The 12 Best MSW Programs in Texas for 2026

If you are interested in counseling people in the state of Texas, you might also want to consider a career as a social worker. If you hold the highest license, the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), you can provide therapeutic services. LMSWs can work under a licensed psychologist or therapist but cannot provide services on their own.

The path to becoming a social worker involved master’s level education, so we put together a list of the best MSW programs we could find in Texas. Nationally, employment for social workers is set to grow 7 percent nationwide over the next decade, so this is a great and varied career to step into.

We’ll take you through programs that have online options and campus-based programs, so you can find the best fit for you.

1. University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) – MSW Program

Our first choice is UTSA’s MSW program, which has full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education through 2028, with reaffirmation completed in 2021. U.S. News and World Report ranks it among the top 100 MSW programs nationwide. The program centers on transformative, culturally competent social work practice through its College for Health, Community and Policy at the Downtown Campus.

Class times: Evenings and some day options

Passage rates on the state licensing exam exceed national averages.

Program tracks:

1. The 60-credit traditional track serves students without a BSW degree and requires 900 field hours. Full-time students complete this track in seven semesters (just over two years), while part-time enrollment extends to ten semesters (about three years).
2. The 36-credit advanced standing track accepts applicants with a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program and requires 450 field hours. This accelerated option takes four semesters full-time or six semesters part-time. All students must complete the program within six years from start, with the option to pause coursework when needed by working with the Graduate Advisor of Record.

Admissions

• Official transcripts
• Narrative statement (maximum 1,250 words or five pages)
• Three department recommendation forms and documentation of professional and volunteer experiences
• 0 cumulative GPA in your last 60 credit hours of coursework
• Advanced standing applicants also need a reference letter from their BSW field director or program director, plus a copy of their BSW field evaluation form. The BSW degree must be from a CSWE-accredited program completed within five years of application. This extends to ten years for those with current licensure and post-BSW practice experience.
• International students need TOEFL iBT scores of 79 or IELTS scores of 6.5, taken within two years.

Application deadlines fall on June 15 for fall admission and October 15 for spring admission.

Tuition rates

• Texas resident graduate students pay $9,906 a year for full-time enrollment (9 credit hours) or $6,844 for part-time (6 credit hours).
• Non-resident tuition reaches $28,134 full-time and $19,116 part-time.

The total estimated cost of attendance for off-campus living totals $29,658 full-time or $26,294 part-time. Financial aid options are things like the Gloria Glenn Reedy Endowed Scholarship for Social Work, which requires full-time enrollment and a minimum 3.0 GPA.

FAFSA code 010115.

Licensing

UTSA provides a free licensure preparation course during your final semester that prepares you for the LMSW exam and subsequent LCSW supervision process. Graduates pursue careers in policy advocacy, community organizing and clinical counseling at healthcare facilities, non-profits and government agencies. Work settings span veteran services, substance-use treatment, mental health intervention and hospitals.

Unique Program Features

The curriculum emphasizes culturally competent practice along the micro-mezzo-macro continuum and prepares you for intervention at multiple service levels. Field practicum requires 12-15 hours weekly for four semesters, with placements arranged through partnerships with San Antonio organizations. Year-round programming has fall, spring and summer sessions. Evening classes meet once weekly during regular semesters and twice weekly during five-week summer sessions.

2. University of North Texas (UNT) – MSW Program

Our next program is througt UNT. The UNT Department of Social Work launched its independent Master of Social Work program in fall 2024 after years of running a successful joint program with Texas Woman’s University. The Council on Social Work Education granted full accreditation to this program. The program operates from the Denton campus and prepares advanced generalist social workers for ethical practice in a variety of settings. The mission centers on addressing complex issues and promoting social and economic justice for vulnerable populations.

Program Tracks and Duration

No BSW: Students without a BSW degree follow the traditional track and complete 60 credit hours with 900 practicum hours through two placements (400 hours first year, 500 hours second year).

Full-time students finish in two years, while an extended option allows completion over six semesters.

With a BSW: Students with a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program earned within five years qualify for advanced standing. They complete 30 credit hours in one year with a single 500-hour practicum. An extended advanced standing option spans three semesters. Traditional students attend classes on campus every Monday. Advanced standing students attend every Wednesday.

Admissions

• 0 minimum GPA for your last 60 coursework hours
• No GRE scores are required
• Three essay responses, each limited to 500 words. These essays address your professional goals and your plan for balancing practicum demands with personal responsibilities.
• Three professional references are required, though letters are unnecessary unless faculty request them during review.

