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Online Master's Degree Programs in Arkansas

Bachelor’s program graduates who live in Arkansas can earn a master’s degree in many common fields of study through online programs offered by in-state schools and online programs offered by out-of-state schools that accept applicants from Arkansas. Online master’s programs provide students with a more convenient and flexible alternative to traditional campus-based programs, as they do not require students to commute to campus for in-person lectures and discussion sessions. In addition, these programs allow students to pursue graduate studies without having to relocate to be near a college or university campus. This gives Arkansas residents who meet the general admissions requirements for master’s programs in a particular field an array of options for earning a master’s degree online.

The sections below provide a detailed overview of public and private colleges and universities in Arkansas that offer online master’s programs in many of the most common areas of study, including business administration, counseling, education, engineering, nursing, and social work. In addition, this page provides information on programs offered online by out-of-state schools in neighboring and nearby states.

Schools That Offer Online Master’s Degree Programs in Arkansas

The Arkansas Department of Education counts over 40 regionally accredited institutions of higher education in the state, including ten publicly funded universities and 12 non-profit private universities, many of which offer online master’s programs. The state has a number of public universities and university systems that offer an array of options for master’s level study. The University of Arkansas System, for example, has six campuses and encompasses a medical school, two law schools, and the Clinton School of Public Service. The system’s flagship campus is in Fayetteville, and there are additional campuses in Little Rock, Monticello, Pine Bluff, and Fort Smith. The University of Arkansas Medical Sciences campus is located in Little Rock, and the system has law schools in Little Rock and Fayetteville.

The Arkansas State University System, which is administered separately, also has several campuses throughout the state, including a flagship campus in Jonesboro, and additional campuses in Beebe, Newport, Mountain Home, and West Memphis. There are several other state funded schools in Arkansas, including Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, the University of Central Arkansas in Conway, Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia, and Henderson State University in Arkadelphia.

The table below lists the ten largest public universities in Arkansas based on an analysis of data collected by the US Department of Education for its Integrated Postsecondary Educational Data System (IPEDS), as well as information on the location of each school’s main campus and whether or not the school offers online degree programs.

School	Location	Online Degree Programs
University of Arkansas	Fayetteville	Yes
Arkansas State University	Jonesboro	Yes
Arkansas Tech University	Russellville	Yes
University of Arkansas at Little Rock	Little Rock	Yes
University of Central Arkansas	Conway	Yes
University of Arkansas-Fort Smith	Fort Smith	Yes
Southern Arkansas University	Magnolia	Yes
University of Arkansas at Monticello	Monticello	Yes
Henderson State University	Arkadelphia	Yes
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences	Little Rock	Yes

There are also several private, non-profit schools in Arkansas, some of which offer online master’s program. The five largest of these institutions are listed in the table below.

School	Location	Online Degree Programs
Harding University	Searcy	Yes
John Brown University	Siloam Springs	Yes
Ouachita Baptist University	Arkadelphia	Yes
Hendrix College	Conway	No
Philander Smith College	Little Rock	Yes

Regional Out-of-State Schools That Offer Online Master’s Programs

Arkansas residents who are interested in earning a master’s degree online may want to explore the options for enrolling in online master’s programs offered by out-of-state schools. There are, for example, a number of schools in the neighboring states of Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee, and Texas that are active in offering online master’s programs. Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College (LSU) has online master’s programs in business administration, education, engineering, environmental science, social work, sports management, and other fields. The School of Education at The University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) has online master’s programs in a number of education specializations, including early childhood, elementary, and higher education. Ole Miss also offers an online Master of Business Administration (MBA) program that accepts applicants from Arkansas.

Maryville University, a private, non-profit school in Missouri, is active in offering online programs. Maryville has online master’s programs in accounting, business administration and analytics, cybersecurity, data science, health administration, nursing, software development, and strategic communication.

In Tennessee, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville offers online master’s programs through Vols Online. These include programs offered by the university’s College of Arts and Sciences; College of Communication and Information Sciences; College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences; College of Social Work; Haslam College of Business; and Tickle College of Engineering. Among the online master’s programs offered by Vols Online are programs in educational psychology, supply chain management, civil engineering, and agricultural leadership.

