Are you prepared to create a positive impact in Texas communities through an online social work degree? Online learning offers you the flexibility to organize your schedule around personal and professional responsibilities, all while building a foundation for a career in social work.
Texas provides many accredited programs designed to give you the skills and knowledge required to make a meaningful difference. This guide covers popular bachelor’s and master’s programs in Texas, offering details on admission requirements, course structures, and how each program can help you reach your goals.
Online Social Work Degrees in Texas
Listed below are some of the popular schools offering online social work degrees in Texas:
- Angelo State University
- Texas Tech University
- Texas A&M University – Commerce
- University of Houston
- Our Lady of the Lake University
- Grand Canyon University
- Simmons University
- Chamberlain University
- National University
Angelo State University
Online Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
At Angelo State University, you can complete the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program entirely online. Upon graduation, you will be eligible to take the Texas State Board of Social Work Examiners Licensing Exam, enabling you to begin your career immediately.
This BSW program emphasizes generalist social work practice, with advanced elective courses available to help you develop skills in specific areas based on faculty expertise and chosen field education locations. You may choose to specialize in areas such as:
- Children, adolescents, and families
- Active military, veterans, and military families
- Health and mental health settings
- Addictions and substance use disorders
- Gerontology and aging populations
- Social and community development
To graduate, you must complete a total of 120 semester hours, including core education requirements, academic major courses, general electives, and advanced social work electives. Some courses are advanced (3000- and 4000-level) while others can be taken at lower division levels (1000 and 2000-level).
The BSW at Angelo State University program prepares you for various roles in social work, including child and family services, health and mental health, addictions and substance abuse, criminal justice and corrections, and gerontology.
The program emphasizes an ecological perspective, helping you understand the reciprocal relationship between individuals and their environments. The general intervention model is used as a framework for engaging, assessing, and intervening with clients, supplemented by various theories to provide a broad understanding of human behavior throughout the lifespan.
Throughout the program, you will complete various social work courses, including:
- Life & Physical Science
- Introduction to Social Work
- Language, Philosophy, and Culture
- Social Work Theory and Practice
- Social Work with Groups
- Human Behavior/Social Environment
- Social Work Policy and Practice
- Social Work Practice
- Social Work Field Education
As a generalist practitioner, you will be equipped to work with individuals, couples, families, groups, organizations, and communities. No matter the area of practice—whether child welfare, corrections, health/mental health, aging, etc.—or level of intervention (micro, mezzo, or macro), you will seek to promote social and economic justice, support self-determination, and uphold the dignity and worth of all individuals, regardless of background, age, ability, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status.
Field education allows you to apply the social work knowledge, skills, values, and cognitive processes learned in the classroom to real-world situations. You will be supervised by a professional social worker or related professional in a field agency (Field Instructor) and by field faculty (Field Education Liaison and Field Education Director) at the University.
In the fall of your senior year, you will be required to complete 500 hours of Field Education—250 hours each semester. All hours must be satisfactorily completed to graduate from the program.
The primary goal of field education is to provide you with opportunities to apply advanced generalist social work knowledge and develop skills reflecting the values and ethics of the profession in micro, mezzo, and macro practice. Field education has the following goals:
- To help you apply social work knowledge, skills, values, and ethics to improve well-being through supervised generalist practice.
- To enable you to address environmental conditions affecting clients and their surroundings.
- To equip you to use research methods to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions, programs, and agency performance, while using practice knowledge to inform research.
- To prepare you to work with diverse client groups, especially populations vulnerable to discrimination.
- To support your professional socialization by encouraging the demonstration of professional behavior and social work ethics.
- To assist you in assessing and developing your potential for advanced social work practice through feedback from field instructors and faculty
The Bachelor’s Portfolio project serves as the capstone assignment for the BSW program, together with the comprehensive examination, to assess your competencies in social work knowledge and skills developed throughout the program. If you live within 250 miles of San Angelo, you must take the comprehensive exam in person. Exceptions to this policy are rare and considered case-by-case by the BSW Program Director, whose decision is final.
