Master of Social Work
The Master of Social Work (MSW) Program trains students for social work practice, preparing students with knowledge, values, and skills that promote human rights and social justice. Practice courses focus on advanced skills across a variety of systems, using assessment, planning, intervention, and evaluation relevant to diverse client populations. Practicum education permits students to apply theory to practice with diverse populations in social work agency settings. TCU's Department of Social Work does not discriminate based on ability, age, citizenship status, ethnicity, gender, race, spiritual orientation, sexual orientation, and/or veteran status.
Mission
TCU's Master of Social Work program prepares highly competent, ethical, and culturally responsive advanced generalist social workers. Through its hands-on approach to teaching, research, and mentorship, students are prepared to challenge structural inequalities, implement trauma-informed approaches, and lead social change at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels of practice. Program graduates are leaders within the social work profession who meaningfully partner with diverse populations to transform local and global communities for the greater good.
Program of Study
The MSW curriculum is based on the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) educational standards: (1) foundation content (the first 30 hours of the program) and (2) advanced practice content (the final 30 hours of the program). The MSW curriculum requires 60 credit hours (42 hours of coursework, 18 hours of practicum internships). MSW students take 15 hours each semester and complete their degree in two years.
Both social work and non-social work undergraduates can apply to the MSW program. Students who already have a BSW degree can apply to our one-year (30 hour) advanced standing program. Non-social work undergraduates can apply to our two-year (60 hour) traditional program. All applicants must meet admission eligibility requirements.
Traditional MSW students can apply for the Women & Gender Studies (WGST) or the Critical Race and Ethnic Studies (CRES) Certificate program. Certificate requirements include taking three CRES or four WGST courses. Students may apply for the Brite Divinity School dual degree program, which requires students to complete both degrees (please see additional information below).
Advanced Standing
Students with baccalaureate social work degrees from CSWE-accredited programs are eligible for the advanced standing program. Eligibility is also offered to students with international social work degrees recognized by CSWE's Recognition and Evaluation Service or programs covered under a memorandum of understanding with international social work accreditors. Students who meet Advanced Standing criteria requirements will receive credit for foundation content and begin with concentration-level content.
MSW Admission Requirements
Applicants must meet TCU graduate admission requirements and the admission requirements for either the Traditional or Advanced Standing MSW program. Admission decisions are based on a range of information, including qualifications described below. Admission to the program presumes the ability and willingness to follow the sequential courses curriculum.
Traditional MSW Program (60 Credits, 2-Full-time Years)
Admission Requirements:
Undergraduate Degree: a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university.
GPA: at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in the last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework.
References: three professional/academic reference letters from persons who can address the applicant's qualifications (academic skills, interpersonal skills, potential for graduate education or social work practice) Please include at least one academic reference (instructor/advisor) and one professional reference (manager/supervisor).
Professional Statement: provide 100-200 word responses to these questions (below). Please answer each question separately and clearly in your responses.
a. Why do you want to pursue an MSW degree at TCU?
b. How do your personal values align with professional social work values?
c. What social work career paths currently interest you and why?
d. Name two things you could contribute to fellow MSW students to enhance their learning (e.g., skills or past work/volunteer experiences).
e. Name two TCU-SW faculty you want to collaborate with and why.
f. Name two personal strengths and two personal areas for improvement.
Resume: submit either a current resume or a curriculum vitae.
Transcripts: unofficial transcripts from every university or college attended.
a. Current and former TCU students will not need to complete this step.
b. International applicants must submit an English copy of the transcript.
Academic Exception Petitions:
An applicant with a GPA below 3.0 must submit a one-page letter (titled "Academic Exception Petition") outlining why the 3.0 minimum expectation should be waived. This letter can include (a) context relating to events outside their control that impacted their grades, (b) why their current GPA does not reflect their current academic abilities, and (c) their capacity to be successful in our MSW program. Examples of potential items to include: higher grades during their final 60 hours of undergraduate courses (indicating a trend toward improved academic performance) or outstanding (volunteer or paid) performance in human services work settings. Describe how you plan to address obstacles to complete the program (e.g., if you received low grades in the past because you "needed to work full-time during my undergraduate studies," then please also describe precautions taken to avoid this situation becoming a factor if you are admitted to the MSW program.
Advanced Standing MSW Program (30 Credits, 1 Full-time Year)
Admission Requirements:
Undergraduate Degree: an undergraduate social work degree (BSW, BSSW) or (BA, BS) in a social work major (your degree must be from a CSWE-accredited program.
a. Note: International applicants with a bachelor’s in social work must have their degree recognized by CSWE’s International Social Work Degree Recognition and Evaluation Service
to be considered for the Advanced Standing program.
GPA: at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in the last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework (advanced standing applicants must have a 3.0 or higher for past practicum courses.) You can apply for the traditional program with a GPA below 3.0 for practicum courses.
References: three professional/academic reference letters from persons who can address the applicant's qualifications (academic skills, interpersonal skills, potential for graduate education or social work practice). Please include at least one academic reference (instructor/advisor) and one from a practicum instructor or supervisor.
