Application for Social Work Majors

Please note the following information and observe the following procedures carefully if applying for the DCS BSW/BSSW Tuition Assistance Program.

Failure to fully complete and submit application materials by the deadlines listed could result in disqualification or delays to your admittance to the Program.

Please be sure to provide an accurate email address, in that, most communications will occur via email. 

Pre-Requisites

To be eligible to apply for admission to the DCS BSW/BSSW Tuition Assistance Program, students must:

• Be a U.S citizen or, if a qualified alien, provide documentation of their eligibility for work in the U.S. for the duration of their study and corresponding employment obligation to DCS prior to receiving tuition assistance.
• Possess a valid driver's license, automobile insurance and reliable transportation undergo a background check and fingerprinting.
• Have been admitted into an accredited Social Work Program at a participating university.
• Have no more than four but no less than three semesters remaining before graduating with an undergraduate social work degree.
• Possess a strong desire and commitment to work as a front-line case manager with the Tennessee Department of Children's Services immediately upon graduation with a BSW degree.

Application Deadlines

Fall Semester – June 15

Application Procedure and Materials

Please note the following information and observe the following eight steps carefully if applying for the DCS BSW/BSSW Tuition Assistance Program. Applicants will be assessed on the strength of their recommendations, GPA, writing sample, and completeness of application materials. Students who submit the strongest applications based on these criteria will be asked to interview at a regional DCS office. Regional leadership will review the applications and background screens and then make decisions about which candidates are selected for the program.

Failure to fully complete and submit application materials by the deadlines listed could result in disqualification or delays to your admittance to the Program. 

• Complete the application for the DCS BSW-BSSW Tuition Assistance Program.
• Complete the application essay.

• Request at least three recommendations using the following form (instructions for preparations noted on the form): Student Reference Recommendation for the Tuition Assistance Program.
• Official academic transcripts.
• Complete the following two forms needed to perform a criminal background check.
  • CS-0319-Application for Service as a Volunteer
  • CS-0978-Authorization for Release of Information
• Schedule a consultation with your social work academic advisor and complete the following form: Plan of Study-Tuition Assistance Program.
• Read carefully and feel free to ask questions prior to signing: Program Agreement for the BSW-BSSW Tuition Program.
• Complete the form giving DCS permission to perform fingerprint background checks if you are asked to be interviewed: Fingerprint Application.

Directions for Completing the Essay

Take some time to read through the DCS website and the Child Welfare Information Gateway and then answer the following questions based on the information you learned. Please address each question with a short essay. Your essay should be no longer than 5 pages.

• What are some of the responsibilities of child welfare case managers?
• Why are you interested in pursuing a career in public child welfare?
• Discuss areas where you need further exposure, growth, and development in order to become an effective child welfare worker.
• Please provide a brief description of the main responsibilities of the Department of Children’s Services has in each of the following program areas:
  •  Child Safety (Child Protective Services)
  • Juvenile Justice
  • Foster Care

What's Next?

Please complete all required documents and mail them in one package prior to the application deadlines. Successful completion of all application materials are required to be considered for entry into the DCS BSW/BSSW Tuition Assistance Program. Once complete, please send all application materials to:

Department of Children’s Services
Tuition Assistance Program
UBS Tower, 7th Floor
315 Deaderick Street 
Nashville, TN 37243