The School of Social Work offers a program of study leading to the master's in social work degree and a professional career in social work. Started in 1999, the M.S.W. program is the result of collaborative efforts by the University of Missouri System, UMKC and many social service agencies in the Kansas City metropolitan area.

The mission of the UMKC M.S.W. program is the preparation of competent professionals for advanced generalist social work practice in the urban environment. The M.S.W. program emphasizes three themes across the curriculum: empowerment and social and economic justice; strengths perspective and asset building; and community building.