A career in social work consists of providing support and aid to communities and people in need. Social workers help people overcome challenges in their lives, deal with trauma or drastic life changes and improve overall quality of life by providing mental and emotional support. 

Of the three social work licenses offered in Texas, two are available to those who complete a master’s degree program or higher. The two licenses are the Licensed Master Social Worker and the Licensed Clinical Social Worker. 

With a Master of Social Work (MSW), your career can take you into schools, the health care field, mental health, substance abuse, child and family services, or the clinical sector. There are a variety of MSW programs in Texas, including ones offered online, that can help you kickstart or further your career in social work. 

If you plan to become a social worker in Texas, attending an MSW program in-state will prepare you for the state’s licensing requirements. Schools in Texas that offer master’s in social work programs include:

Several universities and colleges in Texas provide the ability to earn your master’s in social work online program. Some of these online programs offer advanced standing MSW online options for when you have already obtained a BSW. There are also MSW programs with no GRE requirement.

When deciding which online MSW program is right for you, consider your career aspirations. For instance, if your goal is to practice in a mental health setting, you’ll want to choose a LCSW program that offers a fitting concentration and meets the requirements for attaining the license and becoming an LCSW. 

Schools offering online MSW programs in Texas include: 

Sponsored Online Social Work Programs

University of Denver

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Master of Social Work (MSW)

The University of Denver’s Online MSW Program is delivered by its top-ranked school of social work and offers two programs. Students can earn their degree in as few as 12 months for the Online Advanced-Standing MSW or 27 months for the Online MSW.

• Complete the Online Advanced-Standing MSW in as few as 12 months if you have a BSW; if you do not have a BSW, the Online MSW Program may be completed in as few as 27 months.
• No GRE Required
• Customizable pathway options include Mental Health and Trauma or Health, Equity and Wellness concentrations

Request more info from the University of Denver.

University of Southern California

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Master of Social Work (MSW)

The MSW@USC is the online Master of Social Work from top-ranked USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work. USC offers virtual and in-person field education, and students focus on adults, youth or social change.

•  Minimum completion time: 16 months
• Online classes taught by USC faculty 
• Virtual field training to build skills and confidence

Request more info from USC.

Fordham University

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Master of Social Work (MSW)

Fordham’s skills-based, online MSW program integrates advanced relevant social work competencies, preparing students to serve individuals and communities while moving the profession forward. This program includes advanced standing and traditional MSW options.

•  Traditional and advanced standing online MSW options are available.
• There are four areas of focus: Individuals and Families, Organizations and Community, Evaluation, and Policy Practice and Advocacy.
• Pursue the degree on a full-time or part-time track.

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Simmons University

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Master of Social Work (MSW)

Aspiring direct practitioners can earn their MSW online from Simmons University in as few as 9 months. GRE scores are not required, and the program offers full-time, part-time, accelerated, and advanced standing tracks.

• Prepares students to pursue licensure, including LCSW 
• Full-time, part-time, and accelerated tracks 
• Minimum completion time: 9 months

Request more info from Simmons University.

Howard University

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Master of Social Work (MSW)

The online Master of Social Work program from Howard University School of Social Work prepares students for advanced direct or macro practice in culturally diverse communities. Two concentrations available: Direct Practice and Community, Administration, and Policy Practice. No GRE. Complete in as few as 12 months.

• Concentrations: Direct Practice and Community, Administration, and Policy Practice
• Complete at least 777-1,000 hours of agency-based field education
• Earn your degree in as few as 12 months

Request more info from Howard University.

Syracuse University

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Master of Social Work (MSW)

Syracuse University’s online Master of Social Work program does not require GRE scores to apply and is focused on preparing social workers who embrace technology as an important part of the future of the profession. Traditional and Advanced Standing tracks are available.

• Traditional and Advanced Standing tracks
• No GRE required
• Concentrate your degree in integrated practice or clinical practice

Request more info from Syracuse University.

Case Western Reserve University

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Master of Social Work (MSW)

In as few as a year and a half, you can prepare for social work leadership by earning your Master of Social Work online from Case Western Reserve University’s school of social work.

