Kentucky · Verified September 2026
MSW Programs in Kentucky
Where Can You Earn an MSW in Kentucky, and How Do You Get Licensed?
10 schools in Kentucky offer 13 MSW programs we verified, including Brescia University, Campbellsville University and Eastern Kentucky University. 8 can be taken online and 12 offer advanced standing. Estimated tuition runs from $33,000 to $51,780 before fees. After the MSW, Kentucky's clinical license is the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).
- Earn a CSWE-accredited MSW2 years full time, or about 1 with advanced standing
- Pass the ASWB exam (Masters)For the CSW
- Log supervised clinical hoursMinimum of two years of post-master's supervised clinical experience; …
- Earn the clinical license (LCSW)Independent clinical practice
- programs in Kentucky
- 13
- schools
- 10
- CSWE-accredited schools
- 9
- offer advanced standing
- 12
- online programs
- 8
The Kentucky Social Work License Path
Kentucky Social Work Licenses
Kentucky Board of Social WorkLicensed Social Worker
- Degree
- Baccalaureate degree in a social work or social welfare program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, or a baccalaureate degree with courses equivalent to a social work or social welfare program as determined by the board
- Exam
- ASWB Bachelors
- Independent practice
- No, practice under supervision or in an agency
Certified Social Worker
- Degree
- Master's or doctorate degree in social work from an educational institution approved by the board
- Exam
- ASWB Masters
- Independent practice
- No, practice under supervision or in an agency
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
- Degree
- Master's or doctoral degree in social work from an educational institution accredited by the Council on Social Work Education
- Exam
- ASWB Clinical
- Supervised experience
- Minimum of two years of post-master's supervised clinical experience; supervision totals a minimum of 150 hours, at least 100 of them individual supervision, with up to 50 hours of group supervision (201 KAR 23:070)
- Independent practice
- Yes
- Social Work Licensure Compact
- Listed by the Social Work Licensure Compact as a jurisdiction that has passed the compact language; the Compact states multistate licenses are not yet being issued
From Kentucky Board of Social Work, 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.
Kentucky Schools Compared
| School | Programs | Formats | CSWE | Advanced standing | Lowest est. tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of KentuckyLexington · Public | 3 | Online, Hybrid, Campus | CSWE | Yes | $47,400 |
| Northern Kentucky UniversityHighland Heights · Public | 2 | Hybrid, Online | CSWE | Yes | $39,600 |
| Brescia UniversityOwensboro · Private nonprofit | 1 | Online | CSWE | Yes | $41,100 |
| Campbellsville UniversityCampbellsville · Private nonprofit | 1 | Online | CSWE | Yes | $38,400 |
| Eastern Kentucky UniversityRichmond · Public | 1 | Online | CSWE | Yes | $42,780 |
| Spalding UniversityLouisville · Private nonprofit | 1 | Hybrid | CSWE | Yes | $39,000 |
| University of LouisvilleLouisville · Public | 1 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes | $51,780 |
| University of PikevillePikeville · Private nonprofit | 1 | Online | CSWE | Yes | $33,000 |
| Western Kentucky UniversityBowling Green · Public | 1 | Hybrid, Online | CSWE | Yes | |
| Morehead State UniversityMorehead · Public | 1 | Hybrid | Pre-candidacy | Yes | $34,380 |
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 Kentucky
13 programs in Kentucky
- FormatOnlineCredits60Est. tuition$47,400$790/creditAccreditationCSWE
Master of Social Work (Hybrid and Lexington Campus) at University of Kentucky
University of Kentucky · LexingtonFormatHybrid, On campusCredits60Est. tuition$842per credit · general rate · resident rateAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campusCredits–Est. tuition–AccreditationCSWE
Master of Social Work (Online, Foundation and Advanced Standing Tracks) at Campbellsville University
Campbellsville University · CampbellsvilleFormatOnline900 field hoursCredits60Est. tuition$38,400$640/creditAccreditationCSWEMaster of Science in Social Work (MSSW) at University of Louisville
University of Louisville · LouisvilleFormatOn campus, OnlineCredits60Est. tuition$51,780$863/creditAccreditationCSWEHybrid Standard MSW Program at Northern Kentucky University
Northern Kentucky University · Highland HeightsFormatHybridCredits60Est. tuition$39,600$660/credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWEOnline Accelerated Standard MSW Program at Northern Kentucky University
Northern Kentucky University · Highland HeightsFormatOnlineCredits60Est. tuition$39,600$660/credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWE- FormatHybrid, OnlineCredits60Est. tuition$5,463per term · general rate · resident rateAccreditationCSWE
- FormatHybridCredits60Est. tuition$39,000$650/creditAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOnlineCredits60Est. tuition$41,100$685/creditAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOnlineCredits62Est. tuition$42,780$690/creditAccreditationCSWE
- FormatHybridCredits60Est. tuition$34,380$573/credit · resident rateAccreditationPre-candidacy
- FormatOnlineCredits60Est. tuition$33,000$550/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 Kentucky
10 Kentucky programs publish enough to estimate tuition before fees, from $33,000 at University of Pikeville to $51,780 at University of Louisville. The Kentucky median is $39,600, against $40,180 nationally.
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 Kentucky
By MSWs awarded in 2022-23 (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS), University of Kentucky has Kentucky's largest program, followed by Campbellsville University and University of Louisville. Size tells you how many classmates, alumni and field placement partners to expect, not how good a program is.
Online MSW Options for Kentucky Residents
You aren't limited to schools in Kentucky: 253 online MSW programs at schools in other states accept students nationwide. Before you apply, confirm the school can enroll Kentucky residents online and arrange your field placement in Kentucky.
| 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 Kentucky
| Occupation | Kentucky median | U.S. median | Jobs in Kentucky |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $59,100 | $59,550 | 8,470 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $64,080 | $67,880 | 1,980 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $42,570 | $60,280 | 1,360 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $85,160 | $71,900 | 610 |
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many MSW Programs Are in Kentucky?
We verified 13 MSW programs at 10 schools in Kentucky; 9 of those schools are listed as accredited in CSWE's directory.
What Social Work Licenses Does Kentucky Issue?
Kentucky's board (Kentucky Board of Social Work) issues LSW, CSW and LCSW. Clinical practice requires the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), after Minimum of two years of post-master's supervised clinical experience; supervision totals a minimum of 150 hours, at least 100 of them individual supervision, with up to 50 hours of group supervision (201 KAR 23:070).
Can Kentucky Residents Earn an MSW Online?
Yes. Beyond Kentucky's own programs, 253 online MSW programs at schools in other states accept students nationwide; confirm each school can enroll Kentucky residents and place you in a field practicum in Kentucky. Online MSW programs.
How Much Does an MSW Cost in Kentucky?
Estimated tuition for Kentucky programs that publish a rate and their credits runs from $33,000 to $51,780 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 10 Kentucky schools listed, reviewed September 2026
- Kentucky Board of Social Work
- 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