Tag: 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 

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.






Master of Science in Social Work at University of Louisville
Advice from a Non-Traditional Student

Advice from a Non-Traditional Student

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Sara Keinath isn’t your traditional student. An active wife, mother and career professional, her passion for social work led her to pursue her Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) at UofL — an online degree that provides the learning flexibility she needs.

How did you start your social work career?

“I am a wife, mother and non-traditional student who went back to school a little later in life. I was unsure whether social work was my true calling until late in my undergrad career, but now I feel like this career is most certainly my home.”

Why the MSSW program?

“When I was pursuing my undergrad in psychology, I knew I would need to continue my education, but was unsure what I wanted to do. I tossed around getting a Psy.D. in clinical psychology, because I thought I wanted to do counseling. That was until I did an internship that focused more on case management. Then I did my research and realized that a MSSW degree would allow me to do case management work along with the clinical/counseling side, plus offer the job opportunities that are more widespread.”

Did you consider a specialization?

“I did not specialize, simply because I wanted to have a more general experience and it allowed me to pick and choose my electives to get that broader educational experience.”

Why did you choose UofL?

“I chose UofL, because at first I was looking at local programs and I was impressed with the Kent School’s curriculum and reputation. The majority of social workers I had talked to had been educated there and had positive things to say about the program. Then when UofL started to offer the online program option, it became the obvious choice for me.”

What did you find most valuable in the online format?

“I liked that the online courses offered the same content and the same professors as the on-campus program. I am a non-traditional student who went back to school once my children were in school. Due to my family’s schedule, a traditional format wouldn’t have been ideal. I needed flexibility and the online program afforded me that. Being able to spend time with my family and be an inspiration to them are very important things to me.”

How has the internship helped you in your current position?

“I am currently employed at Hosparus and have always loved hospice work. That was my goal even before I started the UofL MSSW program. They have employed many interns over the years, and due to my internship there, I was offered a permanent position. Without that ‘in’ I highly doubt I would be an employee there. I am very thankful that it worked out that way.”

What are your professional plans for the future?

“As of now, I honestly just really like where I am. I have no desire to go anywhere else. Having said that, I am currently pursuing my LCSW and once I finish that program, I do hope to do some private practice work on the side.”

What advice do you have for other students in an online social work program?

“My advice is to stay on top of the work. It can be easy to say, ‘I’ll do that later,’ but then before you know it you have dug a hole that is too deep to crawl out of. Also, getting to know your classmates and networking with professors has to be approached differently in the online learning setting. I highly encourage students to make the effort to form those relationships, because this program can be difficult and they will need that support from those students who are in it with them.”

About UofL Online Learning

If Sara’s story resonates with you and you’re interested in pursuing a master’s in social work, visit our online MSSW program page.

The University of Louisville currently offers more than 20 online programs in various areas of study for adult learners who are not able to come to a physical campus, but want to earn a college degree or certificate and advance their career.






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