Ten Reasons to choose Kent School

For more than 90 years, we have worked to elevate our presence in the communities we serve, advance collaborative and interdisciplinary research and educate the changemakers of tomorrow. In this time, we have established a long list of interesting facts that have become our points of pride.

Kent School is nationally ranked as a top 50 social work graduate program in the nation based on the U.S. News and World Report 2026 rankings. The University of Louisville is also recognized as a “Best Value School” by U.S. News and World Report, 2025.

Our school and Center for Family and Community Well-Being have a combined $27+ million research portfolio, based on active projects in the 2024-25 fiscal year.

Kent School has the Dr. Renato LaRocca Endowed Chair in Oncology Social Work, the only endowed chair housed in a school of social work. Students interested in the growing field of cancer and health social work have the unique opportunity to learn from, engage with and be mentored by the endowed chair.

Receive focused education on the emotional, social and spiritual needs of cancer patients and families to prepare you for advanced practice in oncology social work.

Our Couple and Family Therapy (CFT) Program is the first and now one of only two CFT programs that resides in a school of social work in the U.S. We celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2024.

Few schools offer this robust level of programs, led by distinguished fellows and practicing professionals in the fields of social work and couple and family therapy. 

Our doctoral programs, PhD and DSW, are led by renowned fellows in the Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR), Drs. Anita Barbee and Heather Storer. The BSW, MSSW and CFT programs round out our degree offerings. These programs are led by licensed, practicing professionals who are innovators in their fields with deep rooted community connections.

The Relationship Solutions Clinic is a valued asset and community resource. Housed on Shelby Campus, the clinic is operated by our Couple and Family Therapy (CFT) program. Therapy services are provided to the local community, and graduate level CFT students, under supervision, see clients in this professional setting.

Students provide service through their practicum placements. Practicum education is an important part of our students’ hands-on learning experience. 270 Students were placed at 201 approved practicum sites across 31 states and two countries from fall 2024 through spring 2025. They provided 124,638 hours of service working with local, national and global community partners. 

The Dr. Renato LaRocca Endowed Chair in Oncology Social Work is housed in the Kent School, working to fill the gaps as the need for professionals in the field of health care social work continues to grow.

Recognized for their achievements, commitment to research and continuous work in the field of social work, our faculty also hold professional fellowships with national organizations including the Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR), Association for Oncology Social Work (AOSW) and the Gerontological Society of America (GSA).

Kent faculty design and annually host study abroad programs that expand upon classroom learning, engaging students in new cultural experiences. Past study abroad opportunities include trips to Belize, Peru and Vietnam.