TCU$Box$298750,$Fort$Worth,$TX$76129$$
TCU$Department$of$Social$Work$
Master'of'Social'Work'Program'Handbook'
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08
Fall
2
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Master!of!Social!Work!Program!Handbook!
Table!of!Contents!
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425)6.77.*(!.............................................................................................................................................................................!4!
425)8.7.*(!.................................................................................................................................................................................!4!
425)2*%")8$/9"7!....................................................................................................................................................................!4!
:$%%.7)2*//";")*+)<9%7.(;)$(=):"$/&>),-."(-"7)6.77.*(!.................................................................................!4!
!"#$%&'"(&)*+),*-.$/)0*%1)6.77.*(!..........................................................................................................................!4)
425)6,0)?%*;%$')6.77.*(…………………………………………………………………………………………………….!5
@*$/7)*+)&>")6,0)?%*;%$'!..............................................................................................................................................!5!
!"#$%&'"(&)A$-9/&B)$(=),&$++!........................................................................................................................................!6!
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,"-&.*()3C)6,0)?*/.-."7!..............................................................................................................................................!DEFG!
Academic!Advising!.............................................................................................................................................................!7!
Academic!Warning!Status!and!Termination!...........................................................................................................!7!
Admissions!Committee!and!Process!...........................................................................................................................!8!
Process!for!Admission!............................................................................................................................................!8!
Follow-up!and!Offer!Acceptance!........................................................................................................................!9!
Admission!Requirements!................................................................................................................................................!9!
Traditional!Students!.........................................................................................................................................!9-10!
Advanced!Standing!Students!.....................................................................................................................!11-12!
Course!Curriculum!..........................................................................................................................................................!12!
Foundation!Curriculum!.......................................................................................................................................!12!
Foundation!Curriculum!Courses!!....................................................................................................................!13!
Advanced!Curriculum!..........................................................................................................................................!13!
Advanced!Curriculum!Courses!........................................................................................................................!14!
No!Repeat!of!Generalist!Content!...............................................................................................................................!14!
Course!Load!Requirement!...........................................................................................................................................!14!
Life!Experience!..................................................................................................................................................................!14!
Directed!Study!Courses!.................................................................................................................................................!14!
Electives!...............................................................................................................................................................................!15!
Field!Hour!Credit!..............................................................................................................................................................!15!
Grading!Policy!...................................................................................................................................................................!16!
Graduation!..........................................................................................................................................................................!16!
Leave!of!Absence!..............................................................................................................................................................!16!
Licensure!Exam!.................................................................................................................................................................!16!
Medical!Withdrawal/Course!Reduction/Retroactive!Withdrawal!............................................................!17!
Pass/No-Credit!Grading!Option!.................................................................................................................................!17!
Student!Participation!in!Program!Policy!...............................................................................................................!17!
Termination!from!the!MSW!Program!!....................................................................................................................!17!
Time!Limits!for!Completion!........................................................................................................................................!18!
Transferring!Courses!......................................................................................................................................................!18!
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,"-&.*()33C)H&>"%)I"7*9%-"7!...................................................................................................................................!FJEKF!
Harris!College!Academic!Resource!Center!............................................................................................................!19!
William!L.!Adams!Center!for!Writing!......................................................................................................................!19!
TCU!Library!........................................................................................................................................................................!20!
Disability!Support!Services!..........................................................................................................................................!20!
Written!Assignments!...............................................................................................................................................!20-21!
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,"-&.*()333C)L##"(=.M!........................................................................................................................................................!KK!
MSW!Program!Requirements!.....................................................................................................................................!22!
NASW!Code!of!Ethics!......................................................................................................................................................!22!
Texas!State!Board!of!Social!Work!Examiners!......................................................................................................!22!
NASW!Standards!for!Cultural!Competence!in!Social!Work!Practice!.........................................................!22!
TCU!Student!Handbook!.................................................................................................................................................!22!
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TEXAS!CHRISTIAN!UNIVERSITY!
www.tcu.edu!
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!"#$%&'"(&)*+),*-.$/)0*%1)
Harris!College!of!Nursing!and!Health!Sciences!
Website:!www.socialwork.tcu.edu!
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Mailing!Address:! !
TCU!Box!298750!!!!!
Fort!Worth,!TX!76129!
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The!Department!of!Social!Work!has!been!committed!to!excellence!in!preparing!generalist!Social!
Work!practitioners!since!its!inception!in!1975.!!As!the!University!has!grown!and!modified!its!
mission,!so!has!the!Department.!!Both!the!University!and!the!Department!emphasize!ethical!
behavior,!life-long!learning,!service!to!the!community,!and!the!importance!of!a!knowledge!base.!!
Social!Work!has!long!been!viewed!as!the!conscience!of!the!University!and!as!specifically!applying!
the!University!mission!in!its!educational!process.!!The!University!values!dignity,!respect,!
inclusiveness,!tolerance,!and!ethical!leadership!qualities!consistent!with!Social!Work !va l ues.!!!
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The!Master!of!Social!Work!Program!mission!is!consistent!with!the!Social!Work!profession’s!
purpose!and!values!and!the!program’s!context.!The!mission!of!the!MSW!Program!to!prepare!highly!
competent,!ethical,!and!culturally-responsive!advanced!generalist!social!workers.!
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To!educate!individuals!to!think!and!act!as!ethical!leaders!and!responsible!citizens!in!t he!gl ob a l!
community.!
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425)8.7.*()
To!create!a!world-class,!values-centered!university!experience!for!our!students.!
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TCU!values!academic!achievement,!personal!freedom!and!integrity,!the!dignity!and!respect!of!the!
individual,!and!a!heritage!of!inclusiveness,!tolerance!and!service.!
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The!mission!of!the!Harris!College!of!Nursing!and!Health!Sciences!is!to!enhance!the!human!
condition!by!preparing!graduates!who!think!and!practice!as!ethical!leaders,!and!by!advancing!
knowledge!of!health!and!human!development!within!the!global!community.!
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!"#$%&'"(&)*+),*-.$/)0*%1)6.77.*()
Through!experiential!learning!opportunities,!innovative!research,!and!student-focused!mentoring,!
the!TCU!Department!of!Social!Work!prepares!competent,!ethical,!culturally-responsive!social!work!
leaders.!We!train!our!students!to!critically!interrogate!structural!inequities,!apply!a!trauma-
informed!approach,!and!advocate!for!social!change!with!local!and!global!communities.!By!doing!
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so,!the!Department!equips!graduates!to!partner!with!diverse!populations,!specifically!those!who!
endure!marginalization!and!oppression,!to!promote!an!equitable!and!just!society.!!
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425)6,0)?%*;%$')6.77.*(!
The!TCU!MSW!Program!prepares!highly!competent,!ethical,!and!culturally-responsive!advanced!
generalist!social!workers.!Through!our!hands-on!approach!to!teaching,!research,!and!mentorship,!
students!are!prepared!to!challenge!structural!inequities,!implement!trauma-informed!approaches,!
and!lead!social!change!at!the!micro,!mezzo,!and!macro!levels!of!practice.!Program!graduates!are!
leaders!within!the!social!work!profession,!who!meaningfully!partner!with!diverse!populations!to!
transform!local!and!global!communities!for!the!greater!good.!!!!
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MSW!Program!goals!are!derived!from!the!mission!of!the!department!and!program,!and!supported!
throughout!the!efforts!of!the!department.!!The!goals!are!incorporated!as!objectives!in!the!syllabi!of!
the!social!work!courses!and!in!the!expressed!competencies!and!practice!behaviors!assessed!in!
field!education.!!The!goals!form!the!basis!for!the!design!of!the!curriculum!and!are!discussed!in!
both!classroom!and!field!experiences.!!
