demonstrated great interpersonal skills, emotional stability, and the ability to work with people and perform well academically.
Application Deadlines: Applications for Fall 2013 term will be accepted until February 15, 2013.
Applications received after this date will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and only as space permits.
Due to the limited number of spaces in the MSSW Online program and the highly competitive admission, applicants may be requested to conduct an interview with the Admissions Committee during the application review process.
Admission Requirements
To ensure that entering students meet the Kent School’s admissions standards, we set the following requirements:
a) A bachelor’s degree in any field of study from a regionally-accredited institution of higher learning. b) A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.00 is preferred for admission to the Kent School.
1. Applicants with a GPA less than 3.00 will be considered for admissions on a case-by-case basis. 2. Applicants with GPA less than 2.75 must submit an acceptable Miller Analogies Test (MAT) score or an
acceptable Graduate Record Exam (GRE) score with their application. c) Previous completion of a minimum of 27 credit hours in liberal arts:
COMMUNICATION 6 HOURS
Examples: Journalism; Foreign Language; Public Speaking; Communication; English; Theater Arts
NATURAL SCIENCE 3 HOURS
Examples: Biology; Astronomy; Chemistry; Geosciences; Physics; Mathematics
HUMANITIES 9 HOURS
Examples: Fine arts; History: Foreign Literature; Philosophy; Cross-Cultural; Theater Arts; Literature; Music: Inter/Multi-Dis-ciplinary Studies
SOCIAL SCIENCES 9 HOURS
Examples: Psychology; History: Political Science; Sociology; Anthropology; Cross-Cultural Studies; Economics; Geogra-phy: Inter/Multi-Disciplinary Studies
Send all admission materials to our Graduate Admissions office at the following address:
Graduate Admissions University of Louisville Louisville, KY 40292 OR [email protected]
• For more application instructions go to http://louisville.edu/graduate/apply-for-admission.html
• To complete your application packet, please use our Application Checklist
Tuition & Financial Aid
Tuition for the Master of Science in Social Work is one of the most affordable in the state and in the nation. Tuition for online courses is the same for both in-state and out-of-state students.
Cost per credit hour = $660
Tuition for military students
Active-duty service members $250 per credit hour
Reserve Component* May be eligible for $250 rate
National Guard* May be eligible for $250 rate
*As of January 1, 2012, the Department of Defense tuition assistance rate of $250 per credit hour also applies to certain members of the Reserve Component and Kentucky National Guard. Active-duty is defined as “on orders” for 180 days or longer. For information on eligibility, contact UofL’s Office of Enrollment Management: http://louisville.edu/cgi-bin/uofl.mail?em
Financial Aid
Financial aid is available for all online students who qualify. Here are the steps for first-time financial aid applicants: 1. Assemble your tax and asset information, such as your IRS forms W2s, 1040s, etc.
2. Go to www.fafsa.gov to file your FAFSA form (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Be sure to apply for your PIN during the FAFSA filing process. Use the PIN to electronically sign your FAFSA. UofL FAFSA school code is 001999.
3. Once your FAFSA if processed by the U.S. Department of Education, you will be sent a Student Aid Report (SAR). If you filed electronically, the SAR will be sent to you via email. If you filed by paper or did not provide an email address, the SAR will be sent to you by mail.
4. Review the SAR for comments and incorrect information. If accurate, keep the SAR for your records. If you find any errors, you can correct them by returning the paper SAR or by making corrections to a processed FAFSA online. If you used estimated tax return information when completing the FAFSA, remember to update your FAFSA with actual tax information by using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool after you file your federal income tax return.
Scholarships
Kent School of Social Work offers various scholarships to students who qualify, including those who plan to practice in rural Kentucky and students with an interest in working in gerontology, policy or legislative areas. Scholarship application and information can be found at http://louisville.edu/kent/PROSPECTIVE%20STUDENTS/mssw-scholarships.
Get Ready for Your Online Classroom
Technical Requirements
You will need the following hardware and software in order to access your courses online, work on and submit assignments, communicate with professors and peers, and successfully complete your courses and your degree program:
Windows Mac
Personal computer With administrative rights (the ability to download software and change security settings) With administrative rights (the ability to download software and change security settings) Broadband Internet
connection Speed of 512 kb/s or higher for DSL or 1 Mbps or higher for (upload) cable connection Speed of 512 kb/s or higher for DSL or 1 Mbps or higher for (upload) cable connection
Operating system Windows XP or higher Mac OSX 10.5 or higher
Microsoft Office 2010 or higher iWork or Microsoft Office 2011
Browsers IE 8.0 & 9.0, FireFox 3.6 & Final Release Channel, Chrome (Stable Channel)
Safari 4.0, 5.0 & 5.1, Firefox 3.6 & Final Release Channel,
Chrome (Stable Channel)
Java Version 1.6 or higher Version 1.6 or higher
RAM memory 4 GB or higher 4 GB or higher
Webcam and microphone Internal or external Internal or external
Go to uofl.me/tech-requirements to ensure that your computer is properly set up and that your browser is compatible.
FAQs
1. Do I need a BSW degree to enter this program?
No, you do not need a BSW degree. The MSSW online degree is designed for students who have earned a bachelor’s degree in any area of study other than social work.
2. Is there a difference between MSW and MSSW degrees?
Not really, a Masters of Social Work and a Master of Science in Social Work have similar required coursework as mandated by the accrediting body, CSWE (Council on Social Work Education).
3. Do I have to come to the physical campus?
No, there are no campus requirements in this program. However, MSSW online students may be required to participate in synchronous “real time” learning over the Internet at designated times in some or all of the online courses, as outlined in the respective course syllabus.
4. Is the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) required
for admission?
If your cumulative undergraduate GPA is 2.75 or above, no test score is required for admission to Kent School. Otherwise, applicants need to submit an acceptable score on either the GRE or the MAT.
5. How long does it take for a decision to be made on my application?
From the time the application is complete, the process usually takes 8 to 9 weeks. When all admission materials have been received by Graduate Admissions, the applicant’s file goes before the Kent Admissions Committee for a decision, starting in January. The applicant is notified of the decision by email.
General Information
Contact Us
UofL Online Learning
Office hours: Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST
Online Learning Enrollment Counselor
Elizabeth McDaniel Email: [email protected] Phone: 800.871.8635
Kent School of Social Work
Office hours: Monday – Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. EST
Misty McNichols, MSW
MSSW Admissions Coordinator Email: [email protected] Phone: 502.852.0414
Pamela Yankeelov, Ph.D.
Associate Dean of Student Services Distinguished UofL Professor Email: [email protected] Phone: 502.852.0426
UofL Office of Graduate Admissions
Email: [email protected] Phone: 502.852.3101 Fax: 502.852.3111
Office hours: Monday – Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. EST
UofL Office of Financial Aid
Email: [email protected] Phone: 502.852.5511
