Kansas has three levels of social work licensure that allow qualified individuals to practice social work in the state. A Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) is the minimum social work degree necessary to become licensed. To become a master social worker or specialist clinical social worker, a CSWE-accredited Master of Social Work (MSW) is required. This page highlights social work schools in Kansas that can prepare you for a rewarding career in social work practice. Though there are currently no online Kansas social work programs, online programs from schools in other states may help you meet licensing requirements.
Quick Facts
- 14 schools offering social work programs in Kansas are in our database (see below)
- Of the social work schools in Kansas, 5 offer associate’s degrees or certificates, 8 offer bachelor’s degrees, and 4 offer a master’s or advanced degree1
- No schools ranked in Kiplinger’s Best Values in Public Colleges
- 3 schools ranked in US News Best Graduate Social Work Programs
- No schools ranked in Social Work Guide’s Top Online MSW Programs4
- Across 9 schools, 12 bachelor’s and master’s social work degree programs in Kansas are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)5
Featured Online Programs in Social Work
Top-Ranked Schools with Social Work Programs in Kansas
US News Best Graduate Social Work Programs
- University of Kansas (#34 tie)
- Wichita State University (#147 tie)
- Washburn University (#220 tie)
Schools with Social Work Programs Accredited by the CSWE
- Bethel College
- Fort Hays State University
- Kansas State University
- Newman University
- Pittsburg State University
- Tabor College
- University of Kansas
- Washburn University
- Wichita State University
Schools in Kansas with Social Work Degree Programs
BSW and Other Undergraduate Programs
Tabor College
Located in rural eastern Kansas, Tabor College is a private liberal arts college affiliated with the Mennonite church. Tabor’s Department of Social & Behavioral Science offers a BSW program that is accredited by the CSWE and is based in social work and Christian philosophies. Students are encouraged to become involved in service projects at the college and in the community, to participate in the learning process in the classroom, and to contribute to the college community positively. All students must follow the college’s core curriculum, which includes liberal arts courses, major courses, and electives. The liberal arts curriculum provides breadth to the social work course of study and includes cultural studies, religious studies, science, and contemporary religious issues. Several study abroad options are offered to meet the liberal arts course requirements. Social work majors must also take classes in social welfare, policy, and research. The college was ranked #41 among regional colleges in the Midwest by US News & World Report in 2016.
Kansas State University
Kansas State University is a public, research-intensive institution founded in 1863. It is located in the northeastern town of Manhattan. The Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work’s undergraduate social work program is accredited by the CSWE and prepares students for generalist social work practice and licensure. Students can complete the program either through a Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW) or a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW) curriculum. The BSSW degree has additional natural science requirements while the BASW degree has additional foreign language requirements. Secondary or dual majors in many subjects, such as gerontology or American Ethnic Studies, are available. Students can declare social work as their major at any time; however, the program is competitive and candidates must submit an application to be admitted to the final three semesters of the program, called the “Practice Sequence.” The Practice Sequence includes senior-level social work courses and a field education placement that all students must complete in the senior year of the program.
MSW and Other Graduate Programs
University of Kansas
Located in Lawrence, the University of Kansas is a public, urban institution. KU’s School of Social Welfare offers both CSWE-accredited BSW and MSW programs. The MSW program offers two specializations: Clinical practice or social work administration. In the clinical program, students choose to focus on practice in child and family, health and mental health, or aging social work. The program can be completed full-time or part-time at either the main campus in Lawrence or the secondary campus in Overland Park. The university also offers a full-time clinical MSW program in western Kansas in collaboration with other universities in the state. This program begins in the summer term, is offered through blended learning with on-campus and online classes, and supports field education placements across the state. In 2016, the social work graduate school at University of Kansas tied for 26th place among all social work graduate schools in the country by US News & World Report.
Newman University
Newman University is a private Roman Catholic institution offering an MSW program that teaches students about family-centered practice in preparation for work with individuals, families, groups, and communities at an advanced level. The School of Social Work program takes two years to complete full-time or up to four years if completed part-time. Candidates who hold a CSWE-accredited BSW may apply for advanced standing, which reduces the overall program length to either one year of full-time or two years of part-time study. Newman University’s main campus is located in Wichita, but MSW classes are also offered in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The Wichita program offers classes during the day and evening that usually meet once per week; the Colorado Springs campus offers evening and weekend classes that meet less frequently, usually once per month. The latter may be a good fit for non-traditional students or students who plan to work while studying. Neither campus offers online courses.
Wichita State University
Wichita State University’s Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, which traces its history back to 1887, confers a Master of Social Work degree through its School of Social Work. This MSW program focuses on advanced generalist social work practice by developing skills and knowledge with the core themes of social justice, cultural competency, multidimensional practice, and empowerment. The degree may be completed through either full-time or part-time study on either a traditional or advanced standing track. Students may also choose either a thesis or non-thesis track to meet graduation requirements. All students complete field practicum hours according to their progress in their degree plan. Qualified MSW students may apply for membership in the Student Organization of Social Work or the Phi Alpha Honor Society for additional education and networking opportunities.
