Best MSW Programs in Texas (2026)
Top CSWE-accredited Master of Social Work programs in Texas for 2026, with in-state tuition, LCSW licensure requirements, salary data by metro area, and field placement details.
Key Takeaways
- Texas has over 20 CSWE-accredited MSW programs, more than almost any other state, including flagship options at UT Austin (ranked top 10 nationally), University of Houston, Baylor, and UT Arlington.
- In-state tuition ranges from roughly $407/credit at Texas A&M-Commerce (most affordable) to $1,100/credit at Baylor online. Most public universities charge $387-$633/credit for Texas residents.
- Texas has no state income tax, so social workers keep more of every dollar earned. A healthcare social worker earning $64,120 in Texas takes home significantly more than someone earning the same in California or New York.
- The LCSW requires 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience (minimum 24 months) after earning your LMSW, plus passing the ASWB Clinical exam.
- 246 of 254 Texas counties are designated mental health shortage areas. The state's Mental Health Loan Repayment Program offers up to $160,000 for social workers who commit to serving in shortage areas.
Texas is one of the best states in the country for social work education and employment, though you wouldn't always know it from the headlines. The state has more CSWE-accredited MSW programs than all but a handful of states, no income tax eating into your paycheck, and a shortage of mental health professionals so severe that 246 out of 254 counties qualify as federal shortage areas. If you're looking to build a career in social work, Texas has the programs, the jobs, and the financial incentives to make it work.
The MSW landscape in Texas ranges from nationally ranked research institutions like UT Austin's Steve Hicks School of Social Work to affordable online options through Texas A&M-Commerce and Texas Tech. Several programs specialize in populations and issues unique to the state: border region social work at UTEP, military social work at multiple universities near major bases, and faith-integrated practice at Baylor and Our Lady of the Lake. Nearly every major metro has at least one CSWE-accredited program within commuting distance.
After graduation, the licensing path is straightforward. You'll earn your LMSW first by passing the ASWB Masters exam and the Texas Jurisprudence exam, then work toward your LCSW over a minimum of two years with 3,000 supervised clinical hours. The Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council (BHEC) oversees all social work licensing in the state.
CSWE-Accredited MSW Programs in Texas
| School | Tuition (In-State) | Format | Length | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Texas at Austin (Steve Hicks School) | $10,848/semester (~$633/credit) | On-campus | 2 years (60 credits) | Full CSWE (since 1952) |
| University of Houston (Graduate College of Social Work) | $11,888/year (~$495/credit) | On-campus, Hybrid, or Fully Online | 2 years (64 credits) | Full CSWE |
| Baylor University (Diana R. Garland School) | $875/credit (residential, private flat rate) | On-campus (Waco) or Fully Online | 2 years (58 credits) | Full CSWE |
| University of Texas at Arlington | $519/credit | On-campus (Arlington, Fort Worth) or Online | 2 years (61 credits) | Full CSWE |
| Texas State University | $11,135/year (~$540/credit) | On-campus or Online | 2 years (62 credits) | Full CSWE |
| University of Texas at El Paso | $510/credit (online flat rate) | On-campus or Online | 2 years (60 credits) | Full CSWE |
| Texas Tech University | $387/credit | On-campus (Lubbock) or Fully Online | 2 years (60 credits) | Full CSWE |
| Texas A&M University-Commerce | $407/credit (~$3,669/9 credits) | Fully Online (asynchronous) | 2 years (60 credits) | Full CSWE (since 2001) |
| Texas Christian University | $1,030/credit (private, flat rate) | On-campus | 2 years (60 credits) | Full CSWE |
| Our Lady of the Lake University | $973/credit (private, flat rate) | On-campus (San Antonio, Houston) or Online | 2 years (60 credits) | Full CSWE |
| Stephen F. Austin State University | $467/credit | Fully Online | 2 years (60 credits) | Full CSWE |
University of Texas at Austin (Steve Hicks School)
Austin
In-State Tuition
$10,848/semester (~$633/credit)
Out-of-State
$20,226/semester (~$1,181/credit)
Format
On-campus
Full-Time
2 years (60 credits)
Advanced Standing
1 year (33 credits)
Field Hours
960
Concentrations
Clinical Social Work, Administration and Policy Practice
- Ranked top 10 nationally among all MSW programs (U.S. News)
- Named for Steve Hicks following a $50M gift, the largest ever to a U.S. social work school
- 13 research centers and institutes including the Texas Institute for Child & Family Wellbeing
- Dual degree options: MSSW/MPAff, MSSW/JD, MSSW/MPH
- Located in Austin with access to state government and major nonprofit sector
University of Houston (Graduate College of Social Work)
Houston
In-State Tuition
$11,888/year (~$495/credit)
