Tag: Kent School of Social Work
Where Will Your Master’s Degree in Social Work Take You? 

Where Will Your Master’s Degree in Social Work Take You? 

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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. 

Learn more about UofL’s online MSSW program and available concentrations, or hear firsthand from a UofL online MSSW graduate in the video below.
A Story of Leadership, Service and Advocacy: Meet DSW Student Lindsay Gutierrez 

A Story of Leadership, Service and Advocacy: Meet DSW Student Lindsay Gutierrez 

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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 Work gives 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 
  • A supportive and engaging online learning cohort  

 
Apply by March 15 to Start Fall 2026 
Nurturing Hope: The Role of Social Workers on Healthcare Teams

Nurturing Hope: The Role of Social Workers on Healthcare Teams

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Cancer is a word we all fear because at some level we understand its inherent magnitude—when an individual receives a cancer diagnosis their world changes completely. Cancer not only affects the physical health of individuals but also deeply influences their emotional and social well-being. Coping with a cancer diagnosis involves navigating a complex web of challenges. Within the realm of social work, a concentration in psychosocial oncology can equip practitioners with the tools and knowledge to provide comprehensive support to individuals and families facing cancer.

What is Psychosocial Oncology?

Psychosocial oncology is a specialized field within social work that addresses the biological, psychological, social, spiritual, sexual, and cultural aspects of care needed for managing any chronic or life-limiting disease. Professionals in this field understand that cancer and other life-limiting conditions affect more than just the body; it touches every aspect of a person’s life. From diagnosis through survivorship or end-of-life care, oncology social workers offer support to help individuals and families cope with the challenges these diagnoses can present. Here are some crucial roles psychosocial oncology practitioners may play on the healthcare team:

  • Help weighing decisions regarding treatment and advocating for patients’ rights
  • Assistance with non-medical, practical issues such as housing, transportation, childcare, and food insecurity
  • Offer support for emotional issues that can arise such as anxiety, depression, sadness, and worry
  • Advise and guide individuals on navigating the complexities of interpersonal relationships with their spouse/partner, families, and coworkers
  • Aid in navigating spiritual concerns like changes in faith or beliefs, ritual or dietary needs, conflicts between beliefs and treatment plans, death, dying, or the afterlife

Is Psychosocial Oncology the Right Career Path for Me?

The psychosocial oncology concentration would be an ideal fit for you if you are passionate about making a meaningful difference in the lives of those facing cancer and are eager to specialize in an area where compassion, empathy and expertise converge to offer comprehensive, psychosocial care. The psychosocial oncology concentration available within the online Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) program at the University of Louisville (UofL) has existed for 14 years and is the only program of its kind nationally. The courses for the psychosocial oncology concentration at UofL are taught through the lens of cancer treatment, but the knowledge and expertise are transferable to any chronic or life-limiting disease. This concentration focuses on the holistic needs of individuals and families affected by terminal or chronic diseases. Our graduates play a vital role in enhancing the quality of life and promoting resilience in the face of adversity. In the healthcare journey, psychosocial oncology social workers are beacons of support, compassion, and hope.

Here are some of the roles you may be qualified for as a graduate of the online MSSW program with a concentration in psychosocial oncology:

  • Oncology social worker
  • Social worker in behavioral health
  • Counselor
  • Patient navigator
  • Palliative care social worker
  • Hospice social worker

Earn Your MSSW at UofL

UofL’s online master’s in social work focuses on expanding students’ application of methods and decision-making practices that promote social justice and build stronger communities. The psychosocial oncology concentration is one of six concentrations students can pursue when completing our Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)-accredited, highly ranked MSSW. The other options are Alcohol and Drug Counseling, Gerontology, Mental Health, Military Social Work, Psychosocial Oncology or School Social Work*. Students who choose the psychosocial concentration can expect to take courses like:

  • MSSW 647 Psychosocial Practice in Oncology I Social Work Practice with Individuals and Families in Healthcare**
  • MSSW 648 Psychosocial Practice in Oncology II: Social Work Practice to Promote Health Equity**
  • MSSW 633 Social Work and Human Sexuality
  • MSSW 636 Advanced Death and Grief
  • MSSW 684 Spirituality and Social Work

All social work programs at UofL are offered through the Raymond A. Kent School of Social Work and Family Science (Kent School). Since its founding in 1936, the Kent School has been a catalyst for change with a mission to empower and transform lives. After nearly a decade of preparing students to work in a society with complex social problems and needs, the Kent School has earned its place among the top social work programs. The MSSW is ranked as one of the top programs in the state of Kentucky and is nationally ranked by U.S. News and World Report. Through rigorous academic programs, hands-on practicum experiences, and a supportive learning environment, the Kent School curriculum has been expertly designed to prepare students with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to become compassionate and capable practitioners.

If psychosocial oncology, or any of the MSSW concentrations, sounds like the right fit for you, request more information on our website to be contacted by a member of our enrollment team.
Are you looking for an undergraduate program? There is a nationally ranked online Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) available from the Kent School, and you can read more on our website.

* The school social work concentration is available to Kentucky residents only.
** Required coursework toward the Psychosocial Oncology concentration.

A Personal Investment in Social Work and a Life-Long Mission to Change the World

A Personal Investment in Social Work and a Life-Long Mission to Change the World

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Social work, education, online learning

The Kent School of Social Work at the University of Louisville has a long tradition equipping social work professionals to serve and advocate for vulnerable populations. That’s because we take our chosen field professionally, but also personally. With bachelor’s and master’s in social work programs, we prepare future social workers to make a difference in their community, the society and the world.

Our tradition is carried forward by the outstanding faculty and staff at the Kent School, and our success is a reflection of the many individual successes that our undergraduate and graduate social work students achieve when they go into the world. At the helm of Kent’s online programs are two exquisite professors who combine pedagogy with real world experiences and draw motivation from their own very personal stories.

Dr. Shawnise Miller, Director of UofL’s online Master of Science in Social Work, came to social work by way of a family legacy.

“My grandmother was the director of a local social service agency and from an early age, I spent time at her office. I didn’t go to daycare, I went to work with my grandmother. And even after starting school, I would spend my summer breaks at her office. Watching her help people and their families shaped me greatly.”

It was there she learned that help can come in a variety of forms. “It could be providing direct services like food or financial assistance for rent…or it could be advocating on behalf of someone or even whole groups of people.”

Dr. Miller learned compassion from her grandmother and began to see the professional channels through which she could effectively carry on the family tradition. She stays involved in the field and is a mentor and resource for her students.

In the classroom, Dr. Miller helps students learn concepts and methods within the context of every-day environment challenges. She says, “I love seeing the light bulb moments for my students… and watching them make connections between course materials and real-life situations. That is truly rewarding.”

Dr. Armon Perry, Director of the online Bachelor of Social Work program at UofL, has his own personal story to share:

“I am from Montgomery, Alabama and I grew up in a not-so-nice neighborhood. But, I went to high school in a wealthier part of town and sat in class next to kids who drove nicer cars than any of the adults in my neighborhood. The juxtaposition between what I saw in my neighborhood versus what I saw at school compelled me to think about the ways in which the intersection of people’s race, class, gender, and family of origin shaped their life chances.”

Dr. Perry was the first in his family to attend college. When he first met with an advisor, he shared his desire to change the world, starting with the people he knew. “I told her i wanted to help people like the ones I grew up around, in hopes that they could one day live like the people I went to high school with.”

“My advisor sent me to Beverly Hall, which is where the Social Work Department was located, and I signed up.” Dr. Perry’s contribution to the field extends well beyond the classroom. He is actively involved with the 4 Your Child project — a Kentucky program aimed at helping fathers take more active roles in their children’s lives.

This type of personal investment in the mission of social work drives Dr. Miller and Dr. Perry to in turn educate and empower their students to be a force for change.

At the Kent School of Social Work, we are proud of our tradition and the dedicated faculty who carry that tradition into the 21st century. Our online bachelor’s and master’s in social work degrees extend the reach of that tradition and leave a legacy of skilled, compassionate social workers set to make a difference at a time when their services are needed more than ever.

Whether you’re just getting started in the field or you want to pursue your master’s, the right education can help you reach new heights in your career and enhance your ability to fight injustice. We hope you’ll join our learning community and you’ll let us join you on your mission to change the world.






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