This guide has everything you need to know about social work programs in Texas. We emphasize master’s in social work (MSW) programs because of their popularity and applicability to obtaining a social work license, which is needed if you want to practice social work in a clinical setting.
CONTENTS OF THIS GUIDE
- Social Work in Texas
- MSW programs
- How to become a social worker
- License requirements
- Social worker salary and jobs
- Job outlook
- School listings
- Expert Advice
Social work in Texas
As one of the southernmost states in the US, Texas also shares a vast border with Mexico. At the time of this writing, significant social welfare services are needed to serve immigrants coming from countries like Mexico, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. Language barriers, immunization issues, and mental health concerns will all play a role in the tasks social workers tackle within the Lone Star State.
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In addition, the population of Texas is growing at about twice the national average. Substance abuse issues play a significant role in the state as well.
Even with all these potential difficulties, Texas can be a rewarding place in which to pursue social work. There are plenty of excellent social work programs within the state, and a generally low cost of living means that social workers can have a high quality of life in almost any position.
Ultimately, Texas is likely going to be the forefront of significant social work developments over the next few decades. It’s a good place for young social work professionals to jump into hard, but rewarding work.
MSW programs in Texas
As is the case with most clinical social work positions across the country, the majority of Texas social work positions also require a master’s of social work (MSW). In a nutshell, an MSW is a professional degree that combines both academic or classwork experience with clinical or fieldwork experience. Upon graduating, aspiring social workers will be eligible for licensing examinations so long as they’ve completed a set number of clinical hours.
The actual classes, hours, and other inclusions within an MSW program can vary from university to university. There are no standardized course offerings, although general curriculums will be relatively similar to one another. This is because all MSW programs need to prepare a student for social work licensure, which carries with it set requirements. Accredited MSW programs will usually include:
- General coursework. These courses cover a variety of social work topics. Topics available include case management, clinical setting writing, ethics, social work policies, social work research practices, etc.
- Specialized coursework. Specialized courses are most often included with MSW programs that allow aspiring social workers to focus on a particular field of social work. For instance, students may take dedicated classes that enable them to become a child, family and school social worker.
- Fieldwork. All MSW programs will include hands-on clinical experience requirements. These generally average anywhere from 30 percent to 50 percent of a program’s hours. Some MSW programs require enough hours to fulfill state licensing requirements, meaning graduates can take licensing tests immediately after graduation.
- Electives. All MSW programs will usually include elective credits to let students specialize even further or pursue other subjects for general academic fulfillment.
Regardless of the exact program’s specifications, social workers who complete an MSW degree in Texas can eventually proceed to the next step of obtaining a clinical license, which requires a set number of professional hours of study and that they pass a state-mandated exam.
There are several universities within Texas that offer accredited MSW programs. The University of Texas at Austin, for instance, includes an MSW program that requires 60 credit hours total across two concentrations: clinical social work, or administration and policy practice. It’s a flexible program that can be completed within 1 to 3.5 years depending on background and experience.
The Denton Campus in the the University of North Texas system, meanwhile, offers a comprehensive MSW program. Standard and advanced standing formats are available, the latter of which allows you to graduate ahead of time based on your prior coursework and professional experience.
Online MSW programs in Texas
There are also plenty of online MSW programs that will allow you to get your degree while working a job or managing other obligations. Online MSW programs in Texas still require a fieldwork component, but you’ll be able to log these clinical hours at nearby clinics or social work settings. Many online programs have longer program completion windows — sometimes courses can be taken over five or six years instead of the normal one to two, which also makes the online MSW programs more flexible.
These Texas online MSW programs exist in three general formats or options.
- Traditional Texas-based schools that have an online component. Some of these programs, like the University of Texas, Arlington, are open to Texas residents only. Other schools in Texas, like the University of Houston, or Texas State University, offer online programs with full-time and part-time options.
