Online MSW Programs in Texas

Students and professionals in Texas interested in earning a Master of Social Work (MSW) online have several options in terms of both in-state and out-of-state universities.

Some universities in Texas that have online master of social work programs include: Our Lady of the Lake University, Texas State University, the University of Houston, the University of Texas at Arlington and the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.Stephen F. Austin State University is also launching an online master of social work program for Texas and surrounding state residents in Spring 2020.

Colleges in Texas with Online MSW Programs

If you’re living in Texas, don’t have the time to take daytime classes, or are out of reach of a campus, there are many options for online master’s in social work programs within the state.

In the Dallas-Fort Worth area, there is the University of Texas at Arlington. South Texas offers OLLU and Texas State University around San Antonio and the University of Houston near the city center.

Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) - OLLU’s online master of social work offers two online options for students: foundation MSW and concentration MSW for bachelors of social work (BSW) applicants. OLLU’s MSW program has an emphasis on working with and serving the Hispanic community, which can be completed in a little over three years.
Texas State University - Offering part- and full-time online master’s in social work program options, Texas State also offers a traditional standing and advanced standing program for BSW applicants.
University of Houston - The University of Houston has a part-time online master of social work that can be completed in three years. Tracks are offered in traditional standing or advanced to help students prepare for clinical social work practice.
University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) - Accepting only Texas residents at this time, the University of Texas at Arlington offers an online social work master’s program in traditional and advanced standing tracks. UTA’s online MSW program also has concentration options in Direct Practice with Children and Families, Direct Practice in Mental Health and Substance Abuse, and Direct Practice in Aging.
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) - The UTRGV has an online advanced standing master’s in social work program with concentrations in Administration and Community Practice and Direct Practice with Latino Individuals, Families, and Groups.

Colleges in Texas with Online MSW Programs
University Name	City	Program Structure	Program Options
Baylor University Sponsored	Waco, TX	100% Online	Standard or Advanced Full- or Part-Time Standard Full-Time Advanced
Our Lady of the Lake University	San Antonio, TX	100% Online	Traditional or Advanced Part-Time
Texas State University	San Marcos, TX	100% Online	Traditional or Advanced Full-time or Part-Time
University of Houston	Houston, TX	100% Online	Traditional or Advanced Full-Time or Part-Time
University of Texas at Arlington	Arlington, TX	100% Online, open to Texas residents only	Traditional or Advanced Full-Time or Part-Time
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley	Multiple Campuses within the Rio Grande Valley in Texas	100% Online	Advanced Full-Time

University Name	Live Classes	Offline Mobile App	Field Placement Services	No Campus Visit Required	Learn More
University of Denver Master of Social Work	yes	yes	yes	yes	MSW@Denver
Fordham University Master of Social Work	yes	yes	yes	yes	OnlineMSW@Fordham
Simmons University Master of Social Work	yes	yes	yes	yes	SocialWork@Simmons
Case Western Reserve University Master of Science in Social Administration	yes	yes	yes	yes	Online Social Work at CWRU
University of Southern California (USC) Master of Social Work	yes	yes	yes	yes	MSW@USC
Baylor University Master of Social Work	yes	yes	yes	yes	MSW@Baylor

Colleges in Texas with Hybrid MSW Programs

Two of the online master’s in social work program offerings in Texas also offer a hybrid option -- the University of Houston and the University of Texas at Arlington with different program structures and options.

Colleges in California with Hybrid MSW Programs
University Name	City	Program Structure	Program Options
University of Houston	Houston, TX	75% Online with face-to-face coursework at UH Main Campus and UH Sugar Land Campus 1 to 2 Saturdays per month	Traditional or Advanced Part-Time
University of Texas at Arlington	Arlington, TX	50% Online with 50% face-to-face classes in Arlington	Advanced or Traditional Full-Time Only

The University of Houston offers a hybrid MSW program in addition to their online master of social work. In three years, students are able to earn their master’s of social work through online classes and some Saturday classroom settings. Students may also pursue advanced standing admission to complete their degree in about two and a half years.
The University of Texas at Arlington offers a “Mixed-Mode Cohort” for advanced standing students at a full-time enrollment level. Students in the advanced standing hybrid program may complete their master of social work degree in 12 months, while students in the traditional program will take 24 months. Students may pursue specialties in Children and Families.

