Advance Your Career Through Education

 

Earning a master’s degree is an investment in your professional future. It will prepare the bachelor's-level social worker to practice independently and move into supervisory and leadership roles. Social workers with master’s degrees can earn about 25 percent more than those with bachelor’s degrees, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Earning an advanced practice degree also gives you an edge when applying for supervisory positions and helps you become a leader in the social work profession.

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  Application Deadline

January 15

No application will be accepted from students living outside the U.S. borders, residents from the states of Colorado. Please check back in the future for updates concerning this policy.

Learn in Place, Wherever You Are

The Online Advanced Standing Master of Social Work Program offers an online alternative for students who have earned a bachelor’s degree in social work and want to advance their education. It maintains as much flexibility as possible, allowing you time to schedule other responsibilities. Students will be able to “learn in place” wherever they live and still attend the flagship campus of the University of Arkansas as an online student.

The one-year, full-time MSW program offers a curriculum that mirrors our on-campus program, but all of the classes are conducted online. Orientation is also online, and no campus visits are required. Just as in any other social work program, you will gain practice in the field through internships that will be arranged in the vicinity of your current home. These internships will be set up and monitored by the faculty at the University of Arkansas School of Social Work to ensure a quality learning experience for you.

Systems - Symbolic Interactionism - Change - Life Course

 

Program Highlights

  • Student cohorts provide peer support and networking opportunities
  • Courses allow students to work independently
  • Internships in current workplaces are considered (with restrictions)
  • Students attend an internship Field Seminar each Tuesday evening, live via a virtual classroom
  • Completion of this degree can prepare the motivated student for a PhD program
  • Requires a year-long internship (22-hours per week)
  • Accredited by the Council on Social Work Education

 

Minimum Requirements

  • Admission to the University of Arkansas Graduate School
  • Bachelor’s degree in social work from a CSWE accredited program, or recognized through its International Social Work Degree Recognition and Evaluation Service
  • Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 for the last 60 hours leading up to the first bachelor’s degree
  • Personal statement
  • Case study essay
  • Three professional references (academic, employer, supervisor) from persons able to assess the applicant’s current skills and characteristics as well as potential for success in graduate studies. One reference must be a field instructor (agency supervisor) or field liaison (field seminar instructor).  Please note that non-professional references (friends, family members, ministers, counselors) will not be accepted. Reference names and contact information are submitted to the Graduate School as part of the Graduate School’s online application process.
  • Completion of a basic statistics course
  • Computer literacy demonstrated through prior coursework
  • Personal interview may be required (may be done remotely)
  • Computer and Internet access

 

Application Process

All application materials will go through SocialWorkCAS. The application fee is $45.

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The following will be required for the application and all will be submitted through SocialWorkCAS.

A complete application includes:

  • A completed SocialWorkCAS application (all required questions answered)
  • A current resume
  • In the experiences section of SocialWorkCAS supporting information section,  please add ALL work, volunteer and internship experience. (note: NOT just social work related experience)
  • Three professional references (recommendations) through CAS. This will include a reference form for your referee to complete as well as a written letter. These references should be from professors, field instructors, any other supervisors from internship, supervisors from paid positions or supervisors from volunteer positions.  Avoid personal references.
  • An unofficial transcript from Universities and Colleges attended submitted to CAS
  • Documents attached to the CAS application including:

 

Advanced Standing Students who graduated more than 6 years ago:

Applicants who earned their degree more than 6 years prior to application may petition for an exception, by documenting a significant post-bachelor’s history of social work employment and ongoing continuing education. Please contact jkmorga@uark.edu for information about submitting this petition.

 

Graduate Assistantship
If you are interested in a Graduate Assistantship through the School of Social Work, please complete the following:

If you are a domestic applicant, you do not need to apply to the University of Arkansas Graduate School until after you have received your acceptance letter from the School of Social Work in the Spring. If you are an international applicant, you should apply to the Graduate School immediately.


If you have any questions about the application process, please email jkmorga@uark.edu or mswapply@uark.edu.

BSW Required

Full-time Option Only

 

 

Tuition / credit hour $446.29
Fee / credit hour
Library $4.68
Network & Data Systems $13.10
Off-campus $30
Online Facilities $2

Tuition and fees per credit hour reflect fall 2024 rates for students studying completely online. Students in online programs who take an on-campus course will pay on-campus fees, mandatory and college fees, for only the on-campus course.

Financial Aid  

 

Information Sessions

Those interested in pursuing a master's degree in social work are invited to attend one of our MSW Program Information Sessions held in the School of Social Work.

Attend an Info Session

 

 

This degree program requires clinical or internship hours that must be completed in an approved U.S. location or U.S. military base for military personnel.



Job Market Outlook

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The Pathways career data reflect career information associated with degree programs, and that data may include some jobs that require additional credentials and experience BEYOND the academic degree, including but not limited to professional licensure and certification, additional coursework, and specific training. See " About this data" to learn more about Pathways.