- Colleges and universities outside of the state that admit students from Texas. There are a number of really good options that fit this category, ranging from top-tier MSW programs to popular state schools. The key part of finding the right fit is to confirm that students from Texas are eligible for out-of-state online programs.
- Hybrid programs are offered at the University of Texas, Arlington and the University of Houston. Hybrid MSW programs in Texas require some on-campus time (usually 30 to 50 percent of the coursework is completed in-person) and some online learning. Increasingly, hybrid programs are offering more flexibility, like Saturday classes, for example, to accommodate busy student schedules.
How to become a licensed social worker in Texas
Texas offers a series of licensed social worker pathways depending on your educational level and your desired career. In general, social work licences with higher requirements lead to better pay and positions with more responsibility. The four levels of social work licences in Texas are licensed baccalaureate social worker (LSBW), licensed master social worker (LMSW), licensed master social worker with an advanced practitioner specialty (LMSW-AP), and licensed clinical social worker (LCSW).
The first three levels of social work do not require clinical supervised experience, but also do not let you practice independently in a clinical setting. Thus, your career options are much more limited.
Licensed baccalaureate social worker
- Obtain a bachelor’s in social work either online or on-campus
- Complete the Texas online jurisprudence exam
- Complete a Texas State Board of Social Work Examiners (TSBSWE) application for social work licensing
- Complete all licensing requirements, including a photo ID with your full name
- Wait for board approval
- If approved, take the AWSB bachelor’s exam and pass it
Licensed master social worker
- Obtain an MSW and obtained transcripts verifying the program’s completion
- Take the online jurisprudence exam
- Complete the application for social work licensing in Texas along with all of the necessary verification
- Submit to a criminal history evaluation
- Take and pass the ASWB master’s exam
Licensed master social worker – advanced practitioner
- Become an LMSW
- Acquire enough supervisory nonclinical experience to be eligible for the advanced practitioner license
- Submit your application for an upgrade to your social work license
- Complete the ASWB Advanced Generalist exam
Licensed clinical social worker
This last social worker pathway is the only path if you want to work as a social worker in a clinical context. You must have an MSW from an institution already accredited by the CSWE or Council on Social Work Education. After obtaining this certification, you can practice independently.
- Acquire an MSW and the requisite supervised clinical experience for licensure as an LCSW
- Submit an application upgrade your licensure
- Take and pass the ASWB Clinical exam
In addition to all these licensed social worker pathways, you’ll also have the opportunity to proceed into a social work PhD program after obtaining a master’s degree. A Texas PhD program in social work is ideal if you want to progress in the academic field of social work and participate in a more research-focused context. A PhD does not authorize you to practice social work in a clinical setting.
Social work license requirements in Texas
To obtain full licensure and become an LCSW, Texas has the following requirements:
- You must have a master’s degree from a CWSE-accredited program, which indicates that the program in question contains enough academic rigor and includes a set number of clinical hours
- Texas requires that all LSCW candidates have at least 3000 hours of clinical work, 100 of which are supervised, over 24-40 months
- You must also pass the ASWB clinical exam: this is the most advanced form of the exam. Students can sign up for exams at set dates in clinical settings or at the university where they completed their degree – in fact, some colleges include test-taking days as part of their curriculums. Regardless, students can take the test multiple times but must wait a 90-day period between each attempt. All candidates must achieve a passing score of 70 to qualify for licensing, and the fee is $260 per attempt as of March 2020.
If you complete all three of the above requirements, you’ll attain licensure and become an LCSW in Texas. Note that you will need to renew your license by taking the exam again and/or fulfilling additional requirements if you want to practice social work in another state. You’ll also need to retest or take up-to-date classes reflecting new social work practices every few years to keep your license over the long term.
Social worker jobs and social worker salary in Texas
Social workers make decent salaries throughout Texas, although their overall earnings depend on the type of social work position they take. There are four broad categories of professional social workers. The following job numbers and salary information comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Child, family, and school social workers
According to the BLS, there are currently 21,120 child, family, and school social workers in Texas. This group of social workers makes an annual mean wage of $49,060. This translates to an hourly mean wage of $23.59.
