About the School of Social Work

Director

Dr. Laura Danforth, Associate Professor

The UA Little Rock School of Social Work’s research and service efforts take place in Arkansas’ metropolitan capital and throughout the state. This allows our students to participate in diverse, hands-on learning and outreach. Courses are taught by dedicated faculty and adjuncts who bring real-world experiences into the classroom.

Degree Programs

Our school offers face-to-face and fully online programs:

Student Support

Faculty advisors assist BSW and MSW students with academic and professional advising. Our students engage in internships throughout Arkansas. Qualified and highly-skilled field supervisors support, mentor, and assure each student thrives through high-impact learning opportunities.

Our graduates consistently have a high pass rate for the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) national license for the Licensed Social Worker (LSW), Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), and Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). Additionally, both the BSW and MSW programs are fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

We work closely with MidSouth, the community service unit of the School of Social Work, and the largest grant-producing center at UA Little Rock.

The curriculums for our BSW and MSW programs center on the nine core competencies our accrediting body, the CSWE, requires for each program. Our faculty takes careful attention to assure the necessary knowledge, values, and skills are incorporated into each course to cover these competencies.

Our MSW program offers two forms of specialized practice:

the Advanced Direct Practice track equips students to work effectively with individuals, families and groups
the Social & Organizational Impact track ensures that students are prepared to be forward-thinking changemakers, advocates, and community builders

School Mission

The mission of the UA Little Rock School of Social Work is to provide high-quality educational programs at the baccalaureate and master’s levels that prepare professional social workers to enhance the well-being of individuals, families, and communities. The School is committed to preparing ethical graduates who are ready and able to meet complex challenges across all populations in the community, state, nation, and world.

BSW Mission Statement

The mission of the UA Little Rock Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) Program is to prepare competent, ethical generalist social workers. Guided by the core competencies and values of social work, the BSW Program equips students to demonstrate ethical and professional behavior, advance human rights, and engage with clients and communities across all contexts. Through rigorous coursework, community-engaged learning, and direct practice experiences across the state, the BSW Program equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary to enhance the well-being of individuals, families, communities, groups, and organizations.

MSW Mission Statement

The mission of the UA Little Rock Master of Social Work (MSW) Program is to develop competent and ethical graduates who effect meaningful change at all levels of practice. Guided by the core competencies and values of social work, including service, the importance of human relationships, integrity, competence, human rights, and scientific inquiry, the MSW Program equips students with advanced knowledge in clinical practice or organizational and community leadership across all fields of the social work profession. Grounded in the dignity and worth of all people, the MSW Program at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock is committed to discovering and disseminating knowledge that serves individuals, families, communities, groups, and organizations.

Gerontology Mission Statement

The mission of the program of the School of Social Work in Gerontology is to equip students with the knowledge, values and skills required to work with the burgeoning population of older adults in the 21st Century. The Gerontology Certificate provides participants with the knowledge and appreciation of psychological, sociological and biological changes throughout the life course, as well as the values of inclusiveness and diversity that will be increasingly needed for our society to successfully navigate through the upcoming challenges and opportunities of an aging society. In addition, we educate our students to both lead and respond to policies and services.