Texas · Verified September 2026
MSW Programs in Texas
Where Can You Earn an MSW in Texas, and How Do You Get Licensed?
25 schools in Texas offer 33 MSW programs we verified, including Abilene Christian University, Angelo State University and Baylor University. 18 can be taken online and 31 offer advanced standing. Estimated tuition runs from $19,380 to $138,900 before fees. After the MSW, Texas's clinical license is the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).
- Earn a CSWE-accredited MSW2 years full time, or about 1 with advanced standing
- Pass the ASWB exam (Masters)For the LMSW
- Log supervised clinical hoursAt least 3,000 hours of supervised professional clinical experience ov…
- Earn the clinical license (LCSW)Independent clinical practice
- programs in Texas
- 33
- schools
- 25
- CSWE-accredited schools
- 22
- offer advanced standing
- 31
- online programs
- 18
The Texas Social Work License Path
Texas Social Work Licenses
Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council, Texas State Board of Social Worker ExaminersLicensed Baccalaureate Social Worker
- Degree
- Baccalaureate degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program or a program in candidacy for CSWE accreditation
- Exam
- ASWB Bachelors
- Independent practice
- No, practice under supervision or in an agency
Licensed Master Social Worker
- Degree
- Master's or doctoral degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program or a program in candidacy for CSWE accreditation
- Exam
- ASWB Masters
- Independent practice
- No, practice under supervision or in an agency
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
- Degree
- Doctoral or master's degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program (or one in candidacy) that includes a completed field placement in social work
- Exam
- ASWB Clinical
- Supervised experience
- At least 3,000 hours of supervised professional clinical experience over at least 24 months, with at least 100 hours of supervisory sessions under an appropriate supervisor
- Independent practice
- Yes
- State exam
- Texas Social Worker Jurisprudence Exam required for all licenses; certificate dated no earlier than six months before the online application
From Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council, Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners, reviewed 2026-09-30. Rules change; confirm with the board before you plan your supervised hours. Plan your own timeline with the license pathway planner.
Texas Schools Compared
| School | Programs | Formats | CSWE | Advanced standing | Lowest est. tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of HoustonHouston · Public | 3 | Campus, Hybrid, Online | CSWE | Yes | $24,213 |
| Abilene Christian UniversityAbilene · Private nonprofit | 2 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes | $39,000 |
| Baylor UniversityWaco · Private nonprofit | 2 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes | $52,200 |
| Our Lady of the Lake UniversitySan Antonio · Private nonprofit | 2 | Hybrid, Online | CSWE | Yes | $42,750 |
| Texas Tech UniversityLubbock · Public | 2 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes | |
| The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyEdinburg · Public | 2 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes | |
| UT ArlingtonArlington · Public | 2 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes | $37,922 |
| Angelo State UniversitySan Angelo · Public | 1 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes | |
| East Texas A&M UniversityCommerce · Public | 1 | Online | CSWE | Yes | |
| Prairie View A & M UniversityPrairie View · Public | 1 | Online | CSWE | Yes | |
| Stephen F Austin State UniversityNacogdoches · Public | 1 | Hybrid, Online | CSWE | Yes | |
| Tarleton State UniversityStephenville · Public | 1 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes | |
| Texas A&M University-KingsvilleKingsville · Public | 1 | CSWE | Yes | ||
| Texas A&M University-TexarkanaTexarkana · Public | 1 | Campus | CSWE | ||
| Texas Christian UniversityFort Worth · Private nonprofit | 1 | Campus | CSWE | Yes | $138,900 |
| Texas State UniversitySan Marcos · Public | 1 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes | |
| Texas Woman's UniversityDenton · Public | 1 | Hybrid | CSWE | Yes | $19,380 |
| The University of Texas at El PasoEl Paso · Public | 1 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes | |
| The University of Texas at San AntonioSan Antonio · Public | 1 | Campus | CSWE | Yes | |
| University of North TexasDenton · Public | 1 | Campus | CSWE | Yes | |
| UT AustinAustin · Public | 1 | Campus | CSWE | Yes | |
| West Texas A & M UniversityCanyon · Public | 1 | Online | CSWE | Yes | |
| The University of Texas Health Science Center at HoustonHouston · Public | 1 | Pre-candidacy | Yes | $21,700 | |
| The University of Texas Permian BasinOdessa · Public | 1 | Online | Candidacy | $25,414 | |
| University of Houston-DowntownHouston · Public | 1 | Online | Pre-candidacy | Yes | $26,475 |
From each school's own pages, reviewed September 2026. CSWE status from CSWE's directory. Estimated tuition is the published per-credit rate times the stated credits, before fees, or the school's published total.
