Texas – Featured Online Programs in Social Work

Baylor University is a private Christian college with a reputation for educational excellence. Situated on the banks of the Brazos River in Waco, Texas, Baylor enrolls about 16,000 students. The Diana R. Garland School of Social Work offers an online master of social work, which prepares social workers to serve vulnerable individuals, families, and communities around the world.

The accredited MSW offers a 60-credit standard and 32-credit advanced-standing program. Full-time students complete the standard MSW in as little as 24 months, while part-time students take 36 months. The advanced-standing program enrolls BSW-educated social workers who complete the degree in 12 months of full-time enrollment. Standard MSW students spend the first year building a generalist practice, and all students spend the second year specializing in one of two tracks: clinical or community practice.

The school of social work helps students find field education placements in their communities. During their practicums, standard MSW students complete 1,030 field hours over four terms, and advanced-standing MSW students complete 550 field hours over two terms. Students complete the Texas social work degree with live classes, which facilitate face-to-face interaction with faculty and peers.

Accreditation:

• Baylor University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
• Baylor University’s master of social work is accredited by the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE).

Admissions:

• Minimum GPA: 2.7 GPA
• Prerequisites: CSWE-accredited BSW needed for advanced standing applicants
• GRE required?: No

Tuition:

• Average Undergraduate Tuition per Credit (In-State/Out-of-State): $1,785/credit
• Average Graduate Tuition per Credit (In-State/Out-of-State): $1,785/credit

Academics:

• Online Social Work Programs: Standard MSW, advanced-standing MSW
• Program Length: Standard MSW, 24 months, 60 credits; advanced-standing MSW, 12 months, 32 credits
• Information Relevant for Transfer Students: Students may transfer a limited number of credits on a case-by-case basis.

Social Work Coursework:

• Tracks/Concentrations: Clinical or community practice
• Field Education/Practicum Required?: Standard MSW, 1,030 hours; advanced standing MSW, 550 hours
• Core Courses: Intro to the profession; practice with individuals and families; practice with groups; practice with communities and organizations; advanced clinical theories and models; advanced clinical practice: individuals, families, and groups; research for practice; and administrative practice in social work.

The second-largest college in the University of Texas system, UTA enrolls approximately 60,000 students in 180 programs. Learners study on a 420-acre campus in the heart of Dallas-Fort Worth and online. The school of social work offers a fully online traditional and advanced-standing master of social work cohort for full- and part-time students.

Traditional full-time MSW students complete 61 credits in 26 months. Students with BSW degrees enroll in the 38-credit advanced standing option, which they can complete in just 16 months. BSW-holders may also choose an accelerated, advanced-standing MSW, which they can complete in 12 months.

MSW students choose from one of three speciality areas: direct practice in aging, direct practice with children and families, or direct practice in mental health and substance abuse. Advanced-standing students complete 480 hours of field placement at one agency, and traditional MSW students complete 960 hours split between two placement sites. The school of social work maintains affiliation with more than 300 agencies in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, giving students many opportunities for internships.

Faculty deliver the Texas social work degree using 16-week sessions. Students who prefer the best of both worlds enroll in a hybrid cohort program. Whichever mode of delivery they prefer, all prospective MSW students must reside in Texas. All programs within the school of social work hold accreditation.

Accreditation:

• The University of Texas, Arlington is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
• The University of Texas Arlington’s master of social work is accredited by the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE).

Admissions:

• Minimum GPA: 3.0 GPA for traditional and advanced-standing programs
• Prerequisites: A CSWE-accredited BSW program needed for advanced-standing admission
• GRE required?: GRE required for candidates with a 2.7-3.0 GPA in the last 60 credits of undergraduate work.
• Other Admission Requirements: The program only enrolls residents of Texas.

