Texas Southern University Social Work Programs
Texas Southern University’s Department of Social Work provides a detailed Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Social Work program with full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The program has grown remarkably, awarding 35 bachelor’s degrees in the 2021-2022 academic year. This represents a 40% increase from the previous year. TSU’s Social Work program stands out from other undergraduate departments. Students don’t need to pick up minors in the discipline or declare a minor in another academic field.
The program prepares students from different backgrounds to become ethical generalist social workers. Students learn to build on strengths, promote resilience, and employ the person-in-environment framework. The curriculum teaches professional social work practice and evidence-based assessment. Students also learn to advocate for system and policy changes. They focus on serving African Americans and other groups vulnerable to discrimination based on race, physical ability, and socioeconomic status.
TSU Social Work graduates are doing well in their careers. Their median salary of $42,333 is higher than the national median of $37,334 for social work bachelor’s degree holders. The program attracts a diverse student body with 94% female students and 86% Black or African American students.
Students need university admission first. They must meet Texas Success Initiative requirements and apply for departmental admission after completing prerequisite courses. The B.A. degree needs 56 credits in Social Work courses with a grade of ‘C’ or better in core courses. The curriculum follows nine Core Competencies from the 2015 CSWE Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards.
Senior year features a block system that combines courses with field placements. Every social work graduate must pass the state licensing exam to become a “Social Worker” in Texas. Students get hands-on experience through professional organizations like the Social Work Student Organization and the National Association of Black Social Workers – Student Chapter.
Social Work Degrees Offered at TSU
Texas Southern University’s Social Work program offers a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree that creates a clear path to professional practice. Students need 120 total credit hours split into three parts: 42 hours of general education core curriculum, 56 hours of major requirements, and 22 hours of other requirements.
The program has a well-laid-out sequence of social work courses that build professional skills step by step. Students start with basic courses like Introduction to Social Welfare (SOCW 145), Social Legislation (SOCW 246), and Seminar in Helping (SOCW 340). These courses are the foundation of the program, and students must earn a ‘C’ or better in each before they can apply for admission to the department.
After completing these basics, students move on to specialized subjects like Human Behavior in Social Environment, Research Design & Ethics, and Generalist Practice. The program’s unique block system kicks in during senior year. Block I courses run in fall semester with Generalist Practice I, Field Instructions I, and Theories in Social Work Practice. Block II follows in spring with Generalist Practice II, Field Instruction II, and Social Welfare Policy.
Students’ GPA must hit minimum 2.5 by the end of junior year to start these block courses. On top of that, the program includes field instruction worth 8 credit hours with seminars that help students connect classroom learning to real-world experience.
The program has strict grade requirements. Students must earn a ‘C’ or better in all social work courses—’C-‘ grades don’t make the cut in core courses or required psychology and sociology cognates. Every student must also pass an exit examination before graduation.
We focused on undergraduate education but prepared students for professional licensure, which is a vital step in their career growth.
Specializations
Texas Southern University’s social work program aims to develop ethical generalist practitioners. Students prepare for many career paths instead of narrow specializations. The curriculum includes several key areas that help shape graduates’ professional identities.
The program’s heart lies in serving African Americans and other populations vulnerable to oppression and discrimination. These groups face challenges based on race, physical ability, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, country of origin, language, and age. This approach matches the program’s dedication to social justice and ethical practice in urban settings.
Students learn through a person-in-environment framework that builds on strengths and boosts resilience. They develop skills beyond theory that span multiple practice levels:
- Micro-level interventions focusing on individual client systems
- Mezzo-level work addressing families and small groups
- Macro-level change targeting organizations and communities
Students gain specialized knowledge for different settings without formal tracks. The department chair notes that TSU social workers practice in traditional environments like mental health facilities, schools, hospitals, and public child welfare agencies. They also excel in unique settings such as veterinary offices, libraries, law offices, human resource departments, and even pharmacies.
Students master their “toolbox, filled with knowledge, skills, values, ethics and theory in assessment and intervention”. This integrated approach helps them tackle complex social challenges while upholding ethical standards.
The program teaches evidence-based assessment, prevention, and intervention with at-risk populations. Graduates learn to enhance human and social wellbeing at every system level. They leave ready to push for systemic and policy changes that advance human rights and social and economic justice, tackling both local and global issues.
TSU’s approach gives graduates the flexibility to adapt in an ever-changing professional world. They maintain their commitment to serving vulnerable populations while exploring diverse career options.
Online and Hybrid Options
Texas Southern University leads the way in social work education with its innovative hybrid delivery models. The Social Work program welcomes a hybrid learning framework that combines traditional classroom experiences with online components. This makes education more available to students who balance multiple responsibilities.
The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program at TSU is specifically “dedicated to the enhancement of human well-being, access, and social justice through developing and improving systems of public services, especially for the vulnerable and oppressed, by offering undergraduate training in Social Work with a hybrid model of delivery”. This approach lines up with national trends, and data shows that more than half of social work programs nationwide offer both in-person and online/hybrid formats.
