Arkansas · Verified September 2026
MSW Programs in Arkansas
Where Can You Earn an MSW in Arkansas, and How Do You Get Licensed?
3 schools in Arkansas offer 4 MSW programs we verified, including Arkansas State University, University of Arkansas and University of Arkansas at Little Rock. 3 can be taken online and 4 offer advanced standing. Estimated tuition runs from $15,151 to $22,050 before fees. After the MSW, Arkansas's clinical license is the Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW).
- Earn a CSWE-accredited MSW2 years full time, or about 1 with advanced standing
- Pass the ASWB exam (Masters)For the LMSW
- Log supervised clinical hours24 months of post-master's social work experience and 4,000 hours in a…
- Earn the clinical license (LCSW)Independent clinical practice
- programs in Arkansas
- 4
- schools
- 3
- CSWE-accredited schools
- 3
- offer advanced standing
- 4
- online programs
- 3
The Arkansas Social Work License Path
Arkansas Social Work Licenses
Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board (Arkansas Department of Health)Licensed Social Worker
- Degree
- Bachelor's degree in social work from a program accredited by CSWE (or the Canadian Association for Social Work Education)
- Exam
- ASWB Bachelors
- Independent practice
- No, practice under supervision or in an agency
Licensed Master Social Worker
- Degree
- Master's degree in social work from a program accredited by CSWE (or the Canadian Association for Social Work Education)
- Exam
- ASWB Masters
- Independent practice
- No, practice under supervision or in an agency
Licensed Certified Social Worker
- Degree
- Master's degree in social work from a program accredited by CSWE (or the Canadian Association for Social Work Education)
- Exam
- ASWB Clinical
- Supervised experience
- 24 months of post-master's social work experience and 4,000 hours in a supervised master's-level social work position under an LCSW (or board-determined equivalent) fully licensed for three years, with at least 100 direct supervision hours, no more than 2 hours in any one week; group supervision (maximum four in a group) may not exceed half the total.
- Independent practice
- Yes
- Social Work Licensure Compact
- Listed by the Compact Commission among jurisdictions that have passed the compact language. The Commission states the compact has reached activation but multistate licenses are not yet being issued.
From Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board (Arkansas Department of Health), reviewed 2026-09-30. Rules change; confirm with the board before you plan your supervised hours. Plan your own timeline with the license pathway planner.
Arkansas Schools Compared
| School | Programs | Formats | CSWE | Advanced standing | Lowest est. tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of ArkansasFayetteville · Public | 2 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes | $15,151 |
| Arkansas State UniversityJonesboro · Public | 1 | Online | CSWE | Yes | $22,050 |
| University of Arkansas at Little RockLittle Rock · Public | 1 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes | $20,625 |
From each school's own pages, reviewed September 2026. CSWE status from CSWE's directory. Estimated tuition is the published per-credit rate times the stated credits, before fees, or the school's published total.
Every MSW Program in Arkansas
4 programs in Arkansas
Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) at University of Arkansas at Little Rock
University of Arkansas at Little Rock · Little RockFormatOn campus, OnlineCredits60Est. tuition$20,625$344/credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work (on Campus, Fayetteville) at University of Arkansas
University of Arkansas · FayettevilleFormatOn campusCredits63Est. tuition$473per credit · general rate · resident rateAccreditationCSWEOnline Advanced Standing Master of Social Work at University of Arkansas
University of Arkansas · FayettevilleFormatOnlineCredits32Est. tuition$15,151$473/creditAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work (MSW) Online at Arkansas State University
Arkansas State University · JonesboroFormatOnlineCredits63Est. tuition$22,050$350/creditAccreditationCSWE
No programs match these filters.
Program facts come from each school's own pages, reviewed September 2026. Estimated tuition is the published per-credit rate times the stated credits, before fees, or the school's published program total; "resident rate" means the school charges nonresidents more. CSWE status comes from CSWE's directory of accredited programs.
What an MSW Costs in Arkansas
3 Arkansas programs publish enough to estimate tuition before fees, from $15,151 at University of Arkansas to $22,050 at Arkansas State University. The Arkansas median is $20,625, against $40,180 nationally.
| Program | Credits | Est. tuition | With advanced standing |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Arkansas: Online Advanced Standing Master of Social WorkOnline Advanced Standing Master of Social Work | 32 | $15,151 | $15,151 |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock: Master of Social Work (M.S.W.)Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) | 60 | $20,625 | |
| Arkansas State University: Master of Social Work (MSW) OnlineMaster of Social Work (MSW) Online | 63 | $22,050 | $12,600 |
Public universities' figures are usually the in-state rate. Turn any program into a full cost and loan estimate with the MSW cost and loan calculator.
Largest MSW Programs in Arkansas
By MSWs awarded in 2022-23 (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS), University of Arkansas at Little Rock has Arkansas's largest program, followed by University of Arkansas and Arkansas State University. Size tells you how many classmates, alumni and field placement partners to expect, not how good a program is.
| School | MSWs awarded, 2022-23 |
|---|---|
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | 109 |
| University of Arkansas | 44 |
| Arkansas State University | 22 |
Online MSW Options for Arkansas Residents
You aren't limited to schools in Arkansas: 258 online MSW programs at schools in other states accept students nationwide. Before you apply, confirm the school can enroll Arkansas residents online and arrange your field placement in Arkansas.
Compare every option on the online MSW programs page, or let the program matcher rank them for you.
Social Worker Pay in Arkansas
| Occupation | Arkansas median | U.S. median | Jobs in Arkansas |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $43,330 | $59,550 | 1,150 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $55,640 | $67,880 | 1,250 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $58,590 | $60,280 | 1,040 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $47,790 | $71,900 | 690 |
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. A high median on few jobs describes a small market. What you can do with an MSW.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many MSW Programs Are in Arkansas?
We verified 4 MSW programs at 3 schools in Arkansas; 3 of those schools are listed as accredited in CSWE's directory.
What Social Work Licenses Does Arkansas Issue?
Arkansas's board (Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board (Arkansas Department of Health)) issues LSW, LMSW and LCSW. Clinical practice requires the Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW), after 24 months of post-master's social work experience and 4,000 hours in a supervised master's-level social work position under an LCSW (or board-determined equivalent) fully licensed for three years, with at least 100 direct supervision hours, no more than 2 hours in any one week; group supervision (maximum four in a group) may not exceed half the total.
Can Arkansas Residents Earn an MSW Online?
Yes. Beyond Arkansas's own programs, 258 online MSW programs at schools in other states accept students nationwide; confirm each school can enroll Arkansas residents and place you in a field practicum in Arkansas. Online MSW programs.
How Much Does an MSW Cost in Arkansas?
Estimated tuition for Arkansas programs that publish a rate and their credits runs from $15,151 to $22,050 before fees. Public universities usually charge nonresidents more, and advanced standing cuts the total for BSW graduates.
Nearby States
Sources
- Official program, tuition and admissions pages of the 3 Arkansas schools listed, reviewed September 2026
- Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board (Arkansas Department of Health)
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), directory of accredited programs
- U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS completions 2022-23
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025