Best MSW Programs in Arkansas (2026)
Every CSWE-accredited Master of Social Work program in Arkansas for 2026, with tuition, LMSW/LCSW licensure requirements, salary data, and field placement details.
Key Takeaways
- Arkansas has 3 CSWE-accredited MSW programs — the University of Arkansas (Fayetteville), the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, and Arkansas State University — with in-state graduate tuition starting around $335/credit at UA Little Rock.
- The LCSW in Arkansas requires 4,000 supervised clinical hours (including 100 hours of direct supervision) completed over at least 2 years, plus the ASWB Clinical exam. The LMSW requires only an MSW and the ASWB Masters exam — no post-degree experience.
- Arkansas social workers earn below the national median for child and family work, but healthcare and mental health social workers approach or exceed national averages. The state's low cost of living (index of 86.3) significantly boosts purchasing power.
- All three programs offer online MSW options, making Arkansas one of the most accessible states for working professionals. The University of Arkansas charges a flat $446/credit for online students regardless of residency.
- The National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program offers up to $50,000 for LCSWs who commit to 2 years at an NHSC-approved site in a shortage area, with PSLF also available for social workers at state agencies and nonprofits.
Arkansas offers three CSWE-accredited MSW programs spanning the state from Fayetteville in the northwest to Jonesboro in the northeast and Little Rock at the center. All three are public universities, keeping tuition affordable for in-state residents, and each offers online options that make the degree accessible to working professionals across the state and beyond.
After graduation, the Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board issues three license levels: the Licensed Social Worker (LSW), the Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), and the Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW). The LMSW is available immediately after completing your MSW from a CSWE-accredited program and passing the ASWB Masters exam — no post-degree supervised experience is required. The LCSW requires 4,000 hours of supervised clinical practice (including 100 hours of direct supervision) over a minimum of two years, plus the ASWB Clinical exam.
Arkansas's social work job market is driven by substantial rural health needs: the state has significant mental health workforce shortages, particularly in the Delta region and southern Arkansas, where access to behavioral health providers is extremely limited. Major employers include the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS), the Division of Children and Family Services (DCFS), UAMS Medical Center, Arkansas Children's Hospital, Baptist Health, the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, and community mental health centers operated through the Division of Aging, Adult, and Behavioral Health Services.
CSWE-Accredited MSW Programs in Arkansas
All 3 programs ranked in this guide, with tuition, format, and accreditation at a glance.
| # | School | In-State Tuition | Format | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Arkansas | $460/credit (on-campus); $446/credit (online) | On-campus | |
| 2 | University of Arkansas at Little Rock | $335/credit | On-campus | |
| 3 | Arkansas State University | $381/credit | On-campus |
University of Arkansas
In-State
$460/credit (on-campus); $446/credit (online)
Out-of-State
$1,250/credit (on-campus); $446/credit (online, flat rate)
Length
2 years (63 credits)
Field Hours
990 (traditional); 660 (advanced standing)
Concentrations
- Flagship MSW program within the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences
- Fully online MSW charges a flat $446/credit regardless of residency, with total cost around $17,000 for advanced standing
- Multi-System Life Course concentration prepares students for practice across individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
- Traditional program requires 990 field placement hours over three semesters
- Online advanced standing completable in just 12 months for BSW holders
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
In-State
$335/credit
Out-of-State
$759/credit
Length
2 years (60 credits)
Field Hours
1,200
Concentrations
- Most affordable MSW program in Arkansas at $335/credit for in-state students
- Two distinct concentrations: clinical Advanced Direct Practice or macro-level Community and Organizational Impact
- Located in the state capital with access to state agencies, Arkansas Children's Hospital, UAMS, and hundreds of field placement sites
- Online students select the Advanced Direct Practice concentration
- Field education totals 1,200 practice hours integrated across the curriculum
Arkansas State University
In-State
$381/credit
Out-of-State
$698/credit
Length
2 years (63 credits)
Field Hours
1,000 (standard); 600 (advanced standing)
Concentrations
- Unique Rural-Based Clinical Social Work Practice concentration with a trauma-informed care emphasis
- Fully online program charges the same pay-by-the-course tuition for all U.S. residents
- Optional certificate in Addictions Studies can be completed alongside the MSW
- Located in northeast Arkansas, the state's most underserved region for behavioral health
- Advanced standing for BSW holders requires only 33 credits and can be completed in one year
Social Work Licensure Requirements in Arkansas
The licensing board, exam pathway, and supervised hours you'll need to practice independently.
