The MSW program at Arkansas State University-Jonesboro was granted initial accreditation by CSWE in October 2011. This accreditation includes the academic years 2008-2009 to October 2015.

The MSW offers one concentration which is rural based clinical social work practice. Students learn the fundamental knowledge, skills, values and ethics that guide social work practice and the populations traditionally served by the profession. Students are prepared to acknowledge and utilize the less formal social exchanges between people and systems that exist in rural communities. Students learn how to identify and develop resources, and how to use natural helping networks. Students are expected to employ a broad range of approaches, theories and models in their practice and to develop skills that enable them to perform multiple roles in the helping process. Additionally, students learn the importance of examining issues related to diversity and social work values and ethics; as well as how to identify, prevent and interrupt social and economic injustice, and the importance of community empowerment.

Admission Requirements

Students seeking admission to the MSW program must possess a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university. There are two program options. The requirements for each program follow.

1. Standard Program: This option is available to applicants who received their bachelor’s degree in any discipline or who graduated from a CSWE accredited BSW program more than six years ago and any other student who does not meet requirements for the Advanced Program. For admission to the Standard Program, students must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 hours of undergraduate degree work. If the applicant has a master’s degree from an accredited institution, his or her graduate GPA may be considered. Under exceptional circumstances, applicants with a GPA of less than 3.0 may be considered for Conditional Admission Status to the Standard Program. Any student granted Conditional Admission Status will be advanced to Unconditional Admission Status at such time as the student completes 12 graduate semester hours, has a minimum 3.00 GPA on these 12 hours, with no more than one course in the 12 hours with a grade of “C”, and meets unconditional or program admission requirements. All students admitted to the Standard Program must successfully complete the Foundation Curriculum and the Concentration Curriculum.
2. Advanced Program: Available only to applicants who graduated from a CSWE accredited BSW program within six years of the application date. Persons admitted to the Advanced Program complete only the Concentration Curriculum. For admission to the Advanced Program, students must have a 3.2 or better on a 4.0 scale in the last 60 credit hours of the BSW degree. There is no conditional admission to the Advanced Program.

Applications Deadlines

Deadlines for applying to the Advanced and Standard Programs will be posted on the MSW website. The admission period for the Advanced Program will be the first summer term of that year. The admission period for the Standard Program will be for the fall term of that year.

Application Requirements

1. Graduate Admissions Application.
2. A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university (official transcripts must be provided).
3. Three completed Department of Social Work Graduate Admission Applicant Reference Forms from individuals who can objectively assess the student’s potential for graduate work (i.e., Field Supervisor, Field Liaison, Faculty, Co-worker, Other Professional).
4. For persons seeking admission into the Standard Program the following prerequisites must be completed with a grade of “C” or better prior to applying: American Government, Human Biology, Human Biology Laboratory, Introduction to Psychology, Introduction to Sociology, Social Statistics and Introduction to Social Work (undergraduate or graduate).
5. Computer literacy demonstrated through prior course work (Web-based classes or Computer Class).
6. A Personal and Professional Orientation statement (See the MSW website application information for details).
7. Current resume.

Course Requirements

Minimum hours required for each program:

• 36 graduate course hours is required for the Advanced Program (Concentration Curriculum only)
• 63 graduate course hours is required for the Standard Program (Foundation Curriculum and Concentration Curriculum)