Out-of-State
$27,776/year (~$1,157/credit)
Format
On-campus, Hybrid, or Fully Online
Full-Time
2 years (64 credits)
Advanced Standing
1 year (37 credits)
Field Hours
1,000 (500 foundation + 500 advanced)
Concentrations
Clinical Practice, Macro Practice (Community & Organizational)
- Three delivery formats: face-to-face, hybrid (1-2 Saturdays/month), and fully online
- Located in the Texas Medical Center area, the largest medical complex in the world
- Graduate College of Social Work is the largest in the South
- Strong partnerships with Houston's extensive network of healthcare and social service agencies
- Online and hybrid formats available for advanced standing students
Baylor University (Diana R. Garland School)
Waco
In-State Tuition
$875/credit (residential, private flat rate)
Out-of-State
$875/credit (residential, private flat rate)
Format
On-campus (Waco) or Fully Online
Full-Time
2 years (58 credits)
Advanced Standing
1 year (30 credits)
Field Hours
900 (two-year) / 450 (advanced standing)
Concentrations
Clinical Practice, Community Practice
- Optional concentrations in Organizational Leadership, Trauma-Informed Practice, and DEI
- Online tuition is $1,100/credit ($63,800 total standard track)
- Named for Diana R. Garland, a pioneer in the integration of faith and social work practice
- Residential program in Waco is significantly cheaper than online ($50,750 vs $63,800)
- Strong emphasis on faith-integrated social work without requiring students to be religious
University of Texas at Arlington
Arlington
In-State Tuition
$519/credit
Out-of-State
$1,357/credit
Format
On-campus (Arlington, Fort Worth) or Online
Full-Time
2 years (61 credits)
Advanced Standing
1 year (38 credits)
Field Hours
960 (480 per placement year)
Concentrations
Direct Practice with Individuals, Families, and Groups, Community and Administrative Practice
- One of the largest MSW programs in Texas by enrollment
- Two campus locations: Arlington main campus and Fort Worth satellite
- Online students complete field placements near their home location
- Located in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex with access to thousands of agency placements
- No GRE required; rolling admissions for fall and spring starts
Texas State University
San Marcos
In-State Tuition
$11,135/year (~$540/credit)
Out-of-State
$22,559/year (~$1,094/credit)
Format
On-campus or Online
Full-Time
2 years (62 credits)
Advanced Standing
1 year (36 credits)
Field Hours
960 (480 per year)
Concentrations
Advanced Direct Practice, Administration and Community Practice
- Same curriculum, textbooks, and core faculty for both on-campus and online tracks
- Located between Austin and San Antonio with placement access to both metro areas
- Growing enrollment with new online track launched in recent years
- Advanced standing available for BSW graduates from CSWE-accredited programs
- One of the more affordable public MSW options in central Texas
University of Texas at El Paso
El Paso
In-State Tuition
$510/credit (online flat rate)
Out-of-State
$510/credit (online flat rate)
Format
On-campus or Online
Full-Time
2 years (60 credits)
Advanced Standing
1 year (30 credits)
Field Hours
960 (standard) / 480 (advanced standing)
Concentrations
Social Work in the Border Region
- Unique "Social Work in the Border Region" concentration not available anywhere else in the country
- Online program charges $510/credit regardless of residency — one of the most affordable online options
- Serves the U.S.-Mexico border community with bilingual/bicultural training emphasis
- Cohort size of 70-80 students ensures close faculty mentoring
- Strong placements with border health organizations, military installations, and federal agencies
Texas Tech University
Lubbock
In-State Tuition
$387/credit
Out-of-State
$853/credit
Format
On-campus (Lubbock) or Fully Online
Full-Time
2 years (60 credits)
Advanced Standing
1 year
Field Hours
960
Concentrations
Clinical Practice, Administration and Community Practice
- Among the most affordable in-state MSW tuition in Texas at $387/credit
- Fully online option available with asynchronous coursework
- Strong focus on rural and underserved population practice given West Texas location
- Field placements coordinated for online students in their home communities
- Dual degree option: MSW/MPA available on campus
Texas A&M University-Commerce
Commerce
In-State Tuition
$407/credit (~$3,669/9 credits)
Out-of-State
$816/credit (~$7,341/9 credits)
Format
Fully Online (asynchronous)
Full-Time
2 years (60 credits)
Advanced Standing
1 year (36 credits)
Field Hours
960
Concentrations
Advanced Generalist Practice
- Fully online and asynchronous — access coursework on your own schedule
- One of the most affordable CSWE-accredited online MSW programs in the country
- Advanced generalist model prepares graduates for micro, mezzo, and macro practice
- Field placements arranged in students' home communities across Texas and beyond
- Recently rebranded as East Texas A&M University
Texas Christian University
Fort Worth