Every MSW Program in Texas
33 programs in Texas
Master of Social Work (Arlington Campus and Online for Texas Residents) at UT Arlington
UT Arlington · ArlingtonFormatOn campus, OnlineCredits61Est. tuition$5,384per term · general rate · resident rateAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work (Distance Learning Out-of-State Online) at UT Arlington
UT Arlington · ArlingtonFormatOnlineCredits61Est. tuition$37,922$622/credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campus900 field hoursCredits51Est. tuition$24,213$475/credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWE
Master of Social Work (Hybrid, UH Sugar Land) at University of Houston
University of Houston · HoustonFormatHybrid900 field hoursCredits51Est. tuition$24,213$475/credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWE- FormatOnline900 field hoursCredits51Est. tuition$24,213$475/credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWE
Master of Social Work (San Antonio and Rio Grande Valley Campuses) at Our Lady of the Lake University
Our Lady of the Lake University · San AntonioFormatHybridCredits57Est. tuition$58,767$1,031/creditAccreditationCSWEOnline Master of Social Work: Services to Hispanic Children and Family at Our Lady of the Lake University
Our Lady of the Lake University · San AntonioFormatOnlineCredits57Est. tuition$42,750$750/creditAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campusCredits58Est. tuition$52,200$900/creditAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOnlineCredits58Est. tuition$63,800$1,100/creditAccreditationCSWE
Master of Social Work (Edinburg, Brownsville and Laredo) at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley · EdinburgFormatOn campusCredits60Est. tuition$6,098per term · resident rateAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work (Online Program) at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley · EdinburgFormatOnlineCredits60Est. tuition$4,650per term · general rate · resident rateAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campus900 field hoursCredits60Est. tuition$6,188per term · resident rateAccreditationCSWE
Master of Social Work (Advanced Practice Leadership) at Texas State University
Texas State University · San MarcosFormatOn campus, OnlineCredits62Est. tuition$5,872per term · resident rateAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work at Stephen F Austin State University
Stephen F Austin State University · NacogdochesFormatHybrid, OnlineCredits64Est. tuition$4,325per term · general rate · resident rateAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work at the University of Texas at San Antonio
The University of Texas at San Antonio · San AntonioFormatOn campus900 field hoursCredits60Est. tuition$9,930per year · general rate · resident rateAccreditationCSWE- FormatOnline300 field hoursCredits57Est. tuition$3,851per term · resident rateAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campus, OnlineCredits60Est. tuition–AccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campus, Online900 field hoursCredits66Est. tuition$7,577per year · resident rateAccreditationCSWE
Master of Social Work at the University of Texas at El Paso
The University of Texas at El Paso · El PasoFormatOn campus, Online920 field hoursCredits60Est. tuition$3,758per term · resident rateAccreditationCSWEMaster of Science in Social Work (on Campus, Abilene) at Abilene Christian University
Abilene Christian University · AbileneFormatOn campusCredits60Est. tuition$39,000$650/creditAccreditationCSWEMaster of Science in Social Work (Online) at Abilene Christian University
Abilene Christian University · AbileneFormatOnline400 field hoursCredits60Est. tuition$39,000$650/creditAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campus900 field hoursCredits60Est. tuition– · resident rateAccreditationCSWE
Master of Social Work (Clinical/Activist) at Texas A&M University-Kingsville
Texas A&M University-Kingsville · KingsvilleFormat–900 field hoursCredits60Est. tuition$6,157per year · general rate · resident rateAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campusCredits59Est. tuition$9,518per year · general rate · resident rateAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOnlineCredits59Est. tuition– · resident rateAccreditationCSWE
Master of Social Work (Clinical) at Prairie View a &Amp; M University
Prairie View A & M University · Prairie ViewFormatOnline950 field hoursCredits56Est. tuition–AccreditationCSWE- FormatHybridCredits60Est. tuition$19,380$323/credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campusCredits60Est. tuition$138,900$2,315/creditAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campus400 field hoursCredits60Est. tuition$3,262per term · resident rateAccreditationCSWE
Master of Science in Social Work at West Texas a &Amp; M University
West Texas A & M University · CanyonFormatOnline900 field hoursCredits60Est. tuition– · resident rateAccreditationCSWE- FormatOnlineCredits60Est. tuition$26,475$441/credit · resident rateAccreditationPre-candidacy
- Format–1,020 field hoursCredits62Est. tuition$21,700$350/credit · resident rateAccreditationPre-candidacy
- FormatOnline900 field hoursCredits65Est. tuition$25,414published totalAccreditationCandidacy
No programs match these filters.