Healthcare social workers
There are 10,250 healthcare social workers in Texas. The BLS reports that this group of social workers earn an annual mean wage of $58,430. This translates to an hourly mean wage of $28.09.
Mental health and substance abuse social workers
Approximately 6,010 social workers work in the mental health field. This group of social workers can expect to earn an annual mean wage of $43,170 and an hourly mean wage of $20.75 according to the BLS.
All other social workers
About 2,530 social workers in Texas work in the “all other social workers” category. This group has a combined annual median wage of $60,240 and a median hourly wage of $28.96.
Ultimately, this data is fairly positive compared to the national median salary for social workers, which is only $50,470 per year or $24.26 per hour. This shows the Texas social workers are paid a little bit better than social workers in other states in the country, and it bodes well when you consider that Texas’ average cost of living is a little lower compared to many other states’. Every dollar earned here will go farther, in effect.
Combined, there are 707,400 social workers across the country within all four major categories. While Texas doesn’t have the most social workers out of any state, this is good news for any aspiring social worker as a means there will be available job opportunities immediately upon graduation or acquiring licensure.
You should not have trouble finding a job if you have good grades and passed the licensing exam.
The social work job outlook in Texas
The current job outlook for social workers across the country is fairly positive. Currently, the profession is set to enjoy an 11 percent growth period from 2018 to 2028, which is significantly faster compared to the growth rate for other occupations. This is likely because of the increased demand for healthcare and social services, especially as the average population across the US is getting older as people live longer.
This relates to Texas because many older people within that state will continue to need social services and other healthcare professionals’ help. Additionally, the influx of immigrants from Central and South America is likely to result in more social work services being needed over the next decade rather than less.
Out of all social worker types, healthcare social workers are projected to grow more than the rest at 17 percent over the next eight years. This is significantly faster than other occupations.
All this is to say that social workers will find a plethora of job opportunities within the Lone Star State if they have the degree and license to take advantage of them.
Expert Advice
- What are the most important factors for students deciding on an MSW program in Texas?
- What does the future of social work look like in Texas?
- What types of jobs are MSW graduates finding in Texas?
- Do you have advice or guidance for MSW graduates pursuing a license in Texas?
What are the most important factors for students deciding on an MSW program in Texas?
Students can create an excellent career path in social work. There are many different opportunities to do social work including community practice, clinical social work, rural or urban practice and inter-professional teams. Social workers across the state truly make a difference and they are advocates for change. When students contact me about the MSW program, they are mostly interested in making a difference.
I see a passion in students who are interested in social work. Not only to make a difference, but also to contribute to a better society and a safe place for everyone.
What does the future of social work look like in Texas?
In the future, social workers will continue to play an important role in societal issues including social, economic and environmental justice. The COVID-19 pandemic created many opportunities for social workers. We have the opportunity to advocate for change — for example access to resources for rural residents and effective support services for undocumented individuals and families.
What types of jobs are MSW graduates finding in Texas?
The wide variety of jobs that social workers can choose from still exists. Students can choose from jobs at behavioral health clinics, state departments, schools, hospitals and clinics, and non-profit organizations.
I see more and more social work graduates in Texas working with victims of human trafficking and in community development projects. There are many opportunities to work on inter-professional teams. For example, working on community revitalization projects with geographers, historians, architects and librarians.
Do you have advice or guidance for MSW graduates pursuing a license in Texas?
Stay focused on your goal to be a licensed social worker. It will open many doors for you to live out your dream to be a social worker. Plan to take the licensing exam as soon as you graduate. Use all resources available to you to prepare for the exam.
What are the challenges or opportunities for becoming a social worker in Texas?
I believe the opportunity for social workers in Texas is very positive and social work job trends suggest an increase in jobs for social workers over the next several years. Social workers across the nation are in demand and it has been my experience the vast majority of students find employment shortly after graduating with a degree in social work from an accredited program. Texas is not an exception — social workers are needed in many areas such as gerontology, medical, child welfare, mental health, and substance abuse.
