Help Along Your Way
To a career in Child Welfare

The Department of Social Work at Texas A&M University-Commerce, in collaboration with the Texas Department of Family & Protective Services(DFPS), is providing opportunities for students interested in a career in Child Protective Services to receive an educational stipend. The stipend is available to eligible applicants in exchange for a commitment to employment with DFPS-Child Protective Services. The employment commitment begins upon graduation from the BSW or MSW program at Texas A&M Commerce.

The Child Protective Student Training (CPST) program is a federally funded initiative created to enhance the practice of child welfare by graduating professional social workers to be employed in Child Protective Services.

Student Information

Educational Stipends are available to students that have been admitted to the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) or Master of Social Work (MSW) programs at Texas A&M-Commerce. Students receiving a stipend must complete their field placement setting at a Child Protective Service office and be able to complete the training modules required for employment with Child Protective Services. Students who make application to the program will undergo a criminal background check and personal interview. Students who are accepted in the stipend program must maintain eligibility for employment while receiving a stipend.

Curriculum Requirements

Students admitted to the BSW program at Texas A&M-Commerce who receive a stipend are required to meet all course work requirements of the BSW program and complete one of the following electives: (1) Child Welfare; (2) Families in Crisis; (3) Careers Working with Children.

MSW students will have individualized degree plans to meet the specific needs of TDPRS-CPS and the student.

TDPRS-CPS
Employee Information

 Educational stipends are provided to Child Protective Service practitioners admitted to the MSW program at Texas A&M-Commerce. Employees must maintain employment and eligibility requirements during the time they are enrolled as students. Employees are encouraged to contact their supervisors for information on being approved to receive a stipend.