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University of Louisville

The Kent School of Social Work offers a graduate program of study leading to the Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) degree. The School's central mission is to educate highly skilled professional social workers who can respond effectively to personal, interpersonal, and social problems ranging from individual and family distress to social injustice, from ill health and slum housing to child abuse, unemployment, and poverty. Preparation for leadership in advanced professional practice is a vital part of the School's curriculum. The program is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). 

The MSSW program is designed to help students achieve their maximum potential through a carefully structured curriculum of foundation and specialized courses. Students without an accredited undergraduate degree in Social Work (BSW) are admitted to the Regular Program and may complete their studies in four semesters. Sixty semester hours comprised of foundation courses, method of practice courses, electives, practice evaluation and four semesters of practicum are required. 

Graduates, within the last five years, of an undergraduate social work program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education will be considered for admission to the Advanced Standing Program. Full-time students may complete the 30 semester-hour Advanced Standing Program in one year.  

The curriculum is designed so that students will obtain competence in a method of practice. The methods of practice offered at Kent School are Administration, Policy and Planning; and Direct Practice. 

The Weekend Program offers an opportunity for working students or commuters from other geographic areas to earn an MSSW degree by attending classes on Saturday which duplicate the weekday program. The Weekend Program is offered on the Shelby Campus of the University of Louisville, located on the eastern edge of the city. Part-time students must enroll for a minimum of 6 credit hours each semester. All students enrolled in Kent must complete the program within 4 years.