There are seven MSW programs in Kentucky. Based on the number of graduates, Campbellsville University is the most popular (197 graduates/year). However, the University of Louisville (195 graduates/year) and the University of Kentucky (173 graduates/year) have similar rates.
The University of Northern Kentucky offers the most cost-effective MSW program, costing $34,020, or $567 per credit.
All of Kentucky’s MSW programs offer some kind online option.
In this guide- Social work in Kentucky
- MSW programs
- Online MSW programs
- How to become a social worker
- License requirements
- Social worker jobs and salary
- Expert advice
MSW programs in Kentucky
Before applying to a university a student should ensure that the program is CSWE-accredited. A CSWE certification ensures that a master’s program is teaching the latest and best practices in the field of social work. Furthermore, many employers will only consider hiring social workers who have graduated from CSWE accredited universities.
Western Kentucky University (WKU) offers a CSWE accredited, master’s in social work program. According to the program description, “graduates are prepared as integrated social work practitioners with the values, theoretical knowledge and skills to function at many levels of intervention: individual, family, group, organizations, and community.”
Due to the rural nature of Kentucky, the WKU program places a strong focus on preparing students for rural social work, including both clinical and non-clinical social work. A full curriculum for the WKU master’s in social work program is available here.
Students may also complete a master’s in social work at Northern Kentucky University (NKU). Although the NKU course prepares students for a generalist career in social work, there is also a concentration in children and family social work. The MSW program is CSWE certified and is available in two formats.
The advanced standing program requires only 30 credit hours of study and can be completed in one year. Students must have an undergraduate degree in social work in order to take the advanced standing program. The regular standing program can be completed in two years and requires 60 credit hours of study. It is open to students with an undergraduate degree in any field.
MSW school listings
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY
Credits: 60
Cost per credit: $567 in state | $870 out of state
Plan of Study: Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing, Multiple cohorts per year, Weekends/Evening, Weekends Only
Areas of specialized practice: Clinical or Direct Practice, Community Development and Social Systems, Human Behavior
Certification: Gerontology, Trauma, Forensic Social Work
Program Highlights:- Opportunity to earn micro-credentials in trauma-focused care, forensic social work, gerontology, veteran services, and more
- Students are able to select their own placement sites
- GRE Not Required
Spalding University
Louisville, KYCredits: 60
Cost per credit: $760
Plan of Study: Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing, Multiple cohorts per year
Areas of specialized practice: Advanced Generalist
Program Highlights:- Emphasizes critical thinking skills and promotes a global perspective
- Integrative curriculum
University of Kentucky
Hazard, KYCredits: 60
Cost per credit: $784 in state | $1957 out of state
Plan of Study: Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing, Multiple cohorts per year
Areas of specialized practice: Advanced Generalist
Dual Degree Options: Theology or Divinity
Certification: Addictions, Child Welfare, Developmental Disabilities, Gerontology, School Social Work, Military, Clinical Social Work
Program Highlights:- Opportunity to gain practice and research experience in a variety of professional settings
- Offers an innovative and exciting MSW curriculum
University of Louisville
Louisville, KYCredits: 60
Cost per credit: $775 in state | $1575 out of state
Plan of Study: Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing, Multiple cohorts per year, Weekends/Evening
Areas of specialized practice: Advanced Generalist
Dual Degree Options: Law, Other, Theology or Divinity
Certification: School Social Work
Program Highlights:- Prepares students for advanced social work practice through lenses of anti-oppression and anti-racism while promoting social justice
- Military Friendly
- Provides engaged service and outreach opportunities
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, Paducah, Elizabethtown, Owensboro & Cookesville, KYCredits: 60
Cost per credit: $607 in state | $917 out of state
Plan of Study: Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing, Multiple cohorts per year, Weekends/Evening, Weekends Only
Areas of specialized practice: Advanced Generalist, Rural Social Work
Program Highlights:- Emphasizes professional and scholarly service to the community, the state, and the nation
- Dedicated to addressing the work force needs of agencies working with Kentucky’s families and communities
Online MSW programs in Kentucky
The University of Kentucky (UK) offers one of Kentucky’s most popular online MSW programs. The program is 100 percent online with no requirement to attend classes on campus (although UK also offers a hybrid program, a combination of online and campus-based classes). The advanced standing program can be completed with 30 credit hours of study while the regular standing program requires 60 credit hours.