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The!MSW!Program!has!three!goals,!each!of!which!relates!to!the!competencies!that!will!be!assessed!
in!relation!to!that!goal.!!The!goals!reflect!the!MSW!Program’s!commitment!to!its!mission!and!to!the!
mission!of!the!University.!
1. To!prepare!advanced!practitioners!to!practice!with!an!emphasis!on!human!rights!and!social!
justice,!in!order!to!enhance!the!quality!of!life!for!all!people;)
2. To!prepare!advanced!practitioners!to!contribute!to!the!social!work!profession!through!
leadership,!administration,!and!supervision;!and!
3. To!prepare!advanced!practitioners!with!competence!to!address!human!needs!both!locally!
and!globally.!
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These!goals!are!accomplished!through!a!course!of!study!consisting!of!a!foundation!curriculum!
required!of!all!students,!followed!by!an!advanced!curriculum.!The!MSW!Program!ensures!students!
have!the!knowledge,!values,!and!skills!required!to!move!into!advanced!social!work!practice,!and!
incorporates!the!core!competencies!specific!to!the!advanced!generalist!concentration.!!The!
curriculum!is!developed!in!a!structured!manner!building!on!the!foundation!content!and!moving!
into!more!advanced!practice!content.!The!MSW!Program!emphasizes!that!advanced!generalist!
social!workers!have!a!common!base!of!social!work!knowledge,!values,!and!skills!that!prepares!
students!to!move!into!positions!of!leadership.!!The!advanced!generalist!concentration!requires!
professional!judgment!and!proficiency!to!apply!the!professional!foundation!within!service!
systems!of!various!sizes!and!types.!!
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The!MSW!Program!is!accredited!by!the!Council!on!Social!Work!Education!(CSWE).!The!Council!on!
Social!Work!Education!(CSWE)!uses!the!Educational!Policy!and!Accreditation!Standards!(EPAS)!to!
accredit!baccalaureate-!and!master's-level!social!work!programs.!!
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TCU!DEPARTMENT!OF!SOCIAL!WORK!
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Name/Position,
Teaching,Interests,
Research,Interests,
Sh’Niqua!Alford,!DSW,!
LCSW!
BSW!Program!Director!
Assistant!Professor!of!
Professional!Practice!
!
Field!Education!
Advanced!Practice!
Direct!Practice!with!Children/Families!
Child!Welfare!
Micro!Practice!
Social!Work!with!Adolescents!!
Child!Welfare!!
Mental!Health!
Nada!Elias-Lambert,!Ph.D.,!
LMSW!
Department!Chair!
Associate!Professor!
Research!
Intimate!Partner!Violence!
Professional!Foundation!
Diversity!
Sexual!Violence!Prevention!
Bystander!Interventions!
Program!Design,!Implementation,!and!
Evaluation!
D.!Lynn!Jackson,!Ph.D.,!
LCSW,!ACSW!
Director!of!Field!Education!
Professor!
Group!Practice!
Policy!
Field!Education!
Women’s!Issues!
Social!Policy!
Aesha!John,!Ph.D.,!LMSW!
Associate!Professor!
!
Human!Behavior!in!Social!Environment!!
Social!Work!with!Children!and!Families!
Developmental!Disabilities!
Research!
Individuals!with!Intellectual!and!
Developmental!Disabilities!
Attachment!and!Parenting!
Program!Evaluation!
Katie!Lauve-Moon,!Ph.D.!
Assistant!Professor!
Policy!
Communities!&!Organizations!
Gender!&!Inequality!
Macro!Practice!&!Social!Issues!
Work!&!Gender!
Sociological!Social!Work!
Organizations!&!Inequality!
Gender!&!Religion!
Ashley!Palmer,!PhD,!LMSW!
Assistant!Professor
Micro!Practice!
Policy!
Professional!Foundation!
Diversity!&!Social!Justice!
Child!Welfare!
Healthy!Development!among!Youth!
and!Young!Adults!
Positive!Mental!Health!
Poverty!and!Inequality!
Open!Educational!Resources!
Social!Work!Education!
Tenisha!Polk-Potts,!LCSW-S!
Assistant!Professor!
Field!Education!
Intimate!Partner!Violence!
Child!Welfare!
Direct!Practice!with!Children!&!
Families!
Mental!Health!
Mental!Health!
Women’s!Issues!
Attachment!and!Parenting!
Mary!Twis,!PhD,!LMSW-AP!
MSW!Program!Director!
Assistant!Professor!
Macro!and!Micro!Practice!
Mental!Health!
Interpersonal!Violence!
Human!Trafficking!
Domestic!Minor!Sex!Trafficking!!
Sexual!Abuse!
Tee!Tyler,!Ph.D.,!LCSW!
Associate!Professor!
Micro!Practice!Methods!(IND,!FAM,!
GRP)!
Research!Methods!
Diversity!&!Social!Justice!
Parent-LGBTQ!Child!Relationships!
Social!Work!Education!
Interprofessional!Education!
Social!Identity!Transitioning!
Avery!Amador,!
Academic!Program!
Specialist!!
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Eva!Leon,!!
Administrative!Assistant!
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Section(I:(MSW(Policies(
I.# MSW,POLICIES,!
!
L2L!N632)L!83,3<@)
Academic!advising!is!an!intentional!process!that!involves!a!collaborative!partnership!between!the!
student!and!the!academic!advisor.!Successful!advising!is!a!shared!responsibility!that!will!equip!
students!with!knowledge!and!tools!to!make!responsible!decisions!and!to!enable!them!to!identify!
and!achieve!their!educational!and!career!goals!(Code!of!Student!Conduct).!
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Each!student!is!assigned!an!academic!advisor!upon!admission!into!the!program.!!Advisors!are!
Social!Work!faculty!and!are!responsible!for!overseeing!student!degree!plans!and!being!accessible!
to!students!regarding!job!opportunities,!doctoral!education,!and!professionalism.!!The!Department!
Chair!has!primary!responsibility!for!overall!accountability!of!advising.!Each!student!is!expected!to!
meet!with!their!academic!advisor!at!least!once!each!semester.!!It!is!expected!that!advising!will!be!
more!in-depth!in!the!advanced!year!when!determining!which!electives!and!field!placements!will!
best!advance!the!student’s!career!goals!and!aspirations!upon!graduation.!!!
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Any!student!who!is!assigned!a!grade!of!I!(incomplete),!a!grade!of!C,!or!who!is!placed!on!academic!
warning!status!must!contact!their!assigned!advisor!before!registering!for!the!following!semester.!!!
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For!students!experiencing!difficulties,!faculty!advisors!refer!them!to!appropriate!resources!inside!
or!outside!the!university!setting.!!University!services!most!frequently!used!include!the!Counseling!
Center,!the!Writing!Center,!the!Health! Center,!and!the!Center!for!Academic!Services.!!Social!Work!
faculty!members!limit!their!advising!role!to!those!concerns!relevant!to!the!educational!needs!of!
students.!When!students!require!or!request!ongoing!professional!counseling,!faculty!refer!them!to!
appropriate!resources,!both!on!and!off!campus.!
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The!Director!of!Field!Education!may!also!serve!in!an!advisory!function!to!students!as!they!work!to!
determine!which!field!placement!locations!best!fit!their!educational!and!professional!goals.!!!
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L2L!N632)0LI<3<@),4L45,)L<!)4NI63<L43H<)
If!a!student’s!overall!grade-point!average!falls!below!3.0,!the!student!is!placed!on!academic!
warning!status.!!While!in!warning!status,!a!student!who!wishes!to!continue!in!the!degree!program!
may!not!drop!any!course!or!withdraw!from!the!University!without!the!approval!of!their!academic!
advisor,!MSW!Program!Director,!and!Department!Chair.!!In!the!next!semester!in!which!the!student!
enrolls,!the!overall!grade-point!average!must!be!raised!to!3.0!or!the!student!is!dismissed!from!
further!study.!
