MSW Programs in Kansas: CSWE-Accredited Schools and Licensure Pathways
Kansas has five CSWE-accredited MSW programs, offered by the University of Kansas, Washburn University, Wichita State University, Fort Hays State University, and Newman University. Graduates are eligible to sit for the Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) exam in Kansas. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, social workers in Kansas earn a median salary of about $55,000.
If you’re planning a career in social work in Kansas, the Master of Social Work (MSW) degree expands career opportunities significantly. It is required for clinical licensure in Kansas, and it qualifies you for a broader range of roles than a bachelor’s degree alone. The question most people face isn’t whether to get an MSW — deciding which program fits is where the real work begins.
Kansas has five universities with MSW programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). They vary in format, specialization, and location. Understanding those differences upfront can help streamline your program search.
Why CSWE Accreditation Matters
CSWE accreditation is a formal licensing requirement enforced by the state board. The Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board (KSBSRB) requires that your MSW come from a CSWE-accredited program before you can sit for licensure. Programs without it do not meet licensure requirements, no matter how well-regarded the school is in other fields.
It also affects reciprocity. If you earn your MSW in Kansas and later move to another state, a degree from a CSWE-accredited program is what other state licensing boards will recognize. That matters if there’s any chance you might practice outside Kansas at some point.
MSW Programs in Kansas
Five universities in Kansas offer CSWE-accredited MSW programs. All five offer both traditional and advanced standing tracks, which determines how long your program takes.
| School | Location | Specializations | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Kansas (KU) | Lawrence, Overland Park, Salina, Online | Clinical Practice, Macro Practice | Campus, hybrid, online |
| Washburn University | Topeka | Clinical, Healthcare, School Social Work | Campus and hybrid |
| Wichita State University | Wichita | Advanced Generalist Practice | Campus |
| Fort Hays State University | Hays (K-State Salina partnership) | Clinical Practice, Macro Practice | Hybrid (every-other-Saturday campus sessions) |
| Newman University | Wichita | Clinical Social Work, Trauma-Competent Practice | Campus |
Traditional vs. Advanced Standing
If you hold a bachelor’s degree in any field, you’ll enter through the traditional track. That’s typically two years of full-time study, covering both foundational and specialized coursework. You’ll also complete a minimum of 900 field education hours at an approved agency. These are required for program completion.
If you earned a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program, you may qualify for advanced standing. Advanced standing programs recognize your undergraduate social work preparation and let you skip the generalist year, cutting your total time to roughly one year full-time. You still complete field placement hours, but the overall credit load is reduced. Not every school’s advanced standing track is identical, so check with each program directly to confirm eligibility requirements.
Online and Hybrid Options
KU offers a range of flexible delivery options among Kansas programs, including a fully online MSW track through its School of Social Welfare. The Fort Hays State / K-State Salina partnership uses a hybrid format with campus sessions every other Saturday, an option that may suit working professionals who prefer a structured but infrequent schedule. Washburn also offers hybrid formats for some courses. Newman and Wichita State are primarily campus-based programs.
Keep in mind that all MSW programs require field education hours to be completed in person at a local agency, regardless of how coursework is delivered online. This is a CSWE requirement, not a school-by-school policy.
MSW Specializations in Kansas
What you specialize in shapes where you can work and, for clinical licensure, what you’re qualified to do. The two broad tracks across Kansas programs are clinical practice and macro practice.
Clinical practice focuses on direct work with individuals, families, and groups — assessment, intervention, therapy, and case management. KU’s clinical track includes concentrations in Child and Family, Health/Mental Health, and Aging. Washburn’s program has concentrations in Healthcare and School Social Work. Newman’s curriculum emphasizes trauma-competent clinical practice specifically.
Macro practice is less about direct client contact and more about systems: program administration, policy development, community organizing, and advocacy. KU’s macro track prepares graduates for leadership roles in human services organizations and government agencies. Students who complete the macro track are eligible for the LMSW exam in Kansas immediately upon graduation.
Licensure Pathway After Your MSW
Earning your MSW provides the foundation for licensure. What you do with it determines which license you can pursue. Kansas has three levels of social work licensure, each building on the last.
The Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) is the entry-level graduate credential in Kansas. You’re eligible to apply immediately after earning your MSW from a CSWE-accredited program. The LMSW lets you practice supervised social work — it’s the license most new MSW graduates hold while building toward clinical licensure.
The Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker (LSCSW) is Kansas’s clinical-level license. To qualify, your MSW program must include at least 15 credit hours of psychological disorder coursework, and your practicum must have included 350 hours of direct client contact. After graduation, the LSCSW requires post-graduate supervised experience as defined by the state board.
For a complete breakdown of education requirements, exam fees, and renewal schedules, see our guide to Kansas social work licensure.
Social Work Salaries and Job Growth in Kansas
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, social workers in Kansas earn a median annual salary of about $55,000 as of May 2024. The BLS projects about 6% growth for child, family, and school social workers between 2022 and 2032, with an average of 250 job openings per year in that category. Healthcare social work is growing faster, projected at about 9% over the same period, with roughly 160 annual openings. Mental health and substance abuse social work shows the strongest projected growth at about 13%, with an average of 80 annual openings in Kansas.
Rural Kansas tends to have a higher need and, in some specialties, competitive salaries for experienced practitioners, particularly in mental health and substance abuse settings where licensed clinicians are in short supply.
Choosing the Right MSW Program
A few questions can help narrow your decision quickly. Are you drawn to clinical work with individuals and families, or do you prefer organizational and policy-level roles? That answer points you toward clinical vs. macro specialization, and not every Kansas program offers both.
Format matters too. If you’re working full-time, a hybrid program with predictable weekend sessions (like the K-State Salina partnership) may fit better than a traditional campus schedule. If flexibility is the priority, KU’s online option is worth a close look.
Finally, consider field placement. All programs require you to complete supervised field hours at a local agency. If you’re in a rural area, check with programs about how they support students finding placements outside major metro areas. Some programs are more equipped for rural placements than others.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a BSW to apply for an MSW program in Kansas?
No. All five Kansas MSW programs accept applicants with a bachelor’s degree in any field through their traditional track. If you hold a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program, you may qualify for an advanced standing track, which typically cuts the program length by one year.
Which Kansas MSW programs can be completed online?
The University of Kansas offers a fully online MSW track through its School of Social Welfare. The Fort Hays State / K-State Salina partnership uses a hybrid format with in-person sessions every other Saturday. Washburn offers some hybrid coursework. All programs require field education hours to be completed in person at an approved agency, regardless of how coursework is delivered.
What license can I get with an MSW in Kansas?
After completing a CSWE-accredited MSW, you’re eligible to sit for the Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) exam. With the right coursework and post-graduate supervised experience as defined by the state board, you can work toward the Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker (LSCSW), which is Kansas’s clinical-level license.
How long does it take to complete an MSW in Kansas?
Traditional programs take two years of full-time enrollment. Advanced standing programs, available to BSW graduates, typically take one year full-time. Part-time options are available at several Kansas schools and generally take three to four years.
Is CSWE accreditation required for Kansas social work licensure?
Yes. The Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board requires that your MSW come from a CSWE-accredited program to qualify for licensure in the state. All five MSW programs in Kansas hold CSWE accreditation.
Key Takeaways
- Five CSWE-accredited MSW programs: Kansas has programs at KU, Washburn, Wichita State, Fort Hays State (K-State Salina partnership), and Newman University, covering both clinical and macro practice specializations.
- CSWE accreditation is a licensing requirement: The KSBSRB requires an accredited MSW before you can sit for the LMSW or work toward the LSCSW. Programs without it do not meet licensure requirements.
- Traditional and advanced standing tracks: BSW graduates from CSWE-accredited programs can often complete an MSW in one year through advanced standing. Others complete the traditional two-year track.
- Online and hybrid options exist: KU offers a fully online MSW. The K-State Salina partnership uses a hybrid format. All programs require in-person field hours regardless.
- Positive job growth projections: BLS projects up to about 13% growth in some Kansas social work specializations through 2032, with the median salary for Kansas social workers at about $55,000.
Ready to take the next step? Review Kansas social work licensing requirements and explore how your MSW connects to each credential level.
2024 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and employment figures for Social Workers, Social and Human Services Assistants, Social and Community Service Managers, and Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors, reflect state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed April 2026.
