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:
- Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
- BSW (fully online for Arkansas residents)
- Master of Social Work (MSW) (two concentrations)
- MSW (fully online for Arkansas residents)
- MSW/JD degree in partnership with the Bowen School of Law
- Minors in Gerontology, Human Services, and Social Work
- Graduate Certificate in Gerontology
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.
School of Social Work Curriculums
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 develop competent and ethical graduates who demonstrate integrity and effect meaningful change through their work with people and communities. Students graduate with knowledge, values, and skills necessary for generalist social work practice and an understanding of the reciprocal relationship between people and their environments.
Grounded in the principle that every person has inherent worth, deserves fair treatment, and should have access to the resources and opportunities necessary to reach their full potential, the BSW Program is committed to discovering and disseminating knowledge that serves individuals, families, communities, groups, and organizations in both rural and metropolitan Arkansas, as well across the nation and globe.
MSW Mission Statement
The mission of the UA Little Rock Master of Social Work (MSW) Program is to develop competent and ethical graduates who demonstrate integrity and effect meaningful change at all levels of practice. Students graduate with advanced knowledge in clinical practice or organizational and community leadership across all fields of the social work profession. They understand the reciprocal relationship between people and their environments and how these environments shape experiences, opportunities, and outcomes.
Grounded in the principle that every person has inherent worth, deserves fair treatment, and should have access to the resources and opportunities necessary to reach their full potential, the MSW Program at UA Little Rock is committed to discovering and disseminating knowledge that serves individuals, families, communities, groups, and organizations in both rural and metropolitan Arkansas, as well across the nation and globe.
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.