Stephen F. Austin State University Social Work Programs

Stephen F. Austin State University social work programs will give you one of Texas’s most affordable paths to your MSW degree. This program costs nowhere near what others charge at approximately $5,262 per year for in-state students, while still delivering exceptional education. On top of that, the program lets you customize your learning experience. You can complete it in just one year with a BSW, or take two years if you’re starting fresh.

SFA stands out from other Texas MSW programs by offering online and hybrid options that work around your schedule through virtual and in-person classes. The curriculum focuses on advanced generalist social work and emphasizes rural communities, which prepares you for unique challenges these areas face. The program’s accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education will give you eligibility for social work licensing—a crucial credential for your career growth. SFA’s combination of affordability, flexibility, and specialized rural focus creates a detailed pathway to reach your social work goals.

Social Work Degrees Offered at Stephen T Austin

SFA’s School of Social Work has three different degree paths that align with your educational and career goals. Each program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), which ensures you get quality education that meets national standards.

The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program needs 47 hours of professional social work courses along with supportive discipline courses and 13 hours of electives. This program gets you ready for entry-level positions and builds a strong foundation for graduate studies. The BSW curriculum has extensive field instruction, and students must complete at least 15 hours of field practicum at SFA.

SFA’s Master of Social Work (MSW) comes with two tracks:

• Advanced Standing MSW: Students with a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program can take this 35-credit hour program. You can complete this accelerated option in 10 months as a full-time student or two years part-time.
• Non-Advanced Standing MSW: Students without a BSW background need to complete 64 credit hours. You can finish this track in two years full-time or up to four years part-time.

Both MSW tracks focus on advanced generalist practice in rural settings to help you tackle the unique challenges rural communities face. The MSW curriculum combines classroom learning with hands-on field experience, including 11 hours of advanced field instruction.

Transfer students should know that while credits from other schools may transfer based on SFA’s policies, you need to complete nine hours of practice methods courses and the 15-hour field practicum at SFA. Social work courses from CSWE-accredited programs or those part of approved articulation agreements will count as equivalents for professional courses.

These programs give you scheduling flexibility with full-time and part-time options for the MSW, including fully online advanced classes.

Specializations

Stephen F. Austin State University’s Master of Social Work program stands out from other graduate programs. While others offer multiple concentration paths, SFA focuses on one specialized area—Advanced Generalist Practice in a Rural Context. This specialization helps you tackle complex challenges that rural communities face in Texas and beyond.

Your specialized practice builds on fundamental social work principles but goes deeper with more independence. You’ll gain specialized knowledge that applies to many problem areas, at-risk populations, and practice settings. Rural lifestyle’s influence on these settings makes this knowledge particularly valuable.

SFA’s advanced generalist practice requires you to become skilled at several core competencies:

• Getting a full picture of complex problems in systems of all sizes through advanced assessment methods
• Using specialized evidence-based interventions with different client systems
• Applying various evaluation techniques
• Creating advocacy strategies for rural clients
• Leading program development, supervision, policy creation, research, and interdisciplinary teams

The second full-time year involves advanced generalist practice methods, policy analysis, evaluation, and research coursework. You’ll study statistics, measurement, and complete 500 hours of agency-based field instruction. These experiences help you understand diversity, ethics, social justice, and at-risk populations through rural practice perspectives.

Program designers chose the rural focus carefully. Theories about rural ecological systems and strengths receive special attention. Simple and complex interactions, along with formal and informal networks, shape your understanding. This knowledge helps you guide clients through social contexts beyond metropolitan areas.

SFA’s advanced generalist specialization prepares you for both direct practice with families and systemic work in communities. This versatile skillset proves especially valuable in rural areas where social workers often take on multiple roles.

Online and Hybrid Options

SFA’s flexible learning pathways make social work education available to students with different needs. You can complete the Advanced Standing MSW program online, which sets it apart from other MSW programs in Texas. This flexibility lets you earn your degree from anywhere while getting the same high-quality education as traditional formats.

The online MSW program costs $599.50 per credit, which makes it cheaper than many of the other best social work schools. The program keeps high academic standards and provides a complete education, just like the on-campus version.

SFA goes beyond just online options to give students flexibility. Many courses have evening classes through Zoom that you can join live from anywhere. You can finish your degree through Zoom without coming to campus, take classes in person, or mix both approaches based on your priorities and situation.

Some classes let you work at your own speed as long as you meet the set deadlines. This works well for students who need to balance work or family life with their studies.

Online coursework is great, but field education is still a vital part of social work training. Online students must complete their in-person, site-based field education—usually 900+ hours for traditional MSW students. The good news is that many programs help students find field education sites close to where they live or work.