Accreditation Information for Kansas Social Work Schools
| School | Graduation Rate1 | Transfer-Out Rate1 | Associate’s SW Program | Bachelor’s SW Program | Graduate SW Program | CSWE Accredited5 | US News Best Social Work Grad Schools Ranking3 | Net Price*1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allen County Community College | 37% | 26% | Yes | No | No | No | Not Ranked | $7,033 |
| Barton County Community College | 28% | 27% | Yes | No | No | No | Not Ranked | $8,886 |
| Bethel College-North Newton | 58% | N/A | No | Yes | No | Yes | Not Ranked | $18,745 |
| Dodge City Community College | 52% | N/A | Yes | No | No | No | Not Ranked | $8,695 |
| Fort Hays State University | 43% | 28% | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Not Ranked | $11,698 |
| Garden City Community College | 37% | 21% | Yes | No | No | No | Not Ranked | $5,702 |
| Haskell Indian Nations University | 23% | N/A | Yes | No | No | No | Not Ranked | $4,674 |
| Kansas State University | 59% | 26% | No | Yes | No | Yes | Not Ranked | $15,784 |
| Newman University | 48% | N/A | No | No | Yes | Yes | Not Ranked | $14,178 |
| Pittsburg State University | 50% | N/A | No | Yes | No | Yes | Not Ranked | $12,046 |
| Tabor College | 48% | N/A | No | Yes | No | Yes | Not Ranked | $22,368 |
| University of Kansas | 60% | 33% | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | #34 tie | $17,985 |
| Washburn University | 34% | 42% | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | #220 tie | $11,013 |
| Wichita State University | 44% | 32% | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | #147 tie | $9,843 |
*The net price is calculated by the National Center for Education Statistics by subtracting the average amount of aid (including grants and scholarships) from the total published cost of attendance for in-state/in-district students, which includes tuition, books, room and board, and other expenses. To gain a better understanding of how to interpret the statistics discussed in this table, see our list of important definitions.
Featured Online Programs in Social Work
Directory of Kansas Social Work School Programs
Note: Student Reviews are based on the experiences of a few individuals and it is unlikely that you will have similar results. Please review the “Data, Student Reviews and Other Information” section in our Terms of Use and Disclaimers.
Schools with an asterisk (*) have programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
Allen County Community College
1801 N Cottonwood
Iola, KS 66749
(620) 365-5116
http://www.allencc.edu
Barton County Community College
245 NE 30th Rd
Great Bend, KS 67530
(620) 792-2701
http://www.bartonccc.edu
Bethel College-North Newton*
300 E 27th St
Newton, KS 67117-1716
(316) 283-2500
http://www.bethelks.edu
Dodge City Community College
2501 N 14th Ave
Dodge City, KS 67801-2399
(620) 225-1321
http://www.dc3.edu
Fort Hays State University*
600 Park St
Hays, KS 67601-4099
(785) 628-4000
http://www.fhsu.edu
Garden City Community College
801 Campus Dr
Garden City, KS 67846-6333
(620) 276-7611
http://www.gcccks.edu
Haskell Indian Nations University
155 Indian Ave
Lawrence, KS 66046-4800
(785) 749-8404
http://www.haskell.edu
Kansas State University*
119 Anderson Hall
Manhattan, KS 66506
(785) 532-6011
http://www.k-state.edu
Newman University*
3100 McCormick Ave
Wichita, KS 67213-2097
(316) 942-4291
http://www.newmanu.edu
Pittsburg State University*
1701 S Broadway
Pittsburg, KS 66762
(620) 231-7000
http://www.pittstate.edu
Student Review: “The BSW program at Pitt State is very hands-on. You are given multiple opportunities to get field experience throughout the program, and guidance from all of the faculty if you are uncertain about what aspect of social work you want to work in. All of the professors are approachable. They will often work with a student’s schedule if office hours don’t work for the student. The professors receive and utilize student feedback, from simple informal suggestions in class to a nominal group on improving the program. It is a heavy workload, and some of the prerequisites are set up in a way that students have to take Mezzo and Macro practice together, which is not ideal. The curriculum focuses on strengths theory and applying theories and concepts to practice. The first semester is very basic, and you layer on your knowledge from there. You can especially notice this when it comes to interviewing. In the first semester, you learn basic skills, then in Micro practice you learn one-on-one interviewing, and finally in Mezzo and Macro practice you learn how to conduct yourself in group and community settings. All courses are interconnected, and the professors stay in very good contact with one another to make sure students receive a well-rounded education and are ready for practice when they graduate.” – Student at the Pittsburg State University
Tabor College*
400 S Jefferson
Hillsboro, KS 67063-1799
(620) 947-3121
http://www.tabor.edu
University of Kansas*
1450 Jayhawk Blvd
Lawrence, KS 66045
(785) 864-2700
https://www.ku.edu
Student Review: “The University of Kansas Social Welfare program was one of the best experiences I have ever had. During my freshman year I was very nervous and wasn’t sure what I wanted to major in. I took one of my gen eds in social welfare and fell in love. The professors and teaching assistants did everything possible to help their students and wanted to get to know them personally instead of a normal teacher-student relationship. At the time online course were not the norm yet but a lot of the class information was online and that made it very easy to access power points for lectures as well as homework being assigned. I would recommend anyone to at least try this program and I promise you won’t be disappointed.” – Student at the University of Kansas
Washburn University*
1700 SW College Ave
Topeka, KS 66621-0001
(785) 670-1010
http://www.washburn.edu
Wichita State University*
1845 N Fairmount
Wichita, KS 67260-0124
(316) 978-3456
http://www.wichita.edu
Schools with an asterisk (*) have programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. Kiplinger’s Best College Values: https://www.kiplinger.com/tool/college/T014-S001-kiplinger-s-best-values-in-private-colleges/index.php?table=all
3. US News & World Report Social Work Best Grad Schools Rankings: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-health-schools/social-work-rankings
4.
Social Work Guide’s Top Online MSW Programs: /degrees/masters/online/
5. Council on Social Work Education: https://www.cswe.org/Accreditation/Directory-of-Accredited-Programs.aspx