The University System of Texas (UT System) has several schools that offer online master’s programs. The University of Texas at Austin has an online master’s in engineering program; The University of Texas at Tyler has online master’s programs in business, counseling, criminal justice, education, health sciences, industrial management, kinesiology, and nursing; and The University of Texas at Arlington has online master’s programs in business, education, nursing, and public health.

The 15 Most Common Areas for Master’s Degree Studies in Arkansas

Using IPEDS data on master’s program graduation numbers in Arkansas, OnlineEducation.com has identified the 15 most common areas for master’s degree studies at schools in the state. These subject areas are listed and ranked based on number of graduates below:

Computer and Information Sciences
Business Administration and Management
Elementary and Middle School Administration/Principalship
Curriculum and Instruction
Engineering/Industrial Management
Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services
Secondary Education and Teaching
Teacher Education and Professional Development
Public Administration
Education/Teaching of the Gifted and Talented
Nursing Science
Social Work
Business Administration, Management and Operations
Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse
Special Education and Teaching

While IPEDS classifications do not align precisely with the formal designations of specific online master’s program, an analysis of the IPEDS data offers a representative overview of the most common fields of study at the master’s level in Arkansas. The sections below provide details about online programs in many of these fields that are offered by accredited, non-profit private and public colleges and universities in Arkansas, as well as information on a selection of online program in these fields offered by regional out-of-state schools.

Online Master’s in Computer and Information Science Programs in Arkansas

The College of Science & Engineering at Southern Arkansas University (SAU) offers an online Master of Science in Computer and Information Science (MSCIS) program that gives students a choice of three specializations: Information Technology; Data Science; and Cybersecurity & Privacy. The program is designed for students who have a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related technical field, although applicants whose undergraduate major does not meet this requirement may be eligible for the program if they take up to four preparatory courses offered by the university. Students in the program take four required core courses in computer programming, database systems, computer networking, and information security, choose six electives that define the focus of their degree, and can complete the program in two years.

The University of Arkansas (U of A) and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UA Little Rock) are two additional schools in the state that have online master’s programs in information systems and information science. U of A offers an online Master of Information Systems (MIS) program through its Sam A. Walton College of Business. The 21-month program utilizes a cohort model in which groups of students begin and proceed through the program together. Students in the U of A online MIS program can choose one of two concentrations: Enterprise Resource Planning; or Enterprise Systems Management.

The program offered by UA Little Rock is an online Master of Science (MS) in Information Science program that features four core course requirements in database systems, data science, information visualization, and data security, followed by five electives chosen from course offerings in six concentration areas: Information Science; Technology Innovation; Computer Science; Business Information Systems; Statistics; and Systems Engineering. Prior to graduating from the UA Little Rock program, students must complete a final project or a master’s thesis in information science.

Maryville University in St. Louis, MO, and The University of Tennessee, Knoxville are two out-of-state schools in the Arkansas region that offer online master’s programs in computer science fields. Maryville has an online MS in Software Development program that features four computer coding courses and five information management courses. The program, which can be completed in as few as 12 months, is offered through Maryville’s John E. Simon School of Business.

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville program is an online MS in Information Sciences program that is offered through the university’s School of Information Sciences. The program requires students to attend a one-day orientation session on campus at the start of the program, and to return to Knoxville at the end of the program to take a comprehensive examination or present a thesis defense.

Online Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) Programs in Arkansas

There are five schools in Arkansas that offer various types of online Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs: the University of Arkansas (U of A); Arkansas Tech University; the University of Central Arkansas (UCA); Southern Arkansas University (SAU); and John Brown University.

U of A’s Sam A. Walton College of Business offers two partially online MBA options: an Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) program; and a Healthcare EMBA program. The 38-credit EMBA program is designed for students who are already working as business managers or executives and can be completed in roughly two years. Students in the program complete most of their coursework online but must attend campus-based classes one Saturday per month while school is in session. The program has specializations in: Supply Chain Management; Finance; Business Analytics; Innovation & Entrepreneurship; and Retail.

The 44-credit Healthcare EMBA program has a similar structure, with students required to attend campus-based meetings on one Saturday per month while school is in session. It is designed for physicians and other clinicians who are seeking business and management training, and it includes a Global Business immersion project that gives students the opportunity to travel for several weeks in order to learn about healthcare businesses in other countries.

