Master of Social Work
The Master of Social Work (MSW) Program prepares advanced generalist social workers with a common base of social work knowledge, values and skills that equip the graduate for leadership positions that promote human rights and social and economic justice. The advanced generalist focus enables graduates to apply their abilities within service systems of various sizes and types. Practice courses stress application of advanced skills in a variety of systems using assessment, planning, intervention and evaluation relevant to diverse individuals, families, groups and communities. Field education provides opportunities for students to integrate theory with practice and experientially apply knowledge, values and skills in appropriate settings.
TCU’s Department of Social Work does not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, handicap, veteran status, political beliefs or sexual orientation.
Mission
The mission of the TCU Master of Social Work Program is "to prepare ethical and competent advanced social work practitioners who promote human rights and economic and social justice with diverse clients in the global community." This mission reflects and flows from the University mission.
Program of Study
The MSW curriculum is based on educational standards developed by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The MSW curriculum includes foundation content (the first 30 hours of the program) and advanced practice content (the final 30 hours of the program).
The MSW requires 60 credit hours (42 hours coursework, 18 hours internships). MSW students take 15 hours each semester and complete their degree in two years. Both BSW graduates and those with undergraduate degrees in other disciplines are eligible for seeking admission to the MSW. Students who already have the BSW are known as Advanced Standing students and can complete the MSW with one year of study (30 hours). Students with baccalaureate degrees in other disciplines are known as Traditional students and will require two years of study (60 hours) to complete the MSW.
The Women & Gender Studies (WGST) Certificate and Critical Race and Ethnic Studies (CRES) Certificate options are available for Traditional MSW students. Students are required to take three CRES or four WGST courses to qualify for these certificates (see additional details below).
Students may also apply for the dual degree program with Brite Divinity School. In this option, students complete both their MSW and a degree from Brite Divinity School (see additional details below).
Advanced Standing
Advanced Standing is awarded only to graduates holding degrees from baccalaureate social work programs accredited by CSWE, those recognized through its International Social Work Degree Recognition and Evaluation Service, or those covered under a memorandum of understanding with international social work accreditors. Students meeting the requirements for Advanced Standing will receive credit for the foundation content of the MSW curriculum and be allowed to enter the concentration content of the MSW Program.
Gatekeeping
The social work profession has the legal and ethical responsibility to protect both society and the profession by assessing students’ readiness to work with clients. The faculty team discusses students’ professional development and readiness to interact with clients. This gatekeeping responsibility is outlined and enforced through the Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers and addressed in the TCU MSW Program Handbook.
MSW Admission Requirements
In addition to meeting TCU’s graduate admission requirements, applicants must meet the admission requirements of either the Traditional or Advanced Standing Master of Social Work Program. Applicants may be reviewed for entry into either program. Admission decisions are based on a range of information, including the qualifications described below. Admission to the program presumes the ability and willingness to follow the sequential curriculum outlined in the Program Requirements.
Traditional MSW Program (60 credits, 2-year)
Required qualifications for admission:
- Prior Degree. Students accepted for the MSW Program must have completed a baccalaureate (BA, BS) degree reflecting a liberal arts foundation from an accredited college or university.
- GPA. Applicants should have strong academic preparation as demonstrated by an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in the last 60 hours of coursework.
- Course Prerequisites. Applicants must have one college-level course in each of the following: statistics, sociology and psychology before registering for the first semester in the MSW Program.
- References. Applicants must submit three professional and academic reference forms with letters from persons who can address academic abilities and interpersonal skills, potential for graduate education and potential for professional social work practice. At least one reference must be from an academic adviser or instructor. It is preferred that one of these references be from a field or internship supervisor.
- Professional Statement. Applicants must submit a well-written professional statement 750-1,500 words that addresses:
- What motivated you to pursue an MSW?
- How do your values connect with the values of the social work profession?
- What personal strengths and weaknesses will impact you as a social worker?
- Describe experiences and leadership opportunities you have had that will help you succeed in this graduate program.
- Discuss any significant volunteer or work experiences related to social work.
- What are your professional goals in social work?
- Please share two TCU Department of Social Work faculty members you would be interested in engaging with during your time in the TCU MSW program.
- Resume. Applicants will submit a current resume or vita with their application.
Petition for Academic Exception:
Must be completed by applicants whose undergraduate GPA is below 3.0.
An applicant who believes that his or her individual circumstances warrant consideration for a waiver of the minimum university admissions requirement must petition the MSW admissions committee.
The request should be a one page statement entitled “Petition for Academic Exception”. The petition should include a statement explaining that the minimum admissions requirement of a 3.0 GPA should be waived, as it does not adequately represent the applicant’s capabilities. The applicant should briefly discuss how he or she has demonstrated a capacity for successful achievement in a rigorous graduate program. For example, an applicant might provide evidence of:
- Superior grades during the final 60 hours of undergraduate coursework indicating a trend toward improved performance.
- Competence through achievement in another graduate program.
- Outstanding work experience in human services (volunteer or paid).
The applicant should also discuss how he or she plans to address obstacles to successfully complete the program (for example, if a low grade point average was viewed as the result of a “needing to work full time during my undergraduate studies” the applicant should discuss why that is not likely to be a factor during his or her graduate study).
Petitions must be uploaded along with all other application documents.
Advanced Standing MSW Program (30 credits, 1-year)
Required qualifications for admission:
1. Prior Degree: Applicants must hold or be near completion of a bachelor’s degree in Social Work (BSW, BSSW) or other bachelor’s degree (BS or BA) with a major in social work 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.
