Best Online Master of Social Work Programs in Texas
Social workers who are passionate about their work can make a significant difference in the lives of people across settings such as healthcare, education, government, and private practice. In Texas, social work is especially promising, with projections for job growth as high as 18% in certain specializations.
This guide will provide you with insight into some of the top online and hybrid MSW programs available in Texas, as well as assist you in determining which program is best suited for you based on your educational and professional background. We’ll also break down career options available to graduates along with salary and career details.
Top Traditional MSW Programs in Texas
Traditional MSW programs, sometimes referred to as foundation programs, are designed for graduate degree-seekers who possess a bachelor’s degree in a field other than social work. In most cases, traditional MSW students need about two years of full-time study for foundational knowledge and advanced social work skills to complete their degrees.
Angelo State University
There is a hybrid option, featuring mostly online coursework, for the Master of Social Work program at this Texas university. There are two different tracks for the MSW at Angelo State: Advanced Generalist and Clinical. They can be taken either full-time or part-time.
The courses cover an array of different populations, social issues, and practice settings. In-depth research instruction and field education is also a major feature of Angelo State’s MSW.
Duration: Two to three years,
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $232-$642/credit, residency-dependent
Curriculum:
- General Practice with Groups
- Policy Practice and Advocacy
- Case Management in Medical Social Work
- Advanced General Practice with Communities and Organizations
- Children and Families in Social Work Practice
- Theoretical Frameworks for Clinical Social Work
Texan MSW Programs with No GRE Requirement
It is important to verify if a school requires GRE scores as part of their evaluation process. Several MSW programs in Texas do not require GRE scores and remain highly esteemed institutions, as standardized testing expectations in higher education have significantly changed to longer require GREs.
West Texas A&M University
This non-GRE program for a Master of Science in Social Work also has all coursework online, accompanied by a required field practicum. The goals of the program include teaching social workers a variety of theories, developing intervention skills at all levels of practice, and understanding of the distinctive needs and techniques for rural communities.
The curriculum also prepares students for higher-level licensing tests upon graduation. Admission qualifications include an essay and transcripts.
Duration: Two years
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $421-$849/credit, residency-dependent
Curriculum:
- Practice Methods with Diverse Populations
- Theory of Human Behavior
- Social Policy and Planning
- Groups and Organizations
- Research Methods
Deep Dive: Advanced Standing MSW Programs in Texas
Advanced standing MSW programs mandate that students have a bachelor’s degree in social work, ensuring that they have the foundational knowledge in the field. In return, students are required to complete fewer courses compared to traditional or foundation learners. Full-time students typically complete their MSW program in around a year.
Baylor University
Baylor has an advanced standing option in its Online MSW Program. This is another Texas program where the instruction is completely online, but you’ll need to complete your clinical fieldwork in person and Baylor will help you find the location for your internship. There are specialty areas for community or clinical practice. The goal of classes is to teach students advanced conceptual frameworks to understand human interactions and behavior for everyone from individual people to larger groups and communities.
Duration: One year to 20 months
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: Tuition is $1,100 per credit hour
Curriculum:
- Clinical Diagnosis in Social Work
- Clinical Evaluation for Practice Improvement
- Theoretical Frameworks for Community Social Work Practice
- Organizational Leadership and Management
- Social Work Practice and Advocacy with Children and Families
- Social Justice and Technology
All About Part-Time MSW Programs in Texas
There are many MSW programs in Texas today that offer part-time options. With improving remote technologies in higher education, many working adults today are taking advantage of remote and part-time programs that fit into their busy schedules. Depending on your education history, a part-time program may take between two to five years.
Our Lady of the Lake University
This school based in San Antonio offers its Master of Social Work in a part-time, hybrid format for bachelor’s degree holders in social work or any other discipline. The program also features a concentration year where several courses cover social work practice for the Hispanic community, from children to elders and including a course on policies and programs that affect Latinos. Additionally, OLLU has established partnerships with public and private social agencies for student internships.
Duration: Three years, 57 credits
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $991/credit
Curriculum:
- Generalist Social Work Practice with People and Groups
- Social Welfare Policy and Services
- Professional Writing for Social Work
- Psychopathology
- Human Behavior and the Social Environment
MSW Student FAQs: Your Questions Answered
What are the requirements for becoming a licensed social worker in Texas?
To become a licensed social worker in Texas, you’ll need a bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work from an accredited institution. Among the other rules for licensure are passing both a criminal background check and jurisprudence exam. If you’re looking to become a licensed master social worker–advanced practitioner (LMSW-AP) or licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), you’ll need to complete 3,000 hours of appropriate field experience, including work with a board-approved professional.
How do fieldwork requirements work for online MSW programs in Texas?