What does the future of social work look like in Texas?
It appears the political landscape of Texas is changing with that social welfare polices may change creating more opportunities for social workers to impact problems such as domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, suicide, poverty, homelessness and other problems. Policy change can allow for increased funding and support to address the issues listed in the previous statement and social workers have the education, skills, and ethical framing to be important agents for change.
What are the most important factors for students deciding on an MSW program in Texas?
In my opinion, there are three important factors when deciding on a MSW program. The first factor has to do with your motivation to become a social worker and the type of social work you want to practice in the future. Students should search for schools based on their motivation and interest areas and make a list of MSW programs that are aligned with said interests. For example, our MSW program at Texas A&M-Commerce prepares generalist practitioners and social work leaders to work in an interconnected world. We are very student focused at TAMUC and strive to prepare future social workers to work with highly diverse populations in both rural and urban regions. We do this by providing opportunities in and out of the class rooms including study abroad experiences and remote learning opportunities.
The second factor is flexibility, especially for students who are currently employed or engaged in other activities. Students should spend time evaluating their own needs and researching programs that would meet their unique needs. I encourage students to explore the following questions based on their past experiences and current needs: Do you wish to attend class face to face, hybrid (online and face to face) or online only? Do you want to begin face to face and later have the option to change to online or vice versa? Once they determine the learning environment that works best for their schedule and learning styles, this will help them further narrow the list of MSW programs in Texas. At Texas A&M-Commerce, School of Social Work, we offer a fully online program as well as the traditional face to face classroom learning experience.
The third factor to consider is affordability. After you have trimmed your list of schools based on you interest area and the programs’ flexibility, it is important to consider how affordable the program is. Future MSW students should spend time researching tuition costs differences as well as the availability of scholarships or graduate assistantship opportunities. As a LMSW student, it would be great to graduate with little to no debt or student loans with greater chances of fulfilling careers.
What are the challenges or opportunities for becoming a social worker in Texas?
At least two challenges come to mind: financial and carving out time from your already busy schedule of work, family, and other social activities, etc. As a student, you may experience situational financial strain or poverty while pursuing a MSW. Most students might be unemployed, or might have to give up their jobs to devote to their studies and practicum. However, this is only temporary and the subsequent opportunities that will emerge after earning your MSW in Texas far outweighs those challenges. For instance, with a masters in social work, students have the opportunity to increase their earning potential and expand the fields and populations they are able to work with at an advanced level. Also, a MSW degree might increase the flexibility in your work schedule and that would increase the time spent with family and ultimately your work- life satisfaction.
What does the future of social work look like in Texas?
The future of social work consists of working with individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations in innovative ways. The pandemic has ushered in remote working and interactions. Therefore, social workers will be tasked with building and maintaining interpersonal relationships regardless of the medium being used (face to face, zoom, and phone etc.). Additionally, the profession will take the lead in advocating for the rights of diverse population in collaboration with the National Association of Social Work (NASW) Texas Chapter and also research and introduce best practices to address short and long term effects of the pandemic.
What types of jobs are MSW graduates finding in Texas?
In Texas, MSW graduates have access to a myriad of job opportunities in hospitals, hospice, detention centers, schools, government (local and state) and nongovernment organizations as social work practitioners and administrators of human service organizations. There are opportunities for MSWs to work with immigrants through nonprofits throughout Texas and at the U.S. Mexico border.
Do you have advice or guidance for MSW graduates pursuing a license in Texas?