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Certain!additional!circumstances!make!it!possible!for!a!student!to!be!dismissed!from!continuation!
in!the!MSW!program.!!All!students!receiving!a!grade!of!C!or!below!or!an!I!(incomplete)!in!any!
semester!will!have!their!academic!progress!in!the!program!reviewed!in!a!joint!meeting!of!their!
academic!advisor!and!the!program!director.!!Additionally,!students!who!earn!two!or!more!C’s!or!a!
single!F!grade!during!the!program!will!be!terminated!from!the!program.!If!the!third!C!or!a!single!F!
is!earned!in!the!final!semester,!a!degree!will!not!be!conferred.!Students!will!be!notified!in!writing!
of!adverse!decisions!regarding!their!continuation!in!the!program.!They!may!also!follow!the!
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university!grade!appeal!process!if!they!would!like!to!appeal!a!course!grade.!!
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Additionally,!faculty!may!identify,!in!writing,!those!students!who!demonstrate!behaviors!that!raise!
serious!questions!about!their!continuing!towards!the! p rofessional!degree!in!Social!Work.!!Such!
students'!names!will!be!submitted!to!the!program!director!who!will!coordinate!a!review,!including!
appropriate!faculty!members!in!such!a!process.!!!
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Students!conditionally!admitted!by!the!University!and!MSW!program!will!be!notified!of!these!
conditions!at!the!time!of!admission.!If!the!conditions!placed!on!admission!have!not!been!fulfilled!
within!the!time!specified,!the!student!may!be!dismissed!from!subsequent!registration.!!
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The!MSW!Program!Admissions!Committee!will!consist!of!four!to!six!members,!including:!
1. MSW!Program!Director!
2. Admissions!Coordinator!–!non-voting!staff!member!
3. Department!Chair!
4. Director!of!Field!Education!
5. One!to!two!faculty!members!from!the!Department!of!Social!Work!!!
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Positions!on!this!committee!may!rotate!as!faculty!composition!of!the!department!changes.!!The!
program’s!MSW!Admissions!Coordinator!will!coordinate!all!admissions!efforts!with!the!TCU!Office!
of!Graduate!Studies.!The!MSW!Admissions!Coordinator!is!responsible!for!the!initial!eligibility!
screening!of!all!applicants.!!!
?%*-"77)+*%)L='.77.*()
There!is!a!four-stage!process!for!admissions!to!the!MSW!Program:!
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1. Eligibility!Review!
a. MSW!Admissions!Coordinator!reviews!the!application!to!determine!if!basic!
eligibility!is!met!and!indicates!if!the!applicant!has!any!unique!characteristics.!
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2. Preliminary!Consideration!
a. The!MSW!Admissions!Committee!reviews!applications!and!assesses!them!according!
to!the!MSW!Program!Application!Review!Scoring!Rubric.!
b. Applicants!are!separated!into!one!of!three!categories:!
i. Exceeds!required!qualifications/criteria!
ii. Meets!required!qualifications/criteria!
iii. Does!not!meet!required!qualifications/criteria!
c. Those!placed!in!the!“Exceeds”!or!“Meets”!categories!will!be!included!for!final!
consideration.!
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3. Final!Decisions!
a. The!MSW!Admissions!Committee!reviews!those!in!the!top!and!middle!tiers.!!!
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b. The!MSW!Admissions!Committee!will!make!admissions!decisions!for!the!top!
candidates.!!!
c. The!MSW!Admissions!Coordinator!will!send!letters!of!acceptance!to!those!accepted!
into!the!MSW!Program.!!A!second!tier!of!applicants!will!be!maintained!as!a!wait!list!
and!will!be!notified!as!such.!!!
Additional!applications!may!be!accepted!if!there!is!space!available!in!the!program.!!!
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4. Conditional!acceptance!is!offered!for!those!who!need!to!complete!prerequisites!prior!to!
enrollment.!
A*//*PE5#)$(=)H++"%)L--"#&$(-")
Students!admitted!to!the!program!will!be!given!the!opportunity!to!view!financial!aid!details.!Those!
accepting!an!offer!of!admission!will!need!to!pay!a!$300!non-refundable!deposit!to!secure!their!seat!
in!the!program!for!the!upcoming!academic!year.!This!deposit!will!be!applied!to!their!tuition.!!
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The!MSW!Admissions!Coordinator!and!MSW!Program!Director!will!provide!fall!course!enrollment!
instructions!and!any!additional!materials!needed!by!students.!!If!needed,!students!admitted!to!the!
program!may!submit!documentation!for!transfer!credit!consideration!(see!Transferring!Courses).!
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A!student!orientation!meeting!will!be!held!with!all!new!graduate!students!before!classes!begin!in!
the!fall!semester.!Orientation!is!mandatory!for!all!students!accepted!into!the!MSW!program.!
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L!63,,3H<)INQ53IN6N<4,,
The!admissions!policy!and!procedures!are!designed!to!ensure!that!graduate!students!entering!the!
MSW!Program!are!committed!to!upholding!the!values,!ethics,!and!principles!of!the!social!work!
profession!and!are!committed!to!the!mission!of!the!MSW!Program.!!The!admission!criteria!and!
selection!process!are!designed!to!ensure!that!students!possess!the!academic!abilities!and!
motivation,!and!in!the!case!of!the!Advanced!Standing!option,!requisite!knowledge!and!credentials!
to!be!successful!in!the!MSW!Program.!!!
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In!addition!to!meeting!the!general!admission!requirements!of!TCU!and!the!TCU!Office!of!Graduate!
Studies,!applicants!must!meet!the!admission!requirements!of!the!Traditional!(2-year)!or!Advanced!
Standing!(1-year)!MSW!program.!!Applicants!may!be!reviewed!for!entry!into!either!of!the!
programs.!!!
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Admissions!decisions!will!be!based!on!a!wide!range!of!information,!including!the!stipulated!
qualifications!described!below.!!Admission!to!the!program!presumes!the!ability!and!willingness!to!
follow!the!sequential!curriculum!structure.!!
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4%$=.&.*($/)?%*;%$'),&9="(&7)
Traditional!students!are!considered!those!who!will!complete!60!credit!hours!to!graduate!with!
their!MSW!from!TCU.!!Traditional!students!should!expect!to!complete!the!program!in!two!years.!!!
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Required!qualifications!for!admission:!
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1. Prior!Degree:!!Students!accepted!for!the!MSW!Program!must!have!completed!or!be!near!
completion!of!a!baccalaureate!(e.g.!BA,!BS)!degree!from!an!accredited!college!or!university.!!
a. Note:!International!applicants!with!a!bachelor’s!in!social!work!must!have!their!
degree!recognized!by!CSWE’s!International!Socia l!Work!Degree!Recognition!and!
Evaluation!Service!to!be!considered!for!the!Advanced!Standing!program.!!
2. Transcripts:!Applicants!should!submit!an!unofficial!transcript!from!every!university!or!
college!attended.!!
a. Note:!International!applicants!must!submit!an!English!translated!copy!of!their!
transcript.!Note:!Current!and!former!TCU!students!will!not!need!to!complete!this!
step.!Copies!from!the!Registrar’s!Office!will!be!obtained!for!all!TCU!graduates.!!
3. GPA:!!Applicants!should!have!strong!academic!preparation!as!demonstrated!by!an!
undergraduate!GPA!of!at!least!3.00!(on!a!4.00!scale)!in!the!last!60!hours!of!coursework.!
International!student!GPAs!will!be!calculated!using!the!World!Education!Services!GPA!
calculator.!
