BSW Program
The current requirements for earning a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work can be found under the Social Work Program section in the University Catalog. Any student who is interested in declaring Social Work as a major should meet with the academic advisor for social work, Adrienne Long. Social work majors should also meet with her every long semester to ensure that all university degree requirements are met and courses are sequenced correctly. Set up a meeting with Ms. Long through the Grades First Appointment System. Social work majors interested in applying for full program admission and entering the practice sequence must complete an Application for Candidacy in the long semester before planned enrollment in SW 3332.
More information on program admission, candidacy, degree requirements, and much more can be found in the TTU Social Work Program BASW Student Handbook.
Field placement is an essential component of your social work education. Ms. Cara Speer is the Director of Field Education and her office is located in room 165. You can learn a great deal about field education requirements in the TTU Social Work Program Field Education Manual.
Student Organization
The Social Work Student Organization (SWSO) is open to all students who have an interest in social work. Inquire with Dr. Margaret Elbow or Sara Schaefer for more information. The organization is also on Facebook.
Student Representation
While any student can bring issues to the social work faculty at any time, two BSW Student Representatives act as formal advocates for student concerns related to program functioning. The student representatives collect student concerns and meet with Social Work faculty. Each student representative serves for two long semesters. For more information on becoming a student representative, please refer to the student handbook. The current representatives are listed below with contact information.
Scholarships for Social Work Students
Most semesters, there are at least three scholarships available for upper level social work students. Applications for monies for the following semester are generally accepted until the end of each long semester.
The Dr. Jerry B. Matthews Social Work Endowed Scholarship was established to honor Dr. Matthews' service as the Director of the program from its inception until his retirement in 2004. During that time, he worked tirelessly to ensure that students in the program would have the best possible preparation for professional careers and success in graduate school. The scholarship is awarded to an applicant who is a social work major enrolled in SW 4611 (field placement) who has FAFSA demonstrated need.
Help support social work students at TTU through a contribution to the Matthews scholarship fund.
The Hortensia Estrada Children's Protective Services (CPS) Scholarship was established to honor the memory of this 1979 graduate. Ms. Estrada had a 27 year career with CPS as a caseworker and supervisor. She is remembered by friends and colleagues as calm and fair regardless of the challenges she faced. This scholarship is awarded to an applicant who is a social work major completing the field placement with CPS, has an overall GPA of at least 2.75, and has FAFSA demonstrated need. Preference is given to first generation students.
Help support social work students at TTU through a contribution to the Estrada scholarship fund.
The Tony Carrasco Social Work Endowed Scholarship was established to honor the memory of this 1993 graduate. Mr. Carrasco was an exceptional student, person, and professional social worker who dedicated his life in service to others as a Marine in Vietnam, a foster parent to over 50 children, a field supervisor to students, and as a nursing home social worker. Social Justice and Integrity were especially important values to Mr. Carrasco, who upheld his professional ethical principles at the risk of losing a job. He loved learning and brought his depth of experience to the classroom. He was but 53 years of age when he died suddenly, but those years were filled with compassionate, ethical, and dedicated service to others. It is hoped that his story and scholarship will serve to inspire current students to aim high as scholars, as persons, and as professionals who embody the values of the profession. This scholarship is awarded to an applicant who is a non-traditional (over 25 years of age) social work student admitted to candidacy with FAFSA demonstrated need and has demonstrated a commitment to the well-being of children, youth, elderly or chronically ill persons.
Help support social work students at TTU through a contribution to the Carrasco scholarship fund.