The priority deadline for Spring admission is August 1. Advanced standing applicants need their BSW from a CSWE-accredited institution completed within five years.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Texas resident graduate students enrolled in 9 credit hours per semester face annual costs of approximately $8,700 for tuition and fees. Total cost of attendance for off-campus living reaches $28,376 per year. The department awards the Fannie Belle Gaupp Scholarship and Social Work/Title IV-E Child Welfare Scholarship each year. Submit your FAFSA to access federal aid options.

Unique Program Features

Field practicum operates during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.) and requires 30-35 hours weekly in agency settings. The program partners with nearly 100 agencies throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Transfer credits from other CSWE-accredited MSW programs are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, with a maximum of 9 hours accepted.

3. Tarleton State University – MSW Program

Another add-on to our list – Tarleton State University operates its MSW program across three Texas locations: Stephenville, Fort Worth, and Waco. The program specializes in Advanced Integrative Social Work Practice and prepares practitioners to address health disparities and social inequalities through evidence-based approaches. You can choose from in-person, online, or hybrid course formats that fit your schedule. The program maintains full CSWE accreditation and achieved a 100% first-time pass rate on the state licensing exam in 2018.

Tracks

Two pathways lead to your MSW degree.

1. The foundational track serves students without a BSW degree or those whose BSW was conferred more than 10 years ago and requires 60 credit hours. Full-time enrollment completes this track in two years, while part-time students finish in three years.
2. The advanced standing track accepts applicants holding a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program within the last 10 years and requires just 30 credit hours. Full-time students can complete this accelerated option in as quickly as eight months, or one year at the standard pace.

Admission Requirements

• Minimum 2.5 GPA
• You don’t need GRE scores
• Advanced standing applicants must hold a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program earned within 10 years with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
• International students need TOEFL paper scores of 520 or iBT scores of 69, or IELTS scores of 6.

Application deadlines: August 15 for fall admission and January 5 for spring admission.

The program received 114 applications, accepted 82 students, and enrolled 64 in a recent admissions cycle.

Tuition and Financial Aid

• Texas residents pay $5,085 for 6 credit hours per semester in 2026-2027, while non-residents pay $2,524. Annual tuition for in-state students totals around $4,356.
• Submit your FAFSA using school code 003631.
• Program-specific scholarships include the Herbert H. Jarrett Social Work Scholarship and Donald Cawley Social Work Endowed Scholarship.

Unique Program Features

The curriculum covers policy, gerontology, mental health, substance abuse, and child welfare. Study abroad opportunities let you complete internships and courses that count toward degree requirements. Evening classes accommodate working professionals, with summer courses also available for faster completion.

4. Baylor University – Garland School of Social Work

Baylor University is another good program. Baylor’s Diana R. Garland School of Social Work delivers its fully CSWE-accredited MSW through both on-campus classes in Waco and a complete online format. You can choose the learning environment that fits your location and schedule. The program distinguishes itself by integrating a 10th competency centered on religion, spirituality, and philosophical perspectives in social work practice, beyond the nine competencies required by CSWE accreditation. This philosophy prepares compassionate change-makers who address social justice, healing, and human dignity. Both Clinical Practice and Community Practice specializations prepare you for career paths of all types, from mental health counseling to nonprofit administration.

Program

• Standard track students complete 58 credit hours over multiple timeframes: four terms (16 months), six terms (2 years), eight terms (32 months), or ten terms (40 months).
• Advanced standing students with a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program earned within five years complete 30 credit hours in three to five terms. The program requires 1,030 total internship hours standard students complete across four terms at approximately 20 hours weekly.

Students on campus begin only in August, whereas online cohorts start in spring, summer, or fall.

Admission Requirements

• $45 fee
• Three recommendation letters (at least one from an academic professor for standard applicants)
• Transcripts,
• Essay responses
• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with the degree finished by July 15 for fall admission.
• Advanced standing requires a minimum 3.0 overall GPA, 3.0 in social work courses, and minimum B grades in all practice and field courses, plus a final practicum evaluation.

Tuition and Financial Aid

FormatRate per Credit HourStandard Track TotalAdvanced Standing Total

Submit your FAFSA using code 003545 and access federal loans and institutional aid.