4. Course!Prerequisites:!Applicants!must!have!one!college-level!course!in!each!of!the!following:!
statistics,!sociology,!and!psychology!before!registering!for!the!first!semester!in!the!MSW!
Program.!
5. References:!Applicants!must!submit!three!letters!of!recommendation!from!individuals!who!
can!address!the!applicant’s!academic!abilities!and!interpersonal!skills,!potential!for!
graduate!education!and!potential!for!professional!social!work!practice.!It!is!required!that!at!
least!one!reference!be!an!academic!reference!from!an!academic!advisor!or!instructor.!
6. Resume:!Applicants!must!submit!a!current!resume!or!vitae!with!their!application.!
7. Professional!Statement:!Applicants!must!submit!a!well-written!professional!statement!(750!
to!1500-word!max)!that!addresses!the!following:!
a. What!motivated!you!to!decide!to!pursue!an!MSW?!
b. How!do!your!personal!values!connect!with!the!values!of!the!social!work!profession?!
c. What!are!strengths!and!weaknesses!that!will!impact!the!student!as!a!social!worker?!
d. Describe!any!experiences!and!leadership!opportunities!that!will!contribute!to!
success!in!this!graduate!program?!
e. Discuss!any!significant!volunteer!and/or! w ork!experiences!related!to!social!work.!!!
f. What!are!your!professional!goals!and!plans!in!social!work?!
g. If!you!are!offered!admission!to!the!program!you!may!have!an!opportunity!to!work!
closely!with!a!faculty!member!as!a!Graduate!Research!Assistant!(GRA)!or!Graduate!
Teaching!Assistant!(GTA).!Describe!your!research!and/or!teaching!interests,!and!
how!you!would!like!to!build!upon!these!interests!to!further!your!development!as!a!
social!worker.!Additionally,!please!share!two!TCU!Department!of!Social!Work!faculty!
members!you!would!be!interested!in!engaging!with!during!your!time!in!the!TCU!
MSW!program.!If!you!are!able,!please!connect!your!research!and!teaching!interests!
to!your!faculty!member!interests.!
!
Optional!framing!for!your!personal!statement:!We!value!diversity,!equity,!and!inclusion!in!
the!TCU!MSW!program!and!will!use!this!information!to!better!serve!our!students!in!the!
MSW!program,!but!it!will!not!be!used!to!make!admissions!decisions.!If!you’d!like!to!share!a!
perspective!you!bring!or!experiences!you’ve!had!to!help!us!understand!you!better—
perhaps!related!to!a!community!you!belong!to,!your!sexual!orientation!or!gender!identity,!
or!your!family!or!cultural!background—we!encourage!you!to!do!so.!
11
!
8. Petition!for!Academic!Exception:!MUST be completed by the applicants whose undergraduate
GPA is below 3.0. An applicant who believes that his or her individual circumstances warrant
consideration for a waiver of the minimum university admissions requirement of an
undergraduate GPA of 3.0 must petition the MSW admissions committee.
The!request!should!be!a!one-page!statement!entitled!“Petition!for!Academic!Exception”.!
The!petition!should!include!a!statement!indicating!how!not!meeting!the!minimum!
admissions!requirement!of!a!3.0!GPA!should!be!waived,!as!it!does!not!adequately!represent!
the!applicant’s!capabilities.!The!applicant!should!briefly!discuss!how!he!or!she!has!
demonstrated!a!capacity!for!successful!achievement!in!a!rigorous!graduate!program.!For!
example,!an!applicant!might!provide!evidence!of:!
!!
a. Superior!grades!during!the!final!60!hours!of!undergraduate!coursework!indicating!a!
trend!toward!improved!performance;!
b. Competence!through!achievement!in!another!graduate!program;!
c. Outstanding!work!experience!in!human!services!(volunteer!or!paid)!
d. The!applicant!should!also!discuss!if!granted!admission!to!the!program,!how!he!or!
she!plans!to!address!obstacles!to!successfully!complete!the!program!(for!example,!if!
a!low!GPA!was!viewed!as!the!result!of!a!“needing!to!work!full!time!during!my!
undergraduate!studies”!the!applicant!should!discuss!why!that!is!not!likely!to!be!a!
factor!during!his!or!her!graduate!study).!
!
Petitions!must!be!uploaded!along!with!all!other!application!documents.!
)
L=R$(-"=),&$(=.(;),&9="(&7)
Advanced!Standing!students!are!students!who!have!earned!a!BSW!from!an!accredited!BSW!
program!within!seven!(7)!years!and!will!complete!30!credit!hours!to!graduate!with!their!MSW!
from!TCU.!Advanced!Standing!students!should!expect!to!complete!the!program!in!one!year.!!!
!
Required!qualifications!for!admission:!
!
1. Prior!Degree:!!Applicants!must!hold!or!be!near!completion!of!a!bachelor’s!degree!in!Social!
Work!(BSW,!BSSW)!or!other!bachelor’s!degree!(BS!or!BA)!with!a!major!in!social!work!from!
a!CSWE!accredited!program.!!
a. Note:!International!applicants!with!a!bachelor’s!in!social!work!must!have!their!
degree!recognized!by!CSWE’s!International!Social!Work!Degree!Recognition!and!
Evaluation!Service!to!be!considered!for!the!Advanced!Standing!program.!!
2. Transcripts:!Applicants!should!submit!an!unofficial!transcript!from!every!university!or!
college!attended.!
a. Note:!International!applicants!must!submit!an!English!translated!copy!of!their!
transcript.!Note:!Current!and!former!TCU!students!will!not!need!to!complete!this!
step.!Copies!from!the!Registrar’s!Office!will!be!obtained!for!all!TCU!graduates.!!
3. GPA:!Applicants!should!have!strong!academic!preparation!as!demonstrated!by!an!
undergraduate!GPA!of!at!least!3.00!(on!a!4.00!scale)!in!the!last!60!hours!of!BSW!
coursework.!Advanced!Standing!applicants!should!also!demonstrate!mastery!of!generalist!
12
social!work!practice,!as!evidenced!by!an!earned!grade! of! a!B!or!better!in!their!BSW!field!
placements.!(For!split!BSW!field!placements,!students!should!demonstrate!mastery!of!
generalist!social!work!practice!with!an!average!of!a!B!or!better!across!both!semesters!of!the!
split!placement.)!Prospective!students!who!do!not!meet!these!GPA!and!field!grade!
requirements!should!apply!for!the!Traditional!program!instead!of!the!Advanced!Standing!
program.!!
4. Course!Prerequisites:!Applicants!must!have!one!college-level!course!in!statistics!prior!to!
registering!for!the!first!semester!in!the!MSW!program.!
5. References:!Applicants!must!submit!three!letters!of!recommendation!from!individuals!who!
can!address!the!applicant’s!academic!abilities!and!interpersonal!skills,!potential!for!
graduate!education!and!potential!for!professional!social!work!practice.!It!is!required!that!at!
least!one!reference!be!an!academic!reference!from!an!academic!advisor!or!instructor,!and!
that!one!of!reference!be!from!a!field!instructor.!
6. Resume:!Applicants!will!submit!a!current!resume!or!vitae!with!their!application.!
7. Professional!Statement:!Applicants!must!submit!a!well-written!professional!statement!(750!
to!1500-word!max)!that!addresses!the!following:!
a. What!motivated!you!to!decide!to!pursue!an!MSW?!
b. How!do!personal!values!connect!with!the!values!of!the!social!work!profession?!
c. What!are!strengths!and!weaknesses!that!will!impact!the!student!as!a!social!worker?!
d. Describe!any!experiences!and!leadership!opportunit ies! that!will!contribute!to!
success!in!this!graduate!program?!
e. Discuss!any!significant!volunteer!and/or! w ork!experiences!related!to!social!work.!!!
f. What!are!your!professional!goals!and!plans!in!social!work?!
g. Please!share!two!TCU!Department!of!Social!Work!faculty!members!you!would!be!
interested!in!engaging!with!during!your!time!in!the!TCU!MSW!program.!Please!visit!
the!Department!of!Social!Work!website!for!more!information!about!social!work!
faculty.!
h. If!you!are!offered!admission!to!the!program!you!may!have!an!opportunity!to!work!
closely!with!a!faculty!member!as!a!Graduate!Research!Assistant!(GRA)!or!Graduate!