The BSW at Angelo State University program accepts applications year-round with a priority deadline of May 1st. Applicants are accepted until the program reaches capacity, after which new applicants are placed on a waiting list.
Admission requirements for the BSW program at Angelo State University include:
- Completed application via ApplyTexas.
- Admission to Angelo State University.
- Submission of the BSW program application.
- A GPA of 2.00 on all previous college courses for regular admission.
- A GPA of 2.50 on previously taken social work courses.
- Official transcripts for all undergraduate coursework.
- 20 clock hours of volunteer experience in a social service agency.
- A personal narrative of at least five pages, written in APA 7th Edition.
Admission status to the BSW program is based on academic performance. Regular admission is granted to applicants with a 2.50 GPA or higher, no ethical or conduct issues, and positive field instructor evaluations. Provisional admission is granted to applicants with a GPA below 2.00, allowing one semester to achieve a 2.50 GPA or be dismissed from the program.
Texas Tech University
Online Master of Social Work (MSW)
The online Master of Social Work (MSW) Program at Texas Tech University prepares advanced generalist social workers to serve society through professional social work practice, civic engagement, and thoughtful leadership. This program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
As graduates of this program, you will develop critical thinking and self-direction, using self-awareness and sensitivity to advocate for social justice both within the South Plains Region and the global community.
The MSW program at Texas Tech University integrates the purpose, core principles, and methods of social work, while adding advanced knowledge and skills to ensure graduates refine their practice continually and uphold the values of the profession. Through an advanced generalist curriculum, online MSW students learn to promote health and well-being in micro, mezzo, and macro-level systems by building effective partnerships with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
In this online MSW program, small class sizes are emphasized to provide a personalized and interactive learning experience, allowing you to form meaningful connections with peers and faculty.
Standard MSW Program (Non-Advanced Standing): This option requires 59 credit hours, including 900 clock hours of field placement. Students following the Standard Admission process will take all required general courses and select two electives. Required courses include four field placements: the first requires 150 clock hours, and the next three each require 250 clock hours.
During the first two semesters, you will complete foundational courses at the 5000 level. Advanced generalist courses are taken in the second year at the 6000 level. Only students who have completed all 5000-level courses or who are admitted with Advanced Standing may progress to the advanced curriculum.
The full-time program is typically completed in 2 years, while the part-time option can take 4 years, with a schedule that minimizes time away from employment.
Advanced MSW Program Option: For students with a BSW from a CSWE-accredited institution, this program requires 32 credit hours and includes 500 clock hours of field placement across two semesters. This option allows you to complete the full-time program in 1 year or the part-time program in 2 years.
Field Experience
Field placements enable you to apply generalist and advanced skills across micro, mezzo, and macro systems. You will gain hands-on experience in a certified social agency, closely supervised by field instructors and guided by the social work code of ethics. Field experiences are graded pass-fail. Most agencies operate during regular business hours, though some may offer alternative schedules.
These placements allow you to:
- Observe daily activities of social work professionals in diverse settings
- Assess the real-world impact of social policies on individuals and families
- Gain practical experience with active cases at field sites
- Address ethical challenges across various practice levels (micro, mezzo, and macro)
To apply for the Standard MSW Program, you need to submit:
- A completed application to the TTU Graduate School.
- Application fee.
- Unofficial transcripts; official transcripts are required if admitted, showing a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
- Two letters of recommendation, preferably one from a recent employer and one from a former professor.
- A resume including employment and volunteer experience.
- A written document with responses to the following questions:
- What inspired you to study social work?
- How do you envision using advanced generalist practice training in your career?
- Describe your experience with diverse populations and how it influenced your understanding of social justice.
- Identify a social issue impacting your community. How could social work address this?
- Will you study full-time or part-time, and do you have flexible work hours to support your study?
