Texas A&M Texarkana Social Work Programs

Texas A&M University – Texarkana Social Work Programs help you build influential careers where you can change people’s lives. These programs enable graduates to become independently licensed as Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW). This qualification opens up job prospects with children, adolescents, adults, elderly, and people with disabilities.

The BSW and MSW programs focus on professional excellence. The Council on Social Work Education has approved the BSW program to admit students for the Fall 2025. The Master of Social Work program already holds accreditation from this organization. The MSW program stands out from other Texas options with its mental health specialization. Students also learn about trauma-informed care and substance abuse. The undergraduate Texas A&M social work program needs 57 credit hours minimum. This includes 8 credit hours of field instruction (400 clock hours) where students get hands-on professional experience under a professional social worker’s supervision.

The university’s social work programs excel at preparing generalist Social Work practitioners. Students learn to tackle regional challenges like poverty, chronic illness, and social and economic injustices. Strong connections between the university and community through field partnerships, service, and research ensure graduates become skilled social workers ready for ground challenges.

Types of Social Work Degrees Offered at Texas A&M University – Texarkana

Texas A&M University – Texarkana offers well-crafted social work degree programs that prepare students in a variety of settings. Students can choose between two paths: the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and the Master of Social Work (MSW) programs.

The BSW program creates a solid foundation for entry-level professional practice. Students gain generalist social work skills they can use in many community settings. The program combines theory with practical experience to help graduates develop academic knowledge and hands-on skills. The Council on Social Work Education has approved the program to begin admitting students for Fall 2025. This approval highlights the university’s dedication to social work education.

The MSW program provides a specialized education path for students seeking advanced practice opportunities. This graduate program enhances foundational knowledge and develops clinical expertise. The Council on Social Work Education fully accredits the MSW program, which ensures quality education and professional recognition. Employers and licensing boards nationwide recognize this degree.

Field placements play a vital role in both programs, helping students apply classroom concepts in ground settings under professional supervision. The BSW program includes 400 clock hours of field instruction. The MSW program requires additional practical training.

These programs stand out by combining regional focus with broad professional applications. Students interested in working with children, adults, elderly populations, or specialized areas like mental health or substance abuse will find strong educational foundations here. Graduates can either start their careers immediately or pursue advanced degrees and certifications.

Degree Specializations

Texas A&M University – Texarkana’s Social Work Programs stand out with their specialized training compared to other programs in the state. Each degree path offers unique focus areas that will prepare you for specific careers in social work.

The BSW program teaches you to become a generalist practitioner who can tackle complex social issues. You’ll gain professional knowledge, values, and skills based on human rights principles, respect for diversity, and social responsibility. The program puts anti-oppressive and trauma-informed social work practices at its center – these approaches are crucial to help individuals, families, communities, and organizations face their complex challenges.

Students in the MSW program specialize in mental health, with extra focus on trauma-informed care and substance abuse treatment. These areas align perfectly with the social work profession’s growth, especially as our population ages and specialized medical and social services become more important.

You can customize your MSW education with five semester credit hours of electives that match your career goals. Here are your elective options:

• Crisis Intervention
• Gerontology
• Social Work Practice with Children and Adolescents
• Spirituality in Social Work
• Child Welfare
• Special Topics in Social Work

Your knowledge base grows even further with interdisciplinary options from counseling and psychology departments. These courses include Counseling Theories, Advanced Psychological Statistics, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Psychopharmacology for Counselors.

The BSW program requires 57 credit hours minimum. This includes 6 lower division prerequisites, 43 credit hours of upper division coursework, and 8 credit hours of field instruction. The program’s flexibility lets you choose from part-time, full-time, evening, and online study options.

Both programs maintain high academic standards while focusing on practical skills. Field partnerships, service opportunities, and research projects help you develop competencies that address regional challenges like poverty, chronic illness, and social inequality.

Online and Hybrid Options

Texas A&M University – Texarkana Social Work Programs put flexibility first. The programs offer multiple delivery options that fit students’ different needs and lifestyles. Many social work students balance their careers, families, and studies at the same time.

The MSW program runs as a fully online asynchronous program. You can access your course materials and complete assignments on your schedule without fixed class times. This setup works great for:

• Working professionals with full-time jobs
• Students who take care of their families
• People who live far from campus
• Students who like to learn at their own pace

The social work programs at Texas A&M Texarkana also provide multiple attendance options. Students can choose part-time, full-time, evening, and online courses. These choices let you tailor your educational experience to your personal situation and learning priorities.

Online courses’ asynchronous format has clear benefits compared to traditional classrooms. Students can work through lectures, readings, and discussions when they learn best. This approach helps build self-discipline and time management skills—key qualities for successful social work practice.

Texas A&M’s distance education lets you earn your degree from home while building your career. You’ll have access to the same resources as campus-based students. The quality of education stays the same whatever delivery method you choose.

The university offers some courses in hybrid/blended formats too. This mix of online convenience and occasional face-to-face sessions creates a balanced learning experience. Students of all learning styles can thrive while meeting Texas social work programs’ professional standards.

Graduation Rates

Graduation rates at Texas A&M University – Texarkana show how well programs work and how students succeed. The numbers tell us a lot about how different groups and programs finish their degrees.