2. Transcripts: Applicants should submit an unofficial transcript from every university or college attended.
a. Note: International applicants must submit an English translated copy of their transcript. Note: Current and former TCU students will not need to complete this step. Copies from the Registrar’s Office will be obtained for all TCU graduates.
3. GPA: Applicants should have strong academic preparation as demonstrated by an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale) in the last 60 hours of BSW coursework. Advanced Standing applicants should also demonstrate mastery of generalist social work practice, as evidenced by an earned grade of a B or better in their BSW field placements. (For split BSW field placements, students should demonstrate mastery of generalist social work practice with an average of a B or better across both semesters of the split placement.) Prospective students who do not meet these GPA and field grade requirements should apply for the Traditional program instead of the Advanced Standing program.
4. Course Prerequisites: Applicants must have one college-level course in statistics prior to registering for the first semester in the MSW program.
5. References: Applicants must submit three letters of recommendation from individuals who can address the applicant’s academic abilities and interpersonal skills, potential for graduate education and potential for professional social work practice. It is required that at least one reference be an academic reference from an academic advisor or instructor and that one of these references be from a field instructor.
6. Professional Statement. Applicants must submit a well-written professional statement, 750-1,500 words, that addresses:
• What motivated you to pursue an MSW?
• How do your values connect with the values of the social work profession?
• What personal strengths and weaknesses will impact you as a social worker?
• Describe experiences and leadership opportunities you have had that will help you succeed in this graduate program.
• Discuss any significant volunteer or work experiences related to social work.
• What are your professional goals in social work?
• What are your professional goals and plans in social work?
• Please share two TCU Department of Social Work faculty members you would be interested in engaging with during your time in the TCU MSW program.
7. Resume. Applicants will submit a current resume or vitae with their application.
Transfer Credit
The MSW Program may accept up to 10 transfer credits from: 1) a CSWE-accredited MSW Program for foundation year courses, or 2) a CSWE-accredited MSW Program or another graduate program in a related field for concentration year electives. No transfer credit will be awarded for practice courses, required concentration-year courses or for field education.
In addition, requests for transfer course credit must meet the following criteria:
- The student requesting credit for graduate coursework must be admitted to TCU's MSW Program prior to approval of a request for transfer credit. However, admission to the MSW Program does not guarantee approval of transfer credits.
- Upon admission, the student may request a review of graduate course(s) taken to determine whether the course(s) may be transferred for credit.
- A minimum grade of "B" must have been earned in each course proposed for transfer credit.
- When requesting transfer credit, a student must submit: a letter of request to the TCU MSW Program director that identifies the course(s) for which transfer credit is requested, a copy of the official catalog of the university where the course was taken, a copy of the course syllabus and an official transcript showing the grade earned.
Grading Policy
Course grades, both classroom and field, provide a measure of student performance in the course. Quality of performance is evaluated with respect to course objectives. While these objectives are collectively determined, it is the singular responsibility of the instructor to evaluate student performance in respect to these standards and thus to determine the grade.
In the Department, course credit is given for the grades A, B, and C. No credit is given for any grade below a C. If a student earns below a C, they will be terminated from the MSW program. In the computation of the grade-point average, all grades of C will be included, but no more than two C grades may be utilized in satisfying degree requirements. For MSW students, a grade point average of at least 3.0 in all graduate courses in the major and supporting work must be maintained to completion of the program.
Grades from other institutions are not included in the grade point average. Only upper-division and graduate-level courses taken in graduate status for a letter grade are counted in the average. Students must satisfy all prerequisite incompletes before starting final year coursework and the final field placement. Conditionally admitted students may not take a grade of I, as part of the criteria for achieving “good academic standing” after admission. Candidates for graduation should not take a grade of I in their final semester, or graduation will be delayed and additional course work in a future semester of graduation will be required.
Graduation
To graduate, students must be enrolled in the MSW program during the semester in which they will graduate and have successfully completed all required coursework toward the MSW or dual degree. Additionally, students must have no incompletes (Is) and have a 3.0 cumulative graduate GPA or better in all courses.
ACADEMIC WARING STATUS AND TERMINATION FROM THE MSW PROGRAM
If a student’s overall grade-point average falls below 3.0, the student is placed on academic warning status. While in warning status, a student who wishes to continue in the degree program may not drop any course or withdraw from the University without the approval of their academic advisor, MSW Program Director and Department Chair. In the next semester in which the student enrolls, the overall grade-point average must be raised to 3.0 or the student is dismissed from further study.
Certain additional circumstances make it possible for a student to be dismissed from continuation in the MSW program. All students receiving a grade of C or an I (incomplete) in any semester will have their academic progress in the program reviewed in a joint meeting of their academic advisor and the program director. Additionally, students who earn two or more C’s or a single F grade during the program will be terminated from the program. If the third C or a single F is earned in the final semester, a degree will not be conferred. Students will be notified in writing of adverse decisions regarding their continuation in the program. Students may appeal in writing to the program director for continuation in the program. They may also follow the university grade appeal process if they would like to appeal a course grade.
Criteria for dismissal from the major includes academic performance and nonacademic criteria. Nonacademic criteria related to professionalism and ethical behavior is considered part of the academic arena of a professional program. As such, a student could be dismissed from the program for failing to uphold the ethical guidelines of the profession and for personal issues that affect professional performance.
Therefore, students can be eliminated from the program for academic or professional reasons. These gatekeeping efforts, counseling students in or out of the program, are supported by the university and by the judicial system.