Social Work students pose with professors at a conference.

Social Work Program

Earn your degree in social work in a hands-on program that boasts a 100% employment and graduate school acceptance rate — and become a licensed professional in your graduating semester. When you take home your bachelor’s in social work from Hardin-Simmons University, you’ll be uniquely prepared to help people and communities to solve problems, promote equity and justice, and create positive change.

Social work is a high-demand, fast growing field that involves serving people who are vulnerable, oppressed, or marginalized, and addressing the conditions of society at the very core of injustice. As one of the leading social work programs in the Big Country area of West Central Texas, our students are in high demand by graduate programs and employers throughout the region and across the nation. You’ll also benefit from a supportive, family atmosphere in which faculty and alumni provide personal career advising — both during your time at HSU and after graduation.

Experiential Learning in the Social Work Degree

Hands-on learning is a key part of the bachelor’s in social work at HSU. Our students are highly sought after in the community for a variety of service learning and other field-based projects, and we connect you with experiential opportunities in which you apply academic lessons to real-world challenges.

For example, you’ll complete 30 hours of volunteer experiences as part of your regular coursework. We offer a Community Group Project in which you can work as part of a coalition to identify and address community needs and develop a plan of action. If you’re interested in policy, you can conduct analysis that leads to advocacy work at the local, state, national, and international levels. There’s no limit to what you can do and achieve.

CSWE Logo The Social Work Program is accredited at the baccalaureate level by the Council on Social Work Education, consecutively since 1985.

Program Contact

Lauren Cantrell

Department Chair/Director of Field Education/Assistant Professor of Social Work

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Majors

Minors

Social Work Minor

Why Earn Your Social Work Degree at Hardin-Simmons?

Interactive & Service Learning Experiences

Smaller classes provide a more interactive learning environment, opportunities for enhanced service learning experiences locally (like providing prom dresses for local under-served teens), around Texas, nationally, and even internationally. Our faculty and alumni are here to support you at every step, from help with resume building, to mock interviews, to providing professional references to graduate programs and employers.

Exceptional Preparedness

Graduates of our bachelor’s in social work are accepted to graduate schools (100%), professionally employed (100%), and pass the licensing exam (96%) at exceptionally high rates. Graduates seeking the Master of Social Work degree typically will complete the MSW within three semesters of graduating from HSU due to ‘advanced standing’ status, and all of our social work degree alumni are heavily recruited for graduate schools and employment.

Students eating dinner during GLA Academy.

Valuable Connections

Our bachelor’s degree in social work students develop lifelong, close relationships with each other, the faculty, and in the community. Throughout the social work courses, students are developing connections with professional social workers and others in the community through projects, volunteerism, field trips, and field placements.

Amazing Learning Experiences

Sarah Cameron

“I got my degree in social work from HSU in 2012, and while I am now a stay at home mom, my social work classes prepared me more than I could have known at the time, for both my seven years in the field, and through my journey as a foster and adoptive parent. I believe my professors and education had a huge impact in the way I have lived my life and engaged with people over the last decade. Book knowledge has been helpful, but the empathy mixed with passion and compassion, mixed with professionalism are what I learned from my time in the social work program. These are lessons I will carry with me for a lifetime!”

What Can You Do With a Social Work Degree?

Social workers engage in many fields of practice: mental health, addiction and recovery, children and families, geriatric care, and more. They work in schools, medical facilities, government agencies, the military, and many other settings. Graduates of our program are employed in places like the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, the Abilene Independent School District, and here at Hardin-Simmons University.

In addition to the incredible sense of personal fulfillment you can gain through this career, social work is a field that offers excellent opportunity, job security, and potential for professional growth. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of social workers is expected to grow 12% over the next decade, much faster than average. Texas also has one of the highest employment levels for social workers in the nation, so this is an ideal place to begin your career.

Applying for Your Social Work License

You can apply for the social work license in the state of Texas in your graduating semester. Almost all of our students pass the exam. Because our program is accredited by CSWE, students who apply to graduate schools of social work will receive advanced standing, making it possible to obtain a Master of Social Work (MSW) within one year. Alumni of our bachelor’s degree in social work seeking employment upon graduation are employed in their professional field 100% of the time.