Tuition:

• Average Undergraduate Tuition per Credit (In-State/Out-of-State): $830 plus fees
• Average Graduate Tuition per Credit (In-State/Out-of-State): $1,120 with fees

Academics:

• Online Social Work Programs: Traditional MSW, advanced-standing MSW
• Program Length: Traditional MSW, 26 months, 61 credits; advanced-standing, 16 months, 38 credits
• Information Relevant for Transfer Students: Students may transfer a limited number of credits on a case-by-case basis

Social Work Coursework:

• Tracks/Concentrations: Direct practice in aging, direct practice with children and families, and direct practice in mental health and substance abuse
• Field Education/Practicum Required?: Advanced-standing MSW, 480 hours; traditional MSW, 960 hours
• Core Courses: Generalist micro practice, generalist macro practice, diverse populations, human behavior in the social environment, foundations of social policy and services, research and evaluation methods in social work.
• In-Person Requirements: Fully online program requires none

A college in the Texas A&M University System, Tarleton State University offers about 100 degrees administered through seven colleges. The Stephenville-based school extends access to an affordable Texas A&M education with classes offered in Fort Worth, Midlothian, Waco, and online.

The department of social work’s programs address the needs of multicultural communities, especially Latino/a, military, and rural populations in North and Central Texas. The department offers a master of social work with a 64-credit foundation program and a 32-credit advanced-standing option for BSW holders. Designed for nontraditional learners, the MSW offers flexibility with evening, online, and hybrid courses.

The program offers four concentration options: community organization, research, and advocacy; multicultural practice with children and families; foundation: community organization, research, and advocacy; and foundation: multicultural practice with children and families.

Students in the MSW, one of the best online social work programs in Texas, enhance their scholarship and practice by presenting their research at symposiums such as the National Association of Social Workers and submitting scholarly articles to respected journals. Tarlenton social work students engage in extracurricular activities through organizations such as the National Association of Social Work, the Council on Social Work Education, the Gerontological Society of America, and the National Organizations of Social Workers – Texas Chapter.

Accreditation:

• Tarleton State University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
• Tarleton State University’s master of social work is accredited by the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE).

Admissions:

• Minimum GPA: 2.5 GPA or higher on last 60 credits of the bachelor’s
• Prerequisites: BSW for advanced-standing option
• GRE required?: No

Tuition:

• Average Undergraduate Tuition per Credit (In-State/Out-of-State): $520/three credits; $1,790/three credits
• Average Graduate Tuition per Credit (In-State/Out-of-State): $690/three credits; $1,955/three credits

Academics:

• Online Social Work Programs: Foundation MSW, advanced-standing MSW
• Program Length: Foundation takes two years and 64 credits; advanced standing takes one year and 32 credits.

Social Work Coursework:

• Tracks/Concentrations: Community organization, research, and advocacy; multicultural practice with children and families; foundation: community organization, research, and advocacy; and foundation: multicultural practice with children and families
• Field Education/Practicum Required?: Foundation MSW, 900 hours; advanced standing MSW, 500 hours
• Core Courses: The MSW curriculum varies by specialization. Sample courses include problems in social work; foundation integrative seminar; integrative clinical seminar; foundations of community and organization practice; social policy and policy analysis; direct practice — individuals, families, and groups; and human behavior in the social environment

Students at Texas State University enjoy a unique campus experience, with the San Marcos River flowing right through it. The school enrolls 38,600 students in programs including 93 master’s degree options. Texas State’s school of social work offers a master of social work program built on a liberal arts foundation.

The program offers both on-campus and online formats. Students entering the field enroll in the 62-credit foundation track; learners with accredited BSWs earned within 10 years of the MSW application may enroll in the 36-credit, advanced-standing track. For their convenience, students may enroll on a full- (three courses a semester) or part-time (two courses a semester) basis.

An advanced-practice leadership concentration provides training in both micro and macro practice so that graduates know how to work in direct practice or administrative work environments. Learners in the traditional MSW complete 900 hours of field experience, while advanced-standing MSW students complete 540 hours. Students receive access to social work resources online at the school’s library. This Texas social work degree enrolls students from out of state.

Accreditation:

• Texas State University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
• Texas State University’s master of social work is accredited by the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE).