According to the University of Kentucky, students in the MSW program will, “build on your passion for helping others as you learn to provide innovative, effective support to diverse communities.” More than just a slogan, the UK program has even won a national diversity award for being a LGBTQ-friendly college. An overview of the entire curriculum is available here.
Students who are interested in learning more about the UK online MSW program, as well as other MSW programs throughout the United States, can visit our online MSW degree page.
Online MSW school listings
Brescia University
Owensboro, KYCredits: 60
Cost per credit: $665
Plan of Study: Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing, Multiple cohorts per year, Weekends/Evening
Areas of specialized practice: Advanced Generalist
Program Highlights:- Engage students in scientific inquiry, use evidence-based practice interventions and take leadership roles within their work environments
- Students participate in a dynamic learning community
Campbellsville University
Campbellsville, KYCredits: 60
Cost per credit: $603
Plan of Study: Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing, Multiple cohorts per year
Areas of specialized practice: Advanced Generalist
Program Highlights:- A curriculum rooted in ethical and Christian ideals along with trauma-informed practice
- Courses address societal changes, influences and trends, and multicultural issues and religion
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY,Credits: 60
Cost per credit: $616
Plan of Study: Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing, Multiple cohorts per year, Weekends/Evening, Weekends Only
Areas of specialized practice: Clinical or Direct Practice, Community Development and Social Systems, Human Behavior
Certification: Gerontology, Trauma, Forensic Social Work
Program Highlights:- Designed to help students address the needs of vulnerable populations as well as influence public policy and the well-being of their community
- Curricula provide the option to add micro-credentials to expertise by exploring trauma-informed care
Spalding University
Louisville, KYCredits: 60
Cost per credit: $760
Plan of Study: Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing, Multiple cohorts per year
Areas of specialized practice: Advanced Generalist
Program Highlights:- Gain competencies to sustain a versatile and meaningful career
- Program is well established and has a history grounded in success and affecting positive change
University of Kentucky
Hazard, KYCredits: 60
Cost per credit: $716
Plan of Study: Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing, Multiple cohorts per year
Areas of specialized practice: Advanced Generalist
Dual Degree Options: Theology or Divinity
Certification: Addictions, Child Welfare, Developmental Disabilities, Gerontology, School Social Work, Military, Clinical Social Work
Program Highlights:- Ideal for U.S. military service members and veterans
- Graduate ready and exceptionally prepared to provide research-informed support at any scale
University of Louisville
Louisville, KYCredits: 60
Cost per credit: $775
Plan of Study: Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing, Multiple cohorts per year, Weekends/Evening
Areas of specialized practice: Advanced Generalist
Dual Degree Options: Law, Other, Theology or Divinity
Certification: School Social Work
Program Highlights:- Prepares students to promote social justice and be positive change agents in their community
- GRE NOT Required
- Students from a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) can take advantage of the Kent School's HBCU Cardinal Express to Success initiative.
University of Pikeville
Pikeville, KYCredits: 60
Cost per credit: $540
Plan of Study: Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing, Multiple cohorts per year
Areas of specialized practice: Addictions, Mental Health
Program Highlights:- Has a unique specialization in mental health and addictions
- Robust learning environment
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, Paducah, Elizabethtown, Owensboro & Cookesville, KYCredits: 60
Cost per credit: $607 in state | $917 out of state
Plan of Study: Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing, Multiple cohorts per year, Weekends/Evening, Weekends Only
Areas of specialized practice: Advanced Generalist, Rural Social Work
Program Highlights:- Particularly dedicated to addressing the work-force needs of agencies that serve families and communities
- Integrates the entire curriculum in a comprehensive practice experience
- Emphasizes social work practice at the advanced level in rural communities
How to become a social worker in Kentucky
An aspiring social worker can follow these steps in order to enter the profession. While it’s possible to find work with a bachelor’s degree, this guide assumes that the job seeker has their master’s.
