Social Work

Profoundly impact the lives of others with an affordable, UT-caliber Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from UT Tyler. We offer the only public university BSW program within 50 miles of Tyler. Our strong partnerships with the East Texas community ensure your professional and personal growth.

Meet a Professor

Ericka Robinson-Freeman, LCSW

Associate Professor in Practice

UT System Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award Recipient

Robinson-Freeman is a licensed clinical social worker who holds experience in child welfare, healthcare social work with children and families, mental health and hospice care. She received a UT System Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award for her dedication to undergraduate student success.

Convenient Learning Opportunities

We deliver our program in both face-to-face and online formats for your convenience. You will learn such social work foundations as promoting human well-being and applying preventative and intervention methods to social problems at individual, group and community levels.

Meet a Professor

Rich Kenney, MSSW

Professor of Practice in Social Work

Program Director

Richard H. Kenney Jr. brings with him nearly three decades of direct experience in the special education, healthcare, hospice, homelessness and corrections arenas. In addition to contributing commentaries to National Public Radio, he also has written several articles for “The New Social Worker,” “Social Work Today” and “Exceptional Parent.”

The projected need for social workers in Texas is on the rise. Because of its rural nature, aging population and mental health and economic challenges, East Texas has a unique need for social workers, according to a recent Texas Comptroller’s report.

Meet a Professor

Kristin Mycke, LCSW

Lecturer

As a licensed clinical social worker, Professor Mycke has over 20 years of experience working in various settings including medical, criminal justice, school-based, foster/adoption support, international social work and with non-profit entities. I have served in roles ranging from case-management support to Executive Director to therapist. This has given me the ability to develop social work skills at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels. I am excited to be a part of the UT Tyler Social Work team helping students obtain the skills and confidence necessary to become successful in life and as Social Work practitioners.

Primary Employment Areas

Child Services

Family & School

Healthcare

Mental Health & Substance Abuse

Social Worker Teaching

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Accreditation

At its February 2024 meeting, the Board of Accreditation (BOA) of the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) reviewed the UT Tyler Social Work Program's Benchmark 3 and Initial Accreditation materials for its baccalaureate program. The BOA decided to 'Grant Initial Accreditation' through February 2032.

For additional information about the value and benefits of CSWE Accreditation, please visit https://www.cswe.org/accreditation/about/value-benefits/

Mission Statement

The mission of the Baccalaureate Social Work Program at the University of Texas at Tyler is to educate and prepare students for generalist social work practice. The Program seeks to develop ethical and culturally competent practitioners who will serve and empower diverse individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Attuned to the core values presented in the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics, the Program is committed to promoting human rights as well as economic and social justice through advocacy efforts locally, regionally, and globally. With a focus on quality teaching, research, technology, and service, the BSW Program endeavors to provide students with balanced life-changing learning experiences including the school's classroom, experiential activities, and field education components to help them enhance the well-being of individuals, families, and groups they will serve locally, regionally, and globally. The Program also prides itself in providing students with leadership skills that they will ultimately utilize to address the needs of vulnerable, impoverished, and underserved populations in the East Texas region and beyond.