Texas A&M University-Commerce Social Work Programs
Want to boost your social work career with one of the most affordable MSW programs in Texas? Texas A&M University-Commerce social work programs provide exceptional value at just $3,630 per year for in-state students and deliver complete professional preparation. On top of that, the program lets you choose between full-time and part-time options to balance your education with your current responsibilities.
These social work master’s programs in Texas will build your core competencies in all but one of these skills needed for a successful career. Texas A&M Commerce’s social work curriculum focuses on mental health-related practices that include trauma-informed care and substance abuse treatment. The MSW program prepares you for licensed practice through multiple format options—full-time, part-time, and advanced standing tracks that match your situation perfectly. You’ll graduate ready to make a meaningful difference in your community by tackling regional challenges like poverty and inequality or working on community health at all levels.
Social Work Degrees Offered at Texas A and M Commerce
Texas A&M University-Commerce provides CSWE-accredited undergraduate and graduate social work programs. Students can prepare for licensure and professional practice through detailed curriculum pathways.
The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) requires 120 credit hours, including 60 semester hours in the major. Students complete 54 hours of social work courses plus additional coursework in supporting fields like psychology and sociology. The BSW program follows a step-by-step approach that builds knowledge and skills logically. Students take core courses such as Human Behavior and the Social Environment, Social Welfare Policy, and Global Perspectives of Human Welfare. BSW graduates can take the Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW) exam in Texas.
The Master of Social Work (MSW) program builds on an advanced generalist practice model. Students can choose between two tracks:
- Foundation Generalist Practice Track (57 credit hours) – Designed for students with:
- Bachelor’s degree not in social work
- Social work degree older than six years
- Social work degree from a non-CSWE accredited program
- Advanced Generalist Practice Track (33 credit hours) – For students with:
- CSWE-accredited Bachelor of Social Work degree
- Degree obtained within six years of starting the program
Field education plays a vital role in both programs. BSW students complete 400 hours of internship over two semesters. MSW Foundation track students must complete 300 hours at the foundation level and 500-600 hours at the advanced level.
MSW graduates can take the Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) examination in Texas. This opens career opportunities in hospitals, mental health facilities, and social service agencies.
Specializations
Texas A&M University-Commerce’s MSW program uses an advanced generalist practice model. This gives you specialized training in multiple practice areas. The program’s broad approach gives you versatile skills you can use in many different settings.
Your MSW coursework depends on which track you choose. The Foundation Generalist Practice Track (57 credit hours) teaches you the basics before moving to specialized topics. The Advanced Generalist Practice Track (33 credit hours) jumps right into advanced specialization courses.
The specialized curriculum has these advanced courses:
- Advanced Generalist Practice with Individuals
- Advanced Generalist Practice with Families
- Organizations, Communities, and Social Policy
- Social Work Supervision and Administration
- Advanced Generalist Practice with Small Groups
- Clinical Practice in Mental Health
The clinical mental health component teaches you to use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) to assess psychological functioning. This training helps you apply evidence-based approaches to help clients with mental health challenges.
Field practicum plays a vital role in your specialization. You’ll spend 500-600 hours at a field agency and attend weekly seminars that connect theory with hands-on experience.
These specializations prepare you for many career paths:
- Child and family social work
- Mental health counseling
- Geriatric social work
- School-based social work
- Case management
- Policy analysis and advocacy
- Community outreach
- Social justice advocacy
- Human resources and services
The program emphasizes social justice for oppressed populations. You’ll learn about clients facing challenges due to their race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and disability. These specializations give you broad competencies and focused expertise to tackle complex social challenges in many practice settings.
Online and Hybrid Options
Texas A&M University-Commerce offers flexible learning formats that let you pursue social work education from anywhere, at any time. Students can access the MSW program fully online and asynchronously. This setup works great if you’re a working professional who needs to fit studies around your schedule.
You’ll get the same detailed curriculum online as students who attend in person. The only difference is simple: you can complete all coursework remotely, except your required internship. This structure gives you maximum flexibility while ensuring you get hands-on experience through field placements.
Texas A&M Commerce takes flexibility even further with hybrid formats for social work programs. These options blend online instruction with face-to-face classes. Students complete between 50% and 100% of their coursework online. The rest happens on campus in Commerce, Texas. This approach combines online convenience with valuable in-person interactions.