Arkansas Tech has a fully online MBA program with three curriculum options: General Business; Business Data Analytics; and Digital Marketing. Applicants to the program are required to have taken college-level courses in accounting, economics, finance, and statistics.

UCA and SAU offer MBA programs that can be completed entirely online or through a mix of online and on-campus courses. The UCA program has concentrations in: Finance; Healthcare Administration; Information Management; and International Business. Students in the UCA program also have the option of pursuing a Data Analytics graduate certificate. The SAU program, which is offered through the Rankin College of Business, has a general business curriculum and optional concentrations in Social Entrepreneurship, and Supply Chain Management. Both of these programs have two-year completion plans.

John Brown University offers an online MBA program that gives students the option of attending some in-person classes at the school’s Rogers Center in Siloam Springs. The program has five specializations: Cybersecurity; Design Thinking & Innovation; International Business; Market Research & Consumer Insights; and Healthcare Administration. Students who have an undergraduate degree in business are eligible for the program’s 36-credit track, while students who have a non-business bachelor’s degree complete a 45-credit curriculum.

Among the many out-of-state schools that offer online MBA programs there are several in nearby states that Arkansas residents may be interested in exploring. Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College (LSU) offers its Flores MBA program through LSU Online. The program, which can be completed in 18 to 24 months of online coursework, is designed for students who have a minimum of three years of professional experience in a business field. The University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) has an online MBA program that can be completed in two years but that gives students up to six years to graduate. The program requires applicants to have a minimum of two years of qualifying work experience in a business field.

Finally, The University of Texas at Arlington has an online MBA program with four concentration options: General Business; Finance; Healthcare; and Management. The program can be completed in as few as 16 months and does not require applicants to have prior professional experience in a business field.

Online Master’s in Educational Administration Programs in Arkansas

While there are many schools in Arkansas that offer online master’s programs in various education specializations, there are also several schools that offer online master’s programs in educational administration and leadership. The University of Arkansas (U of A), for example, has an online Master of Education (MEd) in Community College Leadership program that is designed to prepare students for roles in community college administration. Arkansas Tech University offers an online Master of Science (MS) in College Student Personnel program that provides training in higher education student affairs management and administration.

The University of Central Arkansas (UCA) has an online MS in School Leadership, Management, and Administration program designed for those seeking a principal, vice principal, or building administrator license in Arkansas. In addition, Southern Arkansas University (SAU) has an online MEd in Educational Administration and Supervision program that can prepare students for leadership positions in local schools or in state, regional, and national educational agencies. The SAU program requires applicants to have a minimum of two years of prior teaching experience.

Outside of Arkansas, there are two schools in neighboring states that offer online master’s programs in educational administration. Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College (LSU) has an online MA in Education with a Specialization in Higher Education Administration program that is designed for educators who want to become administrators at colleges and universities.

Finally, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville offers an online MS in Educational Administration program with a licensure track that requires students to complete an internship at a school approved by the program, and a non-licensure track that does not require an internship. Applicants to the program must possess a teaching or school-related license or have a minimum of three years of experience working in schools.

Note: Licensure requirements for teachers and educators vary by state. Arkansas residents who are considering online master’s in educational administration programs offered by out-of-state schools should review Arkansas’ licensing policies and requirements in advance in order to determine whether or not a program will provide the training required to pursue licensure in Arkansas. Applicants to out-of-state programs should also be aware that some programs require in-person field experiences at approved educational sites.

Online Master’s in Teaching and Education Programs in Arkansas

There are numerous schools in Arkansas that offer teachers and educators opportunities to advance their careers and add new skills and specializations by earning a master’s degree online. The University of Arkansas (U of A) has online Master of Education (MEd) programs in Adult and Lifelong Learning, Educational Equity, Educational Leadership, Educational Technology, Physical Education, and Special Education. In addition, U of A offers an online Master of Arts (MA) in Secondary Mathematics.

