Program Overview
EXPLORE THE A-STATE ADVANCED STANDING MASTER OF SOCIAL WORK ONLINE PROGRAM
Continue to expand your expertise and prepare for the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or the Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) exam with this career-progressing Master of Social Work – Advanced Standing online program.



This transformative MSW empowers you to build a compassionate, ethical clinical practice that enhances the well-being and quality of life for individuals, families, groups and communities. Available to applicants who have earned a CSWE-accredited bachelor's degree in social work, the A-State Online Master of Social Work Advanced Standing program utilizes contemporary, evidence-based theories and approaches needed to serve diverse client systems.
Engaged faculty guide you in becoming a sensitive, ethical responder to issues and dilemmas and support you in developing a practice that uplifts the vulnerable and oppressed. Specialized electives allow you to explore topics like clinical and/or crisis intervention, cognitive behavioral therapy, substance abuse, and international social work, which provides the option to study abroad.
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
Prepare for careers like these:
- Clinical Social Worker
- Victim Advocate
- Social Work Supervisor
- EAP Advocate
- Telehealth Therapist
- Social Services Director
Projected Job Growth:
According to Lightcast and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, careers in social work are projected to grow more than 14% nationally through 2031.
Also available:

Tuition
Affordable Tuition Designed For You
The Master of Social Work – Advanced Standing online program offers the same low, pay-by-the-course tuition to all U.S. residents. All fees are included in the total tuition.


Per Credit Hour | Per Course | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
U.S. Resident Tuition | Required Fees | Total | U.S. Resident Tuition | Required Fees | Total |
$300.00 | $40.00 | $340.00 | $900.00 | $120.00 | $1020.00 |
Calendar
Set a Calendar Reminder for these Key Deadlines
Our Master of Social Work – Advanced Standing is a flexible online program featuring accelerated coursework and multiple start dates per year.
Next Start & Application Due Dates:


Term | Length | Course Begin | Course End | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Payment Deadline | Last Day to Withdraw |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fall 2023 | 7 wk | 08/21/2023 | 10/06/2023 | 08/07/2023 | 08/11/2023 | 08/17/2023 | 08/18/2023 | 09/22/2023 |
Spring 2024 | 7 wk | 01/08/2024 | 02/23/2024 | 12/15/2023 | 12/19/2023 | 01/04/2024 | 01/05/2024 | 02/09/2024 |
Summer 2024 | 7 wk | 05/06/2024 | 06/20/2024 | 04/22/2024 | 04/26/2024 | 05/02/2024 | 05/03/2024 | 06/07/2024 |
Admissions
Preview the Admission Requirements for the Online Advanced Standing program MSW
Arkansas State University has a streamlined admission process that makes it easy for you to enroll in the Master of Social Work – Advanced Standing online program. Enrollment specialists are available to walk you through the admission process, so you will be able to complete your application quickly.
To be granted admission into the Master of Social Work – Advanced Standing program, you must meet the following criteria:
- Have earned a bachelor's degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program
- Have a 3.2 GPA or better in the last 60 hours of your social work undergraduate degree
- 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
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:
Academic Partnershipsc/o Central Receiving
2713 Pawnee St.
Jonesboro, AR 72401
Courses
Requirements for the Advanced Standing Online MSW Curriculum
To earn your Master of Social Work – Advanced Standing, you need to complete 36 credit hours of coursework. The program includes 30 credit hours of concentration courses and six credit hours of electives.
SW 6003: Psychosocial Pathology for Social Work Practice
Duration: 7 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 six credit hours of electives. You may choose any of the courses listed. Note: If you want to earn the Addictions Certificate, you will be required to take SW 5323 and SW 6323 as your elective courses.
SW 5213: Crisis Intervention
Duration: 7 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 5233: International Social Work
Duration: 7 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- I have attached the flyer to the email. 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.
SW 5323: Substance Abuse and Dependence Interventions
Duration: 7 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 5603: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Duration: 7 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 6323: Clinical Interventions with Substance Abuse and Dependence
Duration: 7 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 6343: Clinical Intervention with Children
Duration: 7 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.