Social Work Degrees at TCU
Texas Christian University appears in our ranking of the 35 Best Value Christian Colleges with CSWE-accredited Programs.
Since 1977, the Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences has had an accredited Bachelor of Social Work for Texas Christian University undergrads to develop the capacity for helping oppressed people globally. Chaired by Dr. James Petrovich, a Dean's Teaching Award winner, the 124-credit program trains ethical generalist practitioners following God's will. Professors are easily accessible with a 13:1 ratio in courses like Healthy Aging, Animal Assisted Therapy, Anthropology, and Criminal Justice Reform. Two upper-division practica of 240 hours each are arranged at DFW Metro placements, such as Curo Health, Starpoint School, Union Gospel Mission, ACH Family Services, and The Rose Cottage. Students might also venture to Chile, join the Iota Xi Chapter, attend the Rising Leader Institute, double major in Latin American Studies, and engage with the Public Service Consulting Corps.
Enforcing the NASW Code of Ethics, Texas Christian University launched the Master of Social Work in 2012 for only full-time graduates seeking greater insight into today's most pressing community concerns. Directed by Dr. Nada Elias-Lambert in the Annie Richardson Bass Building, the 60-credit, two-year traditional program can be shortened to 12 months with Advanced Standing. Both tracks emphasize human rights from a generalist perspective, but electives can shape specializations like Global Poverty, Addiction Treatment, Partner Violence, and Child Welfare. Based on previous work, MSW majors complete 500 to 900 internship hours from Dallas to Dubai and upload portfolios to Pearson Learning Studio. Other opportunities include researching in the Health Innovation Institute, pursuing the Dual M.Div., adding a Gender Studies Certificate, joining SASW activities, and earning LMSW certification.
About Texas Christian University
Texas Christian University was founded on the Chisholm Trail in 1873 by Civil War veterans Addison and Randolph Clark as AddRan Male & Female College. Texas' first coeducational college welcomed an inaugural class of 13 and built a partnership with the Disciples of Christ in 1889. Acquiring Waco Female College six years later, it adopted the Texas Christian University name in 1902. Now budgeting $646 million, TCU shows 10,394 Horned Frogs, including Social Work majors, that "Learning is Power" with 91 percent retention. The private, research-oriented ORAU member of the Big 12 occupies 325 acres four miles from downtown Fort Worth, Money magazine's third most affordable city. Texas Christian University affiliates with 88,800 alumni, including Bob Schieffer, Wendy Davis, Gordon England, and Betty Buckley.
The U.S. News & World Report ranked Texas Christian the 78th best national university, 41st most veteran-friendly campus, and 105th top social work school. On Niche, TCU has America's 34th best nursing department, 83rd most conservative students, and 95th best campus life. The Princeton Review named TCU the ninth best-run school with the third best dorms. Times Higher Education placed Texas Christian University 179th overall. Forbes crowned TCU the country's 188th top college with the 133rd most grateful grads. College Factual applauded Texas Christian for the 35th best social work degree and 19th top-paid alumni. The Wall Street Journal ranked TCU #1 for the South's most student engagement. Washington Monthly recognized Texas Christian University for the 72nd most community service and 157th best faculty too.
Texas Christian University Accreditation Details
In 2013, Texas Christian University underwent a comprehensive evaluation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to retain its Level VI accreditation without sanctions under president Dr. Victor Boschini, Jr. This 11-state regional accreditor in Decatur is authorized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) to ensure effectiveness for TCU's 119 baccalaureate, 53 master's, and 28 doctoral majors. The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) also extended full accreditation for the BSW and MSW programs in June 2015.
Texas Christian University Application Requirements
Receiving acceptance letters from Texas Christian University is considered "very difficult" by Peterson's with a Fall 2016 admission rate of 38 percent. First-year Horned Frogs leaping into the pre-BSW major must hold a high school or general equivalency diploma. On average, freshmen rank in the top 13 percent of their class and present a 3.58 GPA. Undergrads self-report a mean SAT score of 1260 and ACT score of 27. The Social Work Department then requires junior status with a 2.5 GPA in the seven major prerequisites. Starting the Master of Social Work full-time needs a BA/BS degree in a liberal arts background. Courses like Statistics, Sociology, and Psychology must have minimum "B" grades. The Advanced Standing MSW is reserved for graduates with 3.0 GPAs during CSWE-accredited bachelor's programs in the last seven years.
Texas Christian University created an Early Decision deadline of November 1st and Regular Decision deadline of February 1st for freshmen. Bachelor of Social Work transfers apply until December 1st for Spring and August 1st for Fall. The MSW Program accepts candidates from October 1st through April 1st. Interested students simply file the Common Application or ApplyTexas form online. Downloading it via Adobe Acrobat for mailing to Box 297013 in Fort Worth, TX 76129 is also acceptable. Contact (817) 257-7490 or [email protected] with inquiries. The application checklist for social workers includes these:
- $40 application fee ($50 if international)
- Transcripts in sealed, signed envelopes
- One essay submission of 500+ words
- Three teacher or supervisor references
- Screen shots of entrance exam scores
- ZeeMee or Freedom of Expression profile
- Current résumé or vitae of achievements
- Petition for Academic Exception form (if applicable)
Tuition and Financial Aid
For 2018-19, Texas Christian University will charge full-time BSW majors $46,860 per year. The Student Government Association fee adds $90. Budgets should leave $950 for textbooks, $1,300 for travel, and $96 for loan fees. Living at the Fort Worth campus' dorms like Milton Daniel Hall costs $7,820 for room and $4,984 for board. The bachelor's price of attendance equals roughly $60,704 annually. The Master of Social Work currently bills $1,630 per credit, or $29,340 yearly, with a $48 graduate activity fee. If needed, graduate housing costs $15,270. Post-grads are charged approximately $45,608 annually before aid.
According to the NCES College Navigator, 68 percent of full-time TCU Horned Frogs share $141.2 million in financial assistance packages worth $23,239 on average. Institutional funds include the Chancellor's Scholarship, Faculty Scholarship, Founders' Scholarship, Gideon Scholarship, Black Alumni Alliance Scholarship, Bermont Family Jewish Scholarship, Ferrari Mission Award, Bob Bolen Leadership Scholarship, and Hugh O'Brien Scholarship. MSW majors can earn the Graduate Fellowships with nine-month stipends. Federal Pell and Supplemental Opportunity Grants may be opened by FAFSA application code 003636. Texans pursue the Tuition Equalization Grant, Top 10 Percent Scholarship, Marine Corps Foundation Scholarship, and more. Veterans eligible for Chapter 33 benefits presently receive $22,805 yearly. The Alcon Career Center arranges Federal Work-Study jobs for 10-20 hours per week. Students at Texas Christian University also borrow Stafford, Plus, Perkins, and Texas B-On-Time loans.
Learn more about Texas Christian University at the Department of Social Work website.