Admissions:

• Minimum GPA: 3.0 GPA
• Prerequisites: CSWE-accredited BSW for advanced-standing program
• GRE required?: No

Tuition:

• Average Undergraduate Tuition per Credit (In-State/Out-of-State): $290; $710
• Average Graduate Tuition per Credit (In-State/Out-of-State): $340; $760

Academics:

• Online Social Work Programs: Foundation MSW, advanced-standing MSW
• Program Length: Foundation MSW takes two years and 62-credits, and the advanced standing MSW takes one year and 36 credits.

Social Work Coursework:

• Tracks/Concentrations: Advanced-practice leadership,
• Field Education/Practicum Required?: Traditional MSW, 900 hours; advanced-standing MSW, 540 hours
• Capstone/Thesis Required?: No
• Core Courses: Foundation social work practice I, II, III; social welfare policy and services; human behavior in individual and family social environments; human behavior in local and global social environments; advanced social policy and social justice; advanced assessment, leadership, and supervision of social service organizations; advanced diagnostic assessment and intervention with individuals; and advanced intervention with families and groups
• In-Person Requirements: No

Established in 2013, the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley offers 120 academic programs. UTRGV operates campuses in Brownsville, Edinburg, Harlingen, McAllen, and Rio Grande City. The school’s growing virtual campus gives learners around the country access to affordable education anywhere they live.

The school offers a master of science in social work – administration and community practice for advanced-standing students. The program enrolls students with BSW degrees from accredited programs. The MSSW cultivates social work leaders skilled in strengthening the delivery of human services within Latino/a communities. Students complete the 33-credit program in 12 months.

The MSSW teaches social workers to work with diverse, vulnerable, and at-risk populations. Participants develop competencies in human services organizational administration, including HR development and project management. Students engage in hands-on learning during a 500-hour field experience in a setting of their choosing. During this practicum they apply skills such as community organizing, social action mobilization, and advocacy. Faculty deliver the program — one of the top online social work programs in Texas — in seven-week courses.

Students may also enroll in the 33-credit MSSW-direct practice with Latino/a individuals, families, and groups (advanced-standing) — also delivered online.

Accreditation:

• The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
• The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’s master of science in social work – administration and community practice is accredited by the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE).

Admissions:

• Minimum GPA: 3.0 GPA
• Prerequisites: BSW from a CSWE-accredited program; 3.2 GPA or higher in social work core undergraduate courses
• GRE required?: No

Tuition:

• Average Undergraduate Tuition per Credit (In-State/Out-of-State): $575/$1,000
• Average Graduate Tuition per Credit (In-State/Out-of-State): $625/$1,050

Academics:

• Online Social Work Programs: Master of science in social work-administration and community practice (advanced-standing), MSSW-direct practice with Latino/a individuals, families, and groups (advanced-standing)
• Program Length: 12 months, 33 credits

Social Work Coursework:

• Tracks/Concentrations: No
• Field Education/Practicum Required?: 500 hours
• Core Courses: Social work with diverse populations, social work practice with Latinos/as, advanced macros assessment, advanced social work practice with organization, advanced social work practice with communities, child welfare, and advanced policy analysis and development
• In-Person Requirements: No

Student Support:

• Technical Support: Yes

West Texas A&M University serves communities in the Panhandle. About 10,000 students attend WTAMU, enrolling in 60 undergraduate and 38 master’s programs. Learners interested in advancing their social work careers enroll in the master of science in social work, which combines online and face-to-face courses at a WTAMU facility in Amarillo.

The Texas social work degree offers both a 62-credit foundation MSSW program and a 36-credit, advanced-standing MSSW option. Both prepare advanced generalist practitioners with the skills and professional values necessary to act as change agents in their communities. Participants learn to use a variety of theoretical perspectives, develop interventions at all levels of practice, and address the unique needs of residents in rural communities.

Participants in the foundation MSSW complete 900 hours of field education. Their advanced-standing peers complete 500 hours.

