Social Work


Your Future in social work

Are you sensitive to people and their challenges? Do you enjoy working in a variety of settings with individuals, families, groups or communities? Are you a good problem solver? Then you should pursue a Bachelor of Social Work degree at the University of North Texas.

Social work addresses societal concerns and functioning of people to ensure they have equal access to resources, services and opportunities. Social workers encourage change by striving to end discrimination, oppression, poverty and other forms of social injustice. They work in many different settings including:

  • Child welfare and family service agencies
  • Community mental health or substance abuse treatment centers
  • Nonprofit, government or private human service programs
  • Retirement centers, nursing homes or other aging programs for older people and their families
  • School or community programs to meet the needs of children

What we offer

Our program provides you a solid foundation in the knowledge, skills and values necessary in the social work field as well as for the required state licensing exam.

We also offer many opportunities to work with the community, practice skills, test knowledge, get involved in social work organizations and network from the beginning of your studies. As part of our curriculum, we have service learning projects in the introductory courses and practice courses that apply classroom knowledge to real-life situations.

Our faculty members are well-known researchers and practitioners working in diverse areas such as:

  • Aging
  • Child welfare
  • Program evaluation
  • Relationship violence
  • Social welfare policy
  • Spirituality
  • Teenage pregnancy

Their research has been published in recognized journals and presented regularly at national conferences.

Our Residents Engaged in Academic Living Community brings students committed to community engagement together to enhance academic and social experiences. More information about the UNT SERVES Community is at www.unt.edu/housing.

The Social Work program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (1701 Duke Street, Suite 200, Alexandria, Va., 22314-3457, telephone 703-683-8080). This accreditation means we meet or exceed strict academic standards for excellence in education.

What to expect

You typically need to apply for admission to the program in your sophomore year. Admission is competitive and based on your performance in prerequisite classes, answers provided on written essays and the completion of a semester-by-semester degree plan by a faculty member. An interview may also be required.

The necessary course work helps you gain skills in advocacy, interpersonal communication and the social work problem-solving process. These classes focus on:

  • Ethnic and cultural diversity
  • Human behavior
  • Practice methods
  • Research
  • Social welfare policy

In addition to the course work, a one semester internship at a social work agency is required. Internships could include working with women in a battered women’s shelter; people with AIDS; children, older adults, or people with mental illness; people with chronic or acute illnesses.

Our Career Center, Internships and Cooperative Education office, and professional academic advisors are among the many valuable resources that are available to you at UNT. The Career Center and the Internships and Cooperative Education office can provide advice about future employment opportunities as well as getting hands-on experience in your major. Academic advisors will help you plan your class schedule each semester.

How to Enroll at UNT


High School students

We encourage you to fulfill the graduation requirements for the Recommended Program or the Distinguished Achievement Program in high school.

In your junior year, take the SAT or the ACT and have your scores sent to UNT.

In your senior year, apply for admission at www.applytexas.org by March 1 and request that your high school transcript be sent to the UNT admissions office.

Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses can count toward college credit at UNT. For details, visit www.unt.edu/credit.

Transfer students

If you're attending a Texas community college, you should consult our Transfer Articulation web page, the UNT Undergraduate Catalog and an academic counselor/advisor to review your degree plan. Proper planning allows you to receive the maximum amount of transfer credits

Our Transfer Center will help you make a successful transition to college life at UNT by connecting you to a peer mentor and other campus resources. Each year, we welcome more transfer students than any other institution in the state. The center is in the University Union, Room 320. More information is at transition.unt.edu.