Top Jobs for Our Bachelor’s in Social Work Graduates

Healthcare social worker
Mental health social worker
Substance abuse social worker
Medical and health services manager
Social and human services specialist
Teaching assistant

Tailor Your Social Work Degree at HSU and Travel the Country

Our bachelor’s degree in social work program offers special topics courses and travel opportunities, and we will help you assess your specialized interests to develop the best curriculum. Examples of special topic courses have included:

School Social Work
Engaging Diversity and Difference
Social Work in Mental Health, Military, and Veterans
Cultural Diversity
Community Renewal

Some of these courses involve travel, which has included trips to Window Rock, Arizona to study and work with the Navajo and Hope indigenous tribes; to Camden, New Jersey to work with Urban Promise Ministries; and a Civil Rights Tour of five southern states to engage our diverse history and its impact on society today.

Program Details

Service Learning Opportunities

Social Work being an engaging and interactive profession, students are provided opportunities to connect and serve in the community through volunteerism and field education internship. Courses requiring service learning hours include:

Introduction to Social Work
Social Work Practice I
Field Education I & II

Highlights

No academic credit for life or work experience.
Program is open to all qualified applicants without discrimination.
Students apply for formal admission to the Social Work program upon completion of the Human Behavior and Social Environment courses in their sophomore year.
Students must maintain an overall GPA of 2.0 and earn a “C” or higher in all Social Work courses to continue in the major.
In Social Work Practice III, students apply for entrance into Field Education for their senior year.

Students can apply for the Social Work license in the state of Texas in their graduating semester. 100% of our students pass the exam.
Graduates of HSU Social Work will receive either a BBS or BS degree. As the program is accredited by CSWE, students who apply to Graduate Schools of Social Work will receive advanced standing, making it possible to obtain a Master’s in Social Work within one year.
Graduates of HSU Social Work seeking employment upon graduation are employed in the professional field 100% of the time.

CSWE AS4B Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes 2021-2022

HSU Annual Assessment of Learning Outcomes

CSWE Reaffirmation Self-Study 2021

Our degree in social work offers numerous awards and scholarships that are awarded each year. Recipients are chosen by the social work and sociology faculty based on the respective award or scholarship criteria. If you have questions, please contact the Social Work department at 325-670-1281. We also encourage you to explore other opportunities for recognition and scholarships outside of HSU, for example NASW, CSWE, and AAUW. Learn more about scholarships at Hardin-Simmons University.

If you’re thinking about a bachelor’s degree in social work, here are other programs available at Hardin-Simmons University you might be interested in learning more about:

Through Knowledge – The Challenge is to Serve

The purpose of Phi Alpha Honor Society is to provide a closer bond among students of social work and promote humanitarian goals and ideals. Phi Alpha fosters high standards of education for social workers and invites into membership those who have attained excellence in scholarship and achievement in social work.

HSU – Sigma Beta Chapter

The Sigma Beta Chapter of Phi Alpha Honor Society for Social Work was established in November 2011 in order to provide social work students with additional opportunities to promote humanitarianism, human and civil rights, and social and economic justice through participation in Chapter projects, events, and activities. As members in good standing, our students can apply for Phi Alpha awards and scholarships. This is a student lead organization with student officers and faculty advisors to guide and direct the organization. For more information about Phi Alpha, please go to their website http://phialpha.org/

To apply, complete the Sigma Beta Application and send to Beth Ferguson at beth.ferguson@hsutx.edu

