College of Arts and Sciences Adds New Social Work Program

This fall UT Tyler began offering a Bachelor of Social Work Degree, (BSW). This new program is to prepare students to become generalist social work practitioners, enabling them to enhance the wellbeing of individuals, families, organizations and communities. The needs in East Texas are great and many organizations have expressed a strong need for more social workers. Rural East Texas faces an aging population, economic challenges and a growing drug epidemic.

The BSW Program is expected to grow to approximately 120 students in the first five years.  Because of the rural nature of East Texas and the special needs for the region, the BSW Program will provide some coursework and internship opportunities unique to social work. UT Tyler also has strong programs in social sciences, including criminal justice and psychology. The potential collaborations in research, internships and service-learning with these two programs will enrich the proposed BSW Program.

A Student Receiving a Socal Work Degree will be able to: 

1. Enhance the well-being of individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.
2. Practice care with diverse and vulnerable groups mindful of the racial, ethnic and cultural composition of the East Texas region and beyond.
3. Apply ethical principles of social work values in working with diverse individuals and populations, striving to alleviate poverty and oppression.
4. Incorporate their knowledge, values and skills of the social work profession to advance human rights and social justice.
5. Employ scientific inquiry, research methodology and critical thinking skills to make well-informed practical decisions.

Students will learn to promote human wellbeing and how to apply preventive and intervention methods to social problems at individual, group and community levels.

Your gift will go towards student scholarships in the BSW program.

How UT Tyler's School of Social Work is a game-changer for Tyler | Article by Jane Neal | September 13, 2021