A class-action lawsuit filed this week against Kentucky State University alleges the university fraudulently advertised that its master’s of social work program was accredited when it wasn’t.

Emmanuel Smith, the plaintiff, is halfway through the master’s program and trying to transfer his credits to another university, but he can’t because they were not accredited, according to James Morris, Smith’s attorney.

“I was like, ‘Holy crap, they are literally running a scam to get people into a master’s program that is fake,’” Morris said Tuesday.

In addition to KSU, Smith is also suing KSU President Koffi Akakpo, KSU Provost Michael Dailey, other KSU officials, the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education, CPE President Aaron Thompson and other CPE officials.

A degree in social work is a prerequisite to obtain a social work license in most states, according to the Council on Social Work Education, which is referenced in the lawsuit. Kentucky law also required that credential in the fall of 2025 and spring of 2026, the lawsuit said.

The lawsuit said KSU described its master’s of social work program as “supporting pathways to clinical licensure,” and claimed it “fulfills the educational requirements” for Certified Social Worker and Licensed Clinical Social Worker credentials in Kentucky.

But the complaint alleges it was not accredited during that time. The lawsuit references sources from Internet Archive, which preserves website pages and other historical documents.

“(Smith) and any other master’s in social work candidates have literally been defrauded into enrolling in a program that is absolutely worthless,” Morris told the Herald-Leader.

KSU said in May that the program was no longer accredited, but the lawsuit claims it was “materially misleading as to the distinction between state academic-program approval and CSWE accreditation,” according to the lawsuit.

Morris said Smith is “dealing with an absolute disaster.”

KSU released a statement on its website regarding the lawsuit Tuesday.

“Kentucky State University is aware of the lawsuit concerning its Master of Social Work program. Because this is active litigation, we will not comment on specific legal claims or allegations contained in the complaint,” KSU said. “The University remains committed to transparency, accountability, academic quality, and supporting students as they make informed decisions about their education and professional goals.”

This lawsuit is unrelated to two other lawsuits against KSU and others, Morris said. He is representing students and alumni in all three cases.

The other cases are still open and allege Senate Bill 185 was unconstitutional and discriminatory.

The bipartisan legislation, which passed by the state legislature this year and is still supported by Akakpo, drastically changed the university within four months of its enactment. The bill restructured KSU’s programs and finances after the university faced years of financial issues. The university also expects a 20% drop in enrollment by Spring 2027, which its officials said stems from changes caused by the bill.

The lawsuits are “not an attack at Kentucky State University,” Morris said.

“It is an effort to protect its students and its future.”

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