Online MSW Programs that Accept Students from Texas

Online MSW Programs that Accept Students from California
University Name	Program Structure	Program Options
Adelphi University	Limited Campus Visits Required	Traditional/Advanced PT
Arizona State University	100% Online	Traditional/Advanced PT
Baylor University Sponsored	100% Online	Traditional FT & PT
Boise State University	100% Online	Traditional/Advanced FT & PT
Boston University	100% Online	Traditional/Advanced PT
California State University, Northridge	100% Online	Traditional FT
California State University, San Bernardino	Limited Campus Visits Required	Traditional PT
Campbellsville University	100% Online	Traditional FT, Advanced FT & PT
Capella University	100% Online	Traditional/Advanced FT & PT
Case Western Reserve University	100% Online	Traditional/Advanced PT
Columbia University	100% Online	Traditional FT & PT, Advanced PT
Delaware State University	100% Online	Traditional/Advanced FT
Edinboro University	100% Online	Traditional/Advanced FT
Florida State University	100% Online	Traditional/Advanced PT
Fordham University Sponsored	100% Online	Traditional/Advanced FT & PT
George Mason University	100% Online	Traditional PT
Humboldt State University	Limited Campus Visits Required	Traditional/Advanced PT
Indiana University	100% Online	Traditional/Advanced FT & PT
Louisiana State University	100% Online	Traditional FT & PT, Advanced FT
Loyola University Chicago	100% Online	Traditional/Advanced FT & PT
Metropolitan State University of Denver	100% Online	Traditional/Advanced FT & PT
New Mexico State University	100% Online	Traditional/Advanced FT
Ohio State University	100% Online	Traditional/Advanced FT & PT
Ohio University	100% Online	Traditional/Advanced PT
Our Lady of the Lake University	100% Online	Traditional/Advanced PT
Portland State University	Limited Campus Visits Required	Traditional PT, Advanced FT
Rutgers University	100% Online	Traditional PT, Advanced FT
Samford University	100% Online	Traditional/Advanced FT & PT
San Jose State University	Limited Campus Visits Required	Traditional PT
Simmons University Sponsored	100% Online	Traditional/Advanced FT & PT
Temple University	100% Online	Traditional PT
Texas State University - San Marcos	100% Online	Traditional/Advanced FT & PT
The Catholic University of America	100% Online	Traditional/Advanced PT
Tulane University	100% Online	Traditional FT & PT, Advanced FT
University at Buffalo (SUNY)	100% Online	Traditional/Advanced PT
University of Arkansas	100% Online	Advanced FT
University of Central Florida	100% Online	Traditional/Advanced PT
University of Denver Sponsored	100% Online	Traditional/Advanced FT & PT
University of Georgia	100% Online	Traditional PT
University of Houston	100% Online	Traditional/Advanced PT
University of Kentucky	100% Online	Traditional/Advanced FT
University of Louisville	100% Online	Traditional/Advanced FT & PT
University of Nevada, Reno	100% Online	Traditional 8 Semesters, Advanced 4 Semesters
University of New England (UNE)	100% Online	Traditional PT, Advanced Accelerated & PT
University of New Hampshire	100% Online	Traditional/Advanced FT
University of North Dakota	Limited Campus Visits Required	Traditional/Advanced PT
University of South Florida	100% Online	Traditional/Advanced FT & PT
University of Tennessee at Knoxville	100% Online	Traditional/Advanced FT & PT
University of Texas - Rio Grande Valley	100% Online	Advanced FT
West Virginia University	100% Online	Traditional/Advanced PT
Western New Mexico University	100% Online	Traditional/Advanced FT & PT
Winthrop University	100% Online	Traditional/Advanced FT
Yeshiva University	100% Online	Traditional/Advanced FT & PT

All online MSW programs require field education at a local health services agency. Programs that are 100% online do not require students to visit the campus during the program.

How to Become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Texas

The Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners issues three different social work licenses: Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW), Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), and Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).

How to Become a Social Worker in Texas

The Texas State Board of Social Work Examiners issues four types of social work license: Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) and Licensed Master Social Worker – Advanced Practice (LMSW-AP). Below are some common steps to become a social worker in Texas, which you should confirm with Texas’ board of social workers. Information regarding licensure in Texas was last retrieved in August 2020.

Pathway to Become an LBSW in Texas

Complete a Bachelor of Social Work degree program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
Pass the Bachelors Social Work Licensing Examination from the Association of Social Work Boards.
Apply to the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners.

Pathway to Become an LCSW in Texas

Complete a bachelor’s degree.
Complete a Master of Social Work degree program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
Following graduation, complete 3,000 hours of approved, supervised professional clinical experience within two to four years, with a minimum of 100 hours of board-approved supervision with an approved supervisor.
Pass the Clinical Social Work Licensing Examination from the Association of Social Work Boards.
Apply to the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners.

Pathway to Become a LMSW in Texas

Complete a bachelor’s degree.
Complete a Master of Social Work degree program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
Pass the Masters Social Work Licensing Examination from the Association of Social Work Boards.
Apply to the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners.

Pathway to Become a LMSW-AP in Texas

Complete a bachelor’s degree.
Complete a Master of Social Work degree program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
Following graduation, complete 3,000 hours of supervised non-clinical experience within 24 to 48 months, with a minimum of 100 hours of supervision.
Pass the Advanced Generalist Social Work Licensing Examination from the Association of Social Work Boards.
Apply to the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners.

Last updated: September 2020


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