Arkansas issues three levels of social work licensure through the Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board (ASWLB), housed under the Arkansas Department of Health: the Licensed Social Worker (LSW), the Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), and the Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW).
The LMSW requires no post-degree supervised experience. You can apply immediately after completing your MSW from a CSWE-accredited program and passing the ASWB Masters exam. The LCSW requires 4,000 hours of post-master's supervised clinical social work experience, including 100 hours of direct supervision, completed over a minimum of two years. Supervision must be provided by a licensed LCSW. Candidates must then pass the ASWB Clinical exam.
All license levels require 30 hours of continuing education every two years, with at least 3 hours in ethics and no more than 15 hours of independent study. The ASWLB office is located at 5800 West 10th Street, Suite 100, Little Rock, AR 72204.
Licensed Social Worker
Entry-level social work practice, case management, intake assessments, community resource referrals
Hours
N/A
Duration
Associate
Exam: ASWB Bachelors
Licensed Master Social Worker
Advanced generalist social work practice, case management, community organizing, policy analysis, supervised clinical work
Hours
N/A
Duration
Associate
Exam: ASWB Masters
Licensed Certified Social Worker
Independent clinical practice, psychotherapy, diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions, private practice, insurance billing
Hours
4,000
Duration
24 months
Exam: ASWB Clinical
Arkansas offers licensure by endorsement for out-of-state social workers whose current license is active and in good standing. Applicants must hold a degree from a CSWE-accredited program and demonstrate that their licensing state's requirements are equivalent to or exceed Arkansas's standards. If you have already passed the appropriate ASWB exam (Masters for LMSW, Clinical for LCSW) and your supervised experience meets Arkansas's requirements, you will not need to re-take the exam or accumulate new hours. A criminal background check is required for all applicants. Contact the ASWLB at (501) 372-5071 or swlb@arkansas.gov for endorsement applications.
Social Worker Salary in Arkansas
BLS state median wages by counseling specialty, with national comparison and top-paying metros.
Arkansas social workers generally earn below the national median for child and family positions, but healthcare and mental health specialties approach national averages. The state's low cost of living — with a cost of living index of approximately 86.3 compared to the national average of 100 — significantly boosts purchasing power. A social worker earning $48,000 in Arkansas often has comparable purchasing power to someone earning $55,000+ in a median-cost state. All salary data below is from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024.
Child, Family, and School Social Workers
National median: $58,570
Top metro: $42,510 (Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway)
Healthcare Social Workers
National median: $68,090
Top metro: $65,280 (Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway)
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
National median: $60,060
Top metro: $54,370 (Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers)
Arkansas Social Work Job Market and Workforce
Major employers, mental health shortage context, and loan repayment programs that erase debt for service.
Arkansas faces significant behavioral health workforce challenges, particularly in the Delta region of eastern Arkansas and rural southern counties where access to mental health providers is extremely limited. Many of the state's 75 counties have few or no licensed clinical social workers, creating strong demand for MSW graduates willing to serve in underserved communities.
Major employers for social workers in Arkansas include the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) and its Division of Children and Family Services (DCFS), the Division of Aging, Adult, and Behavioral Health Services (DAABHS), UAMS Medical Center in Little Rock, Arkansas Children's Hospital, Baptist Health (the state's largest not-for-profit health system), the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, Mercy Hospital in northwest Arkansas, and numerous community mental health centers across the state. The Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers metro area in northwest Arkansas is the state's fastest-growing region, creating expanding demand for social workers in schools, healthcare, and community agencies.