For the Advanced MSW Program, submit:
- A completed application to the TTU Graduate School.
- Application fee.
- Unofficial transcripts showing a recent BSW degree from a CSWE-accredited program (official transcripts required if admitted).
- Two letters of recommendation, preferably from a recent employer and a former professor.
- A copy of the final field placement evaluation (or midterm field evaluation if completing the BSW at the current semester).
- A resume including employment and volunteer experience.
- A document responding to the following questions (200-300 words each):
- How have social work values influenced your interactions with clients?
- Describe an ethical dilemma you experienced professionally.
- Discuss a client interaction involving diversity.
- How will you use advanced generalist practice training in your future career?
- Identify an area of social injustice affecting individuals, groups, and communities.
- Will you study full-time or part-time, and do you have flexible work hours?
Texas A&M University – Commerce
Online Master of Social Work (MSW)
The online MSW program at Texas A&M University-Commerce is designed to meet the educational needs of advanced social workers. Accredited by the CSWE, the program prepares you for the Texas LMSW licensure exam and follows an advanced generalist practice model. The program offers a rigorous education to equip you for diverse practice settings, combining advanced coursework and practical field experience to address complex social challenges.
Foundation Generalist Practice Track: This track is a two-year full-time program (four semesters plus one summer semester) or can be completed part-time in about four years. It is designed for individuals who have:
- A non-social work bachelor’s degree.
- A social work degree earned more than six years before starting the program.
- A social work degree from a program not accredited by CSWE.
The Foundation Generalist Practice (FGP) track includes 24 credit hours, with 3 credit hours of a foundation internship/practicum completed in your final semester of the FGP track. Full-time students can complete the FGP requirements in three semesters, while part-time students may take four to six semesters.
After completing the FGP track, you will progress to the Advanced Generalist Practice (AGP) track, which consists of 33 credit hours. Foundation track students will complete a total of 57 credit hours for the MSW degree, typically over six semesters full-time or 10 to 12 part-time semesters.
Foundation courses include:
- Research for Practice
- Social Justice for Oppressed Populations
- Foundation of Social Welfare Policy
- Human Behavior in the Social Environment
- Generalist Practice with Individuals, Families, and Small Groups
- Generalist Practice with Groups, Organizations, and Communities
- Field Foundations Practicum
Advanced Generalist Practice Track: This one-year full-time program is available to students with a Bachelor of Social Work degree from a CSWE-accredited program, earned within six years of the start date. The AGP track consists of 33 credit hours, which may be completed in one year full-time or two years part-time, and includes 6 hours of advanced internship/practicum at a partner agency or one of your choice.
Foundation generalist (specialization) courses include:
- Advanced Generalist Practice with Individuals
- Advanced Generalist Practice with Families
- Organizations, Communities, and Social Policy
- Social Work Supervision and Administration
- Advanced Generalist Practice with Small Groups
- Clinical Practice in Mental Health
- Advanced Generalist Practice Field Practicum
- Research Methods in Advanced Social Work Practice
- Research Techniques in Data Analysis for Social Work
The program builds on generalist practice to develop specialized skills for working with specific populations, addressing particular issues, or using targeted methods of intervention. Specialized practitioners apply social work competencies and engage in research to enhance practice, policy, and service delivery. They advocate for clients and use scientific inquiry to employ best practices consistent with social work values.
The Field Practicum provides practical experience in addressing societal issues through professional practices and strategies. It connects theoretical knowledge from coursework with real-world application. Practicum placements offer both generalist and specialized practice opportunities in working with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
For Foundation track students, the program requires 600 contact hours over two semesters in the AGP Field Practicum, for a total of 900 practicum hours. Advanced track students complete 500 contact hours over two semesters, with a minimum of 900 practicum hours between the BSW and MSW programs.
The MSW program at Texas A&M University-Commerce includes a comprehensive examination to ensure you acquire the required knowledge, skills, values, and processes as defined by social work competencies. This exam tests your understanding of your field of study, requiring a passing score of 70.
