BSW Program Information and FAQs

The acronym B.S.W. stands for Bachelor of Social Work.

• No. General Core Education courses (Phase I), and other General Core Education courses that are not part of (Phase I), degree support courses, and/or interdisciplinary electives, and a few social work electives may require a student to attend course(s) on the Texas State campus.

Yes. The BSW Phase II online courses are primarily taught in an asynchronous format. However, faculty may include synchronous class sessions to provide class sessions for students to ask questions, to provide students with opportunities to discuss/learn more about specific course content, etc.

‘Online’ does not apply to all SOWK electives (offered ‘online’ mostly during summer semesters), Interdisciplinary electives from other departments/disciplines, Minor courses, or other additional courses required for degree plan completion that are offered ‘On-Campus’ only.

Please note that online students may take the Phase III (Field Education) SOWK 4374 Field Seminar fully online, and the additional required co-requisite course SOWK 4975 Field Internship/ Placement will be completed fully face-to-face within a human service organization or social service agency.

• Yes. The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) Program at Texas State is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

• In the State of Texas Licensure is required if you identify yourself as a social worker by using titles or initials that create the impression that you are qualified or authorized to practice social work. This includes using any title containing the words "Social Worker" or initials such as LBSW, or LMSW.

The BSW Phase II application process is a CSWE accreditation program requirement.

• Upon submission of application material and acceptance to Phase II (full-major status) a student completes three long semesters (fall/spring) before applying for Phase III Field Placement. (Example of sequencing provided below).
  • 1^st semester – SOWK 3305, 3420, 4310
  • 2^nd semester – SOWK 3425, 4305, 4355
  • 3^rd semester – SOWK 3340, 4356, 4425
  • Phase III Field Placement only occurs spring or fall semester and requires a formal application process.

• Tuition and fees are subject to change by legislative or Board of Regents action; changes become effective on the date of enactment, and thus a flat cost of attending cannot be provided.

• On the Tuition and Fees table, an online student does not pay items with a number one (1) in parenthesis. However, online courses at Texas State charge a $50.00 per credit hour fee; therefore, a three (3) hour course would have an online fee of $150.00 in addition to tuition and fees.

Undergraduate Tuition Rates : Student Business Services : Texas State University (txstate.edu)

Note: On the Undergraduate Tuition Rate (resident or non-resident) table the numbers at the top of the chart are the credit hours. Using the BSW Degree Plan you can view how the courses are offered/taken in a specific semester. The second number of the course is the credit hours associated with the course.

An example: A full-time Phase II admitted student BSW course sequence is ten (10) academic credit hours in their first semester. The courses are SOWK 3305 – the number 3 identifies a course as a junior level undergraduate course and the second number is the credit hour; in this case the course is three (3) credit hours. The next course is SOWK 3420, which is four (4) academic credit hour course, and SOWK 4310, which is also a three (3) hour course, for a total of ten (10) academic credit hours in the first semester. Using this information, you would use the corresponding table (resident or non-resident) and find the nine at the top of the table, then scroll down to the total, to view the tuition and fees associated with the ten academic credit hours for the semester.

• It is recommended that a student apply for Phase II once they have successfully completed all Phase I requirements (if transfer coursework is to be utilized, the coursework must be reflected on the Texas State transcript prior to applying). A student may also apply in the semester in which they anticipate successful completion of Phase I requirements.
• The BSW Program accepts applications twice a year for a spring or fall Phase II start. The application deadlines are posted on the School of Social Work web site BSW Admissions Process : School of Social Work : Texas State University (txstate.edu). An incomplete application packet will not be reviewed.

• The BSW Phase II application is a web-based process. The application can be found https://www.socialwork.txstate.edu/undergraduate/BSWadmissions.html ‘BSW Application’
• The application packet must be submitted through the web-based portal.
• Texas State University student ID (A0---) and active NetID are required to access the application portal.

The application process for Phase II takes place each Fall and Spring semester, with admitted students beginning the next long semester (i.e.: students complete application process in fall semester, if admitted into the Program begin BSW Phase II the following spring semester).

• The BSW Phase II application process is a highly competitive process where each completed application packet is reviewed by the BSW Advisory Committee for admission decision.
• Students may apply to the BSW Program (Phase II) up to three times.

