The mission of the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program is to prepare students as beginning level generalist professional social work practitioners who are committed to the provision of services that further the well-being of people and who promote social and economic justice. Building on a broad liberal arts framework, the BSW curriculum is designed to develop generalist practitioners who have an understanding of social work knowledge and values and are able to select different methods and resources to meet identified client needs, while recognizing and engaging the strengths of the client in the process. The curriculum offers students the opportunity to learn to promote, restore, maintain, and enhance the social functioning of multiple levels of systems in the environment, including individuals, families, small groups, organizations, and communities.

BSW students are given the opportunity to learn to work collaboratively in a variety of settings using an ecosystems/developmental perspective; to recognize the relationships between client needs and public issues; to work toward the development of social policies, resources, and programs that meet basic human needs and empower oppressed and marginalized groups; and to be aware and responsive to the diversities among individuals, including race, ethnicity, gender and gender identity, age, sexual orientation, religion, and ability. The program is intended to prepare reflective, self-evaluating practitioners who have a strong identification with the social work profession and work to alleviate injustice, oppression, and discrimination.

Graduates of the program are expected to be able to enhance the problem-solving, coping, and developmental capacities of individuals, especially those from marginalized groups. They also are expected to addressing systemic injustices and discrimination within the environment that provide individuals with resources, services, and opportunities; to link individuals in need with the appropriate systems; and to contribute to the development and improvement of just social policies that have an impact on people and their social environments, especially by empowering marginalized groups and by promoting social, racial and economic justice.

The BSW program is integrated with and builds upon a liberal arts base that includes knowledge in language arts, the humanities, and the social, behavioral, and natural sciences. The curriculum includes content in social work values, diversity and oppressed and marginalized groups, social, racial and economic justice, human behavior and the social environment, research, social welfare policy and services, and social work intervention.

1. A professional identity that incorporates the values and ethics of the social work profession and the professional development of self.
2. The ability to work with diverse populations with an understanding of, and respect for, the positive value of diversity, including race and ethnicity, gender and gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, religion, and country of origin, and to use communication skills differentially with diverse groups.
3. An understanding oppression and discrimination.
4. The ability to apply strategies and skills that advance social and economic justice and to address the oppression of marginalized groups.
5. An understanding of the biological, psychological, social, and cultural contexts of changing client systems, including individuals, families, groups, organizations, communities, and the broader society, and their effects on development and behavior.
6. Beginning level competencies in research and evaluation, including the ability to evaluate research studies and apply their findings to practice, and, under supervision, evaluate their own practice interventions and those of other relevant systems.
7. An understanding of how social policy develops and differentially affects various client systems, workers, and agencies.
8. An understanding of the role the social work profession has played in promoting social change, historically and currently.
9. The attainment of knowledge and skills that demonstrate the ability to practice effectively with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities, in a manner that empowers client systems and uses their strengths in order to maximize their health and well-being.
10. An ability to apply critical thinking skills within the context of social work roles and practice.
11. An awareness of their responsibility to continue their professional growth and development, including the use of supervision appropriate to generalist practice.

The first BSW degree was awarded in December 1977. Since that time, the program has been strengthened by curriculum modifications reflecting changes in the profession and in society that have implications for beginning social work practice. 

The Steve Hicks School of Social Work also offers programs leading to the Master of Science in Social Work and the Doctor of Philosophy. These are described in the Graduate Catalog.

During the student’s first and second academic years, the student and the advisor discuss the student’s career choice, the selection of a major, degree requirements, and requirements for advancement to the practice sequence; during the third year, the course work required for the major completion and the student’s preparation for entry into the field practicum; and during the fourth year, the field practicum and the student’s post-graduation plans.

Professional social workers may seek employment in a number of areas. The Health and Human Services Commission has established quality control standards that mandate the hiring of holders of social work degrees in designated positions. The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services hires social workers for its child protective services programs. Large nursing home facilities are also required to have a social work staff. Substance use disorder treatment programs, psychiatric hospitals, health care programs, school social work and dropout prevention programs, criminal justice programs, community non-profit agencies and programs for the elderly also employ social workers. Hospitals and agencies providing community-based health services, especially in rural areas, hire BSW graduates. More than a third of the program’s graduates go on to graduate schools throughout the country.

As a complement to the assistance available from the school, the University's Sanger Learning Center and the Vick Center for Strategic Advising provide comprehensive career services to all students. The centers offer professional assistance to students in choosing or changing their majors or careers, seeking an internship, and planning for the job search or for graduate study.

The University makes no promise to secure employment for each graduate.

Council activities are often conducted in collaboration with the Office of Academic Affairs. They include forums with guest speakers from community agencies and the University, community service projects, special interest groups that meet to discuss social work related topics, and social gatherings. Members of the Council represent student concerns as voting members of the school’s curriculum committees, the Senate of College Councils, and the Student Government.