If you’re exploring MSW programs in Texas, it’s important to understand how program options, online formats, field education, and licensure fit together. This guide breaks down the state’s offerings and what prospective students should know as they move from MSW education toward social work licensure.
| Total MSW Programs | 25 |
| Online MSW Programs | 17 |
| CSWE-Accredited Programs | 22 |
| Programs Offering Advanced Standing | 23 |
MSW Programs in Texas at a Glance
| Institution | CSWE-Accredited | Online Option | Advanced Standing Option |
| Abilene Christian University | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Angelo State University | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Baylor University | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| East Texas A&M University | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Our Lady of the Lake University | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Prairie View A&M University | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Stephen F. Austin State University | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Tarleton State University | Yes | No | Yes |
| Texas A&M University-Kingsville | Yes | No | Yes |
| Texas A&M University-Texarkana | Yes | No | No |
| Texas Christian University | Yes | No | Yes |
| Texas State University | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Texas Tech University | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Texas Woman’s University | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| University of Houston | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| University of Houston-Downtown | No | Yes | Yes |
| University of North Texas | Yes | No | Yes |
| University of Texas at Arlington | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| University of Texas at Austin | Yes | No | Yes |
| University of Texas at El Paso | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| University of Texas at San Antonio | Yes | No | Yes |
| University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston | No | No | No |
| University of Texas of the Permian Basin | No | Yes | Yes |
| University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| West Texas A&M University | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Key Program Considerations
When comparing Master of Social Work programs in Texas, consider how each option fits your academic background, career goals, schedule, and budget. Program structure, field education, licensure preparation, and total cost can all affect overall fit.
Accreditation: Look for programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Students interested in distance learning can also compare CSWE-accredited online MSW programs when evaluating accredited options.
Program Types and Timelines: Compare traditional MSW programs with advanced standing options. Advanced standing is an accelerated pathway for eligible students who already hold a Bachelor of Social Work from an accredited program.
Program Format: Texas programs may be offered on campus, online, or in hybrid formats. Compare scheduling, residency requirements, synchronous or asynchronous coursework, and whether the format fits your work and personal responsibilities.
Curriculum and Specializations: Review required coursework, electives, concentrations, and specialization options. Comparing foundational and elective MSW courses can help you understand how programs balance generalist preparation with more focused study.
Field Education: Field placements provide supervised, hands-on experience and are a central part of MSW education. An MSW field placement requirements guide can help you compare placement expectations, scheduling, geographic availability, and school support.
Licensure Pathways: If you plan to become an LCSW, review how each program’s curriculum and field education align with Texas licensure requirements. Verify current state requirements for education, supervised experience, and examinations as part of your planning.
Career Goals and Program Fit: Consider whether a program supports your intended area of practice, such as clinical social work, healthcare, child and family services, community practice, policy, or administration. Reviewing Texas social work programs can also help you compare options across the state.
Admissions Requirements: Compare prerequisites, GPA expectations, application materials, references, and any experience requirements. An MSW admissions requirements guide can provide additional context when evaluating application standards.
Student Support and Flexibility: Look at advising, career services, academic support, field placement assistance, part-time enrollment options, and policies for students balancing school with employment or caregiving responsibilities.
Cost and Financial Aid: Tuition varies widely by institution type and program structure. See the section below for a breakdown of graduate tuition trends in Texas and how to interpret them when comparing MSW programs.
MSW Cost Considerations in Texas
Program costs can be presented in different ways, so comparing schools requires more than looking at a single tuition figure.
- Check how tuition is calculated. Schools may publish tuition per credit, per semester, per academic year, or as an estimated total program cost. Confirm the number of required credits before comparing programs.
- Consider the full cost of attendance. In addition to tuition, account for mandatory fees, textbooks, technology expenses, transportation, field placement costs, and possible reductions in work hours while completing coursework or internships.
- Factor in program length. Advanced standing students generally complete fewer credits than students in traditional MSW programs, which can reduce total tuition and related expenses.
- Compare public and private institutions carefully. Public universities may charge different rates for Texas residents and nonresidents, while private institutions generally use their own tuition structures. Scholarships, grants, and institutional aid can substantially affect what a student ultimately pays.
