University of Arkansas MSW Program
The University of Arkansas School of Social Work ranks among America’s oldest social work programs, with its roots dating back to 1940. The program sits within the prestigious Fulbright College of Arts & Sciences and has managed to keep full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) since it began.
The school’s mission centers on creating competent social workers who live by professional values. The MSW program shapes advanced leader-practitioners through an integrated blend of classroom teaching, field education, and hands-on learning. Students learn empirically-based practice using a Multi-Systems Life Course Perspective.
Professional social workers at the University of Arkansas tackle society’s fundamental challenges. They help individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities reach their full potential. The program champions social and economic justice for vulnerable populations while embracing human diversity.
Students with a bachelor’s degree in social work can choose the Online Advanced Standing Master of Social Work Program. This full-time program takes just one year to complete and delivers the same curriculum as on-campus classes but entirely online. Students can “learn in place” from anywhere while staying connected to the flagship campus.
Graduates learn to solve complex personal, social, community, and economic problems that keep people trapped in poverty. Their studies in multi-system life-course perspectives build advanced practice skills that work in systems of all sizes and life stages.
Faculty members conduct research in a variety of areas. These include healthy aging, gerontology, addictions, health disparities, poverty reduction, human diversity, international social work, children and families, domestic violence, and human trafficking.
Programs offered
The University of Arkansas’s Master of Social Work (MSW) program gives students four different ways to earn their degree. Each path helps students master advanced practice using the Multi-Systems Life Course viewpoint.
Students without a social work degree can choose the Regular 2-year full-time program that needs 63 credit hours. This splits between foundation courses in year one and advanced concentration in year two. The Extended 3-year program works better for students who need flexibility. It also totals 63 credit hours but lets students take fewer credits (6-9 hours per semester) during the foundation phase before going full-time in year three.
Students who already have a bachelor’s in social work from a CSWE-accredited program can take the Advanced Standing program. This cuts down the required coursework to 39 credit hours, which students complete in just 12 months of full-time study. These degrees should be from the last six years, but the program might make exceptions for applicants who have extensive social work experience and ongoing education.
The Online Advanced Standing MSW program started in 2016 and offers the most flexibility. It matches the on-campus program exactly but puts everything online. Students don’t need to visit campus at all – even orientation happens virtually. The program keeps its high standards while letting students learn from wherever they are.
Online MSW students must complete 900 hours of field work at health services agencies near them. These internships take about 22 hours each week throughout the program year. Students also join virtual Field Seminars every Tuesday evening.
The program teaches students to become supervisors and leaders in social work. Students start with foundation courses before moving to concentration courses. The Multi-Systems Life Course concentration helps graduates tackle complex problems at different system levels through various life stages.
The program wants students with strong academic records and requires a 3.0 GPA minimum for the last 60 credit hours. Students don’t need GRE scores or previous work experience. The program can’t accept students from Colorado or outside the United States.
About the online program
The University of Arkansas MSW online program lets students advance their social work education without disrupting their lives. First launched in 2016, this fully online Advanced Standing program needs no campus visits at all—students complete even their orientation online.
Students complete 39 credit hours in this 12-month, full-time program. The cohort-based structure gives students great peer support and networking chances as they move through their courses. This setup builds a strong sense of community even though students learn remotely.
Field education serves as the foundation of the experience. Students complete internships in their local communities. These hands-on learning opportunities take about 22 hours each week throughout the program year. On top of that, students join weekly Tuesday evening field seminars through live virtual classrooms. Working professionals might get approval to complete internships at their current workplace, which adds extra convenience.
Students experience the same curriculum as the on-campus program through digital platforms. They work independently yet stay connected with faculty and peers. Notwithstanding that, students must meet specific technology requirements to participate successfully.
Students can “learn in place” whatever their geographic location, which makes this program special. They attend the University’s flagship campus as online students without moving or commuting. The School’s faculty keeps close watch on all field placements to ensure quality learning.
The program prepares graduates to take on supervisory positions and leadership roles in social work. Many graduates find themselves ready to pursue doctoral studies. The program holds the same high academic standards and CSWE accreditation as its on-campus version.
Accreditation
The University of Arkansas MSW program’s CSWE accreditation represents excellence and guarantees that your education meets rigorous national standards. The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) provides full accreditation to the MSW program, which serves as a vital credential that verifies your degree’s quality and relevance in the professional world.
CSWE accreditation provides significant career advantages. Your graduation from a CSWE-accredited program makes you eligible for social work licensure in every state since most licensing boards require this credential. The qualification also creates opportunities in government agencies and healthcare institutions of all sizes that require accredited degrees.
The accreditation process reviews eight core competencies that are the foundations of social work education:
- Demonstrate ethical and professional behavior
- Engage diversity and difference in practice
- Advance human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice
- Engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice
- Engage in policy practice
- Engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
- Assess individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
- Intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
- Evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
The University of Arkansas MSW online program goes through regular reaccreditation reviews to maintain its professional standards. External evaluators take a closer look at curriculum content, field education components, faculty qualifications, student outcomes, and the program’s overall effectiveness.
CSWE accreditation signifies more than just a credential as you think over your educational options. This designation shows employers and licensing boards that graduates have the knowledge and skills to serve diverse populations effectively.
