West Texas A&M MSW Program
West Texas State Normal College opened its doors in 1910 and grew into West Texas A&M University, a 176-acre campus that blends educational excellence with small-town charm in Canyon, Texas. The university became part of the Texas A&M University System in 1990 and adopted its current name in 1992.
The Terry B. Rogers College of Education and Social Sciences’ social work program celebrates 50 years of preparing students to serve families and communities since 1975. This program ranks among Texas’ oldest accredited social work programs, showing its steadfast dedication to quality education.
Students benefit from a close-knit learning environment with just 14 students per faculty member. The university’s student body includes 10,051 learners – 7,338 undergraduates and 2,603 postgraduates. Women make up 56% of students, while minority students represent 40% of the population.
The program’s leadership brings real-life expertise to the classroom. Ruth DeAnda leads the social work and undergraduate program, while Kristy Bartlett heads the graduate social work program. These educators, alongside their colleagues, help develop the ‘social work heart’ – nurturing students who want to make positive changes in people’s lives.
The program’s focus on rural social work practice makes it special. Kristy Bartlett explains, “Making an impact in the community, specifically in this rural area because social workers in rural areas is very hard to come by”. Students learn to address the unique challenges of providing social services in less populated areas.
U.S. News & World Report places West Texas A&M University at #83 among Regional Universities West. The university’s online programs have earned top spots nationally – #15 for Best Online Graduate Information Technology programs and #18 for Best Online Master’s in Business Programs, both ranking #1 in Texas.
The university’s 25-year expertise in digital education has made it “a leader in online learning since 1997”. This experience supports its fully online Master of Social Work program, which maintains the highest educational standards.
Programs offered
West Texas A&M University has detailed social work education programs at undergraduate and graduate levels that prepare students for various career paths in social work.
Students can choose between a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) in Social Work. The key difference between these programs shows in course requirements. BA students must complete foreign language courses, while BS students take extra science classes instead. Both programs share the same core social work curriculum and prepare students for entry-level generalist practice positions. Graduates become eligible for licensure by the State of Texas as a Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW).
Students must attend campus classes for the undergraduate program that has a required 450-hour internship. They can complete this internship either as a block placement with 32 hours weekly in their final semester or part-time with 16 hours weekly over two semesters. The program is not available online.
West Texas A&M gives students an option to advance their education with a 100% online Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) program. This program takes an integrated approach to give you skills to work with systems of all sizes, especially when you have to serve rural community settings.
The MSSW program has two entry paths:
- Advanced Standing Program – Students with a CSWE-accredited Bachelor’s in Social Work earned in the last five years can apply. This 36-hour program gives you two options:
- Fast Track – Finish the program in one calendar year by taking about four classes per semester with 15-18 weekly internship hours
- Standard Track – Complete in five semesters (about 16 months) by taking about three classes per semester with 11-13 weekly internship hours
- Foundation Program – Students with undergraduate degrees in other fields need 62 hours, usually completed in two years of full-time study. This path needs 900 total internship hours split between two placements (400 hours in year one and 500 hours in year two).
The MSSW program prepares students for clinical social work licensure, which needs about 24 months of supervised practice after graduation. MSW holders often earn more money. Medical social workers with an MSW earn about $20,000 more per year than those with just a bachelor’s degree.
WTAMU’s undergraduate and graduate social work programs have full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education. The undergraduate program is one of Texas’ oldest accredited programs since 1975.
About the online program
West Texas A&M University runs its Master of Social Work program on a fully online platform. This makes advanced social work education available for students whatever their location. The university has been “a leader in online learning since 1997”. Its 25 years of experience in digital education provides strong foundations for the virtual MSW program.
Students can complete all coursework remotely. Working professionals can advance their careers without relocating or putting their jobs on hold. The program moved completely online in 2022. Students from Texas and other states can now join the program. The university uses an asynchronous learning model. Students access course materials at times that work best for them.
The program builds supportive professional relationships through cohort-based learning. Students learn together and support each other despite being physically apart. Strict assignment deadlines help students progress through their coursework systematically.
Field education plays a crucial hands-on role in MSSW training, even with remote coursework. Foundation students must complete 400 hours of field practicum to advance further. Advanced standing requires 500 more hours. Students gain 900 hours of practical training throughout the program.
The curriculum creates advanced generalist practitioners ready to serve in various settings. Rural communities receive special attention. This helps address the severe shortage of social workers in less populated areas. Students learn to develop interventions at all system levels while becoming experts in rural social work.
The online program combines both synchronous and asynchronous learning. Synchronous virtual classrooms feel like traditional settings with live discussions. Students can participate in instruction and communicate with classmates on their schedule through asynchronous components. Regular assignments keep everyone on track.
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accredits all online instruction. This ensures quality matches traditional education methods. Graduates leave fully prepared for clinical social work licensure and ready to handle modern social work challenges.
Accreditation
Quality assurance in social work education depends heavily on accreditation. It makes sure your degree meets strict professional standards. The social work programs at West Texas A&M University have earned prestigious accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). This makes them one of Texas’s top choices for social work education.
WTAMU’s undergraduate social work program ranks as one of Texas’ oldest accredited programs. The program earned this recognition in 1975. Its legacy of excellence now spans almost five decades. This shows the program’s steadfast dedication to high educational standards. The BSW program completed its latest reaffirmation successfully in 2021. This ensures its accreditation continues for years ahead.
