Our social work guide for Kentucky covers many different aspects of the profession. Average salaries for varying social work occupations, total employment figures, in-state social work licensure as well as the steps necessary to become a social worker in Kentucky.
In the educational segment of the guide there is a special focus on MSW programs. Most social workers choose to take a master’s degree rather than a bachelor’s, as master degree holders can earn more and advance to higher positions within the field of social work.
CONTENTS OF THIS GUIDE
- Social work in Kentucky
- MSW programs
- Online MSW programs
- How to become a social worker
- License requirements
- Social worker jobs and salary
- School listings
- Expert advice
Ad
mastersinsocialworkonline.org is an advertising-supported site. Clicking in this box will show you programs related to your search from schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other information published on this site.
Featured Online MSW Programs
School Name | Program | More Info |
---|---|---|
University of Kentucky | CSWE Accredited Online MSW Program | website |
Campbellsville University | 100% Online—CSWE Accredited | website |
King University | Master of Social Work Online | website |
Case Western Reserve University | Earn a CSWE-Accredited MSW Online | website |
Aurora University | Online MSW With Seven Track Options | website |
Baylor University | Baylor's Online MSW—Now Accepting Applications | website |
Social work in Kentucky
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) there are 10,860 social workers in Kentucky. While these social workers are employed in a variety of roles, from healthcare to counseling, one of their key responsibilities is in mitigating the effects of the drug abuse epidemic. For instance, while the fatal drug overdose rate was falling in Kentucky for several years, this last year it rose sharply by 5 percent.
Social workers can make a difference in communities affected by drug abuse. They can offer counseling to addicts and provide support for recovering drug users to help them stay clean. Roughly 60 percent of all overdose deaths in Kentucky are associated with fentanyl and healthcare social workers can teach members of the community how to administer narcan, a fast and effective way to save a person from overdosing.
Child and family social workers can counsel children and ensure that they’re getting a good education even if there is drug abuse present in the family. There is a steady demand for social workers in Kentucky and a rewarding career begins with getting a good education.
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.
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.
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 7,520 child, family, and school social workers in Kentucky and they earn an average salary of $42,570 per year.
Mental health and substance abuse social workers — There are currently 900 mental health and substance abuse social workers in Kentucky and they earn an average salary of $39,520 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 550 social workers employed in various other fields, including in private practices. These social workers earn an average salary of $55,690 per year.
Social Work Programs in Kentucky
In this Section:
BSW programs
Online BSW programs
MSW programs
Online MSW programs
Ph.D programs
Expert Advice
- What are the most important factors for students deciding on an MSW program in Kentucky?
- Do you have advice or guidance for MSW graduates pursuing a license in Kentucky?
What are the most important factors for students deciding on an MSW program in Kentucky?
First and foremost, it is important to confirm that an MSW program in Kentucky, or in any state, is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Currently, there are eight accredited MSW programs in Kentucky. Students can check the accreditation status on the CSWE website
Do you have advice or guidance for MSW graduates pursuing a license in Kentucky?
If you plan to practice as a social worker in Kentucky, you should plan to get your license. Some graduates do go to work for agencies that are exempt from the licensing requirement, but I recommend that you pursue your license, nonetheless. Chances are very high that you will not always work for that exempt agency, and you don’t want to be in the position of needing to act quickly on a new job opportunity that requires a license or needing to take the exam five years after graduation when the material is no longer fresh in your mind. The good news is that you can apply for your license six weeks before you graduate. You can find the application forms on the Kentucky Board of Social Work’s. You will need to attach your unofficial transcript to your application. Note that there are three fees to be aware of: the application fee (that you send with your application to the Board), the examination fee (payable to ASWB), and the actual license fee (also payable to the Board). Once you are licensed, make sure that you are aware of the relevant laws in Kentucky that govern practice, especially the Code of Professional Conduct, and that you obtain at least the minimum continuing education hours: 30 units for each renewal period for MSW-level practitioners (CSW and LCSW). In your first renewal period, plan to obtain training in the Kentucky Code of Ethics (3 hours), Suicide Assessment, Treatment, and Management (6 hours), and Domestic Violence and Elder Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation (3 hours). Lastly, be aware that your license must be renewed every 3 years, so be careful not to let it lapse!
What are the most important factors for students deciding on an MSW program in Kentucky?
Students have many choices of where to invest in their education and their futures for a MSW program in Kentucky. The most important factors in those decisions are ensuring the faculty is still actively practicing in the areas most vital to the field to continue to infuse curriculum with current practice experience. A student should research that the faculty is actively involved across the spectrum of social work in each area from direct practice to macro/ policy practice and social justice work. Most schools will not have all these vital factors. Another important factor is class size and hybrid access to classes to reflect the nature of a post pandemic world.
What are the challenges or opportunities for becoming a social worker in Kentucky?