• CSWE-accredited
• No GRE requirement
• Complete in as few as one and a half years

Request more info from Case Western Reserve University.

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Texas is home to 53 CSWE-accredited bachelor’s and master’s social work programs. CSWE stands for Council on Social Work Education—this is the national accrediting body for on campus and online social work programs. According to a 2020 CSWE report [PDF, 1.4 MB], Texas schools produced 5.6% of social work bachelor’s degrees and 6.5% of social work master’s degrees for the 2017-2018 academic year. 

In an undergraduate social work program, students will explore research strategies, social welfare policy and social work practices. Graduate degree programs expand on undergraduate learning and may include courses in leadership, child welfare, organizational theory and social influences. You can choose to specialize in a certain area with a graduate degree program, including mental health, addiction, child welfare and more. 

A significant distinction between graduate degree programs and undergraduate degree programs is the required clinical rotations and regulated clinical hours which help students fulfill Texas’ licensing requirements. 

View our page on social work licensure or our state-specific page to learn more about what it takes to become a social worker in Texas.

To pursue a Master of Social Work, you will first be required to complete an undergraduate degree. Depending on the program you’re applying to, your undergraduate degree can be in any discipline. However, with a Bachelor of Social Work, students are typically eligible to obtain their master’s in less time than those with a bachelor’s in another field.  

Undergraduate GPA requirements vary by school, but most schools require at least a 3.0. Some programs ask for additional credentials, including completion of a GRE test. 

Accredited universities require that students gain hundreds of hours of internship or field work experience prior to graduating with a BSW. The required hours range between programs, but the CSWE requires accredited BSW programs to have a minimum of 400 required fieldwork hours.  

Traditional MSW programs may take about two years to complete. Those with advanced standing tracks may take anywhere between nine months to a year. 

MSW programs emphasize more specific topics and concepts than undergraduate programs. For example, an MSW program might explore ideas around social and economic justice and practicing with diverse populations. 

Some Texas schools have both a generalized practice curriculum and a specialized curriculum. Generalized curricula allow students to learn the fundamentals of social work, while specialized curricula expand on the concepts and routines included in an individual’s chosen career path. So for example, MSW students who’ve chosen to specialize in clinical practice and pursue a LCSW license in Texas may delve a little deeper into topics like cognitive behavioral interventions, social work practice with elders and rural social work. Texas clinical MSW programs typically comprise 60 semester hours of coursework. 

Other areas of focus offered by MSW programs in Texas include social work administration and policy, community practice and more. 

MSW programs also require students to complete a considerable number of field work hours. Field work gives students the opportunity to bridge the gap between knowledge and experience and put what they have learned into practice. The required hours vary based on the university and the program, but they typically require a minimum of 900 hours of supervised field instruction. 

What Can I Do with an MSW Degree in TX?

After completing an MSW program and becoming a social worker, you may pursue a diverse range of social work career opportunities, including clinical social work.  Social workers have a duty to provide support and aid to a range of populations, which is why there are several specializations you can choose from. 

In 2019, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that the highest concentration of social workers—342,500—were employed as child, family and school social workers. That same year, Texas was among the top five states with the highest employment of health care social workers.

Social workers may also work in local government, state government, military services and outpatient services. Their daily duties  may take place in an office, but at times, social workers might have to travel to their clients. 

Your social work salary will vary depending on your specialty, location, employer and other factors. The BLS reported in 2019 that the median salary for this profession was $50,470—with the lowest earning 10% of social workers earning $31,790 and the highest 10% earning $82,540. Social workers in Texas earned a mean annual wage of $60,240 in 2019.

By becoming a social worker, you’ll be entering a field poised for growth. Between 2019 and 2029, the BLS projects that social work employment will increase by 13%. This growth will vary between specializations:

• Child, family, and school social workers: 12%
• Health care social workers: 14% 
• Mental health and substance abuse social workers: 17%

In a field as complex as social work, it can be intimidating to figure out where to start and how to choose the best career path for you. Here, we’ll answer some common MSW questions to help you as you embark on your social work career.

Last updated in November 2020.