Teaching!Assistant!(GTA),!or!within!the!Department!as!administrative!support.!
Describe!your!research!and/or!teaching!interests,!and!how!you!would!like!to!build!
upon!these!interests!to!further!your!development!as!a!social!worker.!If!you!are!able,!
please!connect!your!research!and!teaching!interests!to!your!answer!in!section!G!
(faculty!member!interests).!
!
Optional!framing!for!personal!statement:!We!value!diversity,!equity,!and!inclusion!in!the!
TCU!MSW!program!and!will!use!this!information!to!better!serve!our!students!in!the!MSW!
program,!but!it!will!not!be!used!to!make!admissions!decisions.!If!you’d!like!to!share!a!
perspective!you!bring!or!experiences!you’ve!had!to!help!us!understand!you!better—
perhaps!related!to!a!community!you!belong!to,!your!sexual!orientation!or!gender!identity,!
or!your!family!or!cultural!background—we!encourage!you!to!do!so.!
)
2H5I,N)25II325S56)!
!
A*9(=$&.*()29%%.-9/9')
The!foundation!curriculum!provides!students!with!the!basic!knowledge,!skills!and!values!
13
necessary!for!generalist!social!work!practice!and!for!progression!into!advanced!generalist!work.!!
In!order!to!achieve!its!objective,!the!foundation!curriculum!provides!instruction!in!values!and!
ethics,!diversity,!populations-at-risk!and!social!and!economic!justice,!human!behavior!and!the!
social!environment,!social!work!practice,!research,!and!field!education.!
)
In!their!field!placement,!students!are!placed!in!social!service!agencies!under!the!supervision!of!
Masters-level!social!workers,!where!they!learn!generalist!practice!methods!used!with!a!variety!of!
client!systems.!!Students!complete!400!hours!in!the!foundation!field!placement,!with!
approximately!two!full!days!each!week!(16!hours)!spent!in!the!placement.!
The!foundation!curriculum!will!provide!students!with!the!knowledge!and!skills!consistent!with!
the!values!of!a!generalist!social!work!perspective,!and!provide!a!foundation!for!advanced!practice.!
In!addition,!the!student’s!knowledge!of!and!identification!with!the!social!work!profession!is!
developed:!knowing!about!and!appreciating!social!work’s!historical!development!and!evolution,!
the!range!of!modes!of!professional!intervention!characteristics!of!contemporary!practice,!ethical!
issues!and!concerns!now!confronting!practitioners,!and!the!organizational!contexts!of!practice.!!
A*9(=$&.*()29%%.-9/9')2*9%7"7)
6,0)A*9(=$&.*())
Fall!
SOWO!61803-!Professional!Foundation!
SOWO!61813-Research!Methods!in!Social!Work!
SOWO!61873-Micro!Practice!
SOWO!61843-!HBSE!1!
SOWO!61883-Field!1!
Spring!
SOWO!61823-Diversity!&!Social!Justice!
SOWO!61833-Macro!Practice!
SOWO!61863-Social!Welfare!Policies!&!
Services!
SOWO!61853-HBSE!2!
SOWO!61893-Field!2!
)
L=R$(-"=)29%%.-9/9')
The!advanced!curriculum!builds!on!the!foundation!curriculum!and!has!an!advanced!generalist!
focus!with!the!expectation!that!graduates!can!assume!practice,!supervisory,!and!administrative!
roles!in!organizations!at!the!advanced!l evel .!!The!advanced!curriculum!is!also!structured!to!allow!
students!to!choose!electives!in!the!areas!of!children!and!families,!and!health!and!mental!health.!)
!
All!students!complete!a!full!year!of!advanced!practice!courses,!including!one!course!each!in!
administration!and!management,!applied!evaluation!research,!mental!health!practice,!and!
advanced!practice.!!In!addition!to!these!required!courses,!students!in!the!advanced!curriculum!
must!take!two!electives!which!will!enhance!their!knowledge!and!skills!in!one!area!of!specializa t ion!
(children!and!families!or!health!and!mental!health).!!!
!
The!advanced!field!education!courses!allow!students!to!apply!their!knowledge!and!skil l s!t o!one!
area!of!specialization!noted!above!through!placement!in!an!agency!that!reflects!the!specialization!
of!the!student's!choice.!!In!their!field!placement,!students!are!placed!in!social!service!agencies!
under!the!supervision!of!Masters-level!social!workers,!where!they!learn!advanced!practice!
methods!used!with!client!systems!of!interest!to!the!student.!!Students!complete!500!hours!in!the!
advanced!field!placement,!with!approximately!two!to!three!full!days!each!week!(20-24!hours)!
14
spent!in!the!placement.!!!
Advanced!Curriculum!Courses!
The!MSW!advanced!curriculum!chart!below!serves!as!a!guide!for!both!Traditional!60-hour!
students!as!well!as!Advanced!Standing!students!who!are!entering!the!program!after!completion!of!
an!accredited!BSW!program.!!Traditional!students!will!complete!the!advanced!curriculum!in!their!
second!year!of!the!program.!!Advanced!Standing!students!will!complete!the!advanced!curriculum!
in!year!one!of!the!program.!!
!
!
6,0)L=R$(-"=))
Fall!
SOWO!65833-!Perspectives!on!Mental!Health!
Practice!
SOWO!65873-Advanced!Practice!
SOWO!65813-Evaluation!Research!!
SOWO!65883-Field!Education!3!
SOWO!65823-Field!Seminar!3!
Spring!
SOWO!65803-Administration!&!Management!
SOWO!65893-Field!Education!4!
SOWO!65863-Field!Seminar!4!
Elective!
Elective!
!
<H)IN?NL4)HA)@N<NILS3,4)2H<4N<4)
Advanced!Standing!students!who!have!successfully!completed!their!undergraduate!social!work!
degree!from!a!CSWE-accredited!baccalaureate!social!work!program!will!not!repeat!generalist!
content!at!the!Master’s!level!that!has!been!achieved!at!the!baccalaureate!level.!Advanced!Standing!
students!are!admitted!to!the!Advanced!Standing!program!option!by!displaying!strong!academic!
preparation!as!demonstrated!by!an!undergraduate!GPA!of!at!least!a!3.00!on!a!4.00!scale,!as!well!as!
an!earned!grade!of!B!or!better!in!their!BSW!placements.!Advanced!Standing!students!who!have!a!
minimum!of!a!3.00!GPA!in!their!last!60!hours!of!BSW!coursework!and!a!B!or!better!in!their!BSW!
placements!will!not!have!to!repeat!generalist!content!because!our!program!understands!that!they!
have!achieved!this!content!via!the!3.00!GPA!and!B!or!better!grade!in!field;!students!who!do!not!
meet!these!criteria!are!understood!to!have!not!achieved!this!content!and!will!only!be!considered!
for!admission!to!the!Traditional!program!option.!
)
2H5I,N)SHL!)INQ53IN6N<4,,
Students!in!the!MSW!program!are!expected!to!be!enrolled!for!the!prescribed!fifteen!semester!
hours!during!each!long-session!semester.!Students!may!take!courses!on!an!extended!basis!with!
approval!from!the!MSW!Program!Director,!which!may!prolong!their!time!in!the!program!to!up!to!
four!years.!!