Phi Alpha Sigma Beta Officer’s 2024-2025

	Naydelin Huerta – President Hi! My name is Naydelin Huerta, I am a Senior (Fall ‘24), and major in Social Work and Psychology. I am a proud daughter of immigrants. I will be interning with Hendricks Health for the next year. Currently, I intern with Youth Voice Inc., I have been with them for a little over a year and a half. I am part of the Social Work Club as photographer, and am the president of Sigma Beta. Once I graduate, I plan to receive my Masters in Social Work at UT or UNT.
	Cindy Florez – Vice President Hi! My name is Cindy Florez, and I am a senior in the program. I will complete my internship at Abilene Hope Haven, which I look forward to because of the opportunity to become familiar with the population they work so hard to serve. I am happy to be the Vice President for Sigma Beta Honor Society. This title is meaningful to me because it gives me the opportunity to serve my peers in love. Being led by my faith in Christ gives me the opportunity to share His love with my community in hope that they will share it with others. I plan to attend graduate school and receive my Master’s in Social Work after obtaining my licensure. My hope is to become an advocate for children and adults who have experienced sexual abuse because helping others recognize their self-worth is a passion of mine.
	Ashley-Annette Borges – Secretary/Treasurer Hello! My name is Ashley-Annette Borges, and I am an upcoming Senior in the Social Work program. I was born and raised in Hawaii and live the military life with my husband and four children. God has opened the door to social work for me, and I love the journey thus far. My field placement is at Mesa Springs Healthcare Center. I am also a member of the HSU Social Work Club, the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), and the NASW Steering Committee. My plan for the future is to become a licensed clinical social worker working with the geriatric population. It is my honor to serve as the Secretary of Sigma Beta this year. This is going to be a great year!
	Kenzlee Carroll – SGA Representative Hello! My name is Kenzlee Carroll, and I am currently a senior in the social work program. I will be placed at Big Brothers Big Sisters starting in the fall of ‘24 and I am super excited! I am a member of the Social Work Club and Sigma Beta Honor Society. A fun fact about me is I absolutely love going on outdoor walks! My plans for the future include graduating in May of 2025 with my bachelor’s degree. I plan to get my master’s in social work either at Abilene Christian University or Tarleton State University! I am super excited to serve as the Sigma Beta SGA Representative!

The Purpose of the Social Work Club at HSU

To facilitate communication and fellowship among the social work majors and faculty
To promote interest in social work issues; and
To promote social action and service both within and outside the campus community.

Social Work Club Officers for 2024-2025

	Cindy Florez – President Hi! My name is Cindy Florez, and I am a senior in the program. I will complete my internship at Abilene Hope Haven, which I look forward to because of the opportunity to become familiar with the population they work so hard to serve. I am happy to be the President for the Social Work Club. This title is meaningful to me because it gives me the opportunity to serve my peers in love. Being led by my faith in Christ gives me the opportunity to share His love with my community in hope that they will share it with others. I plan to attend graduate school and receive my Master’s in Social Work after obtaining my licensure. My hope is to become an advocate for children and adults who have experienced sexual abuse because helping others recognize their self-worth is a passion of mine.
	Ashley-Annette Borges – Vice President Hi! My name is Ashley-Annette Borges, and I am an upcoming Senior in the Social Work program. I was born and raised in Hawaii and live the military life with my husband and four children. I am honored to serve as the Vice President of the Social Work Club for 2024-2025. My internship is at Mesa Springs Healthcare Center. I am also a member of the HSU Phi Alpha Sigma Beta Club, the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), and the NASW Steering Committee. My plan for the future is to become a licensed clinical social worker working with the geriatric population. This is going to be an exciting year! Thank you for the opportunity to serve you as the Vice President of the Social Work Club.
	Kenzlee Carroll – Secretary Hello! My name is Kenzlee Carroll, and I am currently a senior in the social work program. I will be placed at Big Brothers Big Sisters starting in the fall of ‘24 and I am super excited! I am a member of the Social Work Club and Sigma Beta Honor Society. A fun fact about me is I absolutely love going on outdoor walks! My plans for the future include graduating in May of 2025 with my bachelor’s degree. I plan to get my master’s in social work either at Abilene Christian University or Tarleton State University! I am super excited to serve as the Social Work Club secretary!
	Edna Herschberger – Treasurer/SGA Representative Hello! My name is Edna Herschberger. I am excited to be part of the Social Work Club officer team as the treasurer and SGA representative. I am a senior in the program and will be interning with Adult Protective Services in the fall of 2024 and spring of 2025. After graduating from HSU, I will earn my licensure and become an LBSW. I will also begin working to complete my master’s degree in social work and work toward becoming an LMSW.
	Veronica Willis – Chaplain I am a sophomore but a freshman in the program and I am in Delta. Fun fact I have 14 siblings and I can read 4 books in a day. I want to help troubled adolescents and help them find a better path.
	Naydelin Huerta – Photographer Hi! My name is Naydelin Huerta, I am a Senior (Fall ‘24) and major in Social Work and Psychology. I am a proud daughter of immigrants. I will be interning with Hendricks Health for the next year. Currently, I intern with Youth Voice Inc., I have been with them for a little over a year and a half. I am part of the Social Work Club as photographer, and am the president of Sigma Beta. Once I graduate, I plan to receive my Masters in Social Work at UT or UNT.
	Judith Munoz – Event Coordinator Hello, my name is Judith Muñoz. I am a sophomore from Kerrville Texas. My major is in social work, and I hope to someday become a diversity and inclusion manager, and I am this year’s social work club event coordinator. In addition, I am also a member of the Delta social club. I will serve as the celebration chair and the social memorabilia chair. My excitement at being part of this club cannot be expressed in sufficient words. In addition to party planning, I love flowers as well as art and the creative process. It is an honor and a privilege to serve this club. I can’t wait to see where this journey leads and how I can help create new memories for current members and new members alike!