Social workers leave the program equipped for leadership roles in these communities in areas such as program development, policy analysis and implementation, administration and supervision, and professional development and mentoring. Admission to the advanced-standing MSSW requires an accredited degree in social work earned within the last six years. WTAMU offers low tuition rates for out-of-state students, who pay nominally more in tuition than their in-state peers.

Accreditation:

• West Texas A&M University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
• West Texas A&M University’s master of social work is accredited by the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE).

Admissions:

• Minimum GPA: 3.0 GPA
• Prerequisites: Advanced-standing applicants must hold a CSWE-accredited degree in social work earned within the last six years.
• GRE required?: No
• Other Admission Requirements: The admissions committee may accept applicants with a minimum 2.7 GPA

Tuition:

• Average Undergraduate Tuition per Credit (In-State/Out-of-State): $50/semester hour; $80/semester hour
• Average Graduate Tuition per Credit (In-State/Out-of-State): $50/semester hour; $80/semester hour

Academics:

• Online Social Work Programs: Foundation MSSW, advanced-standing MSSW
• Program Length: Foundation MSSW takes two years and 62 credits, and the advanced-standing MSSW takes one year and 36 credits.

Social Work Coursework:

• Field Education/Practicum Required?: Foundation MSSW, 900 hours; advanced standing MSSW, 500 hours
• Core Courses: Social work micro practice, social policy and planning, human behavior in the social environment, human behavior in the social environment–theory, critical social work, social work with groups and organizations, practice methods with diverse populations, direct practice with individuals, community and organizational practice, and applied social work practice
• In-Person Requirements: Students complete some classes on site in Amarillo.

Founded in 1895, Our Lady of the Lake University enrolls 3,100 students who study on the residential campus in San Antonio and at satellite programs in San Antonio, Houston, and the Rio Grande Valley.

Since 1942, OLLU’s Worden School of Social Service has educated social workers. The school offers an online, accredited master of social work with a 57-credit foundation program for learners with no social work background. It also offers a 30-credit, advanced-standing option for learners with social work degrees. The MSW prepares social workers for advanced direct practice and social service leadership.

The MSW prepares social workers skilled in working with Latino/a communities and other diverse groups. Participants acquire hands-on experience during field education, which requires 950 hours for the foundation MSW, and 500 hours for advanced standing students. Participants spend at least 50 percent of field education hours in direct practice with Hispanic families, children, and groups. The field experience builds learners’ strengths, honing their assessment and treatment skills while supervised by an experienced social worker.

Students complete the MSW, one of the top online social work programs in Texas, completely online with no need to attend classes on campus.

Accreditation:

• Our Lady of the Lake University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
• Our Lady of the Lake University’s master of social work is accredited by the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE).

Admissions:

• Minimum GPA: Foundation MSW, 2.50 GPA or a 3.0 GPA in the last 60 semester hours of undergraduate work; advanced-standing MSW, 3.0 GPA
• Prerequisites: A CSWE-accredited bachelor’s degree in social work is required for advanced-standing applicants.
• GRE required?: No

Tuition:

• Average Undergraduate Tuition per Credit (In-State/Out-of-State): $910/credit
• Average Graduate Tuition per Credit (In-State/Out-of-State): $907/credit

Academics:

• Online Social Work Programs: Foundation MSW, advanced-standing MSW, BSW
• Program Length: Foundation MSW takes two years and 57 credits; advanced-standing MSW takes one year and 30 credits.

Social Work Coursework:

• Field Education/Practicum Required?: Foundation MSW, 900 hours; advanced standing MSW, 550 hours
• Core Courses: Psychopathology, evaluation of social work practice with Hispanic children and families, Hispanics in the U.S.: policy and programs, social work practice with Hispanic families, social work with Hispanic youth, social work practice with Hispanic elders, principles of generalist social work practice, human behavior and the social environment: individuals and families, human behavior and the social environment: social systems
• In-Person Requirements: No

Student Support:

• Technical Support: Yes