Kansas · Verified September 2026
MSW Programs in Kansas
Where Can You Earn an MSW in Kansas, and How Do You Get Licensed?
7 schools in Kansas offer 8 MSW programs we verified, including Fort Hays State University, Newman University and Pittsburg State University. 4 can be taken online and 8 offer advanced standing. Estimated tuition runs from $23,940 to $44,480 before fees. After the MSW, Kansas's clinical license is the Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker (LSCSW).
- Earn a CSWE-accredited MSW2 years full time, or about 1 with advanced standing
- Pass the ASWB exam (Masters)For the LMSW
- Log supervised clinical hours3,000 hours of post-graduate supervised clinical work experience in a …
- Earn the clinical license (LSCSW)Independent clinical practice
- programs in Kansas
- 8
- schools
- 7
- CSWE-accredited schools
- 6
- offer advanced standing
- 8
- online programs
- 4
The Kansas Social Work License Path
Kansas Social Work Licenses
Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board (BSRB)Licensed Bachelor Social Worker
- Degree
- Bachelor's degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program, or meeting K.A.R. 102-2-6
- Exam
- ASWB Bachelors
- Independent practice
- No, practice under supervision or in an agency
Licensed Master Social Worker
- Degree
- Master's degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program, or meeting K.A.R. 102-2-6
- Exam
- ASWB Masters
- Independent practice
- No, practice under supervision or in an agency
Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker
- Degree
- Master's degree in social work
- Exam
- ASWB Clinical
- Supervised experience
- 3,000 hours of post-graduate supervised clinical work experience in a clinical setting, completed in not less than two years under an approved training plan; at least 100 hours of supervision (at least 50 individual), supervision at least twice a month, and one hour of supervision for every 15 hours of direct client contact.
- Independent practice
- Yes
- Social Work Licensure Compact
- Listed by the Compact Commission among jurisdictions that have passed the compact language. The Commission states the compact has reached activation but multistate licenses are not yet being issued.
From Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board (BSRB), reviewed 2026-09-30. Rules change; confirm with the board before you plan your supervised hours. Plan your own timeline with the license pathway planner.
Kansas Schools Compared
| School | Programs | Formats | CSWE | Advanced standing | Lowest est. tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of KansasLawrence · Public | 2 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes | $32,115 |
| Fort Hays State UniversityHays · Public | 1 | Online | CSWE | Yes | $23,940 |
| Newman UniversityWichita · Private nonprofit | 1 | Online | CSWE | Yes | $39,680 |
| University of Saint MaryLeavenworth · Private nonprofit | 1 | Online | CSWE | Yes | $37,500 |
| Washburn UniversityTopeka · Public | 1 | Campus, Hybrid | CSWE | Yes | $32,886 |
| Wichita State UniversityWichita · Public | 1 | Campus | CSWE | Yes | |
| Pittsburg State UniversityPittsburg · Public | 1 | Campus | Candidacy | Yes |
From each school's own pages, reviewed September 2026. CSWE status from CSWE's directory. Estimated tuition is the published per-credit rate times the stated credits, before fees, or the school's published total.
Every MSW Program in Kansas
8 programs in Kansas
Master of Social Work (Lawrence, KU Edwards Campus and K-State Salina) at University of Kansas
University of Kansas · LawrenceFormatOn campusCredits64Est. tuition$32,115$502/credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWEOnline Master of Social Work (Jayhawk Global) at University of Kansas
University of Kansas · LawrenceFormatOnlineCredits64Est. tuition$44,480$695/creditAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campus600 field hoursCredits55Est. tuition$351per credit · general rate · resident rateAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campus, HybridCredits63Est. tuition$32,886$522/credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOnline900 field hoursCredits66Est. tuition$23,940$363/creditAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOnlineCredits62Est. tuition$39,680$640/creditAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campusCredits64Est. tuition$4,842per term · resident rateAccreditationCandidacy
- FormatOnline500 field hoursCredits60Est. tuition$37,500$625/creditAccreditationCSWE
No programs match these filters.
Program facts come from each school's own pages, reviewed September 2026. Estimated tuition is the published per-credit rate times the stated credits, before fees, or the school's published program total; "resident rate" means the school charges nonresidents more. CSWE status comes from CSWE's directory of accredited programs.
