Master of Social Work – Standard Online
Gain the advanced knowledge, techniques and values you need to make a difference for people.
Next Apply Date:
12/16/24
Next Class Start Date:
1/13/25
Next Apply Date:
12/16/24
Next Class Start Date:
1/13/25
Program Overview
How our online master's of social work can suit your goals
This transformative Master of Social Work – Standard online program enables you to lead in a compassionate and ethical clinical practice that enhances well-being and quality of life for individuals, families, groups and communities.
Earn the A-State Master of Social Work degree online and move toward becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or a Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW). This CSWE-accredited program prepares you to serve in settings such as substance abuse programs, nursing homes, homeless shelters, family agencies and behavioral health organizations.
The online Master of Social Work degree prepares you as a strategic leader equipped with excellent communication skills. Engaged faculty guide you in becoming a sensitive, ethical responder to issues and dilemmas and help develop your clinical assessment and intervention skills with those who have experienced trauma. You will select from a list of specialized electives that support your professional interests.
In the online MSW program, you will:
- Apply social work knowledge to individuals, families, small groups organizations, and communities
- Learn the fundamental knowledge, skills, values and ethics that guide social work practice and the populations traditionally served by the profession
- Develop clinical intervention skills with individuals and families
- Identify, develop and utilize resources in the helping network for individuals and families
- Examine issues of diversity related to social work values and ethics
- Explore advanced clinical practice decision-making and learn to be a critical thinker in the use of research, knowledge and theory for assessment, intervention and evaluation
- Apply social work knowledge to individuals, families, small groups organizations, and communities
- Learn the fundamental knowledge, skills, values and ethics that guide social work practice and the populations traditionally served by the profession
- Develop clinical intervention skills with individuals and families
- Identify, develop and utilize resources in the helping network for individuals and families
- Examine issues of diversity related to social work values and ethics
- Explore advanced clinical practice decision-making and learn to be a critical thinker in the use of research, knowledge and theory for assessment, intervention and evaluation
Prepare for careers like these:
- Clinical Social Worker
- Victim Advocate
- Social Work Supervisor
- EAP Advocate
- Telehealth Therapist
- Social Services Director
- Clinical Social Worker
- Victim Advocate
- Social Work Supervisor
- EAP Advocate
- Telehealth Therapist
- Social Services Director
Also available:
A-State offers a variety of graduate programs in a convenient online format. Explore our full range of online graduate programs.
Total Tuition:
$21,420
Program Duration:
As few as 25 months
Credit Hours
63
Accreditation
Tuition
Get the details on our pay-as-you-go tuition
The Master of Social Work – Standard online program offers the same low, pay-by-the-course tuition to all U.S. residents. All fees are included. Tuition may be subject to change on a yearly basis.
Tuition breakdown:
Per Credit Hour:
$340
Total Tuition:
$21,420
Calendar
Get started—mark these dates in your calendar
Our Master of Social Work – Standard is a flexible online program featuring accelerated coursework and multiple start dates per year.
| Term | Program Start Date | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Payment Due | Last Class Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 1 | 1/13/25 | 12/16/24 | 12/18/24 | 1/2/25 | 1/10/25 | 2/28/25 |
| Summer 1 | 5/12/25 | 4/28/25 | 4/28/25 | 5/1/25 | 5/9/25 | 6/27/25 |
Now enrolling:
Next Apply Date
12/16/24
Start Class
1/13/25
Have questions or need more information about A‑State online programs?
Ready to take the next step toward earning your degree online from A-State?
Admissions
Your guideline for our online Master of Social Work admission requirements
Arkansas State University has a streamlined admission process that makes it easy for you to enroll in the Master of Social Work – Standard online program. Enrollment specialists are available to walk you through the admission process, so you will be able to complete your application quickly. Admission to our MSW program is highly competitive, with limited cohort sizes to meet the rigorous Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accreditation standards. We seek academically qualified candidates who align with the profession to ensure their success.
