If you’re a practicing or prospective social worker, you may be aware that veterans are one of the largest groups supported by social services in the U.S. In fact, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs reports that V.A. organizations are the largest employer of social workers in the country, employing over seventeen thousand social workers nationwide.
Social workers who work with veterans can assist with a large variety of causes that impact those who have served in the armed forces. These can include mental health challenges and physical disabilities that are the result of their time in the service, as well as the host of problems that can arise as a result of these issues, such as difficulty securing employment, homelessness, health care issues, and more.
The needs of veterans are highly specific, and those who rely on social service organizations to help them with their challenges can benefit in particular from the support of people who truly understand what they are dealing with. For this reason, veterans themselves can be particularly effective as social workers, drawing upon a firsthand understanding of the issues that non-veteran social workers can only imagine.
If you’re a veteran who wishes to start a career as a social worker, good news: there are many programs out there to specifically help get you started on your professional trajectory.
This includes everything from providing funding for education to supporting you in the licensing process and helping you secure your first employment opportunities. These include, but are not limited to, state and federal benefits for veterans, whose offerings can be of great benefit to veterans but can be confusing or difficult to access on one’s own.
This guide is intended specifically for veterans who wish to become social workers, providing information on key social worker resources for veterans, such as government programs that exist to support veterans’ career goals as well as independent programs that can further support veterans in their search for employment. If you’re a veteran who is motivated to channel your experience toward supporting others who have served, read on.
Overview: Requirements to Become a Social Worker in Texas
In learning about the available resources to support becoming a social worker as a veteran, it may be helpful to know what is required to start a social work career. Though veterans can receive unique forms of support on their educational and professional journey, they are still expected to fulfill the same requirements as any other social worker.
Education Requirements
In Texas, those who hold the full responsibilities of social worker positions must hold a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from an accredited institution. This is a graduate-level degree, meaning applicants must already hold a bachelor’s degree in any subject in order to qualify.
Full-time MSW programs typically take two years to complete, while part-time programs tend to take three. In this day and age, there are excellent accredited programs available online, making it easier than ever to pursue a social work degree no matter what your other circumstances are.
If you do not yet hold a bachelor’s degree, obtaining one will be the first step in your educational journey. If you are in this position but are certain you wish to become a social worker eventually, you can expedite this process by pursuing a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree. A BSW program will expose you to much of the information included in a Master of Social Work program. Though you will still be required to obtain an MSW degree after receiving your BSW, the coursework you have completed as an undergraduate will allow you to shave off one year of your graduate schooling, allowing you to complete your MSW program in a single year and get your social work career started as quickly as possible.
Texas State Social Work Licensure
In order to practice social work in the state of Texas, one must hold a valid social work license at whatever level of the field you wish to practice.
It is not possible to become a social worker in Texas without a social work license, so obtaining licensure should be your first priority as an aspiring social worker.
In order to qualify to take your licensure exam, you must already hold a Master of Social Work degree, meaning you must complete your graduate education before pursuing a social work license.
There are two primary types of social work license in Texas whose requirements are slightly different from one another. These licenses primarily differ from one another in the responsibilities they allow you to take as a social work professional. The two license types are, in brief:
- Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW). This level of social work license authorizes practitioners to perform any social work role outside of therapy and counseling (also known as clinical practice). This license is ideal for those who wish to perform case management, administrative services, and other managerial roles within social work organizations. They can also be involved in outreach, programming, and educational initiatives. Those who have completed MSW programs are immediately eligible to take the state’s LMSW licensing exam, with no additional field work required.
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). This license level is authorized to provide therapy and counseling of all types to individuals, families, and groups. If you know that offering counseling is one of the key responsibilities you wish to hold as a social worker, you will need to obtain your LCSW license in order to do so. In order to take the Texas LCSW exam, one must complete 3,000 hours (approximately two years) of supervised field work upon finishing their Master of Social Work program.
To learn more about social work license types and their respective requirements, take a look at our guide here.
Resources to Support Your Education as a Veteran
It may be daunting to learn of the extensive educational requirements in place for social workers in Texas, but fortunately for veterans, there are many initiatives at the state and federal level – as well as independent programs – that can help you fund your education and pursue your career goals.
Though there are several options available to help cover the cost of school, it can be difficult for veterans to navigate the sometimes confusing programs available to support them.
Below is a list of a few of the top resources for social work students who are veterans that you can make use of to advance your educational and professional goals.
The Texas Veterans Hazlewood Act
A benefit unique to the state of Texas, the Hazlewood Act exempts Texas-based veterans at public colleges and universities in the state, covering up to 150 credit hours. This is a fantastic opportunity that can help motivated veterans in Texas complete their schooling at the lowest possible cost, potentially allowing you to bypass tuition altogether.