- Focus on total and net cost. Compare estimated program-wide expenses and available financial aid rather than assuming the school with the lowest published tuition will also have the lowest final cost.
Average Annual Graduate Tuition and Required Fees (2024-2025)
| Location | Public Graduate | Private Graduate |
| US | $12,116 | $21,110 |
| Texas | $8,472 | $19,421 |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), most recent available data as of 2026.
Some of the Top Online MSW Programs in Texas
The programs listed below represent some of the notable MSW options in Texas, with differences in curriculum and institutional setting that prospective students may want to consider. This list is not exhaustive, so students may also want to explore additional programs to identify options that align with their educational and professional goals.
| University of Houston | |
| Program Name | Master of Social Work (MSW) – Online |
| CSWE-Accredited | Yes |
| Online Options | Yes |
| Advance Standing Option | Yes |
| Program Format | Cohort-based online program designed for independent, self-motivated learners; courses have firm deadlines and due dates |
| Foundation Curriculum | 15 semester credit hours completed across two semesters, including practicum |
| Fieldwork Requirements | Minimum of 900 practicum hours; online students work with the Practicum Education Office to identify qualified agencies in their area |
| Program Focus | Generalist social work practice with emphasis on social, economic, and political justice and critical thinking |
| About the University | The University of Houston is a public research university located in Houston, Texas. It is the flagship institution of the University of Houston System and offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs across a broad range of fields. |
| The University of Texas at Arlington | |
| Program Name | Master of Social Work (MSW) |
| CSWE-Accredited | Yes |
| Online Options | Yes |
| Advance Standing Option | Yes |
| Program Format | In-person and online, with full-time and part-time options |
| Program Options | Traditional MSW, advanced standing, and dual-degree pathways |
| Fieldwork | Required field internships with access to more than 800 agencies |
| Program Focus | Prepares students for practice and leadership roles serving individuals, families, groups, and communities |
| About the University | The University of Texas at Arlington is a public research university located in Arlington, Texas. It is part of the University of Texas System and holds Carnegie R1 research designation. |
| Baylor University | |
| Program Name | Master of Social Work (MSW) |
| CSWE-Accredited | Yes |
| Online Options | Yes |
| Advance Standing Option | Yes |
| Credit Requirements | 58 credit hours for the standard program; 30 credit hours for advanced standing |
| Program Length | Standard program is typically completed in 2 years; advanced standing can be completed in as few as 12 months |
| Specializations | Clinical Practice or Community Practice |
| Program Focus | Combines foundational and advanced social work coursework with practicum education and a curriculum emphasizing social justice; the program also incorporates consideration of religion, spirituality, and philosophical perspectives in social work practice. |
| About the University | Baylor University is a private Christian research university located in Waco, Texas. It offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs across a broad range of disciplines. |
| Texas State University | |
| Program Name | Master of Social Work (MSW) |
| CSWE-Accredited | Yes |
| Online Options | Yes |
| Advance Standing Option | Yes |
| Program Format | Available both on campus and online; both formats use the same textbooks and curriculum and are taught by core faculty |
| Program Focus | Advanced social work practice, advocacy, and research across diverse needs and populations |
| Elective Topics | Health care, diversity, international social work, gerontology, spirituality, adventure therapy, and work with veterans |
| Licensure Preparation | Graduates are eligible for state licensure |
| About the University | Texas State University is a public university in San Marcos, Texas. It offers undergraduate and graduate programs across a broad range of academic fields. |
| Our Lady of the Lake University | |
| Program Name | Master of Social Work (MSW) |
| CSWE-Accredited | Yes |
| Online Options | Yes |
| Advance Standing Option | Yes |
| Credit Requirements | 57 credit hours for the Foundation Program; 30 credit hours for the Advanced Standing Program |
| Program Format | The San Antonio program uses a hybrid format with evening and online classes, with standard and accelerated tracks available. The MSW is also offered as an online program. |
| Program Focus | The program emphasizes advanced direct practice and culturally responsive practice with Hispanic children and families while preparing graduates to work with diverse populations. |
| Field Education | Both Foundation and Advanced Standing curricula include field education. The Worden School works with a network of public and private social service agencies and assists students in securing appropriate placements. |
