For over 80 years, the College of Social Work (CoSW) at the University of Kentucky has been a leader in social work education. Our mission is clear: Through rigorous research, excellence in instruction, and steadfast service, the CoSW works to improve the human condition. Always, in all ways.
As the state’s flagship university, our mission is actualized through our deeds. Our faculty are renowned academicians dedicated to fostering the development of high-quality practitioners and researchers.
Each year we look for ways to share some of the amazing work of CoSW. The CoSW Annual Wrap-Up is one way we achieve that aim. This year’s report focuses on our efforts to make social work education more accessible, research aimed at assuaging the impact of COVID-19, and highlighting our faculty, staff, students, and alumni.
Despite the challenges of 2020, this has been a year of unprecedented growth and achievement for our College. Of course, none of this would be possible without the support of the University, our community partners, stakeholders, and donors. We sincerely THANK YOU for continuing to support our work and we look forward to engaging with you for years to come.

Accessible Education
Ensuring students have an accessible world-class social work education is our priority. In 2020, we welcomed the first cohort into our online Doctorate of Social Work (DSW) program. AND, we announced the launch of our fully online Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW) degree option, which is slated to take its first cohort in Fall 2021. This means students can earn their BASW, Masters in Social Work (MSW), and DSW degrees fully online.
From Pandemic to Possibilities: Research that Matters
In 2020, CoSW researchers shifted attention to leading cutting-edge, multidisciplinary research aimed at addressing challenges associated with COVID-19.
CoSW is committed to creating safe and expansive spaces. In our learning environment, we strive to make certain that diversity is not just superficially represented, but inherently embodied, pragmatically instituted, and consistently ensured.
We achieve that aim by reimagining traditional concepts of diversity. Rather than inclusion, we focus on expansion. That is, CoSW looks to expand our environment such that people are inherently and equitably engaged.
In our view, no one should have to wait on the periphery to be included.
Strategic responses meet needs during troubling times.
CoSW is home to several unique centers and labs. These dynamic environments, which are housed at the Coldstream Research Campus, permit researchers, practitioners, academicians, and students the opportunity to conceptualize and conduct cutting-edge research, programing, and consultation aimed at assuaging and addressing contemporary challenges facing individuals, families, and communities.
Social work research in becoming increasingly global. In 2020, CoSW faculty and staff forged several new research collaboratives and partnerships with academic, practice, and policy institutions around the world. Cultivating these and other partnerships will remain a central component of continuing the vibrant, impactful CoSW research enterprise.
Register Here
The College of Social Work works to improve the human condition. Of course, we cannot do that alone. There are myriad ways, large and small, you can join us in this work. Be it supporting former foster youth through our Forward Together Fund, contributing to the Rosenstein Lecture Series on issues of social justice, helping social work students via our Emergency Aid Fund, or giving to any one of our other causes, we invite anyone interested in supporting our students to make a gift.