A Message from the Director
On behalf of the University of Arkansas, welcome to the School of Social Work. I hope you take the time to get to know us and to engage with our community in a meaningful way. Our mission of cultural, racial, and anti-oppressive justice guides our efforts to improve society through education, research, and dynamic community engagement. We aim to be a place of welcome where all feel valued and respected. Our dedicated faculty, staff, and students equally contribute to our mission.
The website gives you a window into the depth of our commitment to our students, our work, and our communities. We have a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and a Master of Social Work (MSW) Program, both of which are fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Our other program offerings include a minor in Social Work, a JD/MSW Dual Degree Program, Child Advocacy Studies Minor and Certificate (CHAS), a Substance Use Disorders Minor (SUDS) and a graduate certificate in High School Transition for Students with High Need Disabilities (T4T). In addition to our on-campus programs, we are also proud to offer a fully online pathway to earn the MSW degree, which affords working professionals and students from across the country an opportunity to earn a graduate degree from the University of Arkansas without ever coming to campus. Furthermore, in our commitment to creating social work leader-practitioners, our Field Practicums provide rich opportunities for greater understanding through student-centered experiential learning in a variety of practice settings.
Our faculty and staff are dedicated educators and researchers who make an impact both in the classroom and the greater community. Their research endeavors aim to improve the health and well-being of society, change policy, and offer solutions to some of society’s most pressing challenges. Their work is collaborative, inclusive, community-based, and wide-ranging. Through development and dissemination of knowledge, we are using our research to make meaningful change both in Arkansas and across the globe.
As the Director of the School of Social Work, my goal is collaboration with all our stakeholders to create, support, and sustain a diverse community which strengthens our ability to meet the 12 grand challenges of Social Work. Whether you are a prospective student, current student, or alum, I invite you to stay engaged with the School, explore the website often, reach out for more information, and get involved.
Sincerely,
Johanna Thomas, PhD, LCSW
Director
Associate Professor