Professional Statement: provide 100-200 work responses to these questions (below). Please answer each question separately and clearly in your responses.
a. Why do you want to pursue an MSW degree at TCU?
b. How do your personal values align with professional social work values?
c. What social work career paths currently interest you and why?
d. Name two things you could contribute to fellow MSW students to enhance their learning (e.g., skills or past work/volunteer experiences).
e. Name two TCU-SW faculty you want to collaborate with and why.
f. Name two personal strengths and two personal areas for improvement.
Resume: submit either a current resume or a curriculum vitae.
Transcripts: unofficial transcripts from every university or college attended.
a. Current and former TCU students will not need to complete this step.
b. International applicants must submit an English copy of the transcript.
Transfer Credit
Applicants may request credit hour approvals. Each transfer credit request will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, yet all transfer credit requests for graduate-level social work courses must meet these criteria:
Be from a CSWE-accredited MSW program
Receive a B grade or higher (3.0 on a 4.0 scale)
Requests for transfer credit approval must first be submitted to the MSW program director. The program director will review the request. With program director approval, the request will be sent on to the department chair and college dean for additional approval reviews.
Applicants requesting transfer credits must first:
Apply to the MSW program (traditional or advanced standing).
Submit unofficial transcripts for each transfer credit course.
Submit a letter with the exact courses they want to transfer.
Admission to the MSW program does not guarantee that transfer credits will be approved. More materials may be requested (courses catalog descriptions, syllabi copies, etc.).
Grading Policy
Academic performance is based on alignment with course objectives and policies outlined in course syllabi. Instructors are responsible to evaluate students' academic performance to determine student's final grades. In the MSW program, students earn course credit when they receive A, B, or C letter grades. Students will not receive course credit for any grade below a C grade. Students will be dismissed from the MSW program if they receive below a C grade in one graduate course or two or more C grades in graduate courses. Students must have a 3.0 GPA or higher across all courses to complete their MSW program. Transfer credits from other institutions will not be included in a GPA. Only upper-division and graduate-level courses completed for a letter grade while a student is enrolled in the MSW program will be counted.
Regarding incomplete courses:
Students must satisfy any applicable incompletes before starting final year coursework/practicum.
Conditionally admitted MSW students may not begin coursework with incompletes for applicable undergraduate degree courses.
Students cannot receive transfer credits for incomplete courses from another academic institution.
Students applying for graduation cannot receive an incomplete during their final program semester.
Any incomplete(s) remaining during a student's final semester will result in postponed graduation and require them to retake incomplete courses in a future semester before they can officially graduate.
Graduation
To graduate, students must:
Be enrolled in the MSW program in the same semester when they graduate.
Successfully complete all required coursework for the MSW or dual degree.
Have no incompletes and a cumulative 3.0 graduate GPA or better in courses.
Take the Texas Jurisprudence and Master's Level Social Work Licensure Exams.
Academic Warning Status
An MSW student will be placed on academic warning status if their grade-point average falls below 3.0 or if they receive a "C" in a graduate course. A student who receives a C grade or below, an incomplete grade, or a report of academic misconduct may have their academic progress reviewed by their MSW academic advisor.
While in warning status:
If a student plans to continue in their degree program, they may not drop any course(s) or withdraw for a semester without approval from their academic advisor, MSW Program Director, and Department Chair.
The semester after they receive warning status, the student must raise their overall grade-point average to a 3.0, or the student will be terminated from the program.
Early Termination
Students can be terminated from the MSW program for reasons relating to low academic performance, academic misconduct, and unethical/professional actions. Examples for receiving early termination:
Earning more than two C grades (or below) in courses and/or failing to maintain an overall 3.0 GPA.
Earning a third C grade or first F grade in the final semester before they are scheduled to graduate.
Students will be notified in writing about decisions impacting their continuation in the program. They may follow the university grade appeal process if they would like to appeal a course grade. Review the MSW Program Handbook for more details: https://harriscollege.tcu.edu/social-work/student-experience.php
Further, students can receive early termination for unsatisfactory practicum performance. Before termination is considered, students can make improvements aligned with policies found in the MSW practicum manual. A corrective action plan will be co-created with the student, agency representative, and director of practicum education. This plan will outline specific issues/behaviors, how they must be addressed, and the timeline that the student must follow to avoid further programmatic action steps if the issues/behaviors continue.
If deemed necessary, the MSW program and/or the agency have unfettered discretion to immediately remove students from the agency setting if the agency for MSW program considers the removal a warranted action to take. For example, poor performance, even one time, can place clients at risk. Therefore, any unprofessional and/or unethical conduct may result in immediate dismissal from a practicum internship, even when the student has yet to be notified in greater detail regarding why the decision was made. The student will be notified before they can return to their practicum or if a determination has been made for them to receive early termination.
Removal decisions are often made jointly by the agency and the director of practicum education, yet agencies can terminate an internship without notice if they decide they must stop working with a student. Review the MSW Practicum Manual for details: https://harriscollege.tcu.edu/social-work/student-experience.php
Additionally, faculty may notify in writing the MSW program director and/or department chair of the names of students who demonstrate any actions that raise serious questions about unprofessional conduct. The MSW program director will consult with the faculty member to make a determination about next steps.
Non-academic actions related to ethical and professional conduct are also considered part of a student's performance, and a student can be dismissed from the program for failing to uphold ethical guidelines, including instances that may extend outside of the classroom, off-campus, and outside of their internship. Therefore, students can be eliminated from the program for academic and/or professional reasons.