Lawsuit filed in Franklin Circuit Court alleges Kentucky State University misrepresented social work licensure pathway in online program

A class-action lawsuit filed in Franklin Circuit Court alleges Kentucky State University and several university officials misrepresented the licensure pathway for social workers through an online program, according to the complaint filed in the case.

The suit, brought as a class action, claims the university’s online offering did not accurately describe how students would move from coursework to the credentialing requirements needed for social work licensure. The allegations focus on the information provided to prospective and enrolled students and the way the program was marketed or explained as part of a route to licensure.

The complaint names Kentucky State University and multiple individuals affiliated with the school, and it seeks relief on the theory that students were induced by the purported misrepresentations. The case is now part of the public court docket in Franklin County as the dispute proceeds through Kentucky’s civil litigation process.

The lawsuit also raises questions about what students were told, when they were told it, and whether the university’s representations aligned with the actual licensure requirements in Kentucky or other jurisdictions that students may have relied upon. The complaint characterizes the conduct as misleading rather than a simple misunderstanding of requirements.

Kentucky State University has not been quoted in the provided coverage summary. As with any allegations, the claims have not been proven in court, and the university and the named officials are expected to respond through motions and other filings as permitted under Kentucky civil procedure.

For students considering social work programs, licensure guidance can affect professional plans, costs, and the timing of entering the workforce. A dispute over how licensure pathways were represented can also raise questions for other training programs that market outcomes related to state-issued credentials.

The next steps in the case will depend on the court’s scheduling and the parties’ filings, including whether the defense seeks to dismiss the complaint or limit the class allegations. Until then, the lawsuit remains an allegation and the court has not issued findings on the merits.