Unique Program Features

Small classes provide customized faculty mentorship and individualized practicum placements that engage you. The dedicated placement team secures field sites within a 75-mile radius, and this helps online students serve their own community. Live online classes meet once weekly for 90-120 minutes, Tuesday through Thursday evenings from 5:30-9:00 p.m. CST typically.

5. University of Houston – MSW Program

One of the oldest programs on our list, the Texas Legislature created the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work in 1967. The program has managed to keep full Council on Social Work Education accreditation since 1970. You can select from three enrollment formats: Face-to-Face classes meet on the main UH campus during weekdays. Hybrid sessions blend online coursework with campus meetings 1-2 Saturdays monthly at UH Sugar Land. The 100% Online option allows nationwide participation without campus visits.

Program

• Full Program students complete 51 semester credit hours with 900 practicum hours.
• Face-to-Face enrollment finishes in two years full-time.
• Hybrid and Online formats require three years part-time.
• Advanced Standing applicants holding a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program complete 34 semester credit hours with 500 practicum hours. This accelerated track takes one year full-time or two years part-time.

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
• Official transcripts
• 2-3 professional or academic recommendations
• Personal statement addressing your social work interest and justice commitment
• Resume
• Advanced Standing applicants must have their BSW completed within five years, extending to ten years with current licensure.
• TOEFL iBT scores of 79 or IELTS scores of 6.5 are required for international students.
• Application fees are $50 domestic and $80 international.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Online students have additional distance education fees. Scholarships include the Charlotte Campbell Scholarship ($3,000) and UH GCSW Alumni Association Scholarship ($3,000). Non-Texas residents receiving scholarships of $1,000 or more qualify for in-state tuition rates.

Unique Program Features

The curriculum begins with a 15-credit foundation covering professional social work, practice, policy, research, and human behavior. You then choose between Clinical Practice or Macro Practice specializations. Both are available in all enrollment formats. Four optional focus areas include Health and Behavioral Health, Political Social Work, Social Work Practice with Latinos, and Individualized tracks.

6. Texas State University – MSW Program

Texas State University’s School of Social Work delivers its MSW through a liberal arts framework that prepares you for advanced practice in many different service delivery fields. The program holds full Council on Social Work Education accreditation, with graduates eligible for state licensure. You can complete the degree on-campus at the San Marcos location or online, both taught with the same cirriculum and core faculty. The major in Advanced Practice Leadership merges direct practice and administrative coursework and emphasizes social justice and professional ethics throughout.

Program

The Foundation/Regular track requires 62 credit hours for students without a BSW degree and takes seven consecutive semesters full-time or eleven semesters part-time online to complete.

Advanced Standing students with a CSWE-accredited BSW earned within the last 10 years complete 36 credit hours in four semesters full-time or six semesters part-time. Field practicum totals 900 hours for regular students (360 foundation hours plus 540 advanced hours) and 540 hours for advanced standing students.

Full-time programs operate on-campus only, whereas online formats accommodate both full-time and part-time enrollment.

Admission Requirements

• 9 GPA overall or in your last 60 undergraduate hours
• No GRE scores are required
• Statement of purpose
• Resume (maximum two pages)
• Interview participation
• International applicants need TOEFL iBT scores of 78, IELTS scores of 6.5 (with individual module scores of 6.0 minimum), PTE scores of 52, Duolingo scores of 110, or TOEFL Essentials scores of 8.5.

The priority deadline falls on January 1, for Fall admission.

Tuition and Financial Aid

• Texas residents pay $9,020 a year for 9 credit hours per semester
• Non-residents pay $16,720.
• Submit your FAFSA using code 003615 to access federal aid.
• Scholarships include the Dorothy Jean and Walter Richter Endowed Scholarship (up to $340), Karen Brown Social Work Endowed Scholarship (up to $200), and Molina Scholarship (up to $700) for students who show commitment to LGBTQ+ populations.
• Title IV-E Child Welfare Partnership Stipends provide funding in exchange for post-graduation work in public child welfare.

Unique Program Features

The curriculum offers specialized electives in healthcare, diversity, international social work and gerontology, along with spirituality and adventure therapy. Classes meet in evenings, with twice-weekly sessions during five-week summer terms. The Paul D. Coverdell Fellowship supports returned Peace Corps Volunteers, with applications due January 1.

