Newman University announces a traditional Master of Social Work track accepting applicants without a Bachelor of Social Work, offering a trauma-informed, fully online curriculum accredited by CSWE for Kansas clinical licensure.
— Newman University has announced a traditional Master of Social Work program track that enables working adults to earn an MSW degree without first holding a Bachelor of Social Work, removing a common barrier for mid-career professionals seeking clinical credentials. The foundational standing pathway accepts applicants whose undergraduate degrees are in psychology, education, business, criminal justice, or other disciplines, allowing them to enter graduate social work education directly rather than completing a second bachelor’s degree. Delivered entirely online with a trauma-informed curriculum, the program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education and prepares graduates for licensure as clinical social workers in Kansas and neighboring states, though students should verify specific state requirements.
More information is available at https://newmanu.edu/academics/social-work
The announcement addresses both a credential gap and a workforce shortage in behavioral health across the Midwest. According to national salary analyses, social workers holding master’s degrees earn approximately thirteen thousand dollars more annually than peers with only bachelor’s-level credentials. Regional data from the Health Resources and Services Administration and the Kansas Behavioral Health Center of Excellence point to sustained demand for licensed master’s-level clinicians. Kansas has invested in workforce development through stipend programs that offset educational costs for students entering behavioral health specializations, signaling the state’s recognition of unmet need in mental health and trauma services.
Newman’s online format and trauma-informed pedagogy target geographic and scheduling obstacles that working adults in the Midwest commonly face. The university structures coursework asynchronously, enabling students to balance employment, family responsibilities, and graduate study while building competencies in evidence-based practice and behavioral health intervention. CSWE accreditation ensures that graduates meet the educational prerequisites for Kansas licensure as Licensed Master Social Workers and, with supervised post-graduate hours, as Licensed Clinical Social Workers.
The traditional MSW without BSW prerequisite requires sixty-two semester credits and includes approximately nine hundred to one thousand hours of supervised field practicum distributed across foundation and advanced practice years. Newman embeds a dedicated licensure preparation course into the curriculum, a feature the university identifies as unique among Kansas MSW programs and designed to improve examination passage rates and readiness for independent clinical practice. Field placements emphasize trauma-competent service delivery in community mental health, healthcare, child welfare, and school settings, aligning practicum experiences with the program’s behavioral health focus.
Qualifying students may access substantial financial support that reduces net program costs. The HRSA Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training program offers practicum stipends; the Kansas Behavioral Health Center of Excellence also supports the Newman University MSW program through funding initiatives aimed at workforce development, which may indirectly reduce costs for eligible trainees. These funds are earmarked for students pursuing behavioral health concentrations and completing field hours in underserved or high-need practice areas, making graduate education more accessible for adults who might otherwise face prohibitive out-of-pocket expenses during unpaid or low-paid internships.
The foundational standing track is designed for working professionals across Kansas and the broader Midwest who hold regionally accredited bachelor’s degrees in any major and wish to transition into clinical social work without the delay and expense of earning a second undergraduate degree. Adults with backgrounds in human services, education, healthcare, or related fields can apply directly, provided they meet minimum grade point average requirements and demonstrate relevant experience and alignment with social work values. Newman’s admissions process evaluates applicants holistically, considering academic performance, professional background, and clarity of purpose in pursuing licensure and clinical practice.
For additional details about Newman University and its academic programs, visit https://newmanu.edu/
Contact Info:
Name: Clark Schafer
Email: Send Email
Organization: Newman University
Address: 3100 McCormick , Wichita, Kansas 67213, United States
Website: https://newmanu.edu/
Source: PressCable
Release ID: 89199037
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