The University of Arkansas MSW online program gives you access to a nationally recognized curriculum that meets professional standards and prepares you for advanced practice opportunities throughout your career.
Accreditation
The University of Arkansas’s Master of Social Work program holds full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). This recognition validates the program’s excellence in social work education and applies to both campus-based and online formats.
The University of Arkansas BSW program stands among the nation’s oldest social work education programs. The program has maintained continuous accreditation since it began in 1940. The MSW program started in 2001 and quickly gained national recognition. U.S. News and World Reports now ranks it No. 94 among social work programs in the United States.
The BSW and MSW programs achieved an eight-year reaccreditation from CSWE in October 2023. This renewal came after a detailed evaluation process that included:
- Submission of over 2,000 pages of supporting documentation
- A detailed two-day site visit with program stakeholders
- Meetings with School of Social Work directors, administrators, community partners, and students
The reaccreditation happens every eight years. It involves a thorough peer-review that balances consistent outcomes while giving schools the flexibility to develop their unique approaches. This evaluation confirms that accredited programs have clear missions and goals that match the social work profession’s expectations.
CSWE accreditation matters greatly for students pursuing an MSW degree. It shows that your education meets the national standards set by the profession’s governing body. Students need this certification to take licensure examinations, as most states require degrees from CSWE-accredited programs.
Arkansas has only two CSWE-accredited MSW programs, which makes the University of Arkansas program especially valuable. Director Johanna Thomas spoke proudly about this achievement: “The process allows us, as a school, to revisit our mission, vision and goals and ensure we are delivering the highest possible level of education needed for our students to become leader-practitioners in Arkansas and beyond”.
Both programs will post assessment data on the School of Social Work website every two years as part of their quality assurance. The next full accreditation review will take place in 2031.
Admission Requirements
The University of Arkansas MSW online program takes an all-encompassing approach to assess applications. The program looks at your academic history and professional readiness. The School welcomes students from all backgrounds, whatever their age, class, color, culture, disability, ethnicity, gender, immigration status, political ideology, race, religion, or sexual orientation.
You need a bachelor’s degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program completed in the last 6 years to qualify for the Advanced Standing program. Students who earned their BSW more than 6 years ago can request an exception. They must provide proof of substantial post-bachelor’s social work employment and ongoing education.
Your undergraduate GPA should be 3.0 (on a 4-point scale) for the last 60 hours of your first bachelor’s degree. The program might accept students with GPAs between 2.75 and 3.0 for conditional admission if they submit GRE or Miller Analogies Test scores.
The deadline matters – you must submit applications for the Online Advanced Standing program by January 15. Submit all materials through SocialWorkCAS with a $45 application fee.
Your application package needs:
- Three professional references from professors, field instructors, or employment supervisors
- Personal statement and case study essay analyzing one of two provided scenarios
- Current resume detailing all work, volunteer, and internship experiences
- Unofficial transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
International students must submit official academic credential evaluations.
The program requires students to be computer literate with reliable computer and internet access. The School looks at several factors: your drive to work in human services, academic potential, personal effectiveness, sustained effort capacity, communication skills, and potential contributions to a diverse student body.
You should track your application status and make sure all required materials reach the right departments.
Tuition
The University of Arkansas MSW online program stands out with its student-friendly tuition structure. Students can pay in-state tuition rates whatever their location or residency status.
Graduate students in the MSW online program will pay $459.68 per credit hour during the 2025 academic year. The 39-credit Advanced Standing program costs approximately $17,927 in total tuition. Students must also pay these mandatory fees per credit hour:
- Library fee: $4.98
- Network & Data Systems fee: $16.00
- Global Campus fee: $30.00
- Online Facilities fee: $2.00
The university’s financial assistance options help MSW students manage their costs. The School of Social Work’s Graduate Assistantship positions are available each year. These roles come with tuition waivers and stipends, and students work up to 20 hours weekly providing teaching support, research, or administrative help.
The Benjamin Franklin Lever Fellowship provides support to students who have significant financial needs, are first-generation college students, or come from underrepresented areas. Students can also find GA positions in other university departments.
Licensed clinical social workers who plan to work in underserved communities have additional funding options. The National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program can help repay up to $50,000 in student loans after two years of service in high-need areas. MSW graduates who work with Indian Health Service can also benefit from the IHS Loan Repayment Program.
The University of Arkansas Treasurer’s Office and Graduate School website provide complete details about costs and financial aid options.
Additional Information
The University of Arkansas MSW online program provides excellent resources beyond its main coursework to support your educational goals. Students can access online tutoring through Pear Deck Tutor in Blackboard 24/7/365. Remote students can also get a University of Arkansas student ID card.
Your MSW degree opens up many career paths:
- Clinical social work (with additional licensure)
- Case management in different settings
- Healthcare social work in hospitals
- School social work with appropriate credentials
- Substance abuse counseling
- Research positions or academic careers
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, MSW graduates earn about 25% more than those with bachelor’s degrees. This degree also prepares ambitious students to pursue doctoral programs.
A strong support system helps students succeed throughout their academic program. The Student Liaison Office guides you through your online learning experience. The faculty and staff are committed to your success and connect you with academic resources.
Students can build professional networks through virtual international internships without worrying about travel. They also complete agency-based field internships near their homes, totaling 500 hours over two semesters. These experiences help prepare future leaders in the field.