To apply for the MSW Advanced Standing program, you must have:
- A CSWE-accredited BSW degree earned within six years of the anticipated start date.
- A cumulative bachelor’s GPA of 3.0 or at least a 3.0 GPA on the last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework.
You may transfer up to 12 credits into the MSW program. To ensure proper academic advising, you are encouraged to upload syllabi for courses you wish to transfer as part of your application package.
University of Houston
Online Master of Social Work (MSW)
The CSWE-accredited online MSW program at the University of Houston is designed for self-motivated learners who need a flexible schedule. You will be assigned to a cohort and take online classes with your cohort throughout the program. This setup allows you to build supportive professional relationships with classmates, creating a strong learning environment and networking opportunities.
While the program offers flexibility, it requires you to meet firm deadlines and due dates for assignments and learning activities. The MSW program consists of 51 semester credit hours for the full program and 34 semester credit hours for Advanced Standing. The maximum course load for MSW students is 15 credit hours in Fall or Spring and 6 credit hours in Summer.
Foundation Track (Full Program): The foundation curriculum focuses on generalist social work practice and covers social, economic, and political justice with an emphasis on critical thinking skills. It includes a 200-hour practicum and requires completion of 15 credit hours. Full-time students can complete the foundation curriculum in one semester, while part-time students take two semesters.
The foundation curriculum begins with SOCW 6201 Foundations of Social Work Profession during the first week of the semester, a 2 credit-hour course that introduces you to the profession and the Graduate College of Social Work. All students in the full program complete 900 clock hours of field practicum.
This program is rooted in the liberal arts and provides an integrated, professional generalist practice foundation that supports the advanced curriculum. Upon completion of the foundation curriculum, you will be able to:
- Apply critical thinking within professional social work practice.
- Understand and practice according to social work values and ethics.
- Practice inclusively, respecting diverse backgrounds and characteristics.
- Identify and address oppression and discrimination and promote social and economic justice.
- Understand the history and contemporary issues of social work.
- Apply an integrated social work perspective to systems of all sizes.
- Use theoretical frameworks to understand individual behavior and development across the lifespan.
- Analyze and influence social policies.
- Evaluate research studies and apply findings to practice.
- Communicate effectively with clients, colleagues, and communities.
- Use supervision and consultation in practice.
- Operate effectively within organizations and service delivery systems.
Advanced Standing Track: If admitted to the Advanced Standing program, you can choose between Clinical Social Work Practice or Macro Practice. Both concentrations require five advanced courses. Additionally, all students take courses in Social Welfare Policy Analysis and Confronting Oppression and Injustice (three credit hours each), and complete 700 clock hours of advanced practicum.
- Clinical Practice: This concentration focuses on applying theories, methods, skills, values, and ethics to improve the cognitive, emotional, behavioral, physical, and social well-being of individuals, families, groups, and communities. You will learn evidence-based interventions that include assessment, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, advocacy, and counseling. Required courses include:
- Critical Clinical Case Formulations and Diagnostics
- Individuals: Advanced Clinical Practice
- Families: Advanced Clinical Practice
- Groups: Advanced Clinical Practice
- Clinical Social Work Praxis: Student Directed Inquiries
- Macro Practice: This concentration prepares you to work in urban settings with diverse and vulnerable populations, focusing on social change and empowerment at community, organizational, and societal levels. You will be equipped for roles as advocates, managers, program planners, researchers, and policy analysts. Required courses include:
- Social Work Practice in Organizations
- Social Work Leadership
- Social Work Practice in Communities
- Social Work Practice for Policy Change
- Program Planning and Evaluation
Advanced Standing students also participate in the Foundations of Social Work course (SOCW 6201) before moving into the advanced curriculum. They complete a total of 500 practicum hours and have 9 credit hours of electives.