Review the Checklist & Tips - Steps to BSW Phase II Application Process.pdf (txstate.edu) for BSW Phase II application completion process.

• Complete the BSW application 
• Complete Narrative Responses
• Complete Social Problem Essay
• Complete Pre-Major Performance Evaluations
  • You are responsible for ensuring that the Pre-Major Performance Evaluations are received by the School of Social Work by the application deadline.  Missing evaluations forms will render your application incomplete, meaning it will NOT be reviewed by the admissions committee.
  • If you completed SOWK 1350 and SOWK 2375 at another institution and your instructor is no longer available, or you cannot locate your volunteer supervisor, or have other problems with this procedure, review the ‘Checklist & Tips’ document for options or contact BSW Associate Program Director via email rb1217@txstate.edu.
• Interview – only completed application packets will receive invitation to schedule an interview.

• Upon successful completion of the BSW application process, attendance of scheduled interview, the BSW Advisory Committee convenes to review all completed application packets.
• Decisions of admission or decline will be entered into the application system.
• Applicants are notified via their Texas State email account of the decision of the BSW Advisory Committee.

• Please note the application process takes time therefore, it is highly recommended that applicants refrain from contacting the School of Social Work, as all applicants that submitted a completed application packet and attended an interview will be notified of a decision.

• If an applicant is not accepted to Phase II, it is recommended that they schedule an advising appointment with a College of Applied Arts Academic Advisor to review their options.

• Once admitted to Texas State to change your major to social work, schedule an appointment with an academic advisor in the College of Applied Arts Advising Center. To schedule an appointment, call 512-245-1490.
• A student cannot change their major via email.
• A student cannot change their major by contacting the School of Social Work.

• No. A minor is not required to earn the BSW degree.

• Yes. Scholarships offered by the School of Social Work can be found on the Bobcat Online Scholarship System (BOSS).

Apply - BOSS : Financial Aid and Scholarships : Texas State University (txstate.edu)

• Tuition Waivers & Exemptions information can be found on the Student Business Services web site.

Tuition Waivers & Exemptions : Student Business Services : Texas State University (txstate.edu)

• If after reviewing the information on their web site, and you have additional questions contact Student Business Services directly.

•  Yes.  The internship/practicum is the signature pedagogy in social work education. The internship/practicum provides students the opportunity to draw upon the theories and practice skills they learn in the classroom and apply them to the practice setting.

The Office of Field Education coordinates all Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) internships/practicums. Students are not expected to secure their own internships and are not encouraged to reach out to partner agencies. The Office of Field Education secures all agency placements for social work students. We place students in many states and countries where social service agencies are available. 

Office of Field Education : School of Social Work : Texas State University (txstate.edu)

Field Education General FAQ's_2021.pdf (txstate.edu)

Field Education Handbook

Academic advising for the social work major is coordinated by the College of Applied Arts Academic Advising Center. Their physical location is the Agriculture Building, Room 201.To schedule an academic advising appointment, please call 512-245-1490. You can also review their web site for other pertinent information related to academic advising.

College of Applied Arts Advising Center : Texas State University (txstate.edu)

Walking Times Between Buildings Walking Times Between Buildings : Office of the University Registrar : Texas State University (txstate.edu)

Campus map Texas State University (concept3d.com)

There are several resources to help you discern the sequencing of courses, the prerequisite, etc.

1. Your academic advisor is an invaluable resource, and it is encouraged that you schedule an advising appointment every semester to make sure you are on target to meet all degree requirements and your anticipated graduation date.
2. Degree Audit report

Students may view their degree audit report (audit) online, by visiting Self-Service Catsweb. Students should log in using their Texas State User ID and password.  If there are any questions about how courses should count, or if students would like clarification on what requirements are remaining, they should contact the College of Applied Arts Academic Advising Center to schedule an advising appointment.

            3.  Undergraduate Degree Outline School of Social Work : College of Applied Arts Advising Center : Texas State University (txstate.edu)

4.Undergraduate Catalog Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) Major in Social Work | Texas State University (txstate.edu)

No. Once admitted to Phase II the SOWK course sequence equates to 10 academic hours. The student then ‘adds’ any other required academic courses that have not been successfully completed to create a ‘full-time’ schedule, if applicable.