| About the University | Our Lady of the Lake University is a private Catholic university in San Antonio, Texas. Its Worden School of Social Service was founded in 1942 as the first school of social work in Texas. |
| Texas Tech University | |
| Program Name | Online Master of Social Work |
| CSWE-Accredited | Yes |
| Online Options | Yes |
| Advance Standing Option | Yes |
| Credit Requirements | 59 credit hours for the Standard Program; 32 credit hours for the Advanced Standing Program |
| Program Length | Standard Program: 2 years; Advanced Standing Program: 1 calendar year |
| Field Education | All students complete an approved field placement. Practicum hours may be completed at an approved agency in the student’s local area and potentially at their place of employment. |
| Admissions Testing | GRE/GMAT not required |
| About the University | Texas Tech University is a public research university located in Lubbock, Texas, and is the flagship institution of the Texas Tech University System. |
| The University of Texas at El Paso | |
| Program Name | Master of Social Work (MSW) |
| CSWE-Accredited | Yes |
| Online Options | Yes |
| Advance Standing Option | Yes |
| Credit Requirements | 60 credits for full-time and part-time plans; 30 credits for Advanced Standing |
| Program Length | Full-time: 2 years; part-time: 3 years; Advanced Standing: 1 year |
| Field Education | 920 total field hours for full-time and part-time students; 460 hours for Advanced Standing students |
| Program Focus | Concentration in Social Work in the Border Region, with preparation addressing issues such as child welfare, family violence, substance use, medical social work, immigration, and criminal justice |
| About the University | The University of Texas at El Paso is a public university located in El Paso, Texas, and is part of the University of Texas System. |
| The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley | |
| Program Name | Master of Social Work (MSW) |
| CSWE-Accredited | Yes |
| Online Options | Yes |
| Advance Standing Option | Yes |
| Credit Requirements | 60 credit hours for the Regular Program; 30 credit hours for Advanced Standing |
| Program Format | Regular and Advanced Standing options are available both face-to-face and online; face-to-face study is offered in Edinburg, Brownsville, and Laredo |
| Admissions | Regular applicants need a bachelor’s degree, at least a 3.0 undergraduate GPA, and prior statistics coursework; Advanced Standing applicants need a CSWE-accredited BSW, at least a 3.0 overall GPA, and at least a 3.2 GPA in core social work courses |
| Start Terms | Fall and Spring admission cycles are available for both Regular and Advanced Standing programs, including the online options |
| About the University | The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is a public university in South Texas with locations serving communities across the Rio Grande Valley, including Edinburg and Brownsville. |
| Prairie View A&M University | |
| Program Name | Master of Social Work (MSW) |
| CSWE-Accredited | Yes |
| Online Options | Yes |
| Advance Standing Option | Yes |
| Admissions Requirements | Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university, minimum 2.75 GPA, three letters of recommendation, personal statement, and ApplyTexas application |
| Specialization | Medical Social Work/Behavioral Health |
| Program Focus | Advanced clinical social work with an Africentric curriculum emphasizing culturally relevant evidence-based interventions, research, theory, and practice across micro, mezzo, and macro levels |
| Field Education | Supervised internships may take place in hospitals, rural clinics, private counseling practices, and community-based child and family service settings |
| About the University | Prairie View A&M University is a public historically Black university in Prairie View, Texas, and a member of the Texas A&M University System. |
| Stephen F. Austin State University | |
| Program Name | Social Work, MSW |
| CSWE-Accredited | Yes |
| Online Options | Yes |
| Advance Standing Option | Yes |
| Program Focus | Social work practice in rural communities, with emphasis on advocacy, rural poverty, and social justice |
| Career Preparation | Prepares graduates to address complex issues in areas such as mental health, family violence, and community development |
| Field Education | Includes hands-on field practicums with agencies serving communities |
| Practicum Placement | Faculty advisors assist students in selecting an appropriate field site that aligns with their interests |
| About the University | Stephen F. Austin State University is a public university located in Nacogdoches, Texas, and is part of the University of Texas System. |
Understanding Online MSW Programs in Texas
Online MSW programs in Texas can vary in how coursework is delivered, how often students are expected to participate in live classes, and how field education is arranged. Understanding these differences can help prospective students evaluate how an online format may fit their schedules, learning preferences, and field placement needs.
What Does “100% Online” Mean?