To be considered for unconditional admission to the MSW Program at the University of Houston, you must:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, with a solid liberal arts foundation that includes courses in the humanities, social, behavioral, and biological sciences. You must submit official transcripts showing the date your degree was awarded.
- Have achieved a grade point average of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale) for the last 60 hours of academic coursework.
- Provide recommendations from individuals who can speak to your potential for graduate education and professional social work practice, such as former professors, employment supervisors, or professional colleagues. If you graduated within the last 5 years, one recommendation must be from a professor or instructor.
- If you are applying for Advanced Standing, one recommendation must come from your faculty advisor or chairperson of your BSW Program. No more than one of the three recommendations should be personal; otherwise, your file will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed. At least two references should be academic or professional.
- Submit a personal narrative statement describing your interest in social work and your commitment to social and economic justice.
To be considered for Advanced Standing, you must hold or be completing a CSWE-accredited BSW degree.
Grand Canyon University
Online Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
In the CSWE-accredited 120-credit online BSW program at Grand Canyon University (GCU), you will develop the skills necessary to enhance the well-being of individuals, families, and communities through work with diverse groups in various settings.
In GCU’s BSW program, you will examine how individuals’ responses to various factors influence a social worker’s approach. As you progress through the curriculum, you will develop skills in cultural competency and advocacy.
You will also analyze human behavior within the social environment, critically evaluating biopsychosocial development from conception through late adulthood using an integrative approach. Courses offer opportunities to acquire, practice, and reflect on skills across intake, assessment, treatment, evaluation, and termination stages. This curriculum equips you with the tools needed to positively impact families and individuals.
As a student, you will apply knowledge from academic and field experiences to create a final project and presentation demonstrating your understanding of key competencies, such as assessment, ethics, theory application, cultural sensitivity, and practice skills.
The program’s core courses include:
- Introduction to Social Welfare: Provides an overview of social work in the U.S., covering cultural and social values, history, and theoretical models shaping the profession.
- Social Service Delivery Systems: Explores human service agencies at federal, state, and community levels and service delivery to special populations, with 25 service-learning hours.
- Human Biology and Social Work Practice: Examines human biology’s impact on social work practice, focusing on the body’s responses to various factors.
- Social Work Ethics and Decision-Making: Covers the history and application of ethics in social work, focusing on the NASW Code of Ethics.
- Social Welfare Policy and Services: Develops strategies for ensuring quality healthcare and safety for patients, focusing on sustainable change and ethical principles.
- Trauma-Informed Care: Provides foundational knowledge on trauma-informed care, covering trauma types, adverse outcomes, and methods for assessing and addressing traumatic stress.
- Field Instruction I and II: Allows you to gain foundational social work practice in approved community agencies, integrating theory and skills with 200 field hours per course.
- Case Management: Teaches entry-level case management skills including client assessment, tracking, and problem-solving techniques through case studies.
The program concludes with a capstone project where you integrate prior learning to showcase your knowledge and skills in social work.
This degree program will develop the following core competencies in social work:
- Understanding diversity, advocacy, and social justice in practice.
- Ethical professional behavior aligned with the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics.
- Application of scientific inquiry and research in social work.
- Principles of trauma-informed care.
- Leadership and management skills in social work.
- Mastery of the social work helping process.
- Proficiency in case management techniques.
To apply directly to GCU’s BSW program, you must meet one of the following criteria:
- High School Graduate with Unweighted GPA of 3.0+: Home school transcripts are accepted from states recognizing home schooling as secondary education.
- High School Graduate with Unweighted GPA of 2.5+ and Qualifying College Entrance Exam Score: ACT: 19 or SAT (math and reading only): 1000 (post-3/1/2016), 1380 (pre-3/1/2016).
How Much Does a Licensed Social Worker Make in Texas?
As of November 2024, the average annual salary for a licensed social worker working in Texas is $87,723. More experienced and top earning social workers in Texas make over $145,000 per year.
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