Tarleton State University Social Work Programs

Looking for a career that’s set to take off? Tarleton State University’s social work programs can lead you into a field that’s growing 7% faster than most careers between 2023 and 2033. Social workers earn more than $61,000 annually – this is a big deal as it means that you can make a difference while maintaining financial stability.

The quality of Tarleton’s social work programs speaks for itself. Every single Master of Social Work student passed their state licensing exam on their first try in 2018. The degree plan at Tarleton State University has real-world training through a 450-hour practicum at community agencies. The Bachelor of Social Work program’s full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education ensures you can get your social work license after graduating.

Want to help marginalized populations or serve multicultural communities? Tarleton has a path that works for you. You can choose full-time or part-time studies, and some programs take just eight months to complete. Your path to becoming a licensed social work professional in Texas begins at Tarleton.

Social Work Degrees Offered at Tarleton State

Tarleton State University helps students become licensed social workers in Texas through multiple pathways. The university’s social work department gives students three main degree options that match their career goals and educational background.

The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program gets you ready for generalist practice and professional licensure. This specialized undergraduate degree combines liberal arts curriculum with professional social work education. Students complete a 450-hour practicum experience at a community-based agency. The BSW program is a chance to specialize in child welfare that prepares students for careers in child protective services. Students receive stipends for four semesters while they intern with community agencies.

Students with previous educational credits can choose the Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences in Social Work (BAASSW). This program lets students transfer up to 27 hours of approved workforce education courses as program electives. Students can transfer most workforce courses in related topics like substance abuse counseling, clinical gerontology, counseling, and mental health services. The BAASSW program requires a 400-hour internship and the Council on Social Work Education fully accredits it.

The Master of Social Work (MSW) program provides advanced education with flexible scheduling options. Students can attend classes at the Stephenville, Fort Worth, and Waco campuses. The MSW follows a cohort model that features evening face-to-face courses, online options, and hybrid formats. Students can choose between two tracks based on their background:

• Advanced track (30 credit hours) for recent BSW graduates
• Foundational track (60 credit hours) for those without a BSW or with a BSW older than 10 years

Tarleton also gives students options to minor in Social Work, Gerontology (18 credit hours), and Substance Abuse (18 credit hours) alongside other degree programs.

The Council on Social Work Education fully accredits all Tarleton’s social work programs. This accreditation makes graduates eligible for licensure with the Texas Behavioral Health Council. Tarleton’s MSW program shows excellence through results – 100% of its graduates passed their licensing exam on their first attempt in 2018.

Specializations

Tarleton State University’s social work programs provide specialized tracks that set you up for targeted career paths in the field. The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program highlights a dedicated concentration in child welfare that gives you the tools you need for careers in child protective services. Students receive stipends for four semesters while they complete internships with community agencies. This specialization leads to positions in child protective services with annual starting salaries above $40,000.

The Master of Social Work (MSW) program features a key specialization: Advanced Integrative Social Work Practice. Students build on their foundational knowledge to become advanced ethical practitioners who can tackle complex social problems like health disparities and social inequalities. This specialization teaches you to apply evidence-based research in practice approaches and intervention strategies to improve well-being across all practice levels.

Your MSW degree qualifies you for several professional roles, especially when you have clinical or administrative aspirations. Licensed Master Social Workers can pursue careers as:

• Child Welfare Case Supervisor
• Clinical Mental Health Social Worker
• Family Counselor
• Medical Social Worker
• School Social Worker
• Substance Abuse Counselor
• Community Agency Director
• Nonprofit Executive Director
• Policy Advocate
• Lobbyist

Tarleton’s social work curriculum goes beyond these formal specializations. Students can take courses in specialized areas like working with diverse populations, aging populations, sexuality and intimacy of older adults, and child welfare. To cite an instance, Social Work with Aging Populations uses a competency-based approach that centers on four domains of geriatric competencies: values and theoretical perspectives, assessment, intervention, and aging services. Additional specialized courses get into unique challenges that marginalized older adults face, caregiver stress, elder abuse, and substance abuse in older adults.

These specializations help you develop skills in nine competency areas, including assessment, intervention, evaluation, human rights advancement, and research-informed practice through Tarleton State University’s social work degree plan.

Online and Hybrid Options

Tarleton State University’s social work programs fit your schedule and location. The Master of Social Work (MSW) program brings students together in cohorts. You’ll move through your courses with the same group of peers who become your support system.

The program adapts to your priorities with several learning formats:

• Face-to-face evening classes that give you in-person interaction
• Online options, both live and self-paced, to maximize flexibility
• Hybrid formats that blend online and in-person learning

Canvas serves as the learning platform where you can submit assignments, check grades, and communicate with instructors. You can join live sessions from anywhere through Zoom. Faculty members also offer virtual office hours to help you balance your busy schedule.