The online CSWE-accredited programs are just as valuable as traditional on-campus degrees. In fact, employers now recognize and respect online degrees, especially from 20-year old institutions like SFA. Your online degree will carry the same weight as one earned in a traditional classroom.

These flexible learning options show SFA’s steadfast dedication to providing quality advanced generalist social work education that’s available to everyone.

Graduation rates

The graduation metrics at Stephen F. Austin State University show promising trends for future social work students. The university’s 53% overall graduation rate has climbed to almost 54% in 2024, marking a 1.6 percentage point increase. These rates stand among the highest in SFA’s history and showcase the university’s steadfast dedication to student achievement.

The School of Social Work shows strong graduation numbers in its programs. SFA awarded 92 bachelor’s degrees in social work during 2021-2022—this is a big deal as it means that there was a 31% increase from 70 degrees the previous year. Women made up 92% of BSW graduates while men represented 8%. The MSW program saw 70 students earn their degrees in 2022.

SFA graduates have achieved remarkable success after graduation. Career outcomes soared with 95% of May 2023 graduates finding positive career paths within six months—a 5% improvement from last year. These placement rates exceeded the 2022 national average by 6% and topped the southwest U.S. average by 10%.

The university maintains solid retention rates between 71-77%. These numbers surpass both the national average of 70.57% and Texas average of 68.17%. First-time, full-time students achieve a 43% six-year graduation rate. Returning students perform better with full-time students at 58% and part-time at 47%.

SFA awarded 2,433 degrees in 2023-24, including 1,964 bachelor’s and 461 master’s degrees. First-generation college students earned 44% of all SFA degrees. These numbers reflect the university’s mission to provide educational access and social mobility—core values that match perfectly with social work’s goals of creating positive change.

Career outcomes

Stephen F. Austin State University social work graduates thrive in their careers. Almost 95% of them land successful positions within six months after graduation. Their success rate surpasses the national average by 6% and beats the southwest U.S. average by 10%.

SFA social work alumni enjoy bright career prospects. Recent graduates who found jobs within six months earn an average annual salary of $56,309 in salaried positions and $44,393 in hourly roles. These numbers paint an encouraging picture. Six years after graduation, SFA graduates earn around $41,900 – this is a big deal as it means that they outperform the national average of $33,028.

The university’s social work programs deliver outstanding job security. Graduate employment rates hit 93% after two years and stay strong at 90% even six years later. Speech-Language Pathology graduates achieve a perfect 100% employment rate in their field.

Social work professionals can look forward to strong job growth in specialties of all types. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 7% growth for social workers through 2033, creating about 67,300 job openings yearly. Mental health and substance abuse social workers have even better prospects with 12% projected growth.

Texas offers SFA graduates plenty of career paths. They often find success in:

• Healthcare facilities ($64,120 average annual salary)
• Mental health services ($47,660 average annual salary)
• Child and family services ($50,630 average annual salary)
• Community organizations and nonprofits

SFA’s advanced generalist training gives graduates remarkable versatility. Ruby Ramon shows this flexibility perfectly – she works as both a school district social worker/homeless liaison and an adjunct instructor while staying active in multiple community organizations. Jacob Thomas takes his SFA education global by blending social work with integrated medicine.

The university’s support system proves its worth. About 88% of students value SFA’s alumni network’s professional connections, and 91% praise how effectively the career center helps them find jobs.

Unique Features about the Social Work Programs at Stephen T Austin

Stephen F. Austin State University’s social work programs stand out from others nationwide. The School of Social Work puts special emphasis on rural practice. Students learn to handle unique challenges in underserved communities where resources are scarce and social workers need to be versatile.

The program’s deep roots in local communities make it special. Students get hands-on experience through partnerships with more than 100 agencies throughout East Texas. These connections help many graduates find jobs right after school.

The program also excels in teaching cultural competence, especially when working with indigenous peoples and rural communities of color. Students learn to serve different client groups with care and understanding – a must-have skill in today’s digital world.

Small class sizes and close faculty mentorship make SFA’s social work education unique. Professors stay active in research and practice, giving students the benefit of their ground expertise and professional networks. Students receive personal guidance throughout their time at school.

Students can grow professionally through the Student Social Work Association. They connect with classmates and develop leadership skills. The program’s Phi Alpha Honor Society chapter rewards academic excellence and promotes service and ethical standards.

Research-minded students at both undergraduate and graduate levels can work together with faculty to study rural social issues. This helps sharpen analytical skills while adding to rural social work knowledge.

The program offers great value among Texas social work programs. It combines affordability with CSWE accreditation. Students get quality education that meets national standards without huge debt, setting them up for a successful career in this meaningful field.