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Become a Social Worker in Kansas
Start your social work career with world-class barbecue, wide-open prairie at Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, and a statewide community of more than 8,000 licensed social workers. The Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board (BSRB) reported 8,288 permanent social work licenses as of January 23, 2024. Across the U.S., demand for social workers is expected to remain strong: the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 6% employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (faster than average), with about 74,000 openings per year on average.
This guide for how to become a social worker in Kansas explains educational requirements, how to get licensed, social work organizations to join and more. Once you complete the steps to become a social worker in Kansas, you can embark on a meaningful, fulfilling career helping others in the Sunflower State.
Information below was retrieved in January 2026 and is only meant to be a high-level overview. Requirements may change; always check with the state licensing board for the most current information.
University of Denver • Denver, CO
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Enrollment Type
Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program
As few as 12 months
Credits
54-81 graduate-level credits
Concentrations
Mental Health and Trauma, Health, Equity and Wellness
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution to be considered for admission
- Minimum undergraduate GPA is a cumulative 2.5 on a 4.0 scale or a 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits (approximately two years of work) for the baccalaureate degree
- Official transcripts
- Letters of recommendation
- Resume
- Career goals statement
Syracuse University • Syracuse, NY
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Enrollment Type
Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program
As few as 24 months
Credits
36-60
Concentrations
Advanced Integrated Practice, Advanced Clinical Practice
Admission Requirements
- Minimum 3.0 GPA is preferred
- Transcripts
- Resume
- Essays
- Prerequisite coursework
- Letters of recommendation
Simmons University • Boston, MA
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Enrollment Type
Accelerated and Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program
As few as 9 months
Credits
37-65
Concentrations
Mental Health Practice Optional Certificate, Trauma Practice Optional Certificate, Clinical Practice with Active Service Members, Veterans, and Families
Admission Requirements
- Resume
- Transcripts
- Recommendation forms
- Statement of professional and educational intent
Howard University • Washington, DC
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Enrollment Type
Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program
As few as 12 months
Credits
45+
Concentrations
Direct Practice, Community, Administration and Policy (CAP) Practice
Admission Requirements
- Three (3) letters of recommendation
- College transcripts
- A personal statement
- An application essay
- A resume
- Bachelor of Social Work from a CSWE-accredited institution, award within four years of first term start date
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in all social work foundation and undergraduate coursework
Hawaii Pacific University • Honolulu, HI
Master of Social Work
Enrollment Type
Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program
12-36 months
Credits
30-57
Concentrations
Military and Veterans Affairs, Child or Adult Protective Services, Health Care, Mental Health, Individual and Families, Social Agency Administration
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree with at least 30 credits in Liberal Arts from an accredited four-year institution
- Minimum 3.0 GPA, but applicants below that will be considered for provisional admission
- Completed courses in Statistics and Research Methods
- Applicants must have completed each course with a grade of a "C" or higher
- Bachelor’s degree in social work from an accredited program within the past five years
- Minimum 3.25 GPA on a 4.0 scale in social work courses
- Online application
Common Steps to Become a Kansas Social Worker
Before becoming a social worker in Kansas, you must earn a bachelor’s degree in social work and a social work license, depending on what career path you choose. Kansas offers three types of social work licenses. There may also be additional requirements such as a background check and clinical supervision, based on your goals. Below are the steps on how to obtain social work licenses in Kansas, summarized from the Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board.
To become a licensed social worker in Kansas, you will have to complete a Master of Social Work (MSW) program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). You can pursue these degrees in Kansas through various formats, including full time, part time and online.
Kansas has three levels of social worker, according to the state’s licensing board, with increasing requirements:
Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW): A person with an accredited bachelor’s degree in social work who has passed the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) bachelor’s exam.
Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW): A person with an accredited master’s degree in social work who has passed the ASWB master’s exam.
Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker (LSCSW): A person with an accredited master’s (or doctoral) degree in social work who has passed the ASWB Clinical exam and completed 3,000 hours of post-graduate supervised clinical work experience in a clinical setting (completed over at least 24 months).
Once you’ve completed your hours and experience, you may apply to become a licensed social worker in Kansas.
Learn more on how to become a social worker.
Social Work Degree Programs in Kansas
Social work degree programs in the United States are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). In Kansas, CSWE has multiple accredited bachelor’s and master’s social work degree programs.
A bachelor’s degree in social work online or on-campus can enable a student to enter an advanced standing program in an MSW program, where you may be able to complete an MSW in about one year. A BSW also prepares students for entry-level social work positions. There are multiple universities offering accredited BSW programs in Kansas:
- Bethel College
- Fort Hays State University
- Kansas State University
- Pittsburg State University
- Tabor College
- University of Kansas
- Washburn University
- Wichita State University
In Kansas, the advanced licenses (LMSW and LSCSW) require a master’s degree in social work (or higher) from a CSWE-accredited program.
Master of Social Work (MSW) Programs in Kansas
Kansas has multiple CSWE-accredited MSW programs. To confirm the most current list and each program’s accreditation status, check CSWE’s Directory of Accredited Programs.
| Institution & Program | Location | Study Length | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|
Newman UniversityMaster of Social Work | Wichita, KS | 2+ years | Full-Time, Part-Time |
Washburn UniversityMaster of Social Work | Topeka, KS | 2+ years | Full-Time, Part-Time |
Online MSW Programs in Kansas
Kansas offers multiple CSWE-accredited MSW programs delivered online. The University of Kansas and Newman University both offer fully online MSW programs, and Fort Hays State University’s MSW is delivered online with a short in-person clinical intensive component. Washburn University also offers a hybrid on-campus/online MSW format.
