Program of Graduate Work
Master of Social Work
The Master of Social Work program at Texas A&M University-Commerce is designed to meet the educational needs of advanced level social workers. The program is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). All MSW graduates are eligible to sit for the State of Texas LMSW licensure testing. The program follows an advanced generalist practice model.
Admission
Admission to a graduate program is granted by the Dean of the Graduate School upon the recommendation of the department. Applicants must meet the following requirements for admission in addition to meeting the general university requirements in social work.
In addition to the general requirements for admission to the Graduate School, those seeking admission to the MSW Program must submit a packet of admissions materials, available either by contacting the School of Social Work at 903-886-5029 or by going to https://dms.tamuc.edu/Forms/Application-for-Admission-to-the-MSW-Program. . The completed documents must be submitted to Derene Sutton at Derene.Sutton@tamuc.edu Components of the admissions materials include:
- A professional narrative statement. A description of what would be contained in such a statement is included in the admissions packet.
- A resume or vita of educational and occupational experiences.
- Three references using the forms included in the admissions packet, preferably including one reference from an undergraduate professor or a former supervisor from a paid or volunteer social services agency.
- Official bachelor's degree transcript if other than A&M-Commerce graduate.
The MSW program will admit students who show the greatest capacity to complete graduate-level work and become effective social work practitioners. To be admitted to the program, students must meet school criteria such as undergraduate grade point average, GRE scores, and writing ability. Other criteria include evidence of effective interpersonal skills, professional work experience, and values, ethics, and a fit with the social work profession and our program. The program is committed to recruiting students who represent a diverse population.
Depending on their undergraduate degree, students who are admitted to the MSW program will receive either Foundation Admission or Advanced Standing Admission. Advanced Standing is reserved for those who hold a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) undergraduate degree from a CSWE-accredited institution. Fewer hours are required of students who receive advanced standing admission.
All students are expected to act in accordance with the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics, the Texas State Board of Social Work Examiners Code of Conduct and the School's Student Code of Conduct.
If students do not conduct themselves in a manner befitting a professional social worker (as defined in the NASW Code of Ethics and the Code of Conduct), whether in the classroom, in the field setting, or in their interactions with other students, faculty, and staff they may be dismissed from the program. Such conduct is regarded as an academic expectation for the social work profession, regardless of classroom grades.
Successful completion of the Comprehensive Exam is required of all students.
Note: Individual departments may reserve the right to dismiss from their programs students who, in their judgment, would not meet the professional expectations of the field for which they are training.
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School of Social Work
Gracie Brownell
Associate Professor
B.S., Shorter University; M.S.S.W., Baylor University; Ph.D., University of Texas at Arlington
Rebecca Judd
Associate Professor
B.S.W., Texas AM University-Commerce; M.S.S.W., PhD., University of Texas at Arlington
Benjamin May
Assistant Professor
B.S., University of Houston Clear-Lake; M.S.W., Washington University Graduate College of Social Work; Ph.D., The University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work
Marta Mercado-Sierra
Assistant Professor and Assistant Department Head
B.A., M.S.W., Ph.D., University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR
Marcella Smith
Associate Professor and Department Head
B.S., Louisiana State University; M.S.W., Ph.D., University of Texas at Arlington