University of Kentucky®
Graduate Certificate in
Sport Social Work
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PROGRAM DETAILS
FORMAT
TOTAL CREDITS 9
CREDENTIALS Certificate
COST PER CREDIT
$806.00
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- Sport Social Work
About this Program
The Graduate Certificate in Sport Social Work offered by the College of Social Work is a nine-credit hour program designed to prepare students for practice in athletic and sport-related settings. Sport social work combines foundational social work principles with a focus on the unique needs of athletes and athletic systems, aiming to promote mental health, well-being, and social justice through practice, advocacy, and research.
The certificate program is competency-based, aligned with national education standards, and is available fully online, featuring courses in sport social work fundamentals, advanced application, and trauma-informed or evidence-based practice. Given the growing demand for sport social workers across youth, collegiate, and professional levels, this certificate meets both academic and workforce needs.
Why UK Online
Once you become a student, you will have access to a wide variety of academic support services to maximize your success.
Designed For
This certificate is designed for Master of Social Work students or post-graduate students who are passionate about sport and committed to advancing social work practice within athletic contexts.
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Learn more about the Sport Social Work online program.
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What You’ll Learn
The Sport Social Work Certificate provides specialized, practice-relevant training that bridges traditional social work education with the unique demands of sport settings.
- Train where sport and social work collide – Gain cutting-edge, practice-ready skills designed specifically for the real-world challenges of athletic environments.
- Turn passion into profession – Build expertise in athlete mental health, assessment, advocacy, and systems-level intervention across sport settings.
- Expand your career runway – Prepare for roles in athletic departments, sport organizations, youth and community programs, and clinical practice with athletes.
- Advance with purpose and impact – Strengthen professional credibility and leadership at the intersection of sport, mental health, and social justice.
Course Examples
- SW 562: Introduction to Sport Social Work
- SW 662: Advanced Application of Sport Social Work
- SW 711: Trauma-Informed Practice -or- SW 730: Evidence-Based Practice for Social Workers
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How to Apply
Admissions Criteria
- Must be admitted to the MSW program. NOTE: Students in the MSW program must have completed the 600 level courses or be advanced standing to meet prerequisites of the courses.
- Alternatively, if the applicant already has an MSW and is offered admission to the UK Graduate School in a non-degree seeking status, they may apply to this certificate program.
- Must have obtained a baccalaureate degree, prior to the start of the admission term, from a fully accredited U.S. institution of higher learning or from a recognized foreign institution. See Graduate School admissions for specifics.
- An overall grade point average of 2.75 on undergraduate work and 3.00 on all graduate work, if applicable.
- International applicants whose native language is not English must submit either a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score. See Graduate School admissions for specifics.
Application Requirements
- Official transcripts
Program Contact
Deadlines
Spring 2027
Frequently Asked Questions
Admissions
Do I need to have a MSW degree to take this program?
Yes, students need to either have an MSW or currently be enrolled in a MSW degree program to take this certificate program.
Tuition
How much does the online program cost?
The cost of tuition and fees is listed at the top of this page. Please reference Student Account Services for more detailed information about tuition and fees.
Is there a tuition cap?
Yes! Some programs offer a tuition cap for full-time (9+ credit hours) graduate students who enroll exclusively in distance education courses. To see if your program offers a tuition cap and to view the per semester rate, please visit https://www.uky.edu/studentaccount/tuition.
I'm not in Kentucky. What's my tuition rate?
For our fully online programs, state of residence does not affect tuition rate. Tuition is the same no matter where you live.
Online Learning
Will I have to attend class at a specific time?
No, all classes are asynchronous. This means that students complete the course requirements according to the syllabus and deadlines, but they have flexibility within their own schedule to complete coursework at times that work best for their schedule. We recommend students log in everyday to ensure they are staying on top of communication and assignments.
What should I expect in online classes?
It's important to know how to approach learning in an online program. Online classes are not harder nor easier than in-person classes, but they are different due to their asynchronous modality. This means students should expect to:
Develop a routine: Login to your online class routinely (we recommend at least once daily) to receive updates and contribute meaningfully to any ongoing discussions.
Be good time managers: Determine when you have time to work on coursework throughout the week so you don't fall behind or put off assignments until the last minute.
Communicate: If you are having any trouble, message your peers and/or your instructor right away to ask for help or clarification. Never be afraid to reach out to your instructors or Student Affairs if you need assistance--we have many resources to help you, but we need to know your situation to act accordingly on your behalf.
If you need additional support in navigating the online classroom, Canvas (our learning management system) has a number of helpful tools, including a module for new students that walks through everything you need to know about navigating information in your online class.
Are there any on-campus requirements?
No, there is no on-campus requirement.
Will this program lead to licensure in my state?
Students should consult with their licensure board to verify if this program will meet licensure requirements for the state in which they will practice. UK has assembled a database of licensure information for different states. However, the ultimate responsibility for verifying this information prior to enrollment lies with the student.
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Our team is here to help you with the next stage of your journey. Reach out to us today!
Distance Learning Authorization & Licensure
Where you live matters when completing distance education activities. If you will live outside of Kentucky while completing your program, please check the Distance Learning Authorization & Licensure page to confirm that the program can be offered in your state or country, and if relevant, that it meets professional licensure requirements in your state. Please note: Admission and enrollment in a fully-online program can NOT lead to the issuance of a J-1 or F-1 student visa.
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