The numbers show how popular online learning has become at the university. The 2019-2020 academic year saw 89.23% of graduate students (3,480 individuals) take at least one online class. Additionally, 76.72% (2,992 students) studied exclusively online. The undergraduate numbers were equally impressive – 89.36% (7,408 students) took online classes, while 38.20% (3,167 students) completed all their coursework online.
Working professionals and busy adults find it easier to balance their education with other commitments through these flexible formats. The quality of education remains identical whether you choose the fully online MSW program or a hybrid option. This approach lets you advance your social work career without putting your life on hold.
Graduation rates
Texas A&M University-Commerce social work programs track completion rates to measure their effectiveness. The institution keeps detailed records of student progress for different timeframes and enrollment types.
The success rates at Texas A&M Commerce show that 41% of first-time, full-time students earn their bachelor’s degrees within four years. Students achieve a 50% graduation rate over six years, which matches the national average for similar social work schools. The social work program shows strong results by awarding 147 degrees in a recent academic year.
Student retention helps measure program success. Texas A&M Commerce keeps 58% of its freshmen, which means three out of five first-year students come back for their sophomore year. This number helps us understand the path to graduation.
The university’s graduation rates differ among student groups:
- White students: 46% completion rate
- Hispanic students: 42% completion rate
- Black/African-American students: 37% completion rate
- Multi-ethnic students: 53% completion rate
These numbers show how students from different backgrounds succeed in the program.
The social work master’s programs at Texas A&M Commerce match national trends where programs average 111 graduates yearly. Master’s degree completion in social work continues to grow nationwide, rising 2.7% in one year and 29.5% over five years.
These completion statistics give future MSW students in Texas valuable insights about program outcomes and success patterns at Texas A&M Commerce.
Career outcomes
Texas A&M University-Commerce social work graduates build careers in a variety of professional settings. Their education opens doors to private practice, mental health facilities, hospitals, and social service agencies. The program’s success shows in the numbers – 147 social work degrees awarded in a recent academic year.
BSW graduates make a median salary of $33,149 per year. This number sits nowhere near the national median of $37,334 for similar graduates. MSW degree holders see their earnings jump to $47,994. Student debt tells another story – BSW students typically owe $21,881. This is a big deal as it means that the debt exceeds the national average of $18,722 for comparable programs.
Money matters look better when you see that Texas A&M Commerce offers the most affordable tuition among top-ranked social work programs at $6,583. Lower costs help graduates recover financially despite their original debt.
Texas A&M Commerce social work alumni work in these specialized areas:
- Child welfare and foster care
- Mental health practice
- Healthcare settings
- School-based social work
- Case management
- Policy analysis and advocacy
- Community outreach
- Social justice initiatives
- Human resources and services
Real-life application brings these opportunities to life. To name just one example, Jennifer Sullivan, an MSW graduate from Texas A&M University–Commerce, now helps low-income families as a Family Service Worker. She makes early childhood education accessible and helps create safe, nurturing homes.
Field placements make career transitions easier. The university works with partners like Grayson College’s Office of Counseling and Social Services. Social work interns learn through hands-on experience in intake assessments, treatment planning, community agency collaboration, and case management.
MSW programs at A&M Commerce equip graduates for more than just jobs. They prepare professionals who tackle complex social challenges while earning a good living.
Unique Features about the Social Work Programs at Texas A and M Commerce
Texas A&M University-Commerce’s social work programs stand out from other academic offerings in the state for several unique reasons. These programs are one of the most affordable options for social work education in Texas. In-state students pay just $3,630 annually for tuition, making it a great value for aspiring social workers who want quality education without breaking the bank.
Mental health-related practices are the foundation of these programs. The curriculum takes a deep look at trauma-informed care and substance abuse treatment. These two areas have become essential skills that employers look for today. Students gain expertise that prepares them for challenging roles in treatment settings of all types.
Students love the program’s flexibility. You can choose from full-time, part-time, and advanced standing tracks that fit your schedule. The programs also let you study completely online with asynchronous learning, perfect for students who need scheduling freedom.
Field education makes these programs special. The university has built mutually beneficial alliances with placement sites that let students put their knowledge to work in real-life settings. These hands-on experiences often lead to job opportunities.
The advanced generalist practice model makes these programs unique compared to narrower alternatives. Students learn versatile skills they can use in many practice areas, from individual clinical work to community projects.
The program’s dedication to tackling regional issues like poverty and inequality in rural and urban areas prepares students for Texas’s social service landscape. This local focus means your education directly applies to where you’ll work, making these programs ideal for anyone planning to serve communities in Texas and nearby states.