- Graduate from a CSWE certified MSW program
- Apply for a CSW license from the Kentucky Board of Social Work. The application fee is $25 and there is an additional $125 fee at the point that the candidate actually receives their license. More information is available here
- Take and pass the ASWB master’s level exam. The exam consists of 170 questions and the fee for the exam is $230
- Pass a background check
- After the applicant has passed the ASWB exam and the background check they will be issued the CSW license
- If a social worker wishes to practice clinical social work they can begin practicing supervised social work with their CSW license. Once they’ve gained the requisite number of supervised hours they may apply for a LCSW license so that they can practice unsupervised clinical social work
A majority of social work is done by master’s degree holders in Kentucky. However, there are certain tasks that require a PhD in social work. Managing a large community center or shelter, writing high level public policy and creating surveys and using statistical analysis to interpret the results.
For social workers who are interested in this kind of work a PhD may be the best choice. More information about a PhD in social work is available on our doctorate degree page. The page also contains a directory of some of the best social work PhD programs currently available in the United States.
Social work license requirements in Kentucky
Kentucky’s Board of Social Work website is the best place to seek information about social work licensing requirements in the state. Licensing requirements and fees are subject to change at any time and the Board’s website typically offers the most up to date information.
The following are the three most common types of social work licenses in Kentucky.
Licensed Social Worker (LSW)
Students with a bachelor’s degree in social work can apply for the LSW license. While the license does allow the holder to practice unsupervised social work, the license holder is not permitted to practice unsupervised clinical social work.
Certified Social Worker (CSW)
Only students who have a master’s degree from a CSWE certified institution can apply for the CSW license. This license permits the holder to practice independent, non-clinical social work. Social workers with the CSW license may practice supervised, clinical social work and once they have enough hours of experience they may apply for the LCSW license.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
The LCSW is the only license in Kentucky which allows the social worker to practice unsupervised, clinical social work. Before a social worker can apply for a LCSW license they must have a MSW degree from a CSWE certified university, a CSW license and two years of full time, supervised clinical social work.
License renewal in Kentucky
Kentucky is lenient in their license renewal policy in that social workers must only renew their license once every three years. Most other states require an annual or bi-annual renewal. The license renewal fees are as follows
- LSW – $75
- CSW – $125
- LCSW – $200
All social workers must complete a certain amount of ongoing education before they can renew their license.
Social worker jobs and social worker salary in Kentucky
Employment surveys carried out by the BLS have shown that there are currently 10,860 social workers employed in Kentucky and the average social worker earns $44,235 per year. The highest paid social workers (which fall in the “all other” category below) earn up to $55,690 per year. The lowest paid are mental health and substance abuse social workers at $39,520 per year. A comprehensive breakdown of the salaries is shown below.
Child, family, and school social workers — There are currently 6,700 child, family, and school social workers in Kentucky and they earn an average salary of $43,440 per year.
Mental health and substance abuse social workers — There are currently 1,660 mental health and substance abuse social workers in Kentucky and they earn an average salary of $44,560 per year.
Healthcare social workers — There are currently 1,890 healthcare social workers in Kentucky and they earn an average salary of $49,770 per year.
All other social workers — There are currently 1,640 social workers employed in various other fields, including in private practices. These social workers earn an average salary of $55,540 per year.
Career Advice
Find the latest social work career advice from people working directly in the field in Kentucky. Learn more about all the different pathways and opportunities available in social work today.
- What are the most important factors for students deciding on an MSW program in Kentucky?
- What are the challenges or opportunities for becoming a social worker in Kentucky?
- What does the future of social work look like in Kentucky?
- What types of jobs are MSW graduates finding in Kentucky?
- Do you have advice or guidance for MSW graduates pursuing a license in Kentucky?