7. University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) – MSW Program

The School of Social Work at UTA graduated its first MSW class in 1970 and received CSWE accreditation that same year. The program delivers coursework online in a fully asynchronous format. Both on-campus and online students receive the same degree. Texas residents can enroll, as can U.S. military personnel and students from all 50 states through the Distance Learning Out-of-State Online program. Faculty members maintain private practices and affiliations with clinical settings. This brings ground experience into instruction.

Program

• Traditional Standing students complete 61 credit hours over 2-4 years. They complete two practicum placements totaling 900 hours.
• Advanced Standing students with a BSW from a CSWE-accredited institution earned in or after 2010 complete 38 credit hours in about one year with 500 practicum hours.

Over 65% of UTA’s MSW students are Traditional Standing non-BSW graduates.

Admission Requirements

• 0 GPA in your last 60 undergraduate credits to qualify for Quick Admissions
• GRE scores are not required
• Advanced Standing requires grade B or higher in all undergraduate social work courses
• International students need TOEFL iBT scores of 79 (Writing 22, Speaking 21, Reading 20, Listening 16), IELTS 6.5, or Duolingo 100

Tuition and Financial Aid

Out-of-state online students pay Texas resident tuition plus $20 per credit hour. This represents 40-50% savings compared to typical non-resident rates.

Unique Program Features

Five specialty areas include Mental Health & Substance Abuse, Aging, Children & Families, Health, and Macro-Practice. You access more than 400 partner agencies to complete field placements. Rolling admissions operate with no application deadlines, though priority dates determine scholarship eligibility.

8. Our Lady of the Lake University – MSW Program

The Worden School of Social Service at Our Lady of the Lake University was Texas’s first social work education institution when it opened in 1942. CSWE accreditation has remained continuous since 1945. U.S. News & World Report placed it #95 in the nation and #6 in Texas for 2024. The program is one of only three in the United States addressing Hispanic children and families.

Program Tracks and Duration

• Foundation students complete 57 credit hours over two to three years (accelerated or part-time). They must complete 950 field hours.
• Advanced Standing applicants with CSWE-accredited BSW degrees finish 30 credit hours in 12 to 20 months. You’ll need 500 field hours.

Both pathways operate 100% online with asynchronous delivery.

Admission Requirements

• Foundation applicants need a 2.5 GPA overall or 3.0 on the last 60 credits
• Advanced Standing requires a 3.0 GPA. No GRE scores are needed. Applications include transcripts, a personal statement, three recommendations and a professional resume.
• Priority deadlines fall on May 15 for Foundation (fall start) and April 1 for Advanced Standing (summer start).

Tuition and Financial Aid

Military members and veterans receive a 10% tuition discount as a Yellow Ribbon School. OLLU meets 88% of students’ financial needs.

Unique Program Features

Classes operate in seven-week terms with weekly due dates. Each course requires 15-20 hours. Field placement specialists arrange practicum sites in your geographic location. The concentration emphasizes culturally competent practice with America’s fastest-growing demographic community.

9. Texas A&M University – MSW Program

East Texas A&M University (formerly Texas A&M-Commerce) offers a 100% online, asynchronous MSW program that holds full CSWE accreditation, granted in 2001. The advanced generalist viewpoint provides understanding in multiple social work areas and prepares you for LMSW practice. The curriculum emphasizes clinical intervention, trauma-informed practice, and mental health assessment.

Program Tracks and Duration

• Foundation students complete 57 credit hours over two years full-time.
• Advanced Standing applicants with CSWE-accredited BSW degrees finish 33 credit hours in one year full-time. Working professionals can choose part-time options.

Field requirements span 400-500 hours based on your track.

Admission Requirements

• 8 GPA overall or in your last 60 academic hours
• Three professional references
• Resume detailing work or volunteer experience
• Submit a critical thinking essay addressing your MSW interest, a social problem analysis, and your diversity experience
• $30 application fee

Tuition and Financial Aid

Texas residents pay $3,669 per semester (9 credit hours), whereas non-residents pay $7,341. Additional fees include $50 per hour for online courses. Financial aid, scholarships, and graduate assistantships are funding options. Title IV-E Child Welfare stipends are also available.

Unique Program Features

The Title IV-E Child Welfare Program offers four stipends each semester for specialized child welfare training. Asynchronous online delivery allows flexible scheduling while maintaining academic standards.

10. Stephen F. Austin State University – MSW Program

SFA’s School of Social Work received CSWE accreditation for its graduate program in 1998. The mission is to prepare social workers for advanced generalist practice in rural communities and with populations affected by rural lifestyles. You can complete coursework at the Nacogdoches campus. Advanced standing students access an online option.

