Explore University of Louisville Online programs offering flexible, accredited degrees and certificates designed to help you advance your education and career.
Advance Your Impact as a Health Professions Educator with UofL’s Online MS in Health Professions Education
Healthcare professionals play a critical role not only in caring for patients but also in preparing the next generation of clinicians. The University of Louisville’s online Master of Science in Health Professions Education (MSHPE) equips dedicated healthcare educators with the knowledge and skills to excel in both classroom and clinical teaching environments.
Designed for practitioners across medicine, nursing, dentistry, pharmacy and other related fields, this fully online graduate program blends foundational learning theory with practical application. Students explore effective instructional strategies, learner assessment, educational leadership, curriculum design and inclusive teaching practices, all through flexible, 8-week online courses. The curriculum is delivered by experienced faculty from UofL’s School of Medicine, and no GRE scores are required for admission.
One of the most powerful ways to understand the real value of this program is through the voices of those who’ve experienced it. Be sure to watch the student testimony video below to hear directly from graduates and current learners about how the online MS in Health Professions Education shaped their teaching approach, expanded their confidence and enhanced their impact in academic and clinical settings.
Whether you’re already teaching or planning to step into an educator role, UofL’s online MS in Health Professions Education offers the tools to strengthen your educator identity, broaden your expertise and make a lasting difference in health professions education.
An online Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) from the University of Louisville prepares graduates for meaningful, in-demand careers helping individuals, families, and communities thrive. Offered through the Raymond A. Kent School of Social Work & Family Science, UofL’s accredited online MSSW program allows students to customize their degree through one of five specialized concentration paths aligned with their professional goals.
Graduates of UofL’s online Master’s in Social Work program are academically prepared to pursue Certified Social Worker (CSW) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) credentials, depending on state requirements. Because licensure requirements vary by state, prospective students are encouraged to review the regulations for the state(s) where they intend to practice prior to enrollment.
MSSW Concentrations and Career Outcomes
Earning an MSSW with a defined concentration equips graduates with targeted skills for the diverse and evolving field of social work. Let’s dig into UofL’s five MSSW concentrations and the types of settings where graduates commonly work.
Alcohol & Drug Counseling Concentration
The Alcohol & Drug Counseling concentration prepares graduates for careers addressing substance use disorders through clinical practice, case management, and community-based intervention. As substance abuse continues to rise nationwide, trained professionals in this area are increasingly in demand. Coursework also fulfills select requirements toward Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) credentials.
Potential career settings include:
Medical, psychiatric, and substance abuse hospitals
Outpatient substance abuse clinics
Inpatient detoxification and rehabilitation facilities
Residential mental health and substance abuse facilities
Private practice
Physicians’ offices
Gerontology Concentration
The Gerontology concentration prepares social workers to serve older adults and their families across healthcare, residential, and community environments. With an aging population, this specialization addresses a critical workforce need. Students gain hands-on experience through gerontology-focused field placements while building professional networks in aging services.
Potential career settings include:
All-inclusive care for the elderly (PACE) programs
Senior assistance and aging services agencies
Hospices
Nursing homes
Residential care facilities
Mental Health Concentration
The Mental Health concentration provides a strong clinical foundation for students pursuing careers in behavioral health and therapeutic practice. Coursework emphasizes mental health theory, diagnosis, assessment, policy, and direct practice, supported by advanced practicum experiences.
Potential career settings include:
Private practice
Hospitals
Mental health clinics
Rehabilitation and treatment facilities
Community health organizations
Residential care facilities
Military Social Work Concentration
The Military Social Work concentration prepares graduates to support active-duty service members, veterans, and military families. Coursework explores military-specific policies, trauma-informed care, and evidence-based interventions across civilian and military systems.
Potential career settings include:
Military bases and units
Medical facilities
Military support organizations
Veterans Affairs (VA) health centers
Community service agencies
Private practice
Psychosocial Oncology Concentration
The Psychosocial Oncology concentration addresses the growing need for social workers skilled in supporting individuals and families affected by cancer. Coursework emphasizes clinical practice across the cancer continuum. Graduates earn a Certificate in Psychosocial Oncology in addition to their MSSW degree.
Potential career settings include:
Cancer treatment centers
Hospitals
Hospice care organizations
Rehabilitation facilities
Community health organizations
Private practice
Job Outlook for Social Workers
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of social workers is projected to grow 6% from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations. UofL’s online Master of Science in Social Work program is designed for the next generation of social workers—professionals committed to advancing social good, improving access to care, and creating positive change in their communities.
Whether your goal is clinical practice, healthcare social work, aging services, military support, or substance abuse counseling, earning your MSSW online from the University of Louisville positions you for a purpose-driven and impactful career.
We are thrilled to share the exciting news that, in a span lasting a decade, the University of Louisville (UofL) has once again been recognized by U.S. News & World Report for having some of the Best Online Programs in the nation! The 2026 rankings re-affirm UofL’s fully online programs as some of the nation’s leading educational opportunities across multiple categories, including:
Kelvin Thompson, EdD, Vice Provost for Online Strategy and Teaching Innovation at UofL, highlighted the importance of quality online education in advancing lives and careers while offering the flexibility to balance life’s responsibilities. Dr. Thompson stated, “Providing accessible, high-quality online higher education is crucial for American social mobility. At UofL, our students come from all walks of life and in all manner of circumstances (e.g., First Generation, post-traditional, under-resourced, etc.), and recognition from organizations like U.S. News & World Report reaffirms our commitment to excellence in everything we do.”
In a rapidly evolving educational landscape, we understand the challenges you face as a learner. That’s why we’re committed to providing flexible, high-quality online education that aligns with your needs. UofL has over 70 online programs across the undergraduate and graduate levels, including bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral and a wide variety of certificate programs. Whether you’re juggling a career, family care or other priorities, UofL’s online programs are designed to help you succeed.
Join the ranks of our successful online learners who have embraced the UofL advantage. Your future starts here! View allour available programs and get started today on advancing your education with an online degree from UofL!
For those interested in exploring UofL’s online programs, the enrollment team can be reached at 502.852.8565, or visit louisville.edu/online for more information.
A Story of Leadership, Service and Advocacy: Meet DSW Student Lindsay Gutierrez
On November 11, 2025, UofL DSW student Lindsay Gutierrez appeared on The Jennifer Hudson Show to share her inspiring story. Lindsay is a two-time living organ donor, an Air Force veteran and an advocate for both living donors and American veterans.
In honor of Veterans Day, Jennifer welcomed Lindsay as a special guest whose service did not end when the uniform came off. On the show, Lindsay shared how she saved multiple lives through living organ donation. Her first donation was her kidney, which went to a fellow veteran. Later, she gave 40% of her liver to someone she had never met. Her appearance served as a powerful reminder that service comes in many forms and that love can break barriers to create new hope for others.
Her commitment to service began during her years in the Air Force where she discovered a deep calling to help others. That calling led her to social work and later to UofL’s online DSW program where she is focused on the mental health and long-term support of living donors.
Her work shows the heart of the doctoral program in social work and highlights what it means to lead with knowledge and compassion.
Why Choose the University of Louisville’s Online DSW
UofL’s online Doctor of Social Workgives experienced social workers the advanced skills they need to grow their impact in classrooms, agencies and communities.
DSW Program includes:
A 100% online format built for working professionals
Applied coursework that supports leadership, teaching and organizational change
An applied capstone project shaped by your professional goals
