Social Work (MSW)
Be a voice for people when they need it most.
Everyone Needs an Advocate
Increase your depth of knowledge with a master's degree in social work. Our MSW program at A&M-Commerce is designed to meet the educational needs of advanced-level social workers like you. In addition, our program is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and is devised to provide you with the skills and knowledge of the advanced generalist model. Upon successful completion of our program, you will be eligible for licensure by the state of Texas as a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW).
See Yourself Succeed with a Degree In Social Work
Committed Faculty
Work closely with faculty who have a deep commitment to social work education. Our faculty will help you develop skills and experience in areas including social welfare and social justice.
People Focused
Utilize your social work skill sets to meet people where they are and help them solve complex problems in their daily lives.
Cultivate Your Passion
Make a difference in the lives of many while gaining hands-on experience through field work in various settings.
Career Readiness
Gain confidence and experience as you practice your knowledge and skills in the field. Upon successful completion of our program, you will be eligible for LBSW licensure by the state of Texas.
Focus Your Passion
The School of Social Work offers two tracks toward earning your master's degree. Students transferring to our program from another MSW program must sign a release-of-information form. This form will be used to communicate with your previous MSW program.
Foundation Generalist Practice Track
This track is either a full-time, two-year program offered over four regular semesters and one summer semester or a part-time program in which students can expect to earn their degree in about four years. This track is designed for those with ANY ONE of the following:
- Bachelor’s degree that is NOT in Social Work
- Bachelor’s degree in Social Work older than 6 years of anticipated start date
- Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from a program NOT accredited by CSWE
Total credit hours: 57
Advanced Generalist Practice Track
Full-time students can expect to complete the Advanced Generalist Practice Track in one year. This track is designed for students who have ALL of the following:
- Bachelor of Social Work degree from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
- Bachelor of Social Work degree NOT older than 6 years of anticipated start date
Total credit hours: 33
What You Will Learn
A degree in social work offers the opportunity to:
- Gain deeper research-based knowledge
- Apply knowledge across multiple intervention levels
- Work within the person-situation-environment paradigm
- Develop advanced skills for helping diverse communities
Careers
The majority of our graduates work in a variety of settings such as private practice, mental health, hospitals and social services.
Career Possibilities and Current Median Salaries
US DOL Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2020
www.indeed.com, 2022
MSW Field Education
The frame of reference you develop through your field experience is a valuable tool that encourages you to put your knowledge, skills and values into practice. As a practitioner, you’ll have the opportunity to work in one of several affiliated agencies offering a multitude of services to individuals, families, groups, communities and organizations. Prepare for career advancement and grow as a professional during your field experience.
All social work students are required to purchase a TK20 account prior to their first semester in field. If you have questions about your field practicum, contact us at [email protected]
Featured Courses
Course Delivery
Our MSW program offers two methods of delivery:
- Our fully online option accommodates working professionals and those who cannot attend traditional classes.
- Our face-to-face option offers day and evening classes at our Commerce campus and Dallas.
You must choose between online or face-to-face classes and cannot switch between formats.
Graduate Program Cost
PROGRAM COSTS
Tuition and fees for graduate students taking nine credit hours are $3,669 for Texas residents and $7,341 for non-residents.
Admission
Advanced Standing Program Deadlines
Fall admission consideration: August 1
Spring admission consideration: November 1
Summer admission consideration: April 1
To go through the admissions process for our MSW Advanced Standing program, you must meet the following criteria:
- CSWE-accredited BSW degree within six years of your anticipated start date
- A cumulative bachelor's GPA of 3.0 or higher, or at least 3.0 overall GPA on the last 60 hours of undergraduate work
Submit your application through ApplyTexas.
- Select “Create a new graduate school admissions application.”
- Select “Texas A&M University-Commerce“ as your “Target university.”
- Select “Social Work, MSW” as your “Major.”
- Pay the $50 application fee.
Wait to receive an application confirmation email before proceeding to the next step.
- After you submit your application, the Graduate School will send a confirmation email within two business days to the personal email account you used for ApplyTexas.
Submit the following documents after you receive an application confirmation email.
- Email your documents to the School of Social Work at [email protected], unless otherwise specified below.
Contact your previous institution(s) and request that they send your official transcripts to [email protected]
- We recommend that you request transcripts for all of your academic work.
All international transcripts must be evaluated and the evaluation submitted to the Graduate School.
We accepts evaluations sent directly from the following Agencies.
- If a normal evaluation is submitted, official original transcripts with all marksheets will still need to be submitted.
- If a WES ICAP or equivalent is submitted, we will not need the official transcripts to be submitted separately.
If your institution is unable to submit a digital copy, hard copies may be mailed to:
Texas A&M University-Commerce
Attn: Social Work Program
PO Box 3011
Commerce, Texas 75429-3011
We will need official/original documents. If those documents are the only copies you have, the Graduate School can mail them back to you upon request. Contact [email protected] for more information.
Describe your preparation for graduate work and your academic interests and goals in no more than 500 words.
Submit a resume or curriculum vitae (CV) which includes your academic and professional history and achievements.
Look for application updates in myLeo > Apps > Check Application Status
- Once an admission decision has been made, you will receive an email to your student email account at myLeo > Apps > Leomail.
- Apply for scholarships and graduate assistantships once you are admitted.
- Apply for financial aid by submitting a FAFSA and sending it to school code 003565.