Program facts come from each school's own pages, reviewed September 2026. Estimated tuition is the published per-credit rate times the stated credits, before fees, or the school's published program total; "resident rate" means the school charges nonresidents more. CSWE status comes from CSWE's directory of accredited programs.
What an MSW Costs in Texas
15 Texas programs publish enough to estimate tuition before fees, from $19,380 at Texas Woman's University to $138,900 at Texas Christian University. The Texas median is $37,922, against $40,180 nationally.
Public universities' figures are usually the in-state rate. Turn any program into a full cost and loan estimate with the MSW cost and loan calculator.
Largest MSW Programs in Texas
By MSWs awarded in 2022-23 (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS), UT Arlington has Texas's largest program, followed by University of Houston and Our Lady of the Lake University. Size tells you how many classmates, alumni and field placement partners to expect, not how good a program is.
| School | MSWs awarded, 2022-23 |
|---|---|
| UT Arlington | 658 |
| University of Houston | 231 |
| Our Lady of the Lake University | 199 |
| Baylor University | 186 |
| The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley | 153 |
| UT Austin | 142 |
| Texas State University | 97 |
| Stephen F Austin State University | 75 |
Online MSW Options for Texas Residents
You aren't limited to schools in Texas: 243 online MSW programs at schools in other states accept students nationwide. Before you apply, confirm the school can enroll Texas residents online and arrange your field placement in Texas.
| Lowest-cost CSWE-accredited online programs elsewhere | Est. tuition |
|---|---|
| Florida Atlantic University: Master of Social Work - 100% Online Advanced StandingMaster of Social Work - 100% Online Advanced Standing · Florida | $11,155 |
| Appalachian State University: Master of Social Work, Advanced Standing (App State Online)Master of Social Work, Advanced Standing (App State Online) · North Carolina | $11,359 |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Metro: Maestría en Trabajo Social (MSW), Especialidad en Trabajo Social Clínico - Online / PresencialMaestría en Trabajo Social (MSW), Especialidad en Trabajo Social Clínico - Online / Presencial · Puerto Rico | $12,939 |
| University of North Alabama: Master of Social Work (online)Master of Social Work (online) · Alabama | $14,850 |
| University of Arkansas: Online Advanced Standing Master of Social WorkOnline Advanced Standing Master of Social Work · Arkansas | $15,151 |
| East Carolina University: Master of Social Work, part-time online (Regular Pathway and Advanced Standing)Master of Social Work, part-time online (Regular Pathway and Advanced Standing) · North Carolina | $16,624 |
Compare every option on the online MSW programs page, or let the program matcher rank them for you.
Social Worker Pay in Texas
| Occupation | Texas median | U.S. median | Jobs in Texas |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $55,680 | $59,550 | 21,670 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $69,990 | $67,880 | 10,880 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $46,630 | $60,280 | 8,220 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $84,240 | $71,900 | 2,880 |
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. A high median on few jobs describes a small market. What you can do with an MSW.
MSW Programs Near Texas Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many MSW Programs Are in Texas?
We verified 33 MSW programs at 25 schools in Texas; 22 of those schools are listed as accredited in CSWE's directory.
What Social Work Licenses Does Texas Issue?
Texas's board (Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council, Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners) issues LBSW, LMSW and LCSW. Clinical practice requires the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), after At least 3,000 hours of supervised professional clinical experience over at least 24 months, with at least 100 hours of supervisory sessions under an appropriate supervisor.
Can Texas Residents Earn an MSW Online?
Yes. Beyond Texas's own programs, 243 online MSW programs at schools in other states accept students nationwide; confirm each school can enroll Texas residents and place you in a field practicum in Texas. Online MSW programs.
How Much Does an MSW Cost in Texas?
Estimated tuition for Texas programs that publish a rate and their credits runs from $19,380 to $138,900 before fees. Public universities usually charge nonresidents more, and advanced standing cuts the total for BSW graduates.
Nearby States
Sources
- Official program, tuition and admissions pages of the 25 Texas schools listed, reviewed September 2026
- Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council, Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), directory of accredited programs
- U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS completions 2022-23
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025