University of Kansas School of Social Welfare

University of Kansas School of Social Welfare The official page of the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare. Educating, training and supporting qualified, compassionate social workers.

The University of Kansas School of Social Welfare offers the only comprehensive program in social work in Kansas with the professional degrees of:

* Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work (Ph.D)
* Doctor of Social Work (DSW)
* Master of Social Work (MSW)
* Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

KU's School of Social Welfare is an excellent place to pursue your interests in professional socia

l work education. It is the oldest school of social welfare in the state and the only one to offer degree preparation from undergraduate through doctoral degrees in social work. Our social work programs at the B.S.W., M.S.W., and Ph.D. levels are consistently rated as excellent by experts and alumni, and, especially, by those who employ our graduates. Whether they enter the arena of professional social work practice (B.S.W. and M.S.W.) or take on the challenging roles of social work researcher/educator (Ph.D.), our graduates report that they are well-equipped to succeed. Social Media Community Guidelines

The University of Kansas encourages interaction from social media users but is not responsible for comments or postings made by visitors to the page. Comments posted by visitors do not in any way reflect the opinions or policies of the university. KU asks that people making comments on university pages show respect for their fellow users by ensuring the discussion remains civil, especially because some networks allow individuals as young as 13 years old to join. Comments are also subject to each social network’s Terms of Use and Code of Conduct. The university reserves the right, but assumes no obligation, to remove comments it deems to be threatening, libelous, defamatory, obscene, off-topic or duplicative, or that advocate illegal activity, incite violence, or make ad hominem attacks on KU students, employees, or guests. We also may remove messages selling products or promoting commercial, political, or other ventures, or messages that violate intellectual property rights or privacy laws or are otherwise unlawful.

It was an eventful trip as always for our Social Welfare group that traveled abroad to Costa Rica with Professor of Prac...
06/03/2026

It was an eventful trip as always for our Social Welfare group that traveled abroad to Costa Rica with Professor of Practice Melinda Lewis.

Here are some of the highlights, including sight-seeing, visiting Asociación Gerontológica Costarricense (AGECO), a day at Soy Niña and other adventures.

Natalie Ladd grew up in areas that needed more social workers. She and her family moved back and forth between Michigan ...
06/02/2026

Natalie Ladd grew up in areas that needed more social workers. She and her family moved back and forth between Michigan and Kansas. Now in Heston, Kansas, Ladd recently graduated with her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare.

Social work wasn’t always the plan, but it was a path that made sense to Ladd. She wants to make lives better for those who need the extra help.

Please join the School of Social Welfare in congratulating Dr. Lisa Street in her new role as DSW Associate Program Dire...
06/01/2026

Please join the School of Social Welfare in congratulating Dr. Lisa Street in her new role as DSW Associate Program Director. Dr. Street's involvement with the administration of the program and the new learning and knowledge she is developing about DSW education is integral to us and the program.

Congrats, Dr. Street!

Social work wasn’t always the plan, but Nandhini Sachithanandham spent years finding herself -- and found a career that ...
05/29/2026

Social work wasn’t always the plan, but Nandhini Sachithanandham spent years finding herself -- and found a career that shaped her moral compass, she said.

Sachithanandham said her professors were supportive through her entire time in the School of Social Welfare.

They saw the human part of me, which I was craving when I was a pre-med student. It was so refreshing to come to class and be present and hear so many perspectives and just stimulate ideas, which are so powerful, they carry the potential for change.”

In May, Social Welfare students, faculty and staff represented the school at the Emerging Leaders in Behavioral Health S...
05/28/2026

In May, Social Welfare students, faculty and staff represented the school at the Emerging Leaders in Behavioral Health Summit in Wichita. Students were recognized for academic achievements and learned from state and national subject matter experts in behavioral health about emerging research.

The event also included networking and learning about the needs of Kansas communities.

Here are the students who represented the KU School of Social Welfare at the summit:

BSW students:
Charlie Haegele
Alexa Morlier
Miranda Polley
Nandhini Sachithanandham

MSW students:
Tina Briggs
Tabitha Foster
Hannah Gavin
La'tresha James
Carl Willey

DSW students:
Brandi Studer
Rocky Wallace
Dively Zarate

“What I want to do for the rest of my life is help people." Yazmin Brown leans on her difficult upbringing as her motiva...
05/27/2026

“What I want to do for the rest of my life is help people."

Yazmin Brown leans on her difficult upbringing as her motivation to be a great social worker. Brown, who grew up in the foster care system in Kansas City, Kansas, has ambitions for a career helping children who seek to be understood and heard.

In May, Brown will graduate with her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare. It’s an achievement she never imagined for herself, but now it is here.

(photo by Earl Richardson)

Social Welfare assistant professor Joonmo Kang has published research examining the air travel required for such confere...
05/26/2026

Social Welfare assistant professor Joonmo Kang has published research examining the air travel required for such conferences from a climate-justice perspective, encouraging reflection on how long-standing academic practices contribute to the climate crisis.

Rather than calling for an end to academic gatherings, the research encourages the field to consider more sustainable and equitable alternatives.

“There are many benefits of getting together in this way, but it got me thinking about higher education, what we do and what we might do better."

Always be proud to be a social worker, no matter where your life leads you. Always be you. We will be cheering you on! 🎓
05/22/2026

Always be proud to be a social worker, no matter where your life leads you. Always be you. We will be cheering you on! 🎓

Cheers to our Bachelor of Social Work graduates! We can't wait to see the great social workers you will be.      .
05/21/2026

Cheers to our Bachelor of Social Work graduates! We can't wait to see the great social workers you will be.

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We are so proud of our 2026 Doctor of Social Work cohort for all their hard work. Congratulations and we can't wait to s...
05/20/2026

We are so proud of our 2026 Doctor of Social Work cohort for all their hard work. Congratulations and we can't wait to see the impact you all continue to make as professionals in your communities.

Address

1535 West 15th Street
Lawrence, KS
66045

Website

https://www.instagram.com/kuschoolofsocialwelfare/

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