For an MSW program, “100% online” generally refers to how academic coursework is delivered. Students may be able to complete classes without regularly traveling to campus, but that does not necessarily mean every part of the degree can be completed remotely.
MSW students still complete field education, which typically involves supervised, in-person experience in an approved social work setting. Prospective students in Texas should review how each program defines “online” and whether it includes any campus visits, live class requirements, or other in-person components.
Didactic Coursework vs. Field Education
Didactic coursework refers to the academic portion of an MSW program, including classes in areas such as social work theory, policy, research, practice methods, and human behavior. In an online program, this coursework may be completed through virtual classes, recorded lectures, readings, discussions, and other online learning activities.
Field education is different. It gives students the opportunity to apply what they are learning in a supervised practice setting. Even when MSW coursework is delivered online, field education generally takes place in person at an approved agency or organization.
Online vs. Hybrid Programs
Online and hybrid MSW programs differ mainly in how much of the academic coursework requires students to be physically present on campus. An online program may deliver most or all didactic coursework virtually, while a hybrid program combines online learning with scheduled in-person classes or other campus-based activities.
Because programs may use these terms differently, prospective students in Texas should review each program’s format carefully. In particular, it can be helpful to confirm whether campus visits are required and how often any in-person components occur.
Synchronous vs. Asynchronous Learning
Online MSW coursework may be delivered synchronously, asynchronously, or through a combination of both formats. Synchronous courses require students to participate in class activities at scheduled times, such as live virtual lectures or discussions.
Asynchronous courses allow students to complete much of their coursework on their own schedules within established deadlines. Prospective students in Texas should review each program’s expectations to understand how often live participation is required and how the course format may fit with work, family, or other responsibilities.
Field Placement Logistics
Field placement logistics can be an important consideration for students in online MSW programs. Although coursework may be completed remotely, field education typically requires students to complete supervised practice hours at an approved organization.
The process for identifying and approving field sites can vary by program. Prospective students in Texas should review how a program supports field placement, what responsibilities students may have in securing a site, and whether placement options are available within a practical commuting distance.
What to Expect
Online MSW programs can require substantial time for coursework, class participation, assignments, and field education. While online delivery may offer flexibility in where students complete their academic work, students still need to meet program deadlines, participation expectations, and field education requirements.
Prospective students in Texas should review each program’s structure carefully, including its course format, scheduling expectations, and approach to field education, so they understand how the program is organized before enrolling.
FAQ: MSW Programs and Social Work Licensure in Texas
Can I complete an MSW program fully online in Texas?
Some MSW programs may offer academic coursework entirely online, but students should distinguish online coursework from field education. Field education is part of the MSW curriculum and generally involves supervised experience in an approved social work setting.
Prospective students should review each program’s delivery format, field placement expectations, and any required campus visits or live sessions. Students who plan to pursue social work licensure in Texas should also confirm that their degree and field education meet requirements established by the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council and the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners. Texas recognizes several social work license levels, including Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) and Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).
What is the difference between field education and supervised clinical experience?
Field education is completed as part of an MSW program and gives students supervised experience in a social work setting while they are earning the degree. It is an academic component of social work education and is separate from post-degree clinical supervision.
In Texas, supervised clinical experience for Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensure occurs after the qualifying graduate degree. Current Texas rules require 3,000 hours of supervised professional clinical experience completed over at least 24 months, along with at least 100 hours of supervision from a qualified supervisor.
In short, field education supports completion of the MSW, while supervised clinical experience is a separate post-degree requirement for LCSW licensure.
How long does it take to become a licensed social worker in Texas?
The timeline depends on which Texas social work license a person is pursuing and how long it takes to complete the applicable education, examination, and experience requirements.
For Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensure, current Texas rules require 3,000 hours of supervised professional clinical experience completed over at least 24 months, along with a minimum of 100 hours of supervision and the required clinical examination.
Because the time needed to complete an MSW program and post-degree requirements varies, there is no single timeline that applies to every applicant.
Where can I find official licensing requirements in Texas?
Official social work licensing information in Texas is available through the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council (BHEC) and the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners. These agencies publish the rules and requirements governing Texas social work licenses, including education, examination, supervised experience, applications, and license renewal.
Because requirements and administrative rules can change, prospective applicants should consult BHEC and the Board directly for the most current information.
