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UK Social Work celebrates graduation of Army MSW cohort at Fort Sam Houston

This cohort, including members from the Army, Air Force, and Army National Guard, marks a significant milestone in the program’s aim to foster skilled clinical social workers across military branches.

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LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 5, 2024) — On April 12, 2024, the United States Army and the  University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW) will honor 30 graduating officers during a ceremony at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas, acknowledging the officers’ successful completion of the Army-UK Master of Social Work (MSW) program. 

This graduating cohort is comprised of 27 Active Duty Army officers, two Air Force officers, and one Army National Guard officer. Following their graduation, these social workers will embark on post-graduate internships at facilities associated with the Army, Air Force, and Veterans Affairs. This step is part of their pathway towards achieving independent licensure as clinical social workers. 

The UK College of Social Work has offered this one-of-a-kind master’s degree in partnership with the Department of Defense since October 2016. The goal is to develop well-qualified clinical social workers to fill positions across military service branches. 

“More than two-thirds of all new active-duty Army social workers each year are educated by the Army-University of Kentucky MSW program, playing a vital role in ensuring the readiness and improving the well-being of our service members, their families, and retirees,” said Col. Teresa Murray, director of the Army-UK MSW program. “The support and collaboration from the University of Kentucky are invaluable as we work together to address the needs of the Department of Defense.”  

“As a land-grant institution, our commitment to armed forces education is codified via federal legislation,” Jay Miller, dean of the CoSW, said. “We take immense pride — and feel honored — to fulfill this obligation through our Army MSW program. The successful graduates we celebrate truly represent our commitment.” 

The full-time, 60-hour MSW degree program operates within the Army Medical Department Center and School at Fort Sam Houston. Curriculum is delivered in a condensed format over 14 continuous months of study, and all classes are administered through the Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston campus. 

For more information about the Army-UK program, please visit https://socialwork.uky.edu. 

For 85 years, the University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW) has been a leader in social work education. As a college, we promote community and individual well-being through translational research and scholarship, exemplary teaching, and vital community engagement. We are committed to the people and social institutions throughout Kentucky, the nation, and the world. Like the University, CoSW is an organization that cultivates a diverse academic community characterized by interpersonal fairness and social justice. We are fiercely committed to developing outstanding social work professionals — leaders who will serve individuals, families, and communities through innovative and effective practices that are guided by cultural competency, systematic ethical analysis, and a keen and pragmatic understanding of the human condition.  

UK Social Work celebrates graduation of Army MSW cohort at Fort Sam Houston