In-State Tuition
$1,030/credit (private, flat rate)
Out-of-State
$1,030/credit (private, flat rate)
Format
On-campus
Full-Time
2 years (60 credits)
Advanced Standing
1 year (33 credits)
Field Hours
900
Concentrations
Clinical Social Work, Macro Social Work
- Small cohort sizes (20-30 students) with individualized mentoring
- Located in Fort Worth with strong agency relationships across the DFW metroplex
- Integrated behavioral health and trauma-informed care emphases
- Community-engaged research opportunities with faculty
- Generous merit scholarships available for incoming MSW students
Our Lady of the Lake University
San Antonio
In-State Tuition
$973/credit (private, flat rate)
Out-of-State
$973/credit (private, flat rate)
Format
On-campus (San Antonio, Houston) or Online
Full-Time
2 years (60 credits)
Advanced Standing
1 year (30 credits)
Field Hours
900 (standard) / 450 (advanced standing)
Concentrations
Clinical Practice with Children and Families, Clinical Practice with Adults and Older Adults
- Campuses in both San Antonio and Houston — two of Texas's largest cities
- Worden School of Social Service has been training social workers since 1942
- Strong Latina/o community focus reflecting San Antonio's demographics
- Lower GPA minimum (2.75) than most Texas programs
- Online MSW option with weekend intensives
Stephen F. Austin State University
Nacogdoches
In-State Tuition
$467/credit
Out-of-State
$935/credit
Format
Fully Online
Full-Time
2 years (60 credits)
Advanced Standing
1 year (33 credits)
Field Hours
960
Concentrations
Direct Practice, Administration
- Fully online CSWE-accredited MSW — no campus visits required
- Affordable public university pricing at $467/credit for in-state students
- Strong focus on rural social work practice given East Texas location
- Field placements arranged in students' local communities
- Smaller cohorts with dedicated online student support services
Social Work Licensure Requirements in Texas
Texas issues three levels of social work licenses through the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council (BHEC): the LBSW (bachelor's level), LMSW (master's level), and LCSW (clinical level). The LMSW-AP (Advanced Practitioner) designation was discontinued as of November 2025 — no new LMSW-AP applications are accepted.
Most MSW graduates start by earning the LMSW, which allows you to practice social work in clinical and non-clinical settings. The LCSW is the advanced clinical credential that lets you diagnose mental health conditions, provide psychotherapy independently, and open a private practice. Both licenses require passing the relevant ASWB exam plus a Texas-specific Jurisprudence exam covering state laws and ethics.
| License | Full Name | Supervised Hours | Exam |
|---|---|---|---|
| LMSW | Licensed Master Social Worker | N/A (associate level) | ASWB Masters + Texas Jurisprudence |
| LCSW | Licensed Clinical Social Worker | 3,000 hrs (24 months min) | ASWB Clinical + Texas Jurisprudence |
| LBSW | Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker | N/A (associate level) | ASWB Bachelors + Texas Jurisprudence |
Texas does not have automatic reciprocity with other states but does accept applications from out-of-state social workers. You must hold an equivalent license in good standing and meet Texas education and exam requirements. The BHEC reviews each application individually. If your current state's requirements are substantially equivalent to Texas, you may be able to transfer your license without additional supervised hours. All applicants must pass the Texas Jurisprudence exam regardless of where they were previously licensed. Processing typically takes 4-6 weeks.
Licensing Board
Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council (BHEC) — Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners
Phone: 512-305-7700
Social Worker Salary in Texas
Texas social workers earn salaries that generally track slightly below national medians, but the state's lack of income tax makes the real take-home pay more competitive than the numbers suggest. A healthcare social worker earning $64,120 in Texas keeps every dollar of that salary from state taxation, while the same worker in California would lose 9-13% to state income tax. All salary data below is from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024.
| Occupation | State Median | National Median | Premium | Top Metro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $49,810 | $58,570 | -15.0% | $55,480 (Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington) |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $64,120 | $68,090 | -5.8% | $71,520 (Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown) |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $47,660 | $60,060 | -20.6% | $52,340 (Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land) |
| Social Workers, All Other | $68,500 | $64,790 | +5.7% | $76,230 (San Antonio-New Braunfels) |
This state has no income tax, making take-home pay higher than these numbers suggest.
