MSW Programs in Arkansas | No GRE/CSWE Accredited Masters

Populated with small cities and tight-knit towns, Arkansas provides unique work opportunities for you as a social work student. There are over 2.9 million people living in Arkansas, most of whom live in villages or small cities. Even the biggest cities in Arkansas, including Little Rock and Fort Smith, have fewer than 200,000 residents each.

One of the main benefits of settling down in a Midwestern state like Arkansas is the low cost of living; Sperling’s Best Places reports that the cost of living in Arkansas is 14% lower than the national average. As a result, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, housing costs are lower. The average house value in Arkansas is $106,300, compared to the national average of $181,400.

Tuition and Admission Information for MSW Programs in Arkansas

Overall, there are six schools with graduate-level programs in social work. They have an average acceptance rate of 77%, which is considerably higher than rates in many other states. Tuition in Arkansas is also very affordable, with an average statewide cost of $7,014. The sizable average scholarship award of $5,675 can lower your costs considerably.

Arkansas schools have very similar admissions requirements. Almost every program requires you to have a Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, or a similar field. However, Arkansas State University does accept students that have a Bachelor’s degree in a different field

Throughout your MSW program, you build on what you already know about social work and patient treatment. During each semester, you spend several hundred hours gaining field experience. In order to give you a good breadth of experience, most schools require you to complete hours with government employers, healthcare sites, and community clinics.

What Will I Learn in an Arkansas MSW Program?

As an Arkansas student, your education focuses on how to work with the people of Arkansas. The average income in Arkansas is approximately $13,000 lower than the national average. In addition, high school and college graduation rates are considerably lower than national averages. It is important for you, as a practicing social worker, to know how to work with people who are struggling with the effects of poverty.

Since Arkansas has a mostly rural population, most employment options in the state take you away from the larger cities. Nationwide, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that 41% of social workers work for the government. You may work for a county treatment center, offering services to those who are far removed from larger facilities.

However, there are also many private social work employers in Arkansas. Large social work employers in Arkansas include Ascent Children’s Health Services, Riverview Behavioral Health, and UHS of Delaware.

Social Worker Salary in Arkansas

Social work salaries in Arkansas depend on a variety of factors, including your experience, where you work, and what type of social worker you are. Overall, the highest paid social workers in Arkansas are healthcare social workers. People in this position earn an average salary of $47,300 per year, according to O*Net. Mental health social workers can also earn a competitive salary; the average salary for this job is $41,000 per year (O*Net, 2012). On the lower end of the pay scale are family social workers, who earn an average salary of $34,700 (O*Net, 2012).

Overall, the demand for social workers is growing, a trend that is expected to continue through 2020. The fastest growing social work field is healthcare social work, where job openings are expected to increase by 12% through 2020 (O*Net, 2012). Child and family social worker jobs are expected to increase by 6% in the same timeframe (O*Net, 2012).

Social Work Licensure in Arkansas

It’s important to note that many employment opportunities for MSW graduates are specifically for social workers that have become Licensed Clinical Social Workers, so you may need to look specifically for positions available to Licensed Master Social Workers.

The Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board is responsible for the examination and licensing of all social workers. After submitting to fingerprinting and a background check, you can pay a $50 application fee and wait for your test date. After you pass the exam, you become a Licensed Master Social Worker.

If you want to provide clinical counseling services, you need to seek clinical licensure. This involves completing 4,000 hours of counseling work after earning your MSW.