What is the deadline for applications to the
M.S.W. program?
Advanced Standing M.S.W.: Completed applications, including all
supplemental materials, must be received by January 15; notice of
admission sent in late February.
M.S.W. Program: Completed applications, including all supplemental
materials, must be received by February 15. First notice of
admissions will begin in late March and continue until all are notified
by late April. [Back
to Top]
What is the application fee for the M.S.W. program? The on-line application fee is $25.00. Paper application fee is
$45.00. (All supplemental
materials must reach us by deadlines as well). The application fee is
waived if you submit your completed application packet by December 1.
[Back to Top]
I see that a $50 deposit is required when I accept my offer of
admission. Is the deposit refundable if I should have to withdraw? The deposit is nonrefundable. [Back
to Top]
If I am applying while still an undergraduate, is there anything I
need to know? If you are still completing your bachelors degree when you apply, you
must include a transcript showing your grades for the first half of your
senior year. Given the early date of admission decisions, that means
you must get your transcript for the fall semester immediately after the
fall grades are recorded. SEE the “Instructions and Information” sheet.
[Back to Top]
What happens if I have not included all the required material in my
application? Because of the large number of students who apply, we cannot call or write
to notify you that your application is incomplete. Please make certain:
(1) to mark your choice in box on upper right corner of application
sheet (full/part-time, campus location, program choice). (2) that you
have included everything with the application. (A common error is to
not include transcripts from every school of higher education you have
attended, including the University of Kansas transcript.) (3) start
early to collect all the information. Letters of reference and transcripts
may take longer than you anticipate. [Back
to Top]
What about the GRE score? We do not use the GRE score in admissions for the masters program.
[Back to Top]
May I begin as a part-time student? The regular M.S.W. program is open to both full-time and part-time students.
Full-time students enroll in 16 credit hours for four semesters. Part-time
students begin with two courses for the first two semesters. Note:
International Students need to be enrolled in a minimum of 9 credit hours
to maintain your visa status. [Back
to Top]
May I continue part-time throughout the program? Yes, however, once you are enrolled in practicum hours, it will feel
like full time. Part time students enroll in 6-13 credit hours per semester.
You may extend degree completion to 4 years. [Back
to Top]
Is it possible to live some distance away and still do the M.S.W.
program? Yes. Classes meet one day per week and distance drivers (100 miles round
trip) can take all of their classes on one day. Practicum can usually be
arranged close to student’s home community; in some cases, practicum may
involve up to 2 hours of round trip driving time.
[Back to Top]
Is an employment based practicum possible?
It may be possible if you work in a social service setting that meets all of
the practicum standards established by the school. The agency must be able
to provide a social worker (who is different than your work supervisor) to
be the field instructor. You must also be provided with enhanced learning
opportunities outside of your regular job duties. However, applications for
an employment based practicum are not submitted until after you are admitted
to the program, so this option cannot be guaranteed upon admission.
Applications may be obtained from the Field Education Office, 785-864-2268 or
practicum@ku.edu .
[Back to Top]
May I arrange my own practicum?
No. Practicum arrangements are the responsibility of the Field Education Office
working in collaboration with you and with school-authorized practicum
settings and instructors. [Back
to Top]
Are there paid practica? Only a few practica provide stipends for advanced level students, primarily
in medical settings. [Back to
Top]
Will I need a car for practicum? Yes. This is true even for the few placements available in Lawrence.
[Back to Top]
Is a personal friend a good reference for my admission? No. It’s great to have the support of friends, but for admission to graduate
school, professional references, persons who have observed your work to
judge objectively your potential, are the most effective.
[Back to Top]
May I start classes without being admitted? No, there is no “nondegree” status. You must be admitted to take classes.
[Back to Top]
May I start in spring?
Required courses are offered once a year and in sequence. Students admitted
to the regular M.S.W. program begin classes in the fall. Advanced Standing
students begin their classes in early June. [Back
to Top]
Do you offer evening classes? Some afternoon and evening sections of classes are available on the Edwards
Campus. Students accepted into the 4-year Part-Time Program have priority
for enrollment in most Edwards evening sections. The program is offered as a
day-time program on the Lawrence Campus. [Back
to Top]
Is the bachelor of social work degree the preferred preparation for M.S.W.
education? No, if you have a bachelors degree in another field, you will have lots of
company since we have students with a variety of undergraduate and graduate
degrees. Applicants with a B.S.W. degree may apply for the Advanced Standing
M.S.W. program, a one-year accelerated program.
[Back to Top]
May I work full time and do practicum at the same time? You cannot work a regular 8-5 job and expect to be in practicum at the same
time. While some agencies do offered evening and weekend hours, you cannot
expect to do your practicum solely in that time frame. You are expected to
be in your field practicum for at least one “regular” eight-hour day each
week. The remainder of the weekly hours may be done during non-traditional
hours if this meets the agency’s needs. There are some alternative
arrangements available to students who are already working in a
social-service related agency, which include doing a “block” practicum in
the summer or pursuing an Employment-Based Practicum. Both of these options
require a special application once you are already in the program, and are
not guaranteed to you upon entering the program.
[Back to Top]
How much time is required as a full-time student? A full-time student takes three classes and a concurrent field practicum for
a total of 16 credit hours per semester. Preparation for classroom work
(reading assignments, writing papers, etc.) is time consuming. The first
level practicum requires an average of 20 hours per week for the 30 weeks of
the first and second semester, or an average of 2 1/2 days per week.
[Back to Top]
What length of time as a resident of Kansas will make me eligible for
in-state fee rates? A minimum of one year, plus paying Kansas income tax and other evidence of
residency; specifics available from the Office of the Registrar, 151 Strong
Hall, Lawrence,
Kansas, 66045. #785-864-4472 or rwiesner@ku.edu.
On the Edwards Campus, Missouri residents of Cass, Clay, Jackson or
Platt counties may be eligible for the Metro rate equivalent to in-state
tuition. For more information, go to:
http://edwardscampus.ku.edu.
[Back to Top]
Where do I go for information about financial assistance? Loans are the primary source of financial aid. For both Lawrence and Kansas
City, request information from the Office of Student Financial Aid, 50
Strong Hall, Lawrence, KS, 66045 or osfa@ku.edu . The Free Application for
Federal Student Aid (FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov/) is used. You should apply
early, before you know your admission status. [Back
to Top]
Are there scholarships or fellowships available? The School has fellowships available for students with significant financial
need. There is also funding available for minority students. In addition,
merit based scholarships are available to advanced level students.
[Back to Top]
Where is the Kansas City program located? The M.S.W. Program is also available at the Edwards Campus, 12600 Quivira
Road,
Overland Park, KS 66213, (913) 897-8550. [Back
to Top]
What is offered at the Kansas City Edwards Campus? The full M.S.W. Program is offered at both the Lawrence, KS and the Kansas
City
Edwards Campus. [Back to Top]