Texas Social Work Job Market and Workforce
Texas has a staggering mental health workforce shortage. 246 of the state's 254 counties are designated as mental health Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs), meaning over 97% of Texas counties don't have enough mental health providers to meet demand. The shortage is most severe in rural West Texas and the Panhandle, where some counties have zero licensed mental health practitioners. But even major metros like Houston and Dallas have HPSAs within their city limits.
Texas employs roughly 45,470 social workers across all specialties (BLS May 2024), making it one of the largest social work labor markets in the country by raw numbers. The biggest employers include the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) — the state's child welfare agency — along with major health systems like Baylor Scott & White, Memorial Hermann, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Texas Children's Hospital, and the VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System. The state also has 15 military installations, creating unique demand for social workers serving military families.
Texas is investing heavily in closing the gap. The state's Mental Health Professionals Loan Repayment Program is one of the most generous in the country, and the 2025-26 cycle added bonuses for bilingual practitioners and those serving in counties with fewer than 150,000 residents.
Loan Repayment and Scholarship Programs
- Texas Mental Health Professionals Loan Repayment Program — Up to $160,000 for social workers who commit to 3 years of service in a designated shortage area, state hospital, public school, or through a mental health authority. Additional $5,000 bonus for bilingual practitioners and $10,000 for those in counties under 150,000 population.
- State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP) — Federal NHSC-funded program administered through Texas for licensed health professionals, including LCSWs, who serve in approved HPSAs for a minimum of 2 years.
- Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) — Social workers at state agencies (HHSC, DFPS), VA hospitals, county mental health authorities, and nonprofit health systems all qualify for federal PSLF after 10 years of qualifying payments under an income-driven repayment plan.
How to Choose an MSW Program in Texas
With over 20 MSW programs in Texas, the decision can feel overwhelming. Start with the factors that matter most for your situation: whether you can attend in person, how much you can afford, and what kind of social work you want to practice.
- If you want the strongest national reputation: UT Austin's Steve Hicks School is ranked in the top 10 nationally and has 13 research centers. It's the clear choice if you're aiming for doctoral work, policy careers, or national organizations.
- If you need a fully online program: Texas A&M-Commerce ($407/credit), Texas Tech ($387/credit), Stephen F. Austin ($467/credit), and UTEP ($510/credit flat rate) all offer fully online CSWE-accredited MSW programs at public university prices.
- If you're in the DFW metroplex: UT Arlington ($519/credit, two campus locations) and TCU ($1,030/credit, small cohorts) give you strong options with access to thousands of field placement agencies.
- If budget is your top priority: Texas Tech at $387/credit and Texas A&M-Commerce at $407/credit are the most affordable options. Both are fully online, so you don't need to relocate.
- If you're in Houston: University of Houston has three delivery formats (face-to-face, hybrid, online) and sits next to the Texas Medical Center. Our Lady of the Lake also has a Houston campus.
- If you want faith-integrated practice: Baylor's Diana R. Garland School is the national leader in faith and social work integration, and Our Lady of the Lake offers a Catholic-rooted approach in San Antonio.
- If you want to work with border communities: UTEP is the only MSW program in the country with a "Social Work in the Border Region" concentration, providing bilingual/bicultural training along the U.S.-Mexico border.
- If you have a BSW and want to finish fast: Most Texas programs offer advanced standing tracks of 30-38 credits (roughly 1 year). UTEP's advanced standing is just 30 credits, and Texas A&M-Commerce is 36 credits.
Related Pages
Best Online MSW Programs
National ranking of the top online MSW programs
Best Online BSW Programs
If you need a BSW before your MSW
Best Online DSW Programs
Doctoral programs for experienced social workers
Clinical Social Worker Career Guide
What LCSWs actually do day-to-day
Clinical Social Worker Salary
Salary data by state, experience, and setting
MSW Programs by State
Compare MSW programs across all 50 states
Sources
- CSWE Accredited Programs Directory — Texas
- Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council — Social Worker Licensing
- BHEC — How to Become an LCSW
- Bureau of Labor Statistics — Social Workers in Texas (May 2024)
- ASWB — Licensing Exams
- HRSA — Mental Health HPSA Data
- Texas DSHS — Health Professional Shortage Area Designations
- Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board — Mental Health Loan Repayment