Best Online Master’s in Social Work in Texas

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An online master’s in social work degree provides you with the knowledge base and educational requirements to pursue or advance your career in social work. Earning an online degree is an affordable, convenient way for busy students to prepare for their goal careers.

Finding a master’s in social work in Texas helps Texans find the most affordable programs at colleges and universities they and employers know and trust.

An online master’s in social work prepares students to work as social workers in a variety of settings. Most MSW programs include specialization options, so students may tailor their education to their desired area of practice. Such options include clinical social work, family and children, substance abuse, mental health and disabilities, and cultural diversity. MSW courses cover core topics including clinical practice, racism and social work, child and family, organizational leadership, professional ethics, policy practice, and human behavior in the social environment. Students must also complete some form of professional experience, such as a practicum, and typically are required to complete a thesis or culminating project.

Nationally, social workers earn a median annual salary of $50,470, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Salaries vary by field of practice and location. In Texas, 50% of general social workers earn over $75,000 annually. Social Workers enjoy a job growth rate of 10.5%, faster than the national average of 5% for all occupations.

In Texas, social workers must hold licensure through the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners.

Social and Community Service Managers Career Prospects in Texas
Job Growth by 2026 14%
Annual Job Growth 2%
Average Wage (Mean):
$72,558
Entry Level Wage:
$44,000
Median Wage:
$67,528
Experienced Wage:
$86,837
Sources: the Texas Workforce Commission’s Texas Labor Market Information Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages Report and the Texas Workforce Commission’s Texas Labor Market Information Employment Projections 2016-2026 Report

Find your online masters degree in social work in TX

Study confidently at a quality institution in Texas where you know you will receive training relevant to Texas laws and regulations, and with attention to current affairs in Texas. Finding an online degree at a regionally accredited college or university will help ensure not only the acceptance of your degree by hiring professionals, but it will enable you to pursue an advanced degree should you someday want to take your education to the next level.

Here’s our list of online master’s degrees in social work offered by regionally accredited colleges and universities in Texas. Sort to find the best, most affordable, and best value online colleges for social work degrees.

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    1. Baylor University

      Waco, TX

      Baylor University’s school logo

      Program Score

      99

      TX Relative Cost

      Key Facts Answers
      Total Enrollment 18,033 (7% fully online)
      Public or Private Private Non-Profit
      Number of Online Programs 22
      Accreditation Regional: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
      Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition $47,364 per year
      Net Cost by Income
      Source: National Center for Educational Statistics

      TexasOnlineColleges.com Awards

      Adult Student Friendly School
      Experienced Online School
      Disability Friendly SchoolFirst-Generation Student Friendly School
      Degree Credits Needed Completion Time1
      MSW 60 3-4 years
      See BU’s full list of online degrees!

    2. University of Houston

      Houston, TX

      Program Score

      95

      TX Relative Cost

      Key Facts Answers
      Total Enrollment 46,148 (4% fully online)
      Public or Private Public
      USDE Special Government Status Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution, Hispanic-Serving Institution
      Number of Online Programs 23
      Accreditation Regional: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
      Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition $9,221 per year
      Net Cost by Income
      Source: National Center for Educational Statistics

      TexasOnlineColleges.com Awards

      Adult Student Friendly School
      Experienced Online School
      Disability Friendly SchoolFirst-Generation Student Friendly School
      Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution
      Hispanic-Serving Institution
      Degree Credits Needed Completion Time1
      MSW 63 3-4 years
      See UH’s full list of online degrees!

    3. University of Texas at Arlington

      Arlington, TX

      Program Score

      91

      TX Relative Cost

      Key Facts Answers
      Total Enrollment 48,635 (39% fully online)
      Public or Private Public
      USDE Special Government Status Hispanic-Serving Institution
      Number of Online Programs 34
      Accreditation Regional: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
      Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition $11,040 per year
      Net Cost by Income
      Source: National Center for Educational Statistics

      TexasOnlineColleges.com Awards

      #9 Best Texas Online CollegeA Most Affordable Texas Online College A Best Value Texas Online College Adult Student Friendly School
      Experienced Online School
      First-Generation Student Friendly SchoolHispanic-Serving Institution
      Degree Credits Needed Completion Time1
      MSW: Children and Families 61 3-4 years
      MSW: Mental Health and Substance Abuse 61 3-4 years
      See UTA’s full list of online degrees!

