BEYOND THE CLASSROOM
As a student majoring in social work, you will learn to address complex social problems, promote social justice and advocate for vulnerable populations to enhance the well-being of individuals, families and communities. You will work to create positive change in the world around you. While taking classes and participating in community service and research at the Kent School, you will develop and implement social policies and advocate on behalf of those who cannot advocate for themselves. At the Kent School of Social Work and Family Science, you will become part of a community of learners leading the way in confronting daunting societal challenges that exist in our local, national and global communities.
Community Service
Annually, Kent students provide more than 135,000 hours of community service aiding individuals and vulnerable populations through their practicums. The Kent School of Social Work and Family Science leads the University of Louisville campus in community engagement by serving as the college with the highest number of community partnerships in the state.
Research Opportunities
Through education, service and research, we work to make the world a better place for all. Kent School is one of the fastest growing social work programs in the country and we have a $30 million research portfolio. Our research is collaborative and grounded in real-world problems. Opportunities are available for research collaborations with nationally renowned faculty. We are proud to have faculty fellowships in the Society for Social Work and Research, Gerontological Society of America and the Association for Oncology Social Work.
Student Successes
For more than 90 years, Kent School has prepared and supported students to be professional social work practitioners. Outside of the classroom, the Kent School Student Association (KSSA) provides opportunities for students to advocate, promote and build connections in an inclusive learning environment.
Many of our students have occupied voting seats in UofL’s Student Government Association, received community awards and have been recognized in national publications for their research.
Doctoral students have been funded by the American Cancer Society and the Doris Duke Fellowship, and have been recognized at commencement for their leadership and dissertation research with the Houchens Prize, Stevenson Award and Binford Memorial Award from the Graduate School.
DEGREE PROGRAM
The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program at the Kent School of Social Work and Family Science is a generalist social work degree and is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
The BSW program offers a degree with tiered admission into the lower division (pre-professional courses) and the upper division (professional social work courses). The courses at the junior- and senior-year level combine liberal arts with professional content, including human behavior and the social environment, social welfare institutions, policies and services, issues in policy and service delivery and more. You will complete research, practicum work and electives to support your educational goals. The Kent School offers an Advanced Standing program. Qualified BSW students are eligible for this 4+1 pathway to graduate with their Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree in one additional year.
The BSW program can be completed on campus or 100% online. You will gain hands-on, service learning experience through a social work practicum. The BSW will prepare you for entry-level professional careers in social work practice.
The Practicum Experience
Undergraduate and graduate students are required to complete a practicum that provides hands-on experience working in professional settings with approved community partners. This is a key component in their social work education. Students develop and demonstrate their growing skills as a social worker and place classroom learning into action while working with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities. Currently, Kent School offers 201 available practicum sites, across 31 states and two countries.
More About Kent
» Undergraduate upper-division students can apply to the CW Prep Program, an innovative career preparation program in child welfare that offers skills development, a paid stipend and employment opportunities serving children and families in Kentucky.
» Undergraduate upper-division students can also apply to the Alcohol and Drug Counseling Track in the last two years of their BSW program.
» Kent School offers students the opportunity to study abroad and participate in service learning through collaboration with UofL’s International Service Learning Program.
» Kent School offers one of only two accredited couple and family therapy programs in the country housed within a school of social work.
» Two minors are available, a minor in Social Work and a minor in Applied Family Science.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
A degree in social work offers diverse career paths across various fields, including:
» Child Welfare
» Crisis Intervention
» Government
» Healthcare
» Mental Health
» Private Practice
» Schools
» Substance Use/Recovery Facilities
» Universities
JOB GROWTH AND DEMAND
Overall employment of social workers is projected to grow 7% from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.
About 63,800 openings for social workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.*
EMPLOYMENT BY SPECIALIZATION
» Child, Family and School Social Workers
Needed for parenting skills, child abuse prevention and alternative homes.
» Healthcare Social Workers
In demand to help aging populations and their families with new treatments and lifestyles.
» Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
Growth driven by increasing treatment for mental illness and substance abuse, particularly opioid recovery and alternative sentencing programs.
SECTORS OF EMPLOYMENT
» Child welfare organizations
» Courts
» Hospitals and nursing homes
» Human resource departments
» Local and national government agencies
» Mental health and substance misuse services
» Non-profit organizations
» Police departments
» Public and private school systems
*Information provided by the www.bls.gov
APPLY
The application process is easy. No letters of recommendation or essays are required and ACT/SAT scores are optional.
Admission Guidelines: uofl.me/ftf-adm-guidelines
Transfer Admission Guidelines: uofl.me/trf-admissions