Social Work Club Newsletter

2023-2024 Social Work Gatherings and Events

Fall 2023

Social Work Orientation – September 6 at 12 p.m. in Johnson 103
Breaking Bad Barriers Luncheon and Panel – September 14 at 11:30 a.m. at Hendrick Home for Children
Social Work Self-Care Event – September 20 at 12 p.m. in Moody 233
Food Drive with the Speech Language Pathology Department – September 25-December 13
Lunch & Learn with Libre and SANGRE – October 4 at 11:30 a.m. in Johnson 103
Candy Drive for Crescent Heights Baptist Church Trunk-or-Treat – October 4-October 25
NASW Texas State Conference – October 11-October 14
Lunch & Learn with Judge Shawna Joiner – October 18 at 12 p.m. in Moody 233
Love Shouldn’t Hurt Event with Office of Counseling and Noah Project – October 25 at 11 a.m. & 4 p.m. in Moody
Social Work Pumpkin Painting Contest – October 30 at 3 p.m. in Skiles 107
Blanket Drive and Winter Clothing Drive for Abilene Hope Haven – November 1-November 22
Veterans Day Event – November 9 at 11 a.m. in Houston Lantrip Center
Grassroots Leadership Academy – November 10 at 8:30 a.m. in Houston Lantrip Center
Heartbreak & the Holidays Event – November 14 at 11:30 a.m. in Betty Hardwick Center Boardroom
Social Work Thanksgiving Dinner – November 20 at 5:30 p.m. in Moody 108
Social Work Christmas Party – December 5 at 5:30 p.m. in Moody 233
Destress from Finals Week with Therapy Dogs – December 12 at 10 a.m. in Skiles 107

Spring 2024

Social Work Orientation – January 23 at 10:30 a.m. in MC 233
Grassroots Leadership Academy – February 16 at 8:30 a.m. in Houston-Lantrip Center
Love Shouldn’t Hurt Luncheon and Panel – February 21 at 11:30 a.m. in JB 103
Field Prep Fair – February 23 at 9 a.m. in MC 233
Policy Presentations – February 28 at 12 p.m. in MC 108
National Social Work Month – March
International Women’s Day Event and Hygiene Drive – March 7 at 4 p.m. in JB 103
Social Work Advocacy Day – March 21-22 in Austin, Texas
Champions for Children – April 4-5 at DoubleTree
Social Work Banquet – April 18 at 6 p.m. in Houston-Lantrip Center
Field Celebration – April 30 at 4:15 p.m. in MC 233
Senior Pinning Ceremony – May 9 at 4:30 p.m. in Logsdon Chapel

HSU Social Work Student Resources

Professional Organizations

Research

Career Opportunities and Advancement

Social Work Values and Ethics