    4. Our Lady of the Lake University

      San Antonio, TX

      Program Score

      91

      TX Relative Cost

      Key Facts Answers
      Total Enrollment 2,974 (33% fully online)
      Public or Private Private Non-Profit
      USDE Special Government Status Hispanic-Serving Institution
      Number of Online Programs 8
      Accreditation Regional: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
      Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition $29,218 per year
      Net Cost by Income
      Source: National Center for Educational Statistics

      TexasOnlineColleges.com Awards

      Adult Student Friendly School
      Experienced Online School
      Disability Friendly SchoolFirst-Generation Student Friendly SchoolHispanic-Serving Institution
      Degree Credits Needed Completion Time1
      MSW 57 3-4 years
      See OLLU’s full list of online degrees!

    5. University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

      Edinburg, TX

      Program Score

      75

      TX Relative Cost

      Key Facts Answers
      Total Enrollment 29,113 (9% fully online)
      Public or Private Public
      USDE Special Government Status Hispanic-Serving Institution
      Number of Online Programs 41
      Accreditation Regional: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
      Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition $8,132 per year
      Net Cost by Income
      Source: National Center for Educational Statistics

      TexasOnlineColleges.com Awards

      Adult Student Friendly School
      Experienced Online School
      First-Generation Student Friendly SchoolMilitary Friendly SchoolHispanic-Serving Institution
      Degree Credits Needed Completion Time1
      MSW - Advanced Standing: Administration and Community Practice 36 2-3 years
      MSW - Advanced Standing:Direct Practice with Latino Individuals, Families and Groups 36 2-3 years
      See UTRGV’s full list of online degrees!

    Published: .


    An institution’s program specfic score is calculated with seven data points: (1) its student-to-faculty ratio, (2) its number of degrees an institution awards in the program's field each year, (3) its the graduation rate, (4) its the retention rate, (5) its the percentage of online students, (6) its concentrated Influence (a measure of the academic importance of a school), and (7) its desirability (a measure of how many students chose to go to an institution).
     
    For each data point, we score schools based on where they fall in the percentile distribution for that data point. Because our scores are based on local data and not tied to irrelevant national data, they accurately reflect an institutions’s value to the Texas student. Institutions with missing data receive a zero for that data point.
     
    We weigh each data point and calculate an institution’s raw score. Then we create an adjusted raw score by combining a schools's score with a base score of 50. Finally, we score and rank institutions based on their adjusted score’s percentile rank.
     
    Check out our detailed methodology here.

    We weren’t able to get all the data we needed for this institution. This score is based on the information they have reported.
     
    An institution’s program specfic score is calculated with seven data points: (1) its student-to-faculty ratio, (2) its number of degrees an institution awards in the program's field each year, (3) its the graduation rate, (4) its the retention rate, (5) its the percentage of online students, (6) its concentrated Influence (a measure of the academic importance of a school), and (7) its desirability (a measure of how many students chose to go to an institution).
     
    For each data point, we score schools based on where they fall in the percentile distribution for that data point. Because our scores are based on local data and not tied to irrelevant national data, they accurately reflect an institutions’s value to the Texas student. Institutions with missing data receive a zero for that data point.
     
    We weigh each data point and calculate an institution’s raw score. Then we create an adjusted raw score by combining a schools's score with a base score of 50. Finally, we score and rank institutions based on their adjusted score’s percentile rank.
     
    Check out our detailed methodology here.

    Focused on online colleges in TX, our relative cost score compares the average in-state tuitions of Texas schools. In general, Texas is slightly cheaper than the national average of $9,970 (according to The National Center for Education Statistics) for a degree at a public 4-year college or university. However, Texas is home to some of the most affordable colleges and universities in the US, and it’s most expensive schools are tens of thousands cheaper than the most expensive schools in the country.
     
    Check out our detailed methodology here.