Arkansas State University (A-State) offers an online Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Special Education K-12 program that is designed to accommodate students with no prior teaching experience, as well as several online Master of Science in Education (MSE) programs that are designed for practicing teachers. MSE program specializations offered online by A-State include: Curriculum & Instruction; Educational Leadership; Educational Theory & Practice; Gifted, Talented, and Creative; Reading; Special Education Instructional Specialist K-12; and Early Childhood Education. In addition, A-State offers an online Master of Science (MS) in Early Childhood Services program that focuses on the administration of programs for children and that does not require prior teaching experience or licensure.

Arkansas Tech University offers two online master’s in education programs for teachers: an online MEd in Instructional Technology program; and an online MEd in Special Education (K-12) program. The University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UA Little Rock) has several online master’s programs for teachers, including online MEd programs with specializations in: Gifted, Creative, and Talented Education K-12; Rural and Urban School Leadership; Reading; and Learning Systems Technology Education.

The University of Central Arkansas offers online MSE programs in Reading, Special Education, and Advanced Studies in Teacher Leadership, as well as an online MS in Instructional Technology program, an online MAT program designed for students without teaching credentials or prior experience, and an online MAT in Special Education program that is designed to accommodate students who require preparation for initial licensure.

Southern Arkansas University (SAU) has an online MAT program designed for career changers who are training for initial licensure. The program has several tracks: K-6 Elementary Education; Math, Literacy, Science, and Social Studies (Grades 4-8); Art, Music, Physical Education, French, and Spanish (K-12); and Secondary Education (Grades 7-12). SAU also offers an online MEd in Curriculum and Instruction program for current teachers who are working at the elementary and secondary school levels.

Finally, the University of Arkansas at Monticello offers five online master’s programs through its School of Education: an online MAT program designed to prepare unlicensed teachers for initial licensure; an online MAT in Special Education initial licensure program; an online MEd program for licensed teachers with specializations in Teacher Leader and Special Education; an online Master of Educational Leadership program; and an online Master of Physical Education and Coaching program.

In addition to the many public universities in Arkansas that offer online master’s programs in teaching and education, one of the state’s private, non-profit universities, John Brown University, offers an online master’s in education program. The program offered by John Brown University is an online MA in Higher Education program that prepares students for non-teaching roles in postsecondary institutions.

Among the many out-of-state schools that offer online master’s in teaching and education programs are two public universities in the Arkansas region. Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College (LSU) has two online master’s programs that Arkansas residents may want to explore: an online MA in Education in Educational Technology program that does not require applicants to be licensed teachers; and an online MEd in Educational Leadership program that is designed for licensed teachers.

In addition, the School of Education at The University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) offers online MEd programs in Early Childhood Education, Educational Leadership, and Elementary Education, as well as an online MA in Higher Education program, and an online MAT teacher certification program with a focus on secondary school education.

Note: Teacher certification and licensing requirements vary by state and many master’s in teaching and education programs require applicants to already be licensed and practicing teachers. Students interested in pursuing initial licensure after graduating from an online master’s in teaching and education program offered by an out-of-state school should review Arkansas’ licensing policies and eligibility requirements carefully prior to applying in order to ensure the program and its curriculum will meet the requirements for licensure in Arkansas. In addition, some online programs require students to complete on-site internships at schools/locations approved by the program. Applicants to out-of-state online programs may want to contact program administrators regarding internship requirements and placement processes.

Online Master’s in Engineering (MEng) and Engineering Management Programs in Arkansas

The College of Engineering at the University of Arkansas (U of A) has an online Master of Science (MS) in Engineering program that is designed for students who hold a bachelor’s degree in engineering. The U of A online program allows students to choose courses from among several engineering specializations, including biological, chemical, civil, computer, electrical, industrial, and mechanical engineering. The program will consider applicants who have one or more years of experience in an engineering field in addition to a non-engineering bachelor’s degree, and candidates who have earned a passing score on an engineering exam administered by U of A’s College of Engineering, as well as graduates from Bachelor of Science (BS) in Engineering programs. U of A also offers an online MS in Electrical Engineering program with an emphasis in electrical power engineering, and an online MS in Engineering Management program.

Arkansas State University (A-State) offers an online Master of Engineering Management (MEM) program does not require applicants to hold an undergraduate degree in engineering. The program is designed for professional engineers who intend to pursue careers in management, as well as for current managers who work in engineering and technology fields. The 30-credit program is offered by A-State’s College of Engineering and Computer Science. It can be completed in one year of full-time enrollment.

