Best MSW Programs in Kansas (2026)
Every CSWE-accredited Master of Social Work program in Kansas for 2026, with tuition costs, LSCSW licensure requirements, salary data, and field placement details.
Key Takeaways
- Kansas has 3 CSWE-accredited MSW programs at the University of Kansas, Wichita State University, and Washburn University, covering the state's three largest metro areas: Kansas City, Wichita, and Topeka.
- In-state tuition ranges from ~$339/credit at Wichita State University (most affordable) to ~$485/credit at Washburn University. The University of Kansas charges $452/credit in-state, with a $695/credit flat rate for its fully online MSW option.
- Kansas social workers earn below national medians in child/family roles but closer to national averages in healthcare and mental health settings. The state's cost of living is approximately 15% below the national average, which improves real purchasing power.
- The LSCSW (Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker) requires 4,000 supervised hours over at least 2 years after your MSW, including 1,500 hours of direct client contact and 150 hours of clinical supervision, plus the ASWB Clinical exam.
- Kansas was the seventh state to enact the Social Work Licensure Compact in April 2024, which will allow licensed social workers to practice across all compact member states with a single multistate license once implementation is complete.
Kansas offers three CSWE-accredited MSW programs that collectively serve the state's three major population centers. The University of Kansas — the state's flagship research university — operates the oldest and largest program with campuses in Lawrence, Kansas City, and Salina, plus a fully online option. Wichita State University anchors south-central Kansas with the most affordable in-state tuition, and Washburn University in Topeka is the only Kansas program offering dedicated Healthcare and School Social Work concentrations.
All three programs prepare graduates for licensure as a Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker (LSCSW), which is Kansas's highest-level social work credential and the equivalent of the LCSW in most other states. The path after graduation: pass the ASWB Masters exam to get your LMSW, then complete 4,000 supervised hours over at least 2 years (including 1,500 direct client contact hours), and pass the ASWB Clinical exam to earn your LSCSW through the Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board (BSRB).
Kansas pioneered social work licensing in 1976, establishing the three-tiered LBSW/LMSW/LSCSW system that many states later adopted. The state signed the Social Work Licensure Compact in 2024, which is especially valuable for social workers in the Kansas City metro area that straddles the Kansas-Missouri border. With over 90 mental health shortage areas and a growing behavioral health workforce need, Kansas offers strong job prospects for MSW graduates willing to serve in underserved communities.
CSWE-Accredited MSW Programs in Kansas
| School | Tuition (In-State) | Format | Length | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Kansas (School of Social Welfare) | $452/credit (in-state); $695/credit (online flat rate) | On-campus (Lawrence, Kansas City, Salina) and fully online | 2 years (64 credits) | CSWE-accredited |
| Wichita State University (School of Social Work) | $339/credit (in-state) | On-campus | 2 years (63 credits) | CSWE-accredited |
| Washburn University (Department of Social Work) | $485/credit (in-state) | On-campus and hybrid (online + campus) | 2 years (63 credits) | CSWE-accredited |
University of Kansas (School of Social Welfare)
Lawrence
In-State Tuition
$452/credit (in-state); $695/credit (online flat rate)
Out-of-State
$1,085/credit (out-of-state on-campus); $695/credit (online flat rate)
Format
On-campus (Lawrence, Kansas City, Salina) and fully online
Full-Time
2 years (64 credits)
Advanced Standing
1 year (37 credits)
Field Hours
900 (two placements across foundation and specialization years)
Concentrations
Clinical Social Work Practice — Child and Family, Clinical Social Work Practice — Health/Mental Health, Clinical Social Work Practice — Aging, Macro Practice — Social Service Administration, Policy, and Advocacy
- CSWE accredited since 1947, ranked among the top 12% of public MSW programs by U.S. News
- Three campus locations (Lawrence, Kansas City, Salina) plus a fully online option at a $695/credit flat rate
- Four clinical concentrations plus a macro practice track for maximum specialization flexibility
- Dual degree options including MSW-JD, MSW-MPH, and MSW-MA in Global and International Studies
- Field placements coordinated statewide and nationally, with 900+ hours of supervised practice
Wichita State University (School of Social Work)
Wichita
In-State Tuition
$339/credit (in-state)
Out-of-State
$832/credit (out-of-state)
Format
On-campus
Full-Time
