Message from the Chair, Dr. Williswillischairwelcomepic

Welcome to the TSU Department of Social Work!

One of the most important questions an undergraduate student must make is, “What will my major be?”

That, however, should not be the first question. The first question students should ask themselves is, “What will my career be?” 

Once students know the kind of career they want, the major a student chooses should be the best path forward to that particular career! A career in Social Work is a great option for those who are interested in a profession that helps to make the world a better place. Here are some common questions that students explore when considering a major in Social Work… 

“Is the Social Work profession right for me?”

Social Workers focuses on work with vulnerable and oppressed populations, with a special focus on social justice, empowerment, and building on the strengths of clients/client systems. We use our toolbox, filled with knowledge, skills, values, ethics and theory in assessment and intervention to help our clients and client systems improve their well-being!

As Social Workers, we work in so many different settings and make a decent salary doing what we love! Not only do we work in mental health, Social Workers practice in settings such as schools, hospitals, nursing homes, public child welfare, the criminal justice system, and even in non-traditional settings, such as veterinary offices, libraries, law offices, human resource departments, and even pharmacies! The possibilities are endless!  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average social work salary in 2019 was $50,470, and jobs are expected to grow from 2019 to 2029 by 13%!  What does this mean for YOU?  It means choosing a degree in Social Work will be a great choice in terms of finding a job, staying employed, and earning a comfortable salary! 

“What is the Social Work program like at TSU?”

The Social Work program at TSU is a baccalaureate program. This means students will earn a B.A. in Social Work when they graduate, and be prepared for entry-level social work positions and/or graduate school!  The social work courses that majors take include courses in a few key areas, such as practice, theory, research, policy, and internship.

There are a variety of Social Work programs in Texas, but our very own TSU Social Work Department offers students a unique experience!  These include:

→ We are the only accredited Social Work program at an HBCU in Houston. The content in our courses include discussion and readings focused particularly on issues and experiences of African American clients/client systems, and also focus on service delivery in urban environments.

→ Our Social Work faculty and staff take pride in mentoring our students.  We spend time with our students outside of the classroom, helping students develop expand their professional networking, building their professional resumeés, and developing their leadership skills.

→ We realize sometimes “life happens”, which can sometimes bring challenges to moving forward from one semester to the next. We also help connect our students to university and community resources, to help remove barriers that might stand in the way of academic success. 

→ The senior year in Social Work provides students with a unique experience, with an internship and working on multi-disciplinary teams during patient simulations with students from other universities!

→ Once our students graduate from TSU with a B.A. in Social Work, they can qualify to take the LBSW licensing exam, and can become licensed practitioners in the state of Texas! 

→ Many of our graduates go on to graduate school to earn their Masters in Social Work (MSW). Because our graduates have a B.A. in Social Work, many are accepted into graduate programs with Advanced Standing Status, where they get credit for some coursework. Advanced Standing students can earn their MSW in about one year!

“Where can I get more information to figure out if Social Work is the right choice for me?”

Our Social Work program is a wonderful choice for students who want a profession in which they wake up every day, ready to go out into the world and make a positive difference!

Still need more information about our Social Work program, or the profession of Social Work?  Please check-out the tabs on our Social Work Department site, to learn more about our program, and the profession!

Feel free to contact me with any questions at (713) 313-7320 or via email at Nicole.Willis@tsu.edu . I look forward to talking with you!

 

Go Tigers!