The opportunities to become a social worker in Kentucky are endless. The civil unrest of 2020 made public the social injustices happening nationwide, and in our own state, in addition to the global pandemic. So, there are social workers responding to the needs of the times to create new processes at the macro-level and creating more robust interventions at the micro-level. This is an excellent time to become a social worker in Kentucky, change is happening here.
What does the future of social work look like in Kentucky?
The future of social work in Kentucky is vast. Social work is showing up in a significant manner in every facet of our communities in ways that it was not visible before. There are countless new career opportunities partnering directly with law enforcement and the city government to have a physical presence and voice on community issues.
Do you have advice or guidance for MSW graduates pursuing a license in Kentucky?
There is a huge need for diverse persons to become licensed clinicians in Kentucky. There is a place for your voice, your experience, and your knowledge here. Licensed clinical professionals need to reflect the diversity of the community in gender identity, race and ethnicity, and ableism. Bring your talents to Kentucky and be apart of making a difference in this changing landscape of social work.
What are the most important factors for students deciding on an MSW program in Kentucky?
When deciding on an MSW program, the students in Kentucky generally are looking for affordability and convenience. Most prospective students are looking for an MSW program that is primarily online and fits in with their already hectic life. Prospective students typically have families and many also work full-time.
We are also finding a great number of prospective MSW students are working in social services agencies, which already places a high demand on their time. Prospective students want to be able to work asynchronously as much as possible, allowing them the flexibility to complete assignments before work, after work, on the weekends, and after the kids have been put to bed.
Regarding affordability, in our current economy, families do not have extra income and see their education as an investment to both hone their skills and improve their financial situations. However, prospective students do not want to amass huge debt in obtaining an MSW so programs must keep costs as low as possible for students. For instance, students look for MSW programs that offer incentives such as free textbooks, as well as generous scholarships and stipends first.
What are the challenges or opportunities for becoming a social worker in Kentucky?
The need for qualified social workers is one highest demand in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. While there are many different types of human services degree options, there is a shortage of licensable social workers, which requires a social work degree.
Kentucky, like many states, has a high rate of substance abuse and mental health challenges and not enough social workers to fill the void. The biggest challenge that students face in becoming social workers is the educational process and affording college, which many MSW programs in Kentucky are taking collaborative and innovative approaches in attempting to address.
What does the future of social work look like in Kentucky?
Social work is a growing field in Kentucky and has a bright future. While our MSW program services students from all over the United States, most of our students do originate from the Eastern Kentucky and surrounding Appalachian region, which has an overwhelming shortage of social workers. This need will only increase as the long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic become more apparent over time.
What types of jobs are MSW graduates finding in Kentucky?
MSW graduates in Kentucky are finding a wide variety of job opportunities. Many of our MSW students are already employed in a social work setting, such as community mental health facilities, hospitals, and child welfare agencies and are using their MSW to advance their knowledge and career.
Those who are finding new jobs will work in private therapy settings under the supervision of an LCSW, hospitals, schools, community mental health providers, behavioral health clinics, state child and adult welfare agencies, community action agencies, foster care service providers, doctor offices and clinics, some health insurance agencies, child advocacy centers, higher educational settings, workforce development settings and integrated healthcare settings. MSW students who pursue their LCSW, are also eligible to open their own private practice, once licensed.
Do you have advice or guidance for MSW graduates pursuing a license in Kentucky?
The licensure process in Kentucky has three types. The first type of license is the Licensed Social Worker (LSW), which requires a bachelor’s degree in social work from a CSWE accredited school and passing the bachelors level licensure exam prepared by the ASWB.
An LSW in Kentucky cannot practice clinical social work. The second type of license is the Certified Social Worker (CSW), which requires a person to graduate with an MSW from a CSWE accredited school and pass the masters level licensure exam prepared by the ASWB. A CSW in Kentucky can practice clinical social work under the supervision of an LCSW by written contract approved by the Kentucky Board of Social Work. A CSW also cannot operate a private practice. The final type of licensure in Kentucky is the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).
In order to become an LCSW in Kentucky the applicant must hold either an MSW or doctorate degree in social work, minimum of two years of full-time post MSW experience (30 hours a week) or 3 years of part-time post MSW experience (20 hours a week) and passed the ASWB exam for LCSWs. An LCSW can provide clinical social work services either for an organization or as a private provider.
Normally in Kentucky students who desire to obtain an LCSW will first obtain their CSW and enter into a contract with an LCSW for supervision working toward their LCSW. My advice to students is to determine what career path they wish to pursue and know the requirements. I would also advise students to take their CSW exam as soon as they can after they graduate and to use ASWB study materials to help prepare. The reason for this is because information is freshest in their mind and the exams are structured by the ASWB.
Finally, I would encourage students to at least pursue their CSW, even if they do not think right now that they wish to enter clinical practice. Having their CSW does not limit their opportunities, but rather opens them up to more opportunities.