The TCU Student Experience
“It feels like home when you walk on campus and when you talk to people. It just feels like this is a good place to be and people are invested in you succeeding.”
-Cameron, TCU Social Work graduate student
Campus Life
As a TCU social work student, you are part of a university that values academic excellence,
personal freedom, integrity, individual dignity, inclusivity, tolerance and service.
Like its mascot, the Horned Frog, TCU is a small yet powerful university that nurtures
ethical leadership and global citizenship in its students.
A true community, TCU provides the support and resources students need to connect,
grow and learn. With over 200 student organizations to choose from, access to world-class
health and wellness facilities and a campus that is alive with the arts and culture,
TCU is a place where people are inspired and inspire.
Campus Life
Advising
Academic advising in TCU Social Work is personalized for all students. A social work
faculty member can help connect students with the department, review degree requirements,
guide students through their academic journey and connect them to university resources.
The Harris Academic Resource Center helps enhance the overall student experience by providing:
- Educational workshops
- Career services such as resume critiques, mock interviews and career exploration
- Information about study abroad programs, student research opportunities and graduate programs
Graduate Advising
Individualized academic advising is provided by a social work faculty member who can
assist with all the above as well as degree planning and offering mentorship.
These faculty advisors prioritize supporting student career goals by offering services
like resume reviews, help with doctoral program applications, discussing career opportunities
in their field of interest and guiding graduate students in applying for social work
positions.
Student Organizations
The Student Association of Social Workers (SASW) is a university-recognized group
open to all TCU students interested in social work. SASW allows BSW, MSW and other
students to participate in campus and community activities.
Established in 1978, its mission is to enhance social work knowledge at TCU, foster
student-faculty communication, offer mutual support among students, and promote community
service and social action.
For details, contact SASW Advisor Sh’Niqua Alford, Ph.D.
The TCU Department of Social Work sponsors Phi Alpha, the national social work honor society, through its Iota Xi chapter. MSW students
with a GPA of 3.5 or higher and a minimum of nine semester hours of required social
work courses are eligible to join.
Once inducted, membership in Phi Alpha is lifelong. Advanced Standing students previously
inducted during their BSW program don't need to reapply or pay dues but can participate
in Iota Xi events.
For details, contact Phi Alpha Faculty Advisor Sh’Niqua Alford, Ph.D.
Field Education
At Harris College, we are all about challenging yourself and making a difference for others. Field education is the culmination of the academic experience as a student in social work. In this practice experience, you’ll work in an agency under the direction of field instructors who provide guidance and supervision to prepare you for professional practice.
Interested in becoming a field agency partner? Contact Lynn Jackson at lynn.jackson@tcu.edu.
Undergraduate Field Education FAQ
Field Education consists of supervised field learning within a social work agency and a classroom seminar taught by the TCU Director of Field Education. There are required social work courses taken concurrently with Field Education.
Field provides students hands-on, real-life social work experiences. The student’s field placement experience is supervised by an agency-based Field Instructor. Students complete 240 hours in each Field 1 and Field 2 for a total of 480 hours to graduate with a BSW. You should plan to spend 16 hours per week in the agency setting in both the Fall and Spring semester.
Field Seminar provides opportunities to discuss placement experiences with other students and to help students integrate theory and practice. Students attend a two-hour seminar each week and complete Field Integrative Papers and other written assignments.
Performance in field education is evaluated by the field seminar instructor based on a learning contract developed by you, your field instructor and the field seminar instructor. Assignments include field logs, timesheets, a case presentation, social justice essay and the field integrative paper.
Students must maintain satisfactory progress throughout the field experience. When problems or concerns with a student's performance arise, the student will meet with the agency Field Instructor and Director of Field Education to discuss these concerns. A typical outcome of such a meeting is a written contract with the student that addresses how to address the areas of concern. However, depending on the nature of the problem, the student can be removed from the program.
Students in Field Education are bound by the NASW Code of Ethics, Texas Code of Conduct and the TCU Student Academic Conduct Policy. Violation of the Code of Ethics or Academic Conduct Policy is grounds for removal from the Social Work Program.
Yes. You will be assessed field fees for both Field I and Field II on your TCU account. Related costs may include professional attire and transportation-related costs, such as gas, to and from your agency.
Graduate Field Education FAQ
Field Education consists of supervised field learning within a social work agency and a classroom seminar taught by a member of the social work faculty.
Field provides students hands-on, real-life social work experiences. The student’s field placement experience is supervised by an agency-based field instructor. “Foundation” students complete 200 hours in each Field 1 and Field II for a total of 400 hours. “Concentration” students complete 250 hours each in Field III and IV to graduate with a MSW for a total of 500 hours.
Students should plan to spend 13-17 hours per week in the agency setting in both the fall and spring semesters, depending on which year of the MSW program they are in.
Field seminar provides opportunities to discuss placement experiences with other students and to help students integrate theory and practice. Students attend a two-hour seminar each week and complete Field integrative papers and other written assignments.
Performance in field education is evaluated by the field seminar instructor based on a learning contract developed by you, your field instructor and the field seminar instructor. The final grade for field includes performance as an intern in the agency, assignments and participation in weekly field seminar. Assignments include field logs, timesheets, case presentation, integrative papers, among other assignments. All assignments and grading percentages are detailed in the course syllabus.
Students must receive a passing grade of C or better in each field seminar class to progress to the next level of field education. In addition, students must maintain a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.0.
Students must maintain satisfactory progress throughout the field experience. When problems or concerns with a student's performance arise, the student will meet with the agency Field Instructor and, when needed, the Director of Field Education to discuss these concerns. A typical outcome of such a meeting is a written contract with the student that addresses how to address the areas of concern. However, depending on the nature of the problem, the student can be removed from the program.
Students in Field Education are bound by the NASW Code of Ethics, Texas Code of Conduct, and the TCU Student Academic Conduct Policy. Violation of the Code of Ethics or Academic Conduct Policy is grounds for removal from the Social Work Program.
Yes. You will be assessed field fees for Fields I, II, III and IV, depending on which program you are in, billed to your TCU account. You are also required to take the social work licensing examination prior to graduation (you are not required to pass the licensing exam to graduate.) The cost for the Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) exam is approximately $361 and TCU will pay a separate fee for test preparation materials for you. You are responsible for all fees associated with these requirements. Related costs may include professional attire and transportation-related costs, such as gas, to and from your agency.
Social Work Program Policies
The University values dignity, respect, inclusiveness, tolerance, and ethical leadership qualities consistent with Social Work values.
Being an effective social worker entails more than knowledge of and skillful practice of social work practice skills and the code of ethics.
Both the University and the Department emphasize ethical behavior, life-long learning, service to the community, and the importance of a knowledge base.
Students are required to adhere to all agency policies and procedures as well as all TCU student policies.