2 years (63 credits)
Advanced Standing
1 year (37 credits)
Field Hours
900 (400 hours foundation + 500 hours specialization across two practicums)
Concentrations
Advanced Generalist Practice
- Most affordable CSWE-accredited MSW program in Kansas at $339/credit for in-state students
- Advanced generalist emphasis integrates both clinical and macro practice skills
- CSWE accredited since 2000, with reaffirmation through 2029
- Located in Kansas's largest city with strong ties to Wichita-area hospitals, community mental health centers, and nonprofits
- Advanced standing available for BSW holders, reducing program to 37 credits in one year
Washburn University (Department of Social Work)
Topeka
In-State Tuition
$485/credit (in-state)
Out-of-State
$925/credit (out-of-state)
Format
On-campus and hybrid (online + campus)
Full-Time
2 years (63 credits)
Advanced Standing
1 year (33 credits)
Field Hours
900 (two field education practicums across foundation and clinical years)
Concentrations
Clinical Social Work Practice, Healthcare Social Work, School Social Work
- Only Kansas MSW program with dedicated Healthcare and School Social Work concentrations
- Hybrid format available combining online coursework with on-campus components
- Located in the state capital with proximity to Kansas DCF, BSRB, and state government agencies
- MSW-JD dual degree option with Washburn School of Law
- Advanced standing requires only 33 credits, the fewest of any Kansas MSW program
Social Work Licensure Requirements in Kansas
Kansas issues three social work license types through the Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board (BSRB). The two most relevant for MSW graduates are the LMSW (available immediately after graduation) and the LSCSW (requires supervised clinical experience). Kansas pioneered social work licensing in 1976, establishing the three-tiered LBSW/LMSW/LSCSW system that many states have since adopted.
The LSCSW (Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker) is Kansas's highest-level social work credential, equivalent to the LCSW in most other states. It authorizes independent clinical practice, diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions, private practice, and insurance billing. Kansas requires more supervised hours than most states (4,000 vs. the typical 3,000), but the LSCSW is widely recognized as a rigorous credential.
| License | Full Name | Supervised Hours | Exam |
|---|---|---|---|
| LBSW | Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker | N/A (associate level) | ASWB Bachelors |
| LMSW | Licensed Master Social Worker | N/A (associate level) | ASWB Masters |
| LSCSW | Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker | 4,000 hrs (2 years (maximum 6 years) min) | ASWB Clinical |
Kansas offers licensure by reciprocity for social workers licensed in another state, provided the other state's requirements are substantially equivalent to Kansas's. Applicants must submit verification of licensure from every state where they have been licensed, and the BSRB evaluates each application on a case-by-case basis.
Kansas was the seventh state to enact the Social Work Licensure Compact when Governor Laura Kelly signed HB 2484 on April 12, 2024. Once implementation is complete (estimated 18-24 months after the seventh state enacted), eligible licensed social workers will be able to obtain a multistate license that authorizes practice across all compact member states without needing to apply separately in each state. This is especially significant for the Kansas City metro area, which straddles the Kansas-Missouri border.
Licensing Board
Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board (BSRB)
Phone: 785-296-3240
Social Worker Salary in Kansas
Kansas social workers earn below the national median in child and family roles but are closer to national averages in healthcare and mental health settings. The state's cost of living is roughly 15% below the national average, with housing costs approximately 35% lower, which significantly offsets the salary gap. All salary data below is from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024.
| Occupation | State Median | National Median | Premium | Top Metro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $47,090 | $58,570 | -19.6% | $50,830 (Kansas City, KS (Kansas portion)) |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $64,280 | $68,090 | -5.6% | $68,540 (Kansas City, KS (Kansas portion)) |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $51,620 | $60,060 | -14.0% | $54,370 (Wichita, KS) |
Kansas Social Work Job Market and Workforce
Kansas has over 90 mental health Health Professional Shortage Areas, with significant gaps in the western and rural counties. Many counties west of Salina have fewer than 1 mental health provider per 5,000 residents, and the state's rural behavioral health infrastructure remains thin despite growing demand.