Texas A&M Texarkana’s graduation rates vary depending on when you measure them. The six-year graduation rate is 51%, which puts it somewhere in the middle of national averages. The four-year rate sits lower at about 18-20%. This makes sense because many transfer and part-time students need extra time to get their degrees.

The university’s Master of Social Work program shows strong diversity numbers. Three social work students earned their master’s degrees in 2021-2022, with women making up 67% and men 33%. Black or African American students earned 67% of these degrees. These numbers show how well the program promotes diversity in social work.

The university’s main performance numbers include:

• Four-year graduation rate for first-time, full-time students: 16.52% as of 2021-2022
• Six-year graduation rate (official measure): 51%
• Transfer student four-year graduation rate: 57.07% as of 2021-2022
• Retention rate: 63%

These numbers cover the whole university rather than specific programs, but they help evaluate how well the institution performs. Transfer students graduate at higher rates (57-65%) than first-time students. This shows the university’s strength in helping students who started their education at other schools.

Social work programs are newer additions to the university’s academic offerings, especially at the undergraduate level. More detailed graduation data will emerge as more students complete these programs. In spite of that, current information shows that enrolled students get good support to finish their degrees.

Career Outcomes

Texas A&M University – Texarkana Social Work Programs graduates start their careers with versatile skills that create numerous professional opportunities. After graduation, you can become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). This qualification lets you work in many settings with children, adolescents, adults, elderly, and people with disabilities.

The MSW program emphasizes mental health, trauma-informed care, and substance abuse. These areas line up with expected growth in the social work field over the next decade. The aging population and increasing need for medical and social services make these specializations valuable in the job market.

Social work and related fields in the region offer competitive starting salaries:

• Mental Health Case Manager: $35,000/year
• Family Service Worker: $36,155/year
• Probation Officer/Community Supervision Officer: $44,183/year
• City Planner positions: $36,006/year

Strong community ties create excellent internship opportunities with partners like:

• For the Sake of One
• Domestic Violence Prevention Inc.
• Texarkana Children’s Advocacy Center
• Literacy Council of Miller and Bowie Counties
• Criminal justice and government agencies

Graduates find roles with regional employers such as AmeriCorps Vista, Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services, and university systems throughout Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana.

These degrees open doors to many career paths. Graduates become Behavior Technicians, Community Organizers, Crisis Interventionists, Foster Care Case Managers, Grant Coordinators, Mental Health Caseworkers, Program Supervisors, Data Analysts, and more.

Texas A&M Texarkana’s social work programs prepare you to tackle regional challenges like poverty, inequality, and trauma while promoting community wellbeing at micro, mezzo, and macro levels. The program’s strong connections between university and community through field partnerships, service, and research help you graduate as a competent social worker ready for real-life challenges.

What’s Unique about the Social Work Programs at Texas A&M University – Texarkana

Texas A&M University – Texarkana’s Social Work Programs stand out with their regional emphasis and academic excellence. These programs prepare graduates to address East Texas’s specific challenges, such as rural healthcare access, non-urban poverty, and community development in a variety of populations.

The programs distinguish themselves by combining mental health specialization with trauma-informed and substance abuse intervention approaches. Many social work masters programs in Texas offer broader concentrations, but Texas A&M Texarkana’s targeted approach stems from community needs and workforce development plans.

Strong community partnerships make this program exceptional. Students gain hands-on experience through field placements at organizations like For the Sake of One, Domestic Violence Prevention Inc., and criminal justice agencies. These connections often lead to jobs after graduation.

Texarkana’s MSW program offers great flexibility through its online asynchronous format. Students can balance their professional and personal lives while pursuing advanced education. This accessibility helps bring qualified social workers to rural and underserved areas where they’re needed most.

The program’s faculty brings both practical experience and academic credentials to the classroom. Their teaching reflects current best practices in the field. The program emphasizes ethical practice and cultural competence – crucial qualities for social workers serving diverse communities.

Small class sizes are a significant advantage. Students receive personal attention and develop mentoring relationships with faculty members. The intimate learning environment creates professional networks that benefit graduates throughout their careers.

Getting into the Texas A&M University – Texarkana Social Work Programs needs proper planning. You should understand all admission requirements before you submit your application.

The BSW program has these admission requirements:

• Completion of prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of C
• Cumulative GPA of at least 2.5
• A personal statement that explains your motivation and goals
• Professional references that highlight your potential success
• Proof of relevant volunteer or work experience

The MSW program sets higher standards because of its advanced level. You need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution to show strong academic background. Students with undergraduate social work degrees from CSWE-accredited programs might qualify for advanced standing. This could reduce your program duration.

The university offers detailed student support services to help you succeed. The Academic Advising Center guides you through course selection and degree requirements. The Career Development Center helps with resume reviews, interview prep, and job searches focused on social work opportunities.

Money matters when it comes to education. The good news is that program-specific scholarships add to the university’s financial aid options. The Social Work Excellence Scholarship and Community Service Award recognize both academic achievement and service dedication.

Professors do more than just teach classes. Their open-door approach builds mentoring relationships that last well after graduation. Many conduct active research projects. You can join these meaningful studies that tackle regional social issues.

Once admitted, you’ll become part of a student group that values professional growth and social justice. Your peer network often becomes a career-long professional resource. These connections span social work settings in Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma.