Student Resources
Social Work Major Change Information
Students are welcome to change their major to pre-social work or exploratory studies in social work during the specific windows set by the University. (Click here to view the Academic Calendar.)
Current UK Students: Students who plan to change their major to pre-social work or exploratory studies in social work are encouraged to contact an academic advisor in the College of Social Work. Students may change their major to pre-social work before completing pre-major requirements and are encouraged to discuss how a major change would impact their graduation plan with a social work advisor.
Child Welfare PREP Certification (CW PREP)
CW PREP is an innovative workforce development program implemented by the Department of Community Based Services and eleven university undergraduate social work programs. The goal of CW PREP is profoundly simple – foster an unparalleled pathway for recruiting, supporting, and retaining a vibrant, dynamic child welfare workforce.
Students accepted into the CW PREP program are provided in-state tuition and a generous stipend each semester alongside specialized training and career support. In exchange for their commitment to public child welfare, they accept a two-year employment commitment with the Cabinet upon successful completion of the program.
Benefits
- Up to four semesters of paid in-state tuition
- A $1300 stipend per semester
- Priority consideration for employment with DCBS
- Job coaching and counseling
- Early-career support after graduation
Eligibility
- Full-time enrollment in an undergraduate social work program (or eligibility for admittance to a program by the end of the semester)
- No less than three and no more than four regular semesters before graduation (after the current semester)
- Minimum 2.5 overall GPA and 3.0 GPA in social work courses at the time of application
- Valid driver’s license or other form of identification
Education/Training Requirements
- Two specific child welfare courses (taken in sequence)
- Both practicum placements with the state-administered child protection agency
- Nine days of CHFS Protective Services training in your last semester
- Fall and Spring weekend retreats (required attendance every term in the program)
Contractual Obligations
- Maintaining entry-level or better GPAs
- Maintaining full-time enrollment each semester in the program
- Accepting a position with the Department of Community Based Services within two months of graduation and remaining employed for two years
- At application, you will identify 10 counties within Kentucky in which you would be willing to work and accept a job in one of these counties.
- Reimbursing the program for all costs incurred on your behalf in the event of your failure to meet your contractual obligation
For more information or questions about CW PREP, please contact Erin Mayhorn – erin.mayhorn@uky.edu
University Scholars Program
The University Scholars program is administered through the Graduate School and allows undergraduate students who meet criteria to take graduate courses to satisfy BASW degree requirements. UK allows students to take up to 12 hours in this program. Students will apply at the end of their junior year and must have completed 90 credit hours and all UK Core to apply as well as meet the GPA criteria of 3.8 for social work courses and a 3.5 overall UK cumulative GPA.