BSW and MSW
The Bachelor’s degree in Social Work (BSW) has been fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) since 1980. The most recent reaffirmation occurred in 2020. The MSW program was fully accredited in 2019. Being CSWE accredited is important, because you must have graduated with a degree in Social Work (BSW or MSW) to sit for the licensing exam in Texas. In Texas, you must be licensed to call yourself a “social worker” as it is a restricted titled. Only those that hold a valid license and are in good standing with the licensing board can use this title. The Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council governs our licensure. The following website provides links to information about the licensing process and requirements.
Individuals with a history of behavior that may have resulted in a criminal background, including arrests, convictions, serving probation, being on or completing parole, and/or deferred adjudication (this list may not be exhaustive) may be unable to qualify for social work licensure in the state of Texas. Should you wish to request a review of the impact of a criminal history on your potential for licensure as a Social Worker prior to or during your quest for a BSW or MSW, you can download a form and request a “Criminal History Evaluation”. There is also additional information about applying for a license after conviction or deferred adjudication.
The request has a fee attached for each occupational license for which you are applying. The fees are assessed by the governing agency, and Tarleton does not benefit from nor receive a portion of these fees. You must request the report, and TSU’s social work program will not receive any results from the evaluation unless you provide them to us.
Effective July 1st, 2020, we are required to notify you about licensing/certification in other states. The TSU BSW and MSW curricula prepare students to sit for the appropriate level of licensure in the state of Texas. Although most states offer reciprocity in social work licensing, each state licensure board is responsible for establishing the requirements for and levels of licensure/certification for their state. Students that plan to pursue licensing in another state should consult the licensing board of that state. We have provided links to each state’s entity below. The receiving state makes the decision regarding eligibility to sit for the social work licensing exam based on that state’s requirements, rules, and regulations in effect at the time of application.
This information is provided to you to guide your decision-making process regarding enrolling in the Social Work program (either undergraduate or graduate). Please visit with a faculty member if you have questions.