MSW Programs in Oklahoma

Oklahoma, known as the Sooner State, is derived from the Native American Choctaw words “okla” and “humma”, which means “red people.” Previously Native American territory, Oklahoma became the 46th state to enter the union on November 16, 1907. The capital and largest city in this state is Oklahoma City where, along with the city Tulsa, nearly two-thirds of Oklahomans live (1). The remainder of the population dots the mostly rural state as small towns.

Oklahoma is a major producer of natural gas, oil, and agricultural products. The state ranks third in the nation for the production of natural gas and fifth for the production of wheat (2).

Supporting Underserved Populations

Oklahoma has a higher-than-average Native American population. Approximately nine percent of the population is Native American, compared to the national average of 1.2 percent (3). The state is home to 55 Native American tribal communities (4). A 2014 AARP Tribal Community Survey of Native American Indians over age 40 revealed that older Native Americans in Oklahoma are struggling with the following issues: costs of living, access to adequate housing, healthy retirement and access to transportation (5).

Healthcare is an issue across the state; 94 percent of Oklahoma’s counties are listed as shortage areas for primary health professionals (6). While the typical American county has 220 doctors per capita, Oklahoma only has (on average) 76 doctors per 100,000 people (7). Mental health is also an issue in the state. Just under 22 percent of the state’s population has been diagnosed with mental illness (compared to the national average of 18.19 percent) and 5.24 percent of the state has been diagnosed with severe mental illness (again, compare this to the national average of 3.97 percent) (8).

Poverty is also a concern in Oklahoma, seeing as 16.6 percent of the population has an income that is under the poverty level (the national average is 14.9 percent), and the median household income is $44,891, which is lower than the national average of $53,046 (9). The biggest problems appear to be affecting the rural areas – which comprise most of the state. Many of the rural areas are extremely sparsely populated and lacking basic social services (10).

Getting Your Master’s of Social Work Degree

Are you thinking of studying to become a social worker in Oklahoma? If so, you may want to check out the University of Oklahoma’s Anne and Henry Zarrow School of Social Work, the top-rated school in the state (according to the 2014 US News & World Report school rankings) for a graduate program in social work (11).

If you plan on working in state after graduation, you might want to get involved with the Center for Social Work in Healthcare or the Child Welfare Professional Enhancement Program, both of which are offered through the Anne and Henry Zarrow School of Social Work (12).

Unfortunately, Oklahoma does not currently (as of June 2014) have a state loan repayment program. However, you may qualify for loan forgiveness through the National Health Service Corps loan forgiveness program (NHSC), a program that pays out incentive payments via loan forgiveness to social workers who work in “Health Professional Shortage Areas” (HPSA).

Employment Opportunities

The majority (4,960 of the 8,500) of the social workers employed in the state of Oklahoma work as child, family or school social workers. On average, these social workers are paid a median salary of $31,400 per year. Experts predict that job opportunities will continue to increase in this sector at a rate of 13 percent (13).

Mental health and substance abuse social workers in the state make slightly less than child, family and school social workers (the median salary is $30,200), but job opportunities in this sector are supposed to increase at a rate of 29 percent per year (14).

However, the best job opportunities in the state appear to be for healthcare social workers. As of 2013, the median salary was $41,100, and the job growth rate for healthcare workers is predicted to increase at a rate of 33 percent (15).

Licensure and Professional Development Resources

• Oklahoma Social Work License
• National Association of Social Workers, Oklahoma Chapter
• Oklahoma State Board of Licensed Social Workers
• Oklahoma School Social Work Association

Universities in Oklahoma Offering Master’s in Social Work Programs

• University of Oklahoma Norman Campus (MSW Program)

Sources Cited

1. State and County QuickFacts, 2014. United States Census Bureau. http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/40000.html
2. News Release: State Personal Income 2006, 2006. Bureau of Economic Analysis, US Department of Commerce. http://www.bea.gov/newsreleases/regional/spi/2007/spi0307.htm
3. State and County QuickFacts, 2014. United States Census Bureau. http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/40000.html
4. Oklahoma, 2014. Rural Assistance Center. http://www.raconline.org/states/oklahoma
5. Oklahoma Native Americans Say Health Problems Are Their Most Important Challenge, 2014. Edmond Sun. http://www.edmondsun.com/local/x493484380/Survey-Oklahoma-Native-Americans-say-health-problems-are-their-most-important-challenge
6. The Doctor is Not In, 2013. Oklahoma Watch. http://oklahomawatch.org/2013/08/31/the-doctor-is-not-in/
7. The Doctor is Not In, 2013. Oklahoma Watch. http://oklahomawatch.org/2013/08/31/the-doctor-is-not-in/
8. State Admissions to Substance Abuse Treatment Services, 2001 – 2011. Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration. http://www.samhsa.gov/data/DASIS/TEDS2011St_Web.pdf
9. State and County QuickFacts, 2014. United States Census Bureau. http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/40000.html
10. Oklahoma Population 2014, 2014. World Population Review. http://worldpopulationreview.com/states/oklahoma-population/
11. Graduate School Search – Social Work Programs, 2014. US News and World Report. http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/search?spp=10&program=top-social-work-schools&name=&zip=oklahoma&program_rank=Any&sort=&sortdir=
12. The Anne and Henry Zarrow School of Social Work, 2014. The University of Oklahoma. http://socialwork.ou.edu/
13. America’s Career InfoNet – Career Profile, 2014. Career One Stop. http://www.careerinfonet.org/occ_rep.asp?optstatus=011000000&soccode=211021&id=1&nodeid=2&stfips=40&search=Go
14. America’s Career InfoNet – Career Profile, 2014. Career One Stop. http://www.careerinfonet.org/occ_rep.asp?optstatus=011000000&soccode=211023&id=1&nodeid=2&stfips=40&search=Go
15. America’s Career InfoNet – Career Profile, 2014. Career One Stop. http://www.careerinfonet.org/occ_rep.asp?optstatus=011000000&soccode=211022&id=1&nodeid=2&stfips=40&search=Go