Go for it! Do not put it off with the hopes of working for a while and taking the licensure exam later. If you can, I will encourage you to take the exam before you graduate. Having your LMSW will open more doors in your career but more importantly, it will provide you with more knowledge, skills and experiences to help members of marginalized populations who are in dire need of your expertise. To prepare for the licensure, begin with a self-assessment. What are your strengths? What areas do you think you need to focus on the most while you are studying? Be sure to review any recent changes to the (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), and review recent information from your MSW programs including but not limited to social work ethics and principles, cultural competency, research process, types of human behavior and the social environment theories and treatments, community practice, and supervision etc. Use the practice exams such as the ASWB as well as other study apps available. Do not forget to use members of your cohort if you tend to benefit from studying in a group setting. Do take good care of yourself while studying and before taking the exam. Eat well, exercise, practice self-care, extend yourself, pray, be thankful and go and get your license!
What are the most important factors for students deciding on an MSW program in West Texas?
Let me advertise the key strengths of the Texas Tech University (TTU), located in Lubbock, Texas. The TTU is a Research I University with fantastic institutional research support. For those who have serious interests in research, the TTU can be your choice. Further, the TTU has a strong foundation in teaching, which is also an important strength for quality social work education. The TTU MSW program is one of the fastest-growing programs at TTU. This program applies an advanced generalist philosophy to social work practice, focusing on health and well-being.
What are the challenges or opportunities for becoming a social worker in West Texas?
We need lots of social workers, given the unique socio-demographics in West Texas. The rule of supply and demand in microeconomics tells us that we need more social workers in town. Lubbock is a great place to start a social venture for those social workers having a spirit of social entrepreneurship (and I can help you with that). In addition, some people said Texas as a whole is an excellent place to work because of a considerable tax benefit: no state income tax!
What does the future of social work look like in West Texas?
Very promising, I can say. The West Texas area (especially Lubbock and the surrounding South Plains Region) is demographically growing due to its unique geographic situations. The U. S. Census shows a steady growth trend in demographics. A famous nickname of Lubbock is Hub City. With these situations, we need to strengthen our social services in many areas, including veteran assistance, child protection, and substance use rehabilitation. We want more social workers!
What types of jobs are MSW graduates finding in West Texas?
Wow. It is hard for me to tell all possible types of jobs after getting the MSW degree in West Texas. Some of these may include the areas of health, mental health, advocacy, child welfare, school, older adults, families, substance abuse prevention, disabilities, correction and rehabilitation, veterans, administration, research, community development, and homelessness. Social workers work for both public and private organizations in West Texas.
Do you have advice or guidance for MSW graduates pursuing a license in West Texas?
Absolutely! The TTU MSW program maintains a close relationship with the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners and the National Association of Social Workers Texas Chapter for full consultation and guidance.
What are the most important factors for students deciding on an MSW program in Texas?
think students should consider the following:
What is my dream job in social work?
Are there faculty and classes relevant to this direction toward that dream job?
Is the program offered in a way that is a fit for me? (e.g., do I learn best in person or online? Do I need the flexibility of online learning? If online, do I prefer asynchronous or synchronous?)
What are the challenges or opportunities for becoming a social worker in Texas?
One challenge in Texas relates to openness to diversity. Texas has large immigrant and refugee populations and a range of liberal to conservative viewpoints. In social work in Texas, one needs to be prepared for discomfort that may arise (as is true for social work anywhere) if confronted with a client whose values or culture are outside of one’s comfort. This preparation requires self awareness and a strong grounding in social work ethics. A good social work program will include preparing you for these challenges.
With these challenges come opportunities; specifically the social work market is very advantageous in Texas for people who are fluent in Spanish and other languages related to our immigrant and refugee populations (varies by region of the state).
What does the future of social work look like in Texas?
I think a major change in social work in Texas will be the continued telehealth presence. While we as providers may desire to be back in person with clients, telehealth affords conveniences related to travel time, one’s comfort in their location for being vulnerable, and for some Telehealth provides opportunity for help when otherwise it would have been more of a struggle (e.g., lack of providers, transportation, social anxiety).
Social Work Programs in Texas
In this Section:
BSW programs
Online BSW programs
MSW programs
Online MSW programs
Ph.D programs