Admission Requirements:
- 3.0 GPA in last 60 hours
- Bachelor's degree
- Online application
To be considered for admission into the Master of Social Work – Standard program, you must meet the following criteria:
- Have earned a bachelor's degree from an accredited university with at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA in the last 60 hours (undergraduate, graduate or combination thereof)
- Have a C or better in the following undergraduate foundation courses:
- U.S. Government
- Human Biology/ Lab
- Introduction to Psychology
- Introduction to Sociology
- Statistics
- Introduction to Social Work
Note: If these undergraduate foundation courses are not reflected on your transcript(s), you will be required to take them prior to enrolling in the MSW program. These courses are offered through A-State Online.
Application submission requirements
- Complete online application
- Submit a nonrefundable $30 fee
- Have official transcript(s) sent from the registrar of the college/university attended. Official transcripts are sealed transcripts sent from the granting institution.
Additional Information
As part of your file, the following information is required to be completed prior to starting the first course (or the applicable course):
- A background check completed within the last 12 months
- This document is not required to render an admissions decision
Submit all documents to:
A-State OnlineP.O. Box 2520
State University, AR 72467
Fax: 870-972-3548
Email: [email protected]
For Non-US Postal Mail Overnight Delivery Only:
A-State Onlinec/o Central Receiving
2713 Pawnee St.
Jonesboro, AR 72401
Courses
These are the Master of Social Work course details
To earn your Master of Social Work – Standard, you need to complete 63 credit hours of coursework. The program includes 24 credit hours of foundation courses, 30 credit hours of concentration courses and nine credit hours of electives.
Visit the Course Registration page to view the course schedule for this degree.
SW 5003: Human Behavior and the Social Environment I
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course provides the student with a broad understanding of how individuals develop from birth to older age from psychological, psychiatric, Sociological, Social psychological, and human diversity perspectives.
SW 5023: Foundations of Practice I
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course will introduce the student to social work practice with individuals. Social, psychological, economic, and biological stressors are considered as they impact on the individual. The development approaches are the major orientations presented, augmented by various intervention modalities.
SW 5043: Foundations of Practice II
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Focus of this course is on the theory and practice of social group work in clinical settings. Consideration is given to such issues as group dynamics, leadership, composition, direct and indirect intervention, the use of group activities under various conditions and different settings.
SW 5053: Social Welfare Policy/Services
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
The purpose of this course is to establish the subject area of social welfare policy as a central concern of social work. The goals of the course are to help students identify socio-cultural and economic bases of social welfare in America.
SW 5063: Social Justice and Diversity
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course focuses on issues of diversity, oppression and social justice. It is designed to prepare social work students to be knowledgeable of people’s biases.
SW 5333: Human Behavior and the Social Environment II
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course examines individual growth from a macro perspective. Examined is how families, groups, organizations, and communities impact individual development from birth to older age from psychological, psychiatric, sociological, Social psychological and human diversity perspectives.
SW 5702: Foundation Field I
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 2
This first foundation field placement focuses on the development of generalist practice knowledge and skills. Placements in the foundation curriculum are designed to provide students with opportunities to integrate and enhance social work values, ethics, and develop generalist practice skills.
SW 5712: Foundation Field II
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 2
This second foundation field placement continues to focus on development of generalist practice knowledge and skills. Placements in foundation curriculum are designed to provide students with opportunities to integrate and enhance social work values, ethics, and develop generalist practice skills. Prerequisites: SW 5702.
SW 5722: Foundation Field III
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 2
This third foundation field placement continues to focus on the development of generalist practice knowledge and skills. Foundation field placements are designed to provide students with opportunities to integrate and enhance social work values, ethics, and develop generalist practice skills Prerequisites: SW 5702, SW 5712
SW 6003: Psychosocial Pathology for Social Work Practice
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course provides students with knowledge of psychopathology as an aspect of human behavior and cultural labeling. Primary focus is on the interaction between physiological, development, emotional, biological, and social aspects of adult and child psychopathology.