!
S3AN)NT?NI3N<2N)
Students!may!not!receive!academic!credit!for!life!experience!or!previous!volunteer!or!work!
experience!in!social!work.!
)
!3IN24N!),45!U)2H5I,N,)
Directed!study!courses!provide!students!with!an!op p ortunity!to!study!special!topics!of!interest!to!
members!of!the!social!work!profession.!!Directed!study!courses!in!the!MSW!program!can!only!be!
taken!in!the!advanced!year,!as!an!elective.!Core!courses!cannot!be!taken!as!a!directed!study!
15
course.!
!
In!all!respects,!directed!study!courses!should!meet!the!standards!of!other!courses!offered!in!the!
program.!!Supervised!practicum!experience!as!well!as!research!experience!may!be!used!as!a!
component!of!a!directed!study!course,!but!all!courses!must!contain!substantial!reading!and!
writing!components!as!well!as!regularly!scheduled!meetings!with!the!instructor!to!assist!in!the!
integration!of!course!material.!!Employment!cannot!be!counted!as!directed!study!course!credit.!!!
)
4*)I";.7&"%)+*%)$)!.%"-&"=),&9=B)2*9%7"!
Each!student!must!secure!the!cooperation!of!a!faculty!member!of!the!Department!of!Social!Work!
or!other!department!who!is!willing!to!be!the!instructor!for!the!course,!as!well!as!permission!from!
the!MSW!Program!Director!for!the!Directed!Study!course.!The!student,!in!collaboration!with!the!
faculty!member,!must!submit!an!outline!for!the!directed!study!course!that!contains!specific!
information!about!course!content!and!objectives.!Students!may!not!register!for!course!without!the!
completed!course!outline,!including!the!faculty!member's!signature.!!The!completed!outline!
should!be!returned!to!the!student’s!academic!advisor,!prior!to!the!registration!period.!!A!copy!of!
the!outline!will!be!placed!in!the!student’s!file.!!!
!
NSN2438N,)
To!satisfy!elective!requirements,!students!may!take!elective!course!work!within!the!Department!
or!with!approval!from!the!Curriculum!Committee,!in!other!University!departments.!!
!
4$1.(;)N/"-&.R"7)H9&7.=")*+)&>")!"#$%&'"(&)*+),*-.$/)0*%1!
In!order!to!take!an!elective!course!outside!of!the!Department!and!receive!proper!credit!toward!the!
MSW!degree,!the!student!must!submit!a!course!description!of!the!elective!being!considered!along!
with!the!student's!current!career!objectives!to!their!academic!advisor.!!Pre-approvals!for!
registration!may!be!required!from!other!departments.!A!copy!of!the!completed!form!along!with!a!
syllabus!of!the!course!taken!outside!of!the!Department!of!Social!Work!must!be!kept!in!the!
student's!academic!file!for!graduation!certification.!
!
Because!some!University!departments!may!place!restrictions!on!enrollment,!students!should!
begin!the!approval!process!prior!to!the!official!University!advising!period!each!semester.!!Consult!
the!Course!Schedule!and!your!academic!advisor!for!listings!of!courses!offered!in!other!
departments!and!any!prerequisites!they!may!carry.!
!
A."/=):*9%)2%"=.&)VL=R$(-"=),&$(=.(;)6,0),&9="(&7)H(/BW)
Students!entering!the!MSW!program!as!Advanced!Standing!students!will!have!400!hours!of!
undergraduate!field!work!recognized!toward!the!total!of!900!hours!needed!for!graduation!from!
the!MSW!program!at!TCU,!regardless!of!the!number!of!hours!completed!in!a!CSWE!accredited!BSW!
program!over!400.!!If!in!the!undergraduate!field!placement,!a!student!did!not!receive!a!B!or!higher,!
the!MSW!program!may!require!the!student!to!retake!the!foundation!year!field!placement.!
)
If!granted!400!hours!toward!completion!of!MSW!field!hours,!students!are!then!required!to!
complete!500!hours!in!the!advanced!field!placement!during!the!MSW!program.!
!
!
16
@%$=.(;)?*/.-B)
Course!grades,!both!classroom!and!field,!provide!a!measure!of!student!performance!in!the!course.!
Quality!of!performance!is!evaluated!with!respect!to!course!objectives.!While!these!objectives!are!
collectively!determined,!it!is!the!singular!responsibility!of!the!instructor!to!evaluate!student!
performance!in!respect!to!these!standards!and!thus!to!determine!the!grade.!)
!
In!the!Department,!course!credit!is!given!for!the!grades!A,!B,!and!C.!No!credit!is!given!for!any!grade!
below!a!C.!If!a!student!earns!below!a!C,!they!will!be!terminated!from!the!MSW!program.!In!the!
computation!of!the!grade-point!average,!all!grades!of!C!or!less!will!be!included,!but!no!more!than!
two!C!grades!may!be!utilized!in!satisfying!degree!requirements.!For!MSW!students,!a!grade!point!
average!of!at!least!3.0!in!all!graduate!courses!in!the!major!and!supporting!work!must!be!
maintained!to!completion!of!the!program.!!
!
Grades!from!other!institutions!are!not!included!in!the!grade!point!average.!Only!upper-division!
and!graduate-level!courses!taken!in!graduate!status!for!a!letter!grade!are!counted!in!the!average.!
Students!must!satisfy!all!prerequisite!incompletes!before!starting!final!year!coursework!and!the!
final!field!placement.!Conditionally!admitted!students!may!not!take!a!grade!of!I,!as!part!of!the!
criteria!for!achieving!“good!academic!standing”!after!admission.!Candidates!for!graduation!should!
not!take!a!grade!of!I!in!their!final!semester,!or!graduation!will!be!delayed!and!additional!course!
work!in!a!future!semester!of!graduation!will!be!required.!
!
@%$=9$&.*()
To!graduate,!students!must!be!enrolled!in!the!MSW!program!during!the!semester!in!which!they!
will!graduate!and!have!successfully!completed!all!required!coursework!toward!the!MSW!or!dual!
degree.!!Additionally,!students!must!have!no!incompletes!(Is)!and!have!a!3.0!cumulative!graduate!
GPA!or!better!in!all!courses.!MSW!students!must!also!take!the!Texas!Jurisprudence!and!Master’s!
Level!Social!Work!Licensure!Exams.!
!
MSW!students!must!follow!these!steps!to!register!to!graduate:!
1. Register!and!complete!courses!for!the!final!semester.!!Be!sure!that!all!“I”!grades!are!
completed!and!all!official!transcripts!from!other!universities!are!in!the!Registrar’s!office.!
2. File!an!Intent-to-Graduate!in!the!academic!dean's!office!early!in!the!last!semester!or!in!the!
next-to-last!semester!of!study.!!
3. Correct!your!Current!Address!and!your!Permanent!Address!online!at!my.tcu.edu.!!This!
address!is!important!for!receiving!mailing!from!the!Registrar's!office!concerning!
graduation.!
4. Ensure!all!financial!obligations,!including!graduation!fees!and!thesis/dissertation!fees!have!
been!satisfied!in!the!Financial!Services!office.!
5. Order!your!diploma!and!cap!and!gown!online!at!my.tcu.edu.!
!
S"$R")*+)LX7"(-")
Students!who!anticipate!being!on!leave!in!a!long!semester!(fall!or!spring)!must:!
1. Complete!the!Program!Confirmation!of!Leave!of!Absence!form.!
2. Obtain!authorization!from!the!Department!Chair.!
3. Failure!to!secure!a!leave!of!absence!in!advance!of!the!semester!of!which!a!student!will!be!
on!leave!will!result!in!a!non-guarantee!of!readmission.!
17
!