According to the Council on Social Work Education, MSW degree-seekers need to complete at least 900 hours of supervised field instruction. The specific requirements on where you can finish these hours depends on your program: some schools will require you to do fieldwork at approved locations in-person, while others may have a virtual fieldwork option, including seminars, for remote learners.
Should I get an additional credential to go along with my MSW?
It depends on your career goals, but for most an additional credential can be beneficial. Whether you want to work as a licensed clinical social worker diagnosing and treating mental health issues, serve as part of a larger team within healthcare social work, or head up a hospice social work program, there are credentials that can give you the expertise and experience you need. Plus, additional credentials can help you earn more salary and practice more advanced roles in social work.
What are some of the symptoms of burnout if you are an advanced social worker?
There is a mix of mental acuity, behavioral concerns, and physical manifestations to watch for if you want to stave off burnout as a social worker. You may experience a lack of patience with coworkers or the system, or you might be struggling to stay focused on your daily schedule. Physical exhaustion, including aches and pains, might also be felt. You may also experience a loss of enthusiasm for your work or the feeling that it is all-consuming.
Learning techniques to combat burnout and practicing self-care can go a long way to lessening the impact of burnout.
What types of roles are available to me once I earn a master’s degree in social work?
At the master’s degree level, some of the more prevalent roles are as a mental health or substance abuse social worker, or working in other areas of healthcare such as family practitioners or home care as part of a larger team. You could also work at a school, one area that is often needing qualified social workers. Graduates in this field work with school administrators, parents, and students to help identify and solve issues among the student body.
Career & Salary Outlook for MSW Graduates in Texas
| Area | Occupation | 10th Percentile | 90th Percentile | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | Social Workers | $39,580 | $104,580 | $63,770 |
| Texas | Social Workers | $38,890 | $121,080 | $82,910 |
| Amarillo, TX | Social Workers | $52,120 | $93,870 | $73,960 |
| Austin-Round Rock, TX | Social Workers | $41,540 | $121,080 | $65,970 |
| Brownsville-Harlingen, TX | Social Workers | $28,220 | $93,870 | $55,550 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | Social Workers | $41,260 | $136,260 | $79,360 |
| El Paso, TX | Social Workers | $37,970 | $104,920 | $91,100 |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | Social Workers | $44,750 | $117,890 | $87,730 |
| Killeen-Temple, TX | Social Workers | $59,010 | $113,800 | $96,620 |
| Lubbock, TX | Social Workers | $45,580 | $85,570 | $71,410 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX | Social Workers | $31,200 | $99,380 | $50,280 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | Social Workers | $46,690 | $125,840 | $97,860 |
| Waco, TX | Social Workers | $26,810 | $118,020 | $80,330 |
Source: Social Workers, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
| Area | Occupation | Curr. Jobs | Proj. Jobs | New Jobs | Growth % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Social Workers | 68,400 | 72,900 | 4,500 | 6.60% |
| Texas | Social Workers | 3,630 | 4,200 | 570 | 15.70% |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
Respected MSW Student Resources in Texas
Social work can be a tight-knit industry, with a lot of support and resources available for seasoned vets and new specialists alike. Here is a look at some of the groups and organizations that help out social work professionals and students in Texas.
- Great Austin Social Workers (GASW)
This membership organization gives professionals and students the chance to attend their Ethics Symposium and social gatherings every year. Additionally, members can attend monthly scheduled meetings to earn continuing education credits. - National Association of Social Workers (Texas Chapter)
Founded in 1955, the NASW is the largest group of social work professionals on the globe. This membership-based organization can help you advance your career and make valuable connections to social work colleagues. - North Texas Social Workers on Facebook
This Facebook group has about 6,250 members. Its goal is to provide an online social space for students and professionals in the region to share resources, continuing education opportunities, and job postings. - South Texas Social Workers Society on Facebook
This group focuses on supporting social workers in the South Texas region. The group holds an annual conference, holiday parties, and monthly meetings to allow members to present original research. - Texas Society for Clinical Social Work
Founded in 1971, this organization offers its members conferences, meetings, and local monthly study groups to help them network with clinical social workers and social work students in their area.
Top Picks: Online MSW Programs in Texas
As you do the research before selecting a Master of Social Work degree program in Texas, you should be watching for the attributes that mean the most to students. These include costs, specific online offerings, career support, accreditations, and student-to-faculty ratios. This list of four-year-and-beyond schools provides those metrics as you do your research, using data volunteered by the schools themselves as part of the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
Texas State University
San Marcos, Texas
Public
Angelo State University
San Angelo, Texas
Public
Our Lady of the Lake University
San Antonio, Texas
Private
Texas A & M University-Commerce
Commerce, Texas
Public
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Edinburg, Texas
Public
University of Houston
Houston, Texas
Public
The University of Texas at Arlington
Arlington, Texas
Public