Social Work Licenses in Kansas
Kansas has three types of licenses for social workers: licensed baccalaureate social worker (LBSW), licensed master social worker (LMSW) and licensed specialist clinical social worker (LSCSW). To qualify for Kansas’s advanced social work licenses (LMSW and LSCSW), you generally need a master’s degree in social work (or a doctoral degree in social work) from a CSWE-accredited program. All information on LBSW, LMSW and LSCSW below was retrieved from the Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board.
Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW) in Kansas
Becoming an LBSW allows you to practice general, non-clinical social work. If you do not hold a clinical/independent license and you are providing psychotherapy or otherwise practicing in a role that requires supervision/direction, the BSRB expects you to practice under appropriate direction/supervision (the renewal materials ask you to list the person providing that supervision/direction).
- Education Requirement: Bachelor of Social Work Degree
- Post-degree supervised experience requirement: None (for the LBSW license level).
- Exams: ASWB Bachelor’s Exam
- License Renewal: 40 hours of professional development in continuing education
Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) in Kansas
Becoming an LMSW allows you to practice master’s-level social work. LMSWs may provide clinical services with appropriate supervision, but Kansas limits private, independent clinical practice to LSCSWs (or specialist social workers).
- Education Requirement: Master’s degree in Social Work (MSW) from a CSWE-accredited program (or one that meets Kansas program-approval rules).
- Post-degree supervised experience requirement: None (for the LMSW license itself).
- Exams: ASWB Master’s Exam
- License Renewal: 40 hours of professional development in continuing education
Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker (LSCSW) in Kansas
Becoming an LSCSW allows you to provide clients clinical services independently after licensure in Kansas.
- Education Requirement: Master or Doctor of Social Work Degree
- Field Requirements: At least 3,000 hours of postgraduate supervised professional experience completed under a BSRB-approved clinical supervision plan (including at least 1,500 hours of direct client contact and at least 100 hours of clinical supervision, with at least 50 hours of individual supervision).
- Exams: ASWB Clinical Exam
- License Renewal (every 24 months): 40 hours of continuing education, including at least 3 hours in professional ethics. LSCSWs must also complete diagnosis-and-treatment CE (minimum 3 hours on and after July 1, 2025). First-time renewals also require 6 hours of social worker safety awareness training (included in the 40-hour requirement).
Social Work Salaries in Kansas
Kansas Social Work Career | Number of Social Workers in Kansas | Average Mean Social Worker Salary |
|---|---|---|
Child, Family and School Social Workers | 3,380 | $55,460 |
Healthcare Social Workers | 1,429 | $64,570 |
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | 1,360 | $58,640 |
Information on the above social work salaries in Kansas was retrieved from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates: Kansas in January 2026
Kansas Social Work Scholarships
If you’re starting your path toward social work licensure in Kansas, you may be able to reduce education costs through a mix of school-based scholarships, state scholarship programs, and (after you’re licensed and working) loan repayment programs. Availability, eligibility, and deadlines can change year to year, always confirm details directly with the sponsoring organization.
- Kansas State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP)
- Integrated Health Scholars Program (KU School of Social Welfare(KU School of Social Welfare (KU School of Social Welfare(KU School of Social Welfare)
- Pastor Otis L. Cobbins, Sr. Memorial Scholarship
- Kansas Board of Regents Scholarships & Grants
Kansas Social Work Organizations
There are countless local and national associations and organizations with goals to promote, develop and protect the practice of social work and social workers. Better social work means better solutions for issues such as welfare, child welfare, elderly welfare, health care reform and other issues affecting the disadvantaged populations in Kansas and beyond.
- National Association of Social Workers (NASW), Kansas Chapter: NASW is the largest membership organization of professional social workers, and the Kansas Chapter connects members with state-level advocacy, professional resources, and updates. (See NASW’s Kansas Chapter page for current contacts and chapter information.)
- Kansas School Social Worker Association (KSSWA): KSSWA is the state association supporting Kansas school social workers by advocating at the local, state and national levels. KSSWA has a positive impact on the youth and families it serves.
- Society for Social Work Leadership in Healthcare, MO-KAN Chapter: The MO-KAN Chapter has a proud history of social work leadership in the Kansas City area. Membership comprises social workers across the healthcare spectrum who hold both formal and informal leadership roles.
FAQs
Kansas does not have reciprocity with any specific state, but it does offer licensure through reciprocity for social workers who are currently licensed in another state and meet Kansas requirements. Applicants generally need to hold an active, equivalent out-of-state license, meet Kansas education requirements for the comparable license level, and provide official ASWB exam scores (or qualifying exam history) as required by the BSRB. You must also submit the appropriate reciprocity application packet and pay the required fees (including the BSRB application fee and, once approved, the original license fee).
Kansas allows out-of-state licensure. Applicants must have an equivalent social work license in another state, meet the educational prerequisites for the equivalent Kansas Social Work license, provide their official ASWB exam scores and pay a fee on the State’s Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board site (PDF, 433 KB).
Information last updated: January 2026