S.-"(79%")NM$')
All!students!must!take!the!applicable!licensure!exam!prior!to!graduation.!!Any!student!who!does!
not!take!the!licensure!exam!prior!to!graduation!is!no!longer!eligible!to!graduate!during!the!current!
semester.!
)
6"=.-$/)0.&>=%$P$/Y2*9%7")I"=9-&.*(YI"&%*$-&.R")0.&>=%$P$/)
Significant!medical!or!mental!health!problems!can!affect!a!student’s!ability!to!attend!classes!or!
perform!academically.!!In!these!cases,!a!student!may!apply!for!a!course!load!reduction,!a!current!
semester!withdrawal,!or!a!retroactive!withdrawal!for!the!previous!long!semester.!!Students!must!
meet!with!their!academic!advisor!to!discuss!this!course!of!action.!!Decisions!will!be!made!based!on!
University!and!Department!policies.!
)
Students!must!be!“continuously!registered”!for!all!long!semesters!(fall!and!spring)!until!
completion!of!the!degree.!!Students!are!required!to!secure!a!leave!of!absence!for!semesters!in!
which!they!will!be!on!leave.!!If!a!student!has!not!taken!courses!for!one!long!semester!or!more,!
application!for!readmission!must!be!completed!and!students!must!have!departmental!approval!to!
return.!!TCU!requires!that!students!seeking!readmission!pay!a!$40!readmission!fee!to!the!
Registrar’s!Office.!
!
?$77Y<*E2%"=.&)@%$=.(;)H#&.*()
Graduate!students!may!not!elect!the!Pass/No-Credit!grading!option!for!their!coursework.!
!
,&9="(&)?$%&.-.#$&.*().()?%*;%$')?*/.-B)
Student!participation!in!the!Social!Work!department!is!encouraged!formally!and!informally.!
Students!provide!an!important!perspective!to!assist!in!the!formation!of!the!implicit!and!explicit!
curriculum.!Ongoing!mechanisms!that!support!equitable!and!inclusive!student!involvement!in!the!
implicit!and!explicit!curriculum!include:!end-of-semester!course!evaluations,!program!evaluation!
surveys,!field!evaluation!surveys,!student!exit!quest ionna ires,!and!personal!feedback!to!faculty!
and!advisors!about!the!program!environment,!program!policies,!faculty,!and!staff.!Evaluations,!
surveys,!and!questionnaires!are!sent!to!every!student!in!the!program!to!ensure!that!student!
participation!in!the!implicit!and!explicit!curriculum!is!equitable!and!inclusive.!!
!
Furthermore,!students!participate!in!faculty!searches!by!providing!reactions!to!formal!class!
presentations!by!candidates!and!having!separate!group!interviews!with!candidates,!after!which!
they!offer!summary!evaluations.!The!Student!Association!of!Social!Work!(SASW)!also!provides!
written!feedback!to!faculty!and!recommends!changes!and!opportunities!for!enhancement!of!the!
implicit!curriculum.!
)
4NI63<L43H<)AIH6)4:N)6,0)?IH@IL6)
Criteria!for!dismissal!from!the!major!includes!academic!performance!and!nonacademic!criteria.!A!
student!will!be!dismissed!from!the!program!for!earning!two!or!more!“C”!grades!or!below!in!
courses!and/or!failing!to!maintain!an!overall!GPA!of!3.0.!Nonacademic!criteria!related!to!
professionalism!and!ethical!behavior!is!considered!part!of!the!academic!arena!of!a!professional!
program.!As!such,!a!student!could!be!dismissed!from!the!program!for!failing!to!uphold!the!ethical!
guidelines!of!the!profession!and!for!personal!issues!that!affect!professional!performance.!!
18
!
Therefore,!students!can!be!eliminated!from!the!program!for!academic!or!professional!reasons.!
These!gatekeeping!efforts,!counseling!students!in!or!out!of!the!program,!are!supported!by!the!
university!and!by!the!judicial!system.!!
!
4.'")S.'.&7)+*%)2*'#/"&.*()
The!Council!on!Social!Work!Education’s!standard!for!completing!the!MSW!degree!is!four!years.!!
Based!on!the!CSWE!standard,!the!Department!of!Social!Work!requires!all!students!to!complete!the!
degree!in!a!timely!fashion.!!Continuation!beyond!four!years!is!approved!only!in!rare!and!
extenuating!circumstances.!!In!all!cases,!all!requirements!for!a!master's!degree!must!be!completed!
within!one!six-year!period.!!Work!over!six!years!old!can!be!reinstated!only!with!the!permission!of!
the!Department!Chair,!upon!recommendation!of!the!MSW!Admissions!Committee.)
)
4%$(7+"%%.(;)2*9%7"7)
The!MSW!Program!may!accept!up!to!10!transfer!credits!from!a!CSWE!accredited!MSW!Program!for!
foundation!year!courses!or!advanced!year!elective!courses.!!No!transfer!credit!will!be!awarded!for!
practice!courses,!required!advanced!year!courses,!or!for!field!education.!
!
In!addition,!requests!for!transfer!course!credit!must!meet!the!following!criteria:!
1. The!student!requesting!credit!for!graduate!coursework!must!be!admitted!to!the!MSW!
program!prior!to!approval!of!a!request!for!transfer!credit.!!However,!admission!to!the!MSW!
Program!does!not!guarantee!approval!of!transfer!credits.!
2. Upon!admission,!the!student!may!request!a!review!of!graduate!course(s)!taken!to!
determine!whether!the!course(s)!may!be!transferred!for!credit.!
3. A!minimum!course!grade!of!“B”!must!have!been!earned!in!each!course!by!the!student!
requesting!transfer!credit.!
4. All!requests!for!transfer!credit!must!meet!the!requirements!of!the!Office!of!Graduate!
Studies!at!TCU.!
5. When!requesting!consideration!for!transfer!credit,!a!student!must!submit!a!letter!of!
request!to!the!MSW!Admissions!Coordinator!who!identifies!the!course(s)!for!which!
transfer!credit!is!requested,!a!copy!of!the!official!catalog!of!the!university!where!the!course!
was!taken,!a!copy!of!the!course!syllabus,!and!an!official!transcript!showing!the!grade!
earned.!
!
The!MSW!Admissions!Coordinator,!in!consultation!with!the!MSW!Admissions!Committee,!will:!!
1. Review!the!request!for!transfer!credit!based!on!a!review!of!each!comparable!course!
syllabus!to!ensure!that!the!course!meets!the!objectives!of!the!MSW!Program!foundation!or!
elective!course!and!has!comparable!content,!readings,!and!assignments;!!
2. Confirm!a!grade!of!“B”!or!better!was!received;!and!!
3. When!warranted,!consult!with!the!university!where!the!course(s)!was!previously!taken.!
Students!will!be!informed!in!writing!of!the!MSW!Program’s!decision.!!Students!may!appeal!
the!decision!to!the!MSW!Program!Chair.!Each!course!for!which!transfer!credit!is!requested!
will!be!reviewed!independently!and!in!a!timely!fashion.!!
!
Students!may!not!receive!academic!credit!for!life!experience!or!previous!volunteer!or!work!
experience!in!social!work.!
19
Section(II:(Other(Resources(
!
:LII3,)2HSSN@N)L2L!N632)IN,H5I2N)2N<4NI!
The!Harris!College!Academic!Resource!Center!(HARC)!is!designed!to!support!students!and!faculty!
in!Harris!College!of!Nursing!&!Health!Sciences.!The!Center's!goal!is!to!enhance!the!overall!student!
experience!to!prepare!graduates!for!a!lifelong!career!in!health!sciences.!!!
!
The!Academic!Resource!Center!provides:!
§ Academic!advising!
§ Educational!workshops!