Loan Repayment & Scholarship Programs
National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Loan Repayment Program — Up to $50,000 for LCSWs who commit to 2 years of full-time service at an NHSC-approved site in a Health Professional Shortage Area. Half-time awards of up to $25,000 are also available. Extensions can bring total awards significantly higher.
NHSC Substance Use Disorder Workforce Loan Repayment Program — Up to $75,000 for LCSWs providing substance use disorder treatment at NHSC-approved sites for an initial 3-year commitment. Addresses Arkansas's significant opioid and methamphetamine crisis, particularly in rural areas.
NHSC Rural Community Loan Repayment Program — Up to $100,000 for behavioral health providers, including LCSWs, serving in rural communities with substance use disorder needs for a 3-year commitment. Particularly relevant for Arkansas's underserved Delta and southern counties.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) — Social workers at Arkansas DHS, DAABHS, VA hospitals, UAMS, and nonprofit health systems like Baptist Health all qualify for federal PSLF after 10 years of qualifying payments under an income-driven repayment plan.
How to Choose an MSW Program in Arkansas
Decision factors that actually matter, not generic checklist filler.
With only three MSW programs in Arkansas, the choice comes down to location, format preference, concentration focus, and total cost. All three are CSWE-accredited public universities with online options, so the key differentiators are specialization, field placement structure, and campus resources.
If you want the most affordable option: UA Little Rock offers the lowest in-state tuition at $335/credit for a 60-credit program, bringing total tuition to roughly $20,100 before fees. Arkansas State at $381/credit for 63 credits is also very affordable.
If you want the strongest online program: The University of Arkansas charges a flat $446/credit regardless of residency for its fully online MSW, making it the best value for out-of-state or online students. The total advanced standing cost is approximately $17,000.
If you want a clinical concentration: UA Little Rock's Advanced Direct Practice (ADP) concentration and Arkansas State's Rural-Based Clinical Social Work Practice concentration both prepare graduates directly for LCSW licensure and clinical work.
If you want to serve rural communities: Arkansas State University's unique Rural-Based Clinical Social Work Practice concentration with a trauma-informed care emphasis is specifically designed for practice in underserved rural areas. The optional Addictions Studies certificate adds further specialization.
If you want a macro/community focus: UA Little Rock is the only Arkansas program offering a Community and Organizational Impact (COI) concentration for students interested in policy, administration, and community-level practice.
If you have a BSW and want to finish fast: All three programs offer advanced standing for BSW holders from CSWE-accredited programs. Arkansas State requires only 33 credits, the University of Arkansas requires 39 credits, and UA Little Rock offers a streamlined 1-year track. Most can be completed in 12 months.
If you want access to the most field placement sites: UA Little Rock's location in the state capital provides proximity to Arkansas DHS, the state legislature, UAMS, Arkansas Children's Hospital, and the Central Arkansas VA — the densest concentration of social work employers in the state.
Related Pages
Best Online MSW Programs
National ranking of the top online MSW programs
Best Online BSW Programs
Undergraduate social work programs
Best Online DSW Programs
Doctoral programs for experienced social workers
Clinical Social Worker Career Guide
What LCSWs actually do day-to-day
Clinical Social Worker Salary
Salary data by state and experience level
MSW Programs by State
Compare MSW programs across all 50 states
Sources
- CSWE Accredited Programs Directory — Arkansas
- Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board
- Bureau of Labor Statistics — Social Workers in Arkansas (May 2024)
- ASWB — Licensing Exams
- HRSA — Mental Health HPSA Data
- NHSC Loan Repayment Program
- University of Arkansas — School of Social Work
- UA Little Rock — School of Social Work
- Arkansas State University — MSW Program