You can earn your MSW while keeping up with work and family life. The program runs at three strategic locations—Stephenville, Fort Worth, and Waco—making it easy to reach from many areas. Students can choose between full-time and part-time options that match their lifestyle.

The program’s timeline is impressive. You could complete your MSW degree in just eight months with summer classes, based on your track and course load.

This flexibility goes beyond the MSW program. As a Tarleton State Online student, you’ll find support at any Tarleton location—Bryan, Fort Worth, Stephenville, or Waco. The university provides complete support throughout your online journey. This includes help with admissions, financial aid, veteran services, career counseling, and student success services like tutoring and test proctoring.

Graduation rates

Student success metrics at Tarleton State University social work programs give an explanation of how well the program works. Your chances to graduate and pass licensing requirements ended up mattering the most.

The Master of Social Work program has an outstanding track record for professional exam success. 100% of Tarleton’s MSW graduate students passed the state licensing exam on their first attempt in 2018. This perfect pass rate shows how well the program prepares you to get your professional license.

Tarleton State University has achieved a 53% six-year graduation rate, which aligns with the national average for similar schools. The university tracks student completion through the National Student Clearinghouse 6-year graduation rate as its Key Student Completion Indicator (KSCII). This metric includes students who graduate from Tarleton and those who transfer to finish their degrees elsewhere.

The graduation rates vary by a lot based on enrollment type:

Tarleton excels especially when you have part-time and transfer students compared to national averages. This shows the Tarleton State social work degree plan meets the needs of students from different backgrounds effectively.

The university’s 69% first-year retention rate shows most students stay enrolled after their first year. Student success gets tracked through persistence and graduation rates as part of the university’s effectiveness measures.

Demographics play a role in graduation rates. White students graduate at 49%, Hispanic students at 42%, and Black/African-American students at 36%. The university keeps a close eye on completion rates for underrepresented groups as part of Texas’s 60x30TX initiative.

These numbers showcase Tarleton’s steadfast dedication to student achievement. You get a clear picture of graduation outcomes while you think about the social work programs to prepare for your career.

Career outcomes

Social work graduates from Tarleton State University step into a field with excellent career prospects. Social work employment projects a 7% increase from 2023 to 2033. This growth rate moves faster than the average across all occupations. Previous forecasts looked even better, showing 11% growth for 2018-2028 and 13% for 2019-2029.

Money matters look promising too. The median annual wage for social workers hit $61,330 in May 2024. This shows steady progress from the $50,000 median in 2018 and $51,000 in 2020. Tarleton’s social work graduates perform well financially. BSW graduates earn a median salary of $38,506, which beats the national median of $37,334 for social work bachelor’s graduates. MSW graduates from Tarleton earn a median of $46,546. This sits nowhere near the national median of $51,347, but their job prospects remain excellent.

The employment numbers tell a success story. 91% of Tarleton graduates land jobs within two years of graduation. This success continues with 89% employed six years after graduation. These numbers substantially exceed national averages, that indicates how much employers value a Tarleton education.

A Tarleton State University social work degree opens doors to many career settings:

• Healthcare: hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, mental health centers, veterans services, substance abuse programs
• Education: schools, early childhood programs
• Social services: protective services, adoption agencies
• Legal system: prisons, victim advocacy, court systems

Child welfare positions come with strong starting salaries, often reaching $40,000 yearly. Experience and expertise pave the way to leadership roles like clinical mental health social worker, community agency director, and nonprofit executive director.

The Texas Behavioral Health Council offers licensure to all Tarleton social work graduates. This means you can practice professionally anywhere in Texas.

Unique Features about the Social Work Programs at Tarleton State

Tarleton State University social work programs stand out among Texas social work educational options. The program’s community focus creates excellent learning opportunities through partnerships with over 80 agencies in North Central Texas. These connections help students find field placements and build employment networks they can use after graduation.

Students can join Tarleton’s Social Work Club to grow professionally and serve the community. The club organizes fundraisers, volunteer activities, and advocacy events that build your resume while helping local communities.

Small classes at Tarleton create a close-knit learning environment. The low student-to-faculty ratio helps you build strong relationships with professors who actively research and practice in the field.

The programs excel at preparing students for rural social work. The university’s location helps students learn to handle challenges specific to underserved rural communities—something most urban programs don’t offer.

The degree plan uses innovative technology effectively. Students work with simulation labs and virtual reality training to get hands-on experience with tools they’ll use in their careers.

Students work together with nursing, counseling, and criminal justice programs on complex cases. This team approach mirrors how professionals from different fields work together in actual practice.

Tarleton shows its dedication to student success through complete support services for social work students. The university helps students from day one through graduation and beyond with dedicated academic advisors and licensing exam prep resources.