- Contact your financial aid advisor with any questions.
Once registration opens and you are eligible to enroll, your graduate enrollment specialist will contact you to complete registration.
- View your degree plan in DegreeWorks.
- To register for classes, go to myLeo > Student Resources > Registration Menu.
Contact your graduate enrollment specialist if you have any questions regarding your degree plan and registration.
For more detailed information, checklists and reference forms, please consult the Admissions Overview Packet.
Foundation Program Deadlines
Fall admission consideration: August 1
Spring admission consideration: November 1
Summer admission consideration: April 1
Applicants with one of the following degrees must complete all steps below:
- A bachelor's degree in social work (BSW) from a CSWE-accredited program that is older than six years from your anticipated start date (regardless of GPA); or
- A bachelor's degree (BSW) from a CSWE-accredited program and whose overall bachelor's GPA is less than a 3.00 overall; or
- A bachelor's degree (BSW) from a non-CSWE accredited program (regardless of GPA); or
- A bachelor's degree (non-BSW) from an accredited college, university or equivalent institution (regardless of GPA).
- Select “Create a new graduate school admissions application.”
- Select “Texas A&M University-Commerce (Commerce)” as your “Target University.”
- Select “Social Work, MSW” as your “Major.”
- Pay the $50 application fee.
Wait to receive an application confirmation email before proceeding to the next step.
- After you submit your application, the Graduate School will send a confirmation email within two business days to the personal email account you used for ApplyTexas.
Submit the following documents after you receive an application confirmation email.
- Email your documents to [email protected], unless otherwise specified below.
Contact your previous institution(s) and request that they send your official transcripts to [email protected].
- We recommend that you request transcripts for all of your academic work.
All international transcripts must be evaluated and the evaluation submitted to the Graduate School.
We accepts evaluations sent directly from the following Agencies.
- If a normal evaluation is submitted, official original transcripts with all marksheets will still need to be submitted.
- If a WES ICAP or equivalent is submitted, we will not need the official transcripts to be submitted separately.
You’ll need to submit one of the following items
- Undergraduate degree in Social Work from a Council on Social Work Education accredited program that is older than six years from your anticipated start date; or
- Undergraduate degree in Social Work from a non-Council on Social Work Education accredited program; or
- Undergraduate degree in a related discipline from an accredited college, university or equivalent institution.
- Undergraduate degree in Social Work from a Council on Social Work Education accredited program with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 overall.
If your institution is unable to submit a digital copy, hard copies may be mailed to:
Texas A&M University-Commerce
Attn: Social Work Program
PO Box 3011
Commerce, Texas 75429-3011
We will need official/original documents. If those documents are the only copies you have, the Graduate School can mail them back to you upon request. Contact [email protected] for more information.
Request three signed letters of recommendation on letterhead from professionals who can attest to your goals and ability to succeed in the program. Those individuals should
- Email the letter to [email protected].
- Send the letter to you. Then, utilize the upload system: myLeo > Apps > Check Admissions Application Status & Test Scores
Download the Reference Letter form.
If you are unable to submit a digital copy, hard copies may be mailed to:
Texas A&M University-Commerce
Attn: Social Work Program
PO Box 3011
Commerce, Texas 75429-3011
Write a letter, double spaced, with no less than three pages including the following information:
- Describe the development of your interest in the field of social work.
- What are your personal qualifications for social work practice?
- Express your feelings, experience and ideas about working with diverse and
oppressed populations. - Discuss any social experiences or personal situations that had a significant
impact on you. How did these experiences contribute to your understanding of
your values/beliefs/etc.? - Discuss your ability to establish positive helping relationships and ability to make
professional judgments. - What are your expectations of graduate education? Describe the knowledge
and skills you hope to gain. - Describe your strengths and learning needs that may affect your professional
practice in the social work field. - Have you ever been charged and/or convicted of a misdemeanor or a felony? Yes or No? If yes, explain.
- Do you have current or previous mental health issues? Yes or No? If yes, explain.
- In order to be licensed in social work, and to become employed in some
agencies, applicants are required to disclose any legal history or history of
emotional conditions that may affect employment. For these reasons, the
admissions committee requests that applicants to the MSW program address
these issues and how they may affect one's academic performance in this
professional narrative statement. The applicant may request this information
be kept confidential within the admissions committee structure.
Please sign and date your letter.
Submit a resume or curriculum vitae (CV) which includes your academic and professional history and achievements.
If you’re transferring from another Master of Social Work program, you’re required to sign a release of information form, which will allow us to communicate with your previous MSW program.
Look for application updates in myLeo > Apps > Check Application Status
- Once an admission decision has been made, you will receive an email to your student email account at myLeo > Apps > Leomail.
- Apply for scholarships and graduate assistantships once you are admitted.
- Apply for financial aid by submitting a FAFSA and sending it to school code 003565.
- Contact your financial aid advisor with any questions.
Once registration opens and you are eligible to enroll, your graduate enrollment specialist will contact you to complete registration.
- View your degree plan in DegreeWorks.
- To register for classes, go to myLeo > Student Resources > Registration Menu.
Contact your graduate enrollment specialist if you have any questions regarding your degree plan and registration.
For more detailed information, checklists and reference forms, please consult the Admissions Overview Packet.
We are here to help!
Contact Us
- School of Social Work
- 903.468.8100
- PO Box 3011, HEN 311
- Commerce, Texas 75429