Among the schools in neighboring states that offer online master’s programs in engineering fields are Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College (LSU) and The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. LSU has an online MS in Civil Engineering program that is designed for students who have an undergraduate degree in engineering. The University of Tennessee, Knoxville offers several options for earning a master’s degree in engineering online, including online MS programs in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Reliability and Maintainability Engineering, and Industrial Systems Engineering. The Civil Engineering program has concentrations in Public Works and in Transportation. The Industrial System Engineering program has concentrations in Engineering Management, Systems Engineering, and Automotive Manufacturing.

Online Master’s in School and Mental Health Counseling Programs in Arkansas

There are several public universities in Arkansas that offer online master’s programs in school counseling: Arkansas State University (A-State); the University of Central Arkansas (UCA); and Southern Arkansas University (SAU). A-State has an online Master of Science in Education (MSE) in School Counseling program designed to prepare students for licensure to practice in public and private schools. The program includes a 15-week practicum and two 15-week clinical internships and can be completed in as few as 22 months.

UCA offers an online Master of Science (MS) in School Counseling program that has a track for licensed teachers who want to add a school counseling license, and a track for unlicensed teachers. Both tracks require students to complete a practicum and an internship at the university’s campus.

SAU offers an online Master of Education (MEd) in School Counseling that has tracks for licensed teachers and for students who do not hold a teaching license. The program requires the completion of 600 hours of internships. In addition, SAU offers an online MEd in College Counseling and Student Affairs program that is designed to prepare students for non-clinical counseling service positions in higher education, and an online MS in Clinical and Mental Health Counseling program that is designed to prepare students to become Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs).

Arkansas residents who are interested in options for earning a master’s in counseling degree online through programs offered by out-of-state schools may want to explore the programs offered by two Texas universities: The University of Texas at Tyler (UT Tyler), and Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU). UT Tyler has an online Master of Arts (MA) in School Counseling program that requires students to hold a valid teaching license and that can be completed in roughly two years. Finally, OLLU offers an online Master of Arts in Counseling (MAC) program with three specializations: School Counseling; Clinical Mental Health Counseling; and Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling.

Note: Most, if not all, online master’s in counseling programs require students to complete in-person clinical experiences at approved sites, which is a state requirement for licensure in clinical and school counseling and a requirement for programmatic accreditation. Arkansas residents who are considering programs offered by out-of-state schools may want to consult with a program administrator regarding clinical placements prior to applying. In addition, students who intend to apply for a counseling license in Arkansas should be aware that licensing requirements vary by state. As a result, online master’s in counseling programs offered by out-of-state schools may or may not meet all of Arkansas’s requirements for licensing in school and/or mental health counseling. Therefore, potential applicants to these programs should review Arkansas licensing requirements and speak with a program director to determine if a program will provide the training required for licensure in Arkansas.

Online Master’s in Public Administration (MPA) Programs in Arkansas

Arkansas State University (A-State) and Southern Arkansas University (SAU) are two in-state schools that offer online master’s programs in public administration. A-State offers an online Master of Public Administration (MPA) program with a Public Management track that focuses on administrative approaches to the fiscal oversight and management of public organizations and government agencies, and a Non-Profit Management track that focuses on fundraising, financial management, and strategic planning for organizations in the non-profit sector. Students in the A-State program can either complete a 300-hour internship at an approved site or a master’s thesis as a final project. The program can be completed in as few as 18 months.

SAU offers an online MPA program with a general public administration and leadership curriculum. The program, which can be completed in two years, consists of 36 credits of coursework, including a final professional project in which students demonstrate their ability to use the knowledge and skills they have learned in the program.

The University of Texas at Tyler (UT Tyler) and The University of Texas at Arlington (UT Arlington) are two schools in the neighboring state of Texas that offer online MPA programs. The UT Tyler program requires applicants to have three or more years of work experience in the public sector or for non-profit organizations. It offers students the option of completing a general public administration curriculum or specializing in Criminal Justice, Healthcare Administration, Research and Evaluation, or Urban and Regional Planning.