What an MSW Costs in Kansas
6 Kansas programs publish enough to estimate tuition before fees, from $23,940 at Fort Hays State University to $44,480 at University of Kansas. The Kansas median is $32,886, against $40,180 nationally.
| Program | Credits | Est. tuition | With advanced standing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Hays State University: Master of Social Work (Clinical)Master of Social Work (Clinical) | 66 | $23,940 | $13,058 |
| University of Kansas: Master of Social Work (Lawrence, KU Edwards Campus and K-State Salina)Master of Social Work (Lawrence, KU Edwards Campus and K-State Salina) | 64 | $32,115 | $19,068 |
| Washburn University: Master of Social WorkMaster of Social Work | 63 | $32,886 | $17,226 |
| University of Saint Mary: Online Master of Social WorkOnline Master of Social Work | 60 | $37,500 | $18,750 |
| Newman University: Master of Social WorkMaster of Social Work | 62 | $39,680 | $21,760 |
| University of Kansas: Online Master of Social Work (Jayhawk Global)Online Master of Social Work (Jayhawk Global) | 64 | $44,480 | $26,410 |
Public universities' figures are usually the in-state rate. Turn any program into a full cost and loan estimate with the MSW cost and loan calculator.
Largest MSW Programs in Kansas
By MSWs awarded in 2022-23 (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS), University of Kansas has Kansas's largest program, followed by Wichita State University and Washburn University. Size tells you how many classmates, alumni and field placement partners to expect, not how good a program is.
| School | MSWs awarded, 2022-23 |
|---|---|
| University of Kansas | 204 |
| Wichita State University | 67 |
| Washburn University | 52 |
| Fort Hays State University | 41 |
| Newman University | 28 |
Online MSW Options for Kansas Residents
You aren't limited to schools in Kansas: 257 online MSW programs at schools in other states accept students nationwide. Before you apply, confirm the school can enroll Kansas residents online and arrange your field placement in Kansas.
| Lowest-cost CSWE-accredited online programs elsewhere | Est. tuition |
|---|---|
| Florida Atlantic University: Master of Social Work - 100% Online Advanced StandingMaster of Social Work - 100% Online Advanced Standing · Florida | $11,155 |
| Appalachian State University: Master of Social Work, Advanced Standing (App State Online)Master of Social Work, Advanced Standing (App State Online) · North Carolina | $11,359 |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Metro: Maestría en Trabajo Social (MSW), Especialidad en Trabajo Social Clínico - Online / PresencialMaestría en Trabajo Social (MSW), Especialidad en Trabajo Social Clínico - Online / Presencial · Puerto Rico | $12,939 |
| University of North Alabama: Master of Social Work (online)Master of Social Work (online) · Alabama | $14,850 |
| University of Arkansas: Online Advanced Standing Master of Social WorkOnline Advanced Standing Master of Social Work · Arkansas | $15,151 |
| East Carolina University: Master of Social Work, part-time online (Regular Pathway and Advanced Standing)Master of Social Work, part-time online (Regular Pathway and Advanced Standing) · North Carolina | $16,624 |
Compare every option on the online MSW programs page, or let the program matcher rank them for you.
Social Worker Pay in Kansas
| Occupation | Kansas median | U.S. median | Jobs in Kansas |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $54,300 | $59,550 | 3,190 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $64,440 | $67,880 | 1,360 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $56,330 | $60,280 | 1,620 |
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. A high median on few jobs describes a small market. What you can do with an MSW.
MSW Programs Near Kansas Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many MSW Programs Are in Kansas?
We verified 8 MSW programs at 7 schools in Kansas; 6 of those schools are listed as accredited in CSWE's directory.
What Social Work Licenses Does Kansas Issue?
Kansas's board (Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board (BSRB)) issues LBSW, LMSW and LSCSW. Clinical practice requires the Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker (LSCSW), after 3,000 hours of post-graduate supervised clinical work experience in a clinical setting, completed in not less than two years under an approved training plan; at least 100 hours of supervision (at least 50 individual), supervision at least twice a month, and one hour of supervision for every 15 hours of direct client contact.
Can Kansas Residents Earn an MSW Online?
Yes. Beyond Kansas's own programs, 257 online MSW programs at schools in other states accept students nationwide; confirm each school can enroll Kansas residents and place you in a field practicum in Kansas. Online MSW programs.
How Much Does an MSW Cost in Kansas?
Estimated tuition for Kansas programs that publish a rate and their credits runs from $23,940 to $44,480 before fees. Public universities usually charge nonresidents more, and advanced standing cuts the total for BSW graduates.
Nearby States
Sources
- Official program, tuition and admissions pages of the 7 Kansas schools listed, reviewed September 2026
- Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board (BSRB)
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), directory of accredited programs
- U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS completions 2022-23
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025