SW 6013: Social Work Ethics
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course will review the ethical dimensions of the mission of the profession of social work. The purpose of this course is to enable students to become sensitive and responsive to ethical issues and dilemmas at all levels of social work practice.
SW 6023: Social Work Evaluation & Research
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course focuses on the development of knowledge and skills necessary to evaluate rural-based clinical practice with individuals, families, and small groups.
SW 6033: Clinical Practice with Individuals
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is designed to assist students in development of their clinical assessment and intervention skills with individuals. The course presents the theoretical basis of individual focused models of assessment and intervention in rural-based clinical social work practice.
SW 6053: Clinical Practicum with Groups and Families
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course focuses on the theory and practice of rural-based clinical social work practice with groups. Students will master an understanding of group work theories, interventions and techniques applied to persons with a range of issues.
SW 6063: Rural Social Work Policy Practice
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
SW 6063 connects students with contemporary social problems faced by people in rural communities. Emphasis is placed on the application of policy-practice knowledge and advocacy skills to the promotion of economic, political, and social justice within the rural context.
SW 6083: Trauma Focused Practice
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Introduce current bio-ecological evidence based research and practice in the field of social work trauma to enhance assessment and intervention skills in working with persons who have experienced trauma.
SW 6093: Service and Leadership in Social Work
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Theory and ethics of leadership, including navigating organizations as a leader, practicing inter/intra-personal leadership communications, and providing leadership through service on multi-levels. Internal leadership focus, including financial and strategic management, board development and governance relationships.
SW 6702: Advanced Field I
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 2
This first advanced field placement focuses on the development of rural-based clinical practice knowledge and skills. Placements are designed to provide students with opportunities to integrate and enhance social work values, ethics, and to develop clinical practice skills.
SW 6712: Advanced Field II
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 2
This second advanced field placement focuses on the development of rural-based clinical knowledge and skills. Placements are designed to provide students with opportunities to integrate and enhance social work values, ethics, and to develop clinical practice skills. Prerequisites: SW 6702
SW 6722: Advanced Field III
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 2
This third advanced field placement focuses on the development of rural-based clinical knowledge and skills. Placements are designed to provide students with opportunities to integrate and enhance social work values, ethics, and to develop clinical practice skills. Prerequisites: SW 6702, SW 6712
You must complete nine credit hours of electives. You may choose any of the courses listed.
SW 6343: Clinical Intervention with Children
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is designed to provide advanced clinical practice, knowledge, and skills for intervention with children and youth primarily in the context of the rural environment. The special needs and vulnerabilities of high-risk children and youth are also addressed.
SW 5213: Crisis Intervention
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Examines the history, basic theories, various types of crises, the process of crisis and associated events and issues. Students should leave with basic knowledge of interviewing, assessment, and counseling skills to work with individuals and families in the crisis process.
SW 5603: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Course provides knowledge and application of cognitive therapy, cognitive restructuring and awareness of this model. It gives students the competent ability to effectively use CBT techniques.
SW 5323: Substance Abuse and Dependence Interventions
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
The course is designed to assist students to deepen and extend their assessment and intervention skills in Substance Abuse and Dependence Interventions.
SW 6323: Clinical Interventions with Substance Abuse and Dependence
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is designed to provide practitioners with strategies for interventions with persons who abuse or are dependent on mind altering or mood altering substances. Prerequisites: This course is restricted to graduate students who have completed SW 5323.
*In order to complete the Addictions Certificate, students must take SW5323 and SW 6323- these two courses will also fulfill the 2 elective requirement.
SW 5233: International Social Work
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
The course examines the effects of globalization on human needs. Special attention is given to linkages between human rights, social justice, and social work. The course explores specific problems such as HIV, street children and domestic violence in developing countries as well as strengths and resiliency demonstrated by these countries. *This course is part of a study abroad and will only be offered the first 7 weeks of summer term. This year the study abroad is in Japan-Students do not have to go to Japan to take the course. If they do choose to go to Japan there is a study abroad fee and course fee.