Arkansas Social Work Masters (MSW) Programs

If Arkansas is where you wish to get your MSW, this writing is yours. Full details regarding MSW studies in Arkansas are provided below.

Keep reading. You will learn the types of Arkansas MSW programs and admission standards. Other things include tuition, job opportunities, course descriptions, MSW internship, and more.

Social Work Masters Programs in Arkansas

Social work schools in Arkansas provide MSW scholars with reframing academic backgrounds. The aim is to provide them with managerial skills and standards.

Moreover, it’ll also help them function both in clinical monitoring and social practice.

Types of MSW Studies and Duration in Arkansas

There are two types of MSW studies in Arkansas. They consist of advanced standing and foundation studies.

The traditional MSW is open to scholars with undergrad degrees in other disciplines. For that reason, it features introductory courses in its syllabus.

Additionally, the study path has choices for either full-time or part-time.

Full-time scholars can complete their studies online or on-campus within two years. Likewise, part-time can complete their studies online and on-campus but will finish in 3-4 years.

Advanced Standing study is a shorter way to get an MSW in Arkansas. The study path is designed for BSW graduates from a CSWE-approved facility.

However, most social work schools in Arkansas reduced the number of courses to accelerate the study. Instead of 60 to 65 credit courses in regular studies, they are reduced to 35.

Hence, you can finish your study within a year of full-time enrollment. But on part-time, it will take you two years to complete.

Lecture Schedule

MSW lecture schedule ensures that fellows offer the core or specialized classes in their master’s study. However, some MSW classes in Arkansas are offered once a year.

Depending on your study itinerary, those classes generally take place on weekdays and weekends.

MSW Syllabus

MSW studies in most social work schools in Arkansas are split into two segments.

They are the core and specialty areas of study. The core area of study aims to train scholars in the distinctive aspect of learning, skills, and values.

There are nine core competencies that scholars must take within their study years.

Specialty areas of study prepare students for advanced direct leadership and community practice. There are also nine essential competencies that MSW scholars must learn during their study period.

These competencies are precisely based on proficiency, skills, and values.

MSW Courses in Arkansas

There are plenty of fields of study awaiting MSW academics in Arkansas. These courses include, but are not limited to:

  • Diversity and oppression
  • Social welfare policies and services
  • Assessment and differential diagnosis
  • MCP methods
  • Research methods
  • Clinical social work
  • Family and group
  • Statistics
  • Aging and social policies
  • Health and biology of aging etc.

There are some electives that every scholar must take regardless of specialty areas. These electives include human-assisted therapy, adult development, and aging.

Others include social aspects of death and dying.

MSW Traineeship in Arkansas.

Most schools in Arkansas include practical courses in their MSW syllabus. Before scholars complete their studies, they must satisfy at least 1000-2000 hours of practice, depending on the study option.

Meanwhile, scholars enrolling for full-time studies must supplement their internships with other courses. Then part-time academics will offer it in the fall and spring of their second part-time year.

During the MSW placement, scholars must have contact with customer systems. It will help them develop the competencies critical to their social practice.

Among the places, you can complete your MSW traineeship in Arkansas are profit and non-profit institutions, humanity and society, helping organizations, hospice care, aging services, people and disabilities, substance abuse services, and lots more.

Entry Conditions

Certain conditions are outlined for each candidate who wants to get an MSW in Arkansas. It is expected that you will meet all these standards to be admitted.

These standards are as follows:

  • Candidates must hold a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • Students must have a BSW obtained from a CSWE-approved institution. Or an undergrad certificate in other study fields than social work.
  • Applicants may be required to submit at least three letters of reference from past employers or social work schools.

Tips to Become an Authorized MSW in Arkansas

MSW certificate is a primary credential for getting a work permit in Arkansas. Once you have obtained this advanced certificate, you can use the instructions below.

It will help you navigate the process of obtaining a work permit.

  • Request for enrollment form from the relevant department and fill it out. When you are done, submit it to the board. However, the form costs $100 or so.
  • After submitting the form to the Board for review, you should wait for feedback. While waiting, you can obtain an LLRW to allow you to operate briefly. However, this kind of permit lasts for only a year.
  • Once the licensor has determined you are eligible, you will be asked to take the ASWB test. The test comprises 170 questions, and the examination cost is about $230.
  • If you are successful, the board will issue you a certified work permit. With this permit, you can work as an approved social worker.

License Renewal

Every Arkansas social worker should renew their work permit after two. The renewal shouldn’t exceed the last day of the expiration month.

To renew your social worker permit in Arkansas costs around $80. However, each practitioner must complete 40 hours of advanced study courses.

What about People with Out-of-State Work Permits?

Experts who have obtained a social work permit outside Arkansas may be allowed to work without passing the appropriate screening. Such certification is known as reciprocity.

All you need to do is fill out an enrollment form and forward it to the appropriate office. But, it’s going to cost you only $100.

Income of MSW Graduates in Arkansas

Some factors determine the salary structure for MSW graduates in Arkansas. They include your type of workplace, educational level, experience, and type of specialty.

However, social workers in Arkansas make between $40,000 and $60,000 per year. You can earn more than this if you work in the state’s urban areas and at advanced levels.

For now, this is where our discussion will be held up. In the section above, we looked at Arkansas’s schools that offer MSW studies.

However, this information is sufficient to prepare you for higher education in social work. All you need now is to meet the entry requirements for candidates.

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