The state's three major metro areas drive most social work employment. The Kansas City metro (on the Kansas side: Wyandotte and Johnson counties) offers the highest concentration of jobs, with major employers including the University of Kansas Health System, AdventHealth, and Johnson County Mental Health Center. Wichita is anchored by Ascension Via Christi, Wesley Medical Center, and COMCARE of Sedgwick County (the state's largest community mental health center). Topeka hosts several state agencies, including the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF), which oversees child welfare and family services statewide, and the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS).
Kansas has also expanded its behavioral health workforce through Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs), which provide integrated mental health and substance use treatment, creating new roles for LMSWs and LSCSWs across the state.
Loan Repayment and Scholarship Programs
- Kansas State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP) — Provides up to $50,000 in loan repayment for behavioral and mental health professionals (including LSCSWs) who commit to a 2-year service obligation at an eligible practice site in a federally designated Health Professional Shortage Area in Kansas. Applications are accepted year-round.
- National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Loan Repayment — Up to $50,000 in loan repayment for mental health professionals (including LSCSWs) who serve at NHSC-approved sites in Health Professional Shortage Areas for 2 years, with extensions available for additional repayment.
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) — Social workers at Kansas DCF, KDADS, VA hospitals, federally qualified health centers, community mental health centers, and nonprofit organizations all qualify for federal PSLF after 120 qualifying monthly payments under an income-driven repayment plan.
How to Choose an MSW Program in Kansas
Kansas has 3 CSWE-accredited MSW programs, so the decision primarily comes down to your location, budget, career specialization goals, and whether you need online flexibility.
- If you want the most established program with the most options: The University of Kansas School of Social Welfare is the flagship program, CSWE accredited since 1947, with four clinical concentrations, a macro track, three campus locations, and a fully online option. It carries the strongest name recognition nationally.
- If you're on a tight budget: Wichita State University at $339/credit is the most affordable CSWE-accredited MSW in Kansas. For a 63-credit program, total in-state tuition is approximately $21,400. KU's in-state rate of $452/credit is the next most affordable for on-campus students.
- If you need a fully online program: The University of Kansas is the only Kansas school offering a fully online CSWE-accredited MSW. The flat online tuition rate is $695/credit regardless of residency, which is competitive nationally. Field placements are coordinated in your local area.
- If you want healthcare or school social work: Washburn University is the only Kansas program offering dedicated Healthcare Social Work and School Social Work concentrations. If you know you want to work in a hospital setting or pursue school social work certification, Washburn gives you the most focused preparation.
- If you're in the Wichita area: Wichita State is the only CSWE-accredited MSW program in south-central Kansas, with strong ties to COMCARE, Wichita-area hospitals, and community agencies. The advanced generalist emphasis prepares you for both clinical and macro roles.
- If you have a BSW and want to finish fast: All three programs offer advanced standing. Washburn requires only 33 credits (fewest in Kansas), while KU and Wichita State require 37 credits. Advanced standing can be completed in about 1 year of full-time study at all three schools.
- If you plan to work in the Kansas City metro: KU has a Kansas City campus with strong connections to the University of Kansas Health System, Children's Mercy, and the metro area's behavioral health agencies. The KC location also gives you access to employers on both sides of the state line.
Related Pages
Best Online MSW Programs
National ranking of the top online MSW programs
Best Online BSW Programs
Undergraduate social work programs
Best Online DSW Programs
Doctoral programs for experienced social workers
Clinical Social Worker Career Guide
What LCSWs actually do day-to-day
Clinical Social Worker Salary
Salary data by state and experience level
MSW Programs by State
Compare MSW programs across all 50 states
Sources
- CSWE Accredited Programs Directory — Kansas
- Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board (BSRB) — Social Workers
- Bureau of Labor Statistics — Social Workers in Kansas (May 2024)
- ASWB — Licensing Exams
- HRSA — Mental Health HPSA Data
- Kansas Department of Health and Environment — State Loan Repayment Program
- Social Work Licensure Compact