The Master of Social Work program has built an impressive track record too. Starting with candidacy status in 2010, the graduate program earned full CSWE accreditation in 2013. The MSW program proved its continued excellence by reaffirming its accreditation in 2017.
CSWE accreditation means much more than just recognition. Your program meets specific standards that balance similar outcomes across schools while adapting to each program’s context. Your WTAMU social work education will give you:
- A clear mission and objectives that match social work practice expectations
- Strong standards for educating culturally responsive and responsible social workers
- Training that builds critical thinking, problem-solving, and advocacy skills
- Education based on core values of justice, dignity, human relations, integrity, and competence
West Texas A&M University has also earned regional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). This institutional backing lets WTAMU award various degrees, from associate to doctorate level.
These accreditations directly shape your career future. Texas requires all practicing social workers to get a license, which needs graduation from an accredited school. After getting your degree, you can apply for proper licensing through the Texas State Board of Examiners.
WTAMU stands among 18 CSWE-accredited MSW programs in Texas. It joins respected schools like those in the University of Texas system and Texas A&M University affiliates. CSWE is the only accrediting agency for social work education that the Council for Higher Education Accreditation recognizes. This makes your WTAMU degree a truly valuable professional credential.
Admission Requirements
WTAMU’s MSW program welcomes students through two different paths. Each path has its own set of requirements based on your previous education.
The Advanced Standing Program works best if you’ve earned a social work degree from a CSWE-accredited program in the past 6 years. You’ll need to show a 3.0 GPA in all your social work classes. The good news is that GPAs between 2.7 and 3.0 might still work. The Fall 2025 semester has two deadlines: April 1, 2025, for early decision and June 30, 2025, for regular admission.
Students with degrees in other fields should take the Foundation Program route. This path needs an undergraduate liberal arts degree with a 3.0 GPA from your last 60 credit hours. Students who have GPAs between 2.7 and 3.0 might still qualify. The deadline for Fall 2025 Foundation Program applications is June 30, 2025.
The application steps are straightforward. Start by submitting your application through the Graduate School’s online portal. Next, send in official transcripts from every school you’ve attended. You’ll also need to write a 3-5 page essay that covers:
- Your steadfast dedication to social work values from the NASW Code of Ethics
- What drives you toward the social work profession
- Your reasons for choosing WTAMU
- Your calculated GPA for the last 60 hours
- Your explanation if your GPA is below 3.0
Your essay must follow APA citation rules and show strong writing skills. Poor writing could lead to application rejection, whatever your other qualifications might be.
You’ll need two recommendation letters too. Advanced Standing students should get these from a social work-related supervisor and a faculty member. Foundation Program students need letters from a volunteer supervisor in social work and a faculty member.
The admissions team might ask for a personal interview after reviewing your application. Your previous social work experience could affect their decision. Students without a liberal arts background might need extra courses before starting the program.
Tuition
West Texas A&M University’s MSW degree offers great value compared to other Texas programs. Your tuition depends on your program path and residency status, making clinical social work education more available at competitive rates.
The Advanced Standing MSW program needs 36 credit hours and provides excellent value. Texas residents can complete this program for just under $13,000 total. Out-of-state students pay slightly more at under $15,000. Students without a BSW background need the Two-Year MSW program (60 credits), which costs about $22,000 for Texas residents and under $25,000 for non-residents.
WTAMU’s MSW program stands out among Texas institutions. The university charges in-state tuition of $9,664 yearly. Out-of-state students pay only $30 more per credit hour than Texas residents. These rates make WTAMU more economical than Texas Tech ($11,852), University of Texas ($11,406), and UT Arlington ($11,314).
WTAMU awards over $8 million in scholarships each year, with students receiving an average of $1,500 annually. Students can access multiple financial aid options, including federal Pell Grants, Texas Public Education Grants, various loans, and work-study opportunities.
Students can better manage their expenses through WTAMU’s guaranteed tuition option, which locks in most tuition and fees for four years (48 consecutive months). Some fees may change, such as statutory tuition set by the Texas Legislature, differential tuition for selected courses, and program-specific fees like the Social Work Accreditation Fee. This plan helps students plan their finances better.
The university’s financial aid office helps students find the right funding options. They provide guidance about filing dates, completion requirements, and potential awards.
Additional Information
West Texas A&M University goes beyond academics to provide excellent student support services that boost your educational experience. The Student Success Center serves as a hub where you can find multiple resources in one convenient spot. The Student Affairs page gives you a complete list of student resources.
The Student Counseling Center provides short-term counseling that helps with emotional and psychological concerns affecting academic performance. They don’t offer intensive treatment for severe mental health conditions. You just need to contact Student Disability Services directly if you require accommodation services.
Social work graduates have excellent career prospects. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 13% employment growth between 2019-2029, which is by a lot higher than the overall economy’s 4% projected growth rate. This strong demand exists especially when you have professionals who specialize in children, families, healthcare, aging populations, mental health, and substance abuse.
Your MSSW degree will qualify you for clinical social work licensure after about 24 months of supervised field experience. Licensed professionals earn better salaries – medical social workers with MSW degrees make over $20,000 more annually than their bachelor’s-level counterparts.
The university’s unique focus on rural social work prepares you to handle challenges you rarely see in urban settings. This helps address geographic isolation and limited service access problems that are systemic in rural communities. Graduates join professionals who make meaningful differences in specializations of all types including administration, advocacy, aging services, child welfare, healthcare, and mental health.