§ Career!services!such!as!resume!critiques,!mock!interviews,!and!career!exploration!
§ Information!about!study!abroad!and!student!research!opportunities!
§ Information!about!graduate!programs!
§ Leadership!development!within!the!health!professions!
!
425)2"(&"%)+*%)2$%""%)O)?%*+"77.*($/)!"R"/*#'"(&)
Assigned!Liaison!to!Harris!College!
817-257-2222!
!
:LI2)3(+*%'$&.*()
Annie!Richardson!Bass!Building,!2
nd
!floor!
817.257.6112!
)
4:N)03SS3L6)SZ)L!L6,)2N<4NI)AHI)0I343<@)
The!William!L.!Adams!Center!for!Writing!serves!the!entire!TCU!community!–!faculty!and!staff!as!
well!as!undergraduate!and!graduate!students.!This!is!a!resource!provided!by!the!university!to!
assist!you.!Staffed!by!writing!specialists!and!peer!tutors,!the!Center!offers!one-on-one!instruction.!
A!tutorial!may!focus!on!a!specific!piece!of!writing!or!on!a!selected!writing!skill!(e.g.,!usage,!
punctuation,!essay!exams,!documentation,!etc.).!The!Center!is!a!non-threatening!and!supportive!
place!where!you!can!talk!openly!and!confidentially!about!your!writing!with!someone!who!is!
informed!but!nonjudgmental.!
!
6$.()2"(&"%C)
Reed!Hall,!Room!419!
Monday!-!Friday!!
8:00!a.m.!to!5:00!p.m.!
817.257.7221!
!
4*')[%*P()L(("MC)
3
rd
!Floor!Commons!
Sunday!-!Thursday!
6:00!p.m.!to!9:00!p.m.!
To!schedule!an!appointment!with!a!writing!specialist,!call!(817)!257-7221!or!visit!the!Center!for!
20
Writing’s!graduate!web!site!for!additional!information!on!making!virtual!appointments.!
!
425)S3[ILIU)
Students!and!faculty!have!access!to!over!1.5!million!books!and!audio-visual!materials!and!over!
79,000!current!journals,!electronically!and!in!paper.! I n!addition,!the!library!provides!access!to!
over!300!databases,!many!of!which!include!the!full!text!of!journal!articles,!from!the!library!
website.!!The!Library!has!been!a!depository!for!federal!documents!since!1916!and!participated!in!
the!Texas!depository!library!program!for!more!than!60!years.!!Portions!of!the!U.S.!documents!
collection!date!as!far!back!as!the!eighteenth!century.!Harris!College!of!Nursing!and!Health!Sciences!
has!a!research!librarian!assigned!to!the!College!to!specifically!assist!students!enrol l ed!in!a !
program!in!Harris!College.!!Visit!the!library’s!website!for!contact!information.!!The!TCU!Library!is!
available!to!students,!faculty,!adjunct!faculty,!and!field!instructors,!as!a!benefit!of!being!part!of!the!
University!community.!
!
!3,L[3S34U),5??HI4),NI832N,)
Texas!Christian!University!provides!reasonable!accommodations!for!each!student!who!has!a!
physical,!medical!psychological!or!learning!disability.!If!you!have!a!disability!and!have!not!
submitted!information!concerning!that!disability!to!the!university,!please!contact!the!office!of!the!
Coordinator!for!Students!with!Disabilities!durin g!orientation!or!as!soon!as!possible.!The!
Coordinator!is!eager!to!get!to!know!you!and!assist!you!in!determining!appropriate!university!
services.!It!is!to!your!advantage!to!file!all!medical!or!assessment!reports!and!met!with!the!
Coordinator!before!the!semester!begins.!For!more!information!regarding!disabilities!services,!
contact:!
!
Center!for!Academic!Services!
Texas!Christian!University!
TCU!Box!297710!
Fort!Worth,!Texas!76129!
(817)!257-7486!
!
0I344N<)L,,3@<6N<4,)
1.!In!all!written!assignments,!follow!APA!format!for!citing!references!for!your!work.!!
2.!Be!sure!to!cite!any!used!article!or!book! in! the!body!of!paper!and!reference!page.!!
3.!Anytime!the!information!could!not!have!been!known!without!reading!it!in!a!source,!the!source!!
needs!to!be!cited.!!
4.!Direct!quotes!are!rarely!used!in!APA.!Only!use!them!if!the!effect!is!lost!by!paraphrasing.!!
5.!If!using!direct!quotes,!frame!that!text!within!quotation!marks!and!also!cite!the!page!number!of!
the!direct!quote.!
6.!All!assignments!should!have!a!right-justified!running!head!with!your!name.!
!
The!APA!website!is!located!at:!https://apastyle.apa.org/!
!
!
!
!
Sections!of!the!Paper!
21
!
1.!THE!TITLE!PAGE!
•!Center!the!information!in!the!middle!of!the!paper.!
•!Double-space!the!entries.!
•!Include!the!following!information:!
Project!Name!
Student!Name!
“Professional!Project!for!Master!of!Science!Degree!in!Nursing”!
“Texas!Christian!University”!
“Harris!School!of!Nursing”!
Date!in!Month!and!Year!
!
2.!BODY!OF!THE!PAPER!
•!Do!not!hyphenate!words!at!the!end!of!lines.!
•!Do!not!leave!one!line!of!a!paragraph!hanging!by!itself!on!the!top!of!a!page.!Bring!another!
line!over!so!there!are!at!least!two!lines!of!a!paragraph!at!the!top!of!a!page.!!
•!Do!not!leave!one!line!of!a!paragraph!hanging!by!itself!on!the!bottom!of!a!page.!If!you!
cannot!fit!at!least!two!lines!of!the!paragraph!on!the!bottom.!
•!Use!one!and!a!half!inch!margins!all!around!paper.!
•!Number!pages!in!the!top!right-hand!corner.!!
•!A!running!head!is!part!of!APA!format!but!not!required!for!the!project.!!
•!Use!subheadings.!!
•!If!emphasis!is!needed!for!content!or!words,!use!bold!type!or!italics!instead!of!quotation!
marks.!
•!Numbers!below!the!number!10!are!written!out,!numbers!10!or!above!are!written!in!
numeral!form.!!
•!Use!author's!name,!not!editor's!name,!in!text!and!reference!list.!!
•!Use!quotation!marks!around!direct!quotes.!
•!Cite!a!page!number!for!direct!quotes.!
•!Proof!for!errors!in!syntax,!"typos,"!and!semantics.!
•!Use!headings!and!subheadings!when!paper!becomes!lengthy!or!complex.!
•!Avoid!use!of!flowery!words,!jargon,!and!derogatory!words.!
•!Avoid!use!of!wording!that!shows!prejudice!toward!age,!race,!sex,!or!ethnic!background.!
•!Use!"think"!or!"believe"!instead!of!"feel"!in!most!cases.!!
•!Write!out!words!for!initials!used!the!first!time!(e.g.!HCFA)!!
•!Avoid!long!rambling!sentences.!!
•!Make!sure!subject!and!verb!agree!in!number.!!
•!Use!"their"!if!want!to!have!a!personal!possessive;!use!"there"!for!directional!message.!
•!Capitalize!proper!nouns!such!as!Social!Security,!Medicare,!and!Medicaid.!!
•!Use!contractions!appropriately!(e.g.!don't).!!
•!Use!possessives!to!show!ownership!(e.g.!person’s!boat).!
!
!
!
!
22
Section(III:(Appendix(
!
!
MSW!Program!Requirements!
NASW!Code!of!Ethics!
Texas!State!Board!of!Social!Work!Examiners!
NASW!Standards!for!Cultural!Competence!in!Social!Work!Practice!
TCU!Student!Handbook!
,!