TSU’s Center for Online Learning & Instructional Technology plays a key role to support these flexible options. Their mission focuses on “providing flexibility along with quality and affordable learning opportunities” that help students achieve their educational goals with demanding schedules. Yes, it is valuable for social work students who often balance fieldwork, employment, and academic studies.
A student’s experience explains these benefits: “TSU Online allowed me to participate in the Texas Legislative Internship Program at the Texas State Capital in Austin, TX while remaining a full-time student. I served as a criminal justice policy analyst in the office of Senator Borris Miles”. This example shows how online options help students gain valuable practical experience without disrupting their academic progress.
The hybrid model gives social work students several advantages. It cuts down commuting costs and makes education available to students who need to balance work or family commitments. The quality matches traditional classroom delivery—the same curriculum, faculty expertise, and accreditation standards apply whatever the delivery method.
The program’s steadfast dedication to technology helps students become familiar with digital tools that social workers use more often. This preparation helps graduates who enter modern practice environments where technology skills have become crucial.
Graduation rates
Numbers show interesting patterns in how many students complete their social work degrees at Texas Southern University. 35 students graduated with a Bachelor’s in social work from TSU in 2022. The program’s gender split was notable—94% women and just 6% men. Black or African American students made up 86% of these graduates.
Student retention at TSU sits at 68%, ranking in the bottom 35% of Texas social work schools. First-time, full-time students have a six-year graduation rate of 22%. This falls below the national average of 46.43% for this group.
A look at social work education across the country adds perspective to these numbers. Social work programs nationwide show positive trends. Master’s degrees have increased by 23.7% over the last several years. The national graduate profile shares some similarities with TSU’s program—48.1% White, 30.8% African American/Black, and 8.6% Hispanic/Latinx students.
Women dominate social work education at TSU and nationally. Female graduates make up 82.3% compared to 17.2% male nationwide. TSU shows an even stronger female presence in its program.
These graduation statistics are a great way to get perspective for students who want to learn about TSU’s social work programs. They paint a clear picture of program outcomes and student makeup they might see during their educational trip.
Career outcomes
TSU’s social work program graduates have amazing job prospects. Over 70% of them land full-time jobs each year, which is way higher than national averages. TSU’s social work graduates earn a median salary of $42,333. This is a big deal as it means that they make more than the national median of $37,334 for similar qualifications. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects social work positions to grow by 13% between 2019-2029, showing strong future job opportunities.
The program’s job readiness numbers look impressive. About 40% of students get jobs before they even graduate – beating the national average by 10%. Students who look for work after graduation typically find jobs within 1-3 months, around 21-26% of them. We found that 82-86% of graduates feel “very well” or “adequately” prepared for their social work careers.
TSU’s social work graduates shine in their career flexibility. They don’t just work in mental health settings – they thrive in schools, hospitals, public child welfare agencies, and the criminal justice system. These days, graduates head over to unexpected places like vet offices, libraries, law firms, HR departments, and even pharmacies.
Graduates can take the Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW) exam to become licensed practitioners in Texas. Many of them go on to pursue their Master’s in Social Work (MSW). They often qualify for Advanced Standing Status, which lets them finish in about a year.
The program helps students tackle common challenges in the social work field. The biggest problem remains getting jobs with good pay, affecting about 10% more TSU alumni compared to national figures. The department tackles this with resilient career support through active student groups. The Social Work Student Organization and National Association of Black Social Workers Student Chapter offer valuable networking chances.
Unique Features about the Social Work Programs at TSU
Texas Southern University’s Social Work program stands out with several unique features beyond its regular academic offerings. TSU is the only accredited Social Work program at a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in Houston. The curriculum has discussions and readings that specifically address African American clients/client systems’ issues and experiences, along with service delivery in urban environments.
The program’s S.H.A.P.E. Initiative (TSI) is a remarkable university-community partnership. This 2014-old initiative tackles substance use, mental health, and HIV/AIDS prevention through free health screenings, education, and service linkage. Students get valuable internship opportunities and learn from field experts while they work on community outreach activities.
TSU’s faculty mentorship goes beyond classroom instruction. “We spend time with our students outside the classroom, helping students expand their professional networking, building their professional resumés, and developing their leadership skills,” the department chair explains. Faculty members help students connect with university and community resources to overcome academic hurdles.
Senior students get two valuable opportunities. They start with a structured internship experience and later work in multi-disciplinary teams during patient simulations with students from other universities. This hands-on experience improves their professional readiness by a lot.
TSU Social Work graduates can take the Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW) exam. Many graduates who pursue Master’s in Social Work degrees receive Advanced Standing Status. This allows them to complete their MSW in about one year instead of the standard two-year program.
The program uses a block system for senior coursework that creates a unified final-year experience. Block I runs in fall semester only and Block II in spring semester only. This system provides a systematic progression through advanced content.