Thanks to the Hazlewood Act Legacy Program, veterans and active-duty military members who have been incapacitated by service-related injuries or illness can also transfer these benefits to their children and spouses, who will receive the same 150 credit hour coverage as their veteran family members.
The Post-9/11 G.I. Bill
Created in the aftermath of September 11th, 2001, the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill specifically exists to help veterans who have served after that date fund their schooling or other forms of professional development, such as skill-building training. While anyone who served in the armed forces after 9/11/2001 is eligible to receive some form of support, it will not be provided automatically; rather, one must apply for it, providing information about your goals and needs to help determine your funding package.
The money provided to you through the G.I. Bill can cover the following:
- Degree program tuition and fees, with qualifying students receiving full tuition for public, in-state institutions
- Funding to help cover the cost of housing (only available for students in school on at least a half-time schedule)
- Funding for books and other school supplies
- Funding to help cover relocation costs (for students who intend to move in order to attend school)
The funding you’ll receive through the G.I. Bill is determined on a need-based basis, meaning different applicants will receive different amounts of funding.
The Montgomery G.I. Bill
The Montgomery G.I. Bill, also commonly known as Chapter 30, provides up to 36 months of education and professional training benefits for veterans, including tuition coverage for degree programs as well as other educational opportunities such as apprenticeships, certificate programs, and remedial education courses. These benefits are available to military members within ten years of their release from the service.
The Montgomery G.I. Bill is available to active-duty military members who fit the program’s specific criteria (read more on that here) as well as to members of the Selected Reserve. Applications will differ depending on your membership status, so be sure to take a careful look to see which of these programs you are eligible for.
The Yellow Ribbon Program
Those who qualify for 100% coverage from the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill are also eligible to apply for the Yellow Ribbon Program, overseen by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Exclusively available to fund higher learning opportunities, this can cover all fees that the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill is not able to cover, such as tuition at private institutions or out-of-state public universities. If you are a candidate for full coverage from the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill, it is well worth your time to pursue funding from this program as well.
Get Help Navigating Your Benefits with Military OneSource
Though there are many public programs (such as the ones listed above) to help support veterans achieve their educational and professional goals, it can be difficult to navigate the complex bureaucratic procedures these programs involve. To help veterans make the most of their benefits, veterans can turn to Military OneSource, an initiative of the U.S. Department of Defense that provides hands-on support to help veterans and active duty members (as well as their families) find the opportunities that they are eligible for.
These offerings include one-on-one consultations with expert professionals who can provide the focused attention you might need to determine which programs are the best avenues for you to pursue. If you’re a veteran who wishes to maximize on your government benefits – which you are highly encouraged to do – this should be the first step of your process when seeking funding opportunities.
Other Social Worker Resources for Veterans
Outside of state and federal institutions, there are several other social work career resources for veterans that can be instrumental in securing the funding and assistance you need to make your goals a reality.
A national-level organization, Student Veterans of America has an enormous network of on-campus chapters (numbering more than 1,600 nationwide) specifically designed for veteran students. By facilitating connections between veteran students, these groups foster community among people with shared experiences, which can also be a terrific avenue for sharing opportunities unique to veterans.
This state-run commission is an excellent source of information and other supportive resources for veterans in Texas, including annual grants, skill-building and leadership initiatives, mental health services, and more. If you’re a Texas-based veteran, it’s highly advised to consult this website for a consolidated list of resources that may benefit you.
The Texas Veterans Leadership Program
Overseen by the Texas Workforce Commission, the Texas Veterans Leadership Program is a resource and referral service that can help Texas-based veterans find support for a variety of needs, including employment, training, mental health support, general healthcare, and more. It can also connect veterans with others who have served in the military to form supportive communities of people with shared interests and issues.
FAQs
How do I know which veterans programs I am eligible for?
Every veteran has unique qualifications that entitle them to different benefits from government programs. The best way to learn which ones apply to you personally is to consult with an expert at Military OneSource, a government program that offers one-on-one support to veterans to help them determine which programs they are a candidate for.
Are veterans expected to complete the same social worker requirements as non-veterans?
Yes. In the state of Texas, all social workers must hold MSW degrees and the relevant license for their professional responsibilities. This includes veterans who wish to enter the social work field. However, veterans can uniquely benefit from the funding programs outlined in the guide above.
Can I pursue an MSW if I don’t yet hold a bachelor’s degree?
No. If you don’t yet hold a bachelor’s degree, the first step of your educational journey will be to obtain one. Those who are committed to pursuing careers in social work are advised to pursue Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degrees, which will allow them to bypass the first year of their MSW program and obtain their license more quickly than if they held a different type of bachelor’s degree.