• • 1^st semester – SOWK 3305, 3420, 4310
  • 2^nd semester – SOWK 3425, 4305, 4355
  • 3^rd semester – SOWK 3340, 4356, 4425

• Prospective/future Texas State applicants can schedule an appointment with an Undergraduate Admissions Counselor.  During your visit you can inquire about the majors offered at Texas State, transfer planning, answering application questions, application deadlines, submitting application documents, etc.

Book an appointment https://www.admissions.txstate.edu/contact/book-an-appointment.html

Find Your Counselor : Undergraduate Admissions : Texas State University (txstate.edu)

You can also call 512-245-2364 or email admissions@txstate.edu

• To meet with a College of Applied Arts Academic Advisor to discuss the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) Program, please call 512-245-1490 to schedule an appointment. Their physical location is the Agriculture Building, Room 201.You can also review their web site for other pertinent information related to academic advising.

College of Applied Arts Advising Center : Texas State University (txstate.edu)

Walking Times Between Buildings Walking Times Between Buildings : Office of the University Registrar : Texas State University (txstate.edu)

Campus map Texas State University (concept3d.com)

• To schedule a campus tour (San Marcos campus) Welcome Center; Visit Campus
• To schedule a virtual campus tour (San Marcos campus)

Yes. The BSW application requires a Texas State student ID number (A#) and NetID, which is assigned/created when an applicant starts their ApplyTexas application.

Yes. Students can see how their course work will transfer by using the Transfer Course Equivalency System. The System provides transfer credit equivalencies for commonly transferred courses. The information available on the system is drawn from the same course equivalency database that is used when information is posted to your official Texas State transcript.

Transfer Course Equivalency System > Transfer Course Equivalency System Home (txstate.edu)

Evaluated Course Work Glossary (txstate.edu)

Yes. There is a formal BSW Orientation and students are expected to make arrangements to attend. Orientation is synchronous online, or in-person on the Texas State campus (depending on COVID-19 trends), meaning all students are expected to be in attendance, undistracted and engaging in the day’s discussions and activities.

Yes. Returning student must reapply for admission to Texas. For guidance on how to reapply, including deadlines, refer to the steps below. For more information, contact Anni Judkins, Assistant Director.

Returning Student

• Academic Suspension
• If you were asked to leave due to academic suspension, you may return after complying with the terms of the university’s suspension policy and by following the readmission criteria outlined below.
• Military
• If you are student who is a member of the U.S. Armed Forces or National Guard and you withdrew from Texas State as a result of a call to active duty, you are eligible to return without paying the application fee, if you return within a year of being released from active duty. Please submit the Returning Military Information Form along with your DD214 form with release information or a letter from the Commander with release information.
• Personal Leave
• If you left Texas State for personal reasons, and were gone for one long semester or more, you may return by following the readmission steps outlined below.
• Readmission Standards
• Returning students who have taken transferable course work since last enrolled must be eligible to return to all previous institutions and have a minimum 2.25 GPA in that work.

• Yes. You may apply to and complete the BSW program if you live in a different state or country. This is most applicable to being admitted into the online program. Texas State can accept students from all states for online/distance education programs, with the exception of Kentucky.
• Texas State University participates in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA). For more information about state oversight of postsecondary distance education, please visit: https://www.distancelearning.txstate.edu/state-authorization.html

Yes. You must reapply for Phase II consideration if you have not attended Texas State for two long semesters (a spring and fall semester or fall and spring semester). The Phase II admissions/application process for applying to the social work major is listed above.

No. You do not need to reapply for Phase II consideration if you sat out one long semester (a spring or a fall semester).

No. The BSW Program does not grant social work course credit for life experience or previous work experience.

• The School does not require a background check for applicants to be admitted to the BSW Program.
• However, Field/Practicum agencies may require a student to have a background check to ensure that the student is appropriate to work with the agency’s clients.

• Students often do take the Bachelor’s Social Worker licensing exam prior to or after their official graduation with an BSW degree.
• The BSW Program prepares students to engage in entry-level social work practice. Students seeking licensure are expected to prepare on their own for the licensing exam using available resources from the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB), their intended state of licensure (e.g., Texas and the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council), and the Texas State University Library. See examples of information and resources from ASWB below:
  • Getting Ready (Links to an external site) for the Exam
  • Candidate Handbook 
  • Online Exam Registration 
  • Registration Frequently Asked Questions (Links to an external site.)

Contact us at bswprogram@txstate.edu