Finally, UT Arlington has an online MPA program that focuses on Urban and Public Affairs. The program, which can be completed in two years, requires students who do not have at least one year of prior professional experience in public administration to complete a one-semester internship.

Online Master’s in Nursing (MSN) Programs in Arkansas

The University of Arkansas (U of A), Arkansas Tech University, the University of Central Arkansas (UCA), and Henderson State University are four schools in Arkansas that offer online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs. U of A Online has an online MSN program with a Nurse Educator concentration that is offered through the university’s Eleanor Mann School of Nursing. The program, which is designed for Registered Nurses (RNs) who have completed a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN), can be completed in four semesters of full-time enrollment.

Arkansas Tech offers an online MSN program with a Nursing Administration and Emergency Management concentration. The program is designed to accommodate RNs who have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree provided they take three preparatory courses prior to beginning their master’s-level coursework. Students with a BSN degree are not required to take these courses.

UCA’s School of Nursing has an online MSN program with a Nurse Educator specialization and a Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) specialization. Both specializations require students to attend a limited number of lab sessions on the UCA campus and are designed for RNs who hold a BSN degree. In addition, Henderson State offers an online MSN program with two specializations: Nursing Administration, and Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP). Students in the Henderson State program, which is designed for RNs with a BSN degree, must attend one campus visit to complete the program requirements.

Missouri’s Maryville University, a private, non-profit school located in St. Louis, offers an online MSN program that RNs in Arkansas may want to explore. The Maryville program has a Nursing Leadership concentration as well as five Nurse Practitioner (NP) specializations: FNP; Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP); Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP); Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP); and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP).

There are also two public universities in Texas offering online MSN programs that RNs in Arkansas may want to explore. The University of Texas at Tyler has an online MSN program with a Nursing Administration concentration that can be completed in two years. Finally, The University of Texas at Arlington has an online MSN program with seven specialization options: Nursing Administration; Nursing Education; FNP; AGPCNP; AGACNP; Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (PPCNP); and Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (PACNP).

Note: There are two factors that RNs who are considering online MSN programs should take into account prior to applying to a program offered by an out-of-state school: clinical placements and state licensing requirements. Online MSN programs require students to complete clinical experiences in-person at sites approved by the program. Applicants to out-of-state programs should check with a program administrator regarding potential clinical placements prior to submitting an application. Applicants should also review Arkansas licensing requirements for NPs and other advance practice nurses to ensure that an out-of-state program will meet the requirements for licensure in Arkansas.

Through U of A Online, the University of Arkansas (U of A) offers an online Advanced Standing Master of Social Work (MSW) program that can be completed in one year of full-time enrollment. The program requires applicants to hold a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Students in the program, which utilizes a cohort model, complete their coursework online and engage in 900 hours of field education over three consecutive semesters.

For students who do not hold a BSW degree, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UA Little Rock) offers an online MSW program that can be completed in three years and that requires students to engage in 1200 hours of field education. The program has a direct clinical practice curriculum but features courses in clinical and macro practice social work.

Among the schools in neighboring states that have online master’s in social work programs are Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College (LSU) and The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. The LSU online MSW program has a clinical social work focus and a curriculum that can be completed in two years of full-time enrollment. Students who qualify for LSU’s Advanced Standing online MSW track can finish the program in less than 12 months. LSU’s traditional MSW track requires students to complete four field education internships, while the Advanced Standing track only requires two internships.

The College of Social Work at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville has an online Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) program, which confers a degree that is largely equivalent to an MSW degree. The program offers students a choice between two concentrations: Evidenced-Based Interpersonal Practice (Clinical Practice); and Organizational Leadership (Macro Practice). The program has a part-time traditional track that can be completed in three to four years, and an Advanced Standing track that allows qualified candidates to earn their degree in one to two years.

Note: Master’s in social work programs require students to complete in-person field education hours at sites approved by the program. Arkansas residents who are considering a program offered by an out-of-state school should contact a program administrator regarding potential field placements and the placement process. Prospective students should also be aware that licensing requirements for clinical social workers vary by state. Therefore, prior to applying to an out-of-state program, students should review Arkansas’ licensing requirements to confirm that an out-of-state program will provide the training and field education required for licensure in Arkansas.