Department of Social Work and Human Services

The Human Services (HS) degree prepares you for a rewarding career supporting individuals and communities in need. You’ll develop self-awareness and reflection skills to better understand your values and biases, enabling you to serve vulnerable populations with compassion and effectiveness. The KSU's HS is fully accredited by the Council For Standards in Human Service Education (CSHSE).

The Master of Social Work (MSW) prepares students for professional practice in social work. Graduates are eligible for the LMSW exam and may pursue supervision toward LCSW licensure. The KSU MSW is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. 

KSU offers Georgia’s first dual MSW/MBA, preparing leaders to innovate at the  intersection of social work and business. Learn to secure funding, collaborate  across sectors, and drive socially responsible, sustainable solutions that benefit  people, the planet, and profit.

The Child Advocacy Studies (CAST) minor provides interdisciplinary, ethical, and culturally sensitive training for working with children and responding to child maltreatment. Students develop an understanding of the factors that contribute to abuse and learn practical, system-based responses to support children and families.

Nonprofits are one of the fastest-growing employment sectors, creating strong demand for skilled professionals. This minor prepares you for careers, leadership roles, or volunteer opportunities in the nonprofit world.

Through our partnership with the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance, the Department of Social Work and Human Services offers an experience-based program that prepares students for leadership in the nonprofit sector. Students who complete the certificate requirements may also earn the Certified Nonprofit Practitioner (CNP) credential. 

The Graduate Certificate in Social Entrepreneurship prepares you to apply innovation and entrepreneurial strategies to address social, health, and environmental challenges. This interdisciplinary program emphasizes the triple bottom line and equips you with the skills to design and launch ventures that bridge business, government, and nonprofit sectors. 

This path is ideal for Human Services majors pursuing roles in for-profit or private organizations such as nursing homes or hospices. Graduates often find careers in human resources, management, corporate philanthropy, and marketing.

Combined Human Services and Criminal Justice degrees prepare students for careers as investigators, correctional officials, consultants, court advocates, and administrators in federal, state, and nonprofit agencies. 

This pathway prepares students for careers in public service, nonprofit management, and public policy. With a focus on critical thinking and people   management, the MPA equips you to navigate complex organizations and lead  effectively across government, nonprofit, and private sectors. 

The Human Services major provides strong academic and field experience, preparing students for advanced study in the Master of Social Work. Through the Double Owl Pathway, students gain the skills and values needed for a career focused on enhancing well-being and serving vulnerable and underserved populations.