Program Tracks and Duration

• Nonadvanced students complete 64 credit hours in two years full-time or up to four years part-time.
• Advanced standing requires 35 credit hours, available online with optional face-to-face classes. Advanced placement requires a CSWE-accredited BSW.

Admissions

• 5 overall GPA and 3.0 in your last 60 hours
• Transcripts
• Three reference letters
• Supplemental form
• Written statement
• Deadlines fall on June 1 for Summer advanced standing and August 1 for Fall nonadvanced admission.

Tuition

Annual tuition is $11,128 for Texas residents and $23,428 for non-residents. Title IV-E Child Welfare Partnership stipends fund select students through federally supported fieldwork.

Unique Program Features

The rural context specialization addresses poverty and justice issues in non-metropolitan regions. Field instruction partnerships with Texas Department of Family and Protective Services provide unique practicum opportunities.

11. Texas Woman’s University – MSW Program

TWU’s Master of Social Work achieved full CSWE accreditation in June 2024. The hybrid online format blends flexibility with in-person learning. About half of your courses meet online (synchronously or asynchronously) and the other half require weekly campus attendance. This accessibility supports a variety of learning styles and personal commitments.

Program

• The Generalist track requires 60 credits for students without a CSWE-accredited BSW. You can complete it in two years full-time or four years part-time.
• Advanced Standing applicants with BSW degrees earned within seven years finish 30 credits in one year full-time or two years part-time. BSW practitioners with continuous licensure for over seven years may qualify for Advanced Standing. Each case gets reviewed individually.

Admission Requirements

• 0 GPA in your last 60 undergraduate hours
• Resume
• Personal statement
• Official transcripts
• Three recommendation letters
• Interviews may be needed in some circumstances.
• International students need TOEFL iBT scores of 79 or IELTS scores of 6.5.
• Domestic application deadlines are March 1 for fall admission and November 1 for spring.

Tuition

• Texas residents enrolled full-time (12 credit hours) pay $6,102.
• Non-residents pay $11,022 for Generalist students.
• Advanced Standing full-time students (15 credit hours) have costs of $7,494 for residents and $13,644 for non-residents.
• Submit your FAFSA by January 15

Unique Program Features

The Advanced Generalist Practice curriculum gives you the tools for multilevel, multimethod approaches in complex environments. Generalist students complete 900 practicum hours and Advanced Standing students complete 500 hours. Practice courses meet in person once weekly. Some evening options are available.

12. University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) – MSW Program

If you are in or near El Paso, you can look at UTEP’s MSW program which is the nation’s only degree with a concentration in Social Work in the Border Region and prepares practitioners to address social and health needs along the U.S.-Mexico border. The Council on Social Work Education granted full accreditation, reaffirmed most recent in 2013. The program began in 2010 and enrolls 70-80 students. You can complete coursework online through synchronous evening and weekend classes or attend on-campus sessions.

Program

• Standard tracks require 60 credits over two years full-time (5-6 semesters) or three years part-time (7-9 semesters), with 920 field hours.
• Advanced Standing students complete 30 credits in one year (3 semesters) with 460 field hours.

All cohorts begin in June, with classes offered late afternoons (starting 3:00 p.m.), evenings (starting 6:00 p.m.), or Saturdays.

Admissions

• 0 cumulative GPA for standard admission
• Advanced Standing requires a CSWE-accredited BSW earned within five years and a 3.5 GPA in social work courses.
• Prerequisites include undergraduate statistics (within five years, grade C or better) and biology, anatomy, or physiology (grade C or better).
• Applications open September 1 through January 31.
• No GRE scores are required.

Tuition and Financial Aid

All students pay $510 per credit hour no matter their residency status.

Unique Program Features

Faculty member Eva Moya, Ph.D., brings over 35 years of border health and social justice expertise. Students get involved in research addressing HPV/HIV, homelessness, intimate partner violence, and migrant health. The curriculum emphasizes culturally grounded practice within the bi-cultural, bi-national Paso del Norte region and covers child welfare, family violence, immigration, and criminal justice.

Find Your Program Today

Hopefully, this guide helps you narrow down some of the MSW programs here in Texas. You may find one not on this list, and that’s great, too. You’ll need to check accreditation and other requirements to make sure you meet all the licensing expectations, but ultimately, you just need a program that has good curriculum and field placements, affordable tuition and good instructors. Congrats, you are on your way!