Online Social Work Programs in Kansas
The Sunflower State is experiencing a shortage of qualified social workers, particularly in the mental health, child welfare, and healthcare sectors. Students who want to fill these high-demand social work jobs in Kansas should review education and licensure requirements and salary potential.
While social work salaries depend on factors like location and experience, Kansas professionals in social work and community service occupations make a mean wage of $41,080 annually. Child, family, and school social workers make $41,570 per year, on average, while healthcare social workers make a mean annual salary of $52,970. Community and social services positions comprise about 12 of every 1,000 jobs in the state.
Social Work Programs by Degree Level
Online Bachelor’s in Social Work Programs
Education and Licensure Requirements for Social Workers in Kansas
The Kansas Behavioral Science Regulatory Board (BSRB) awards three types of social work licenses to qualified individuals: licensed bachelor’s social worker (LBSW), licensed master’s social worker (LMSW), and licensed specialist clinical social worker (LSCSW). LBSW and LMSW candidates can also earn temporary licenses that allow them to practice for six months before taking licensure exams.
Education Requirements
LBSW candidates need a bachelor’s degree in social work. LMSW and LCSW applicants need master’s degrees in social work. The BSRB accepts degrees from programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Candidates who earn degrees from non-CSWE programs must allow the BSRB to evaluate their transcripts. If the board finds that the transcripts meet substantially similar requirements as CSWE programs, it accepts the degree.
Exam Application Process and Requirements
Kansas social work licenses require candidates to pass exams from the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB). LBSW applicants must pass the bachelor’s test, LMSW candidates must pass the master’s exam, and LSCSW applicants must pass the clinical exam. All social work licensure candidates should apply with the BSRB before sitting for the exam. The board then awards LBSW and LMSW candidates with temporary licenses that allow them to practice while they study for their exams.
Once the BSRB approves applicants, candidates can register for the exam. Applicants choose from several testing locations throughout the state, which remain open year-round. Once they pass the computerized exams, candidates must request that the ASWB sends their scores to the BSRB. After the BSRB verifies the results, candidates earn their licenses and enjoy full authority to practice.
Continuing Education and Licensure Renewal
Kansas social work licenses expire every two years. During each renewal cycle, professionals must earn 40 continuing education credits. Six of the credits must cover social work safety, six must focus on the diagnosis and treatment of mental health issues, and three must cover ethics. To qualify for renewal, candidates must also submit applications and pay applicable fees. LBSWs pay $50, LMSWs pay $75, and LSCSWs pay $100.
Featured Online Programs
Why Choose an Online Social Work Program in Kansas
Online social work programs in Kansas provide students with both affordability and flexibility. Degree candidates can live anywhere in the state, including rural areas far from universities. They can also work while they attend school, reducing the overall cost of the degree. Learners who choose to work while in school can find non-licensed social work positions, which help them expand their professional networks and build their resumes. After graduation, these professionals can fill a significant need in their communities.
Ranking Methodology
Here is our list of online social work degree programs in Kansas as reported by the National Center for Education Statistics. We cover online bachelor’s in social work, online master’s in social work, and online doctorate in social work programs. All programs are regionally and CSWE accredited, and all are available entirely online.
Online Social Work Programs in Kansas
University of Kansas
University of Kansas’ school of social work, the School of Social Welfare, offers a bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. program in the field. The MSW is currently the only program it offers online. The school recently celebrated its 60th anniversary and prides itself on the diversity of its faculty, who specialize in fields such as mental health, criminal justice, aging, poverty, and spirituality in the context of social work.
University of Kansas’ Online Master of Social Work
- Concentrations: The program offers a clinical concentration and macro practice concentration.
- Credits and Courses: Each student, regardless of concentration they choose, must complete 64 credits, including 36 credits of classroom work and 28 practicum credits. The program delivers all of its online coursework asynchronously.
- Completion Time: A full-time student can complete the program in two years, while a part-time student can typically earn a degree in 3-4 years.
- Field Education: Each student can complete 28 credits worth of practicum credits at a placement site in their community to take part in approximately 1,000 hours in the field.
- Online Student Support: Online students at KU gain access to the proprietary KU Connect app, their own virtual reading room, and additional services.
- Cost: $457/credit in-state; $1,014/credit out-of-state
- Admission Requirements: Each applicant must possess a bachelor’s degree in a liberal arts field with a minimum 3.0 GPA. No GRE or MAT scores are required.
University of Kansas is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). University of Kansas’ online social work programs are CSWE-accredited.
