University of Texas Permian Basin MSW

The University of Texas Permian Basin (UTPB) plays a crucial role as an educational hub in West Texas and serves 7,072 students from different backgrounds. This 54-year old institution opened its doors in 1973 as an experimental upper-level university accepting only juniors, seniors, and graduate students. Today, it has grown into a complete four-year institution offering more than 75 undergraduate and graduate degrees.

The university’s main campus sits on 700 acres in Odessa with additional facilities in Midland. Students at UTPB get the prestige of a University of Texas System degree while enjoying individual-specific experiences. The 20:1 student-to-faculty ratio shows how students receive personal attention from their professors. This unique combination of system prestige and individual attention makes UTPB an excellent choice for students who want quality education in a supportive setting.

UTPB has got impressive rankings in educational assessments. The university ranks #10 among Best Colleges in Texas and holds the #3 position for Best Value Colleges in Texas. The 2026 edition of Best Colleges places UTPB at #69 among Regional Universities West and #36 among Top Public Schools.

The university’s academic structure covers five colleges:

• Arts and Humanities
• Business
• Education
• Engineering and Sciences
• Health Sciences

UTPB serves as both a minority and Hispanic-serving institution, where 54% of students identify as Hispanic. The university helps first-generation college students achieve their dreams, with 51% of the student population being first in their families to attend college. Students receive substantial financial support, with UTPB awarding about $50.40 million in financial aid each year.

UTPB Worldwide reaches students from 75 different countries. Campus life thrives with over 45 student organizations that create opportunities for community building. Sports enthusiasts can watch the Falcons compete in the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference in sports of all types.

The university has grown significantly since becoming a four-year institution in 1991. UTPB’s mission focuses on excellence in student-centered teaching, learning, research, and public service. The university creates engaged citizens and advances technology to benefit West Texas.

UTPB’s rich history, diverse community, and steadfast dedication to academic excellence make it a great foundation for students pursuing various degree programs, including its Master of Social Work (MSW) program.

Programs offered

UTPB’s College of Health Sciences and Human Performance provides detailed social work education through multiple program pathways that match different career goals. The Social Work Department has three distinct educational options: Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), Master of Social Work (MSW), and a Minor in Social Work.

The Bachelor of Social Work program needs 120 semester credit hours, with at least 48 upper-level credits (3000/4000 level courses) and doesn’t require a minor. Students must complete 54 social work core course credits while maintaining a 2.5 GPA or higher in all social work courses, with grades of ‘C’ or better in required and elective courses. The program has 12 credit hours (480 clock hours) of field practice experience through two placements during the senior year.

BSW graduates develop skills they can use when working with individuals, groups, communities, and organizations in settings of all types. These graduates can sit for the LBSW licensing examination administered by the Texas State Board of Examiners for Social Workers, making them eligible for licensure as baccalaureate social workers in Texas.

The Master of Social Work program prepares students for clinical social work in healthcare and behavioral healthcare settings, with special focus on rural areas. UTPB’s MSW has earned recognition as the most affordable MSW program in Texas according to Texas Social Work Education.

The full-time MSW curriculum follows a well-laid-out approach:

• First-year courses cover foundational topics including Clinical Social Work Practice, Social Welfare Programs and Policies, Human Behavior in Social Environment, Practicum experience, and more
• Second-year coursework has advanced topics such as Psychopathology, Healthcare Settings practice, Group Work Theory, and specialized electives

Students can choose specialized electives that match their career interests, such as:

• Social Work with Children and Adolescents
• Social Work with Latinx Families
• Special Topics in Social Work (customizable study areas)

Field education is a crucial component of both programs where students apply classroom knowledge in practical settings under professional supervision. MSW program’s students spend 15 hours weekly in field practicum each semester, which gives them valuable experience for career transition.

Both programs meet Council on Social Work Education standards, ensuring graduates receive accredited education for licensure. UTPB’s social work programs emphasize cultural competence, which becomes especially important when serving West Texas’s diverse communities.

About the online program

UT Permian Basin’s online Master of Social Work program gives you exceptional clinical training that fits perfectly with a working professional’s schedule. This online program will give you specialized skills for healthcare and behavioral healthcare settings. The program puts special emphasis on serving rural communities.

Canvas learning platform works as your digital classroom. You’ll get round-the-clock access to assignments, reading materials, quizzes, and pre-recorded content. The courses usually run asynchronously so you can study whenever it suits you best. Some elements might need synchronous participation or practicum work.

The program’s flexible scheduling format sets it apart. You can start your degree at six different times throughout the year with courses running every eight weeks. This flexibility lets you complete your degree faster from anywhere in the world. Most online courses last 8 weeks (7 weeks in summer). Each 16-week semester splits into Semester A and Semester B periods.

The curriculum covers important topics including:

• Social work research methods and administration
• Psychopathology
• Social welfare programs
• Foundations of social justice
• Group work

You can choose specialized elective courses that focus on working with children and adolescents, Latinx families, or other areas matching your career goals.

Your semester will have 15 weekly hours of field practicum. This gives you real-life experience as you observe and take part in social work settings. Some students can arrange their internship at their current workplace.

The program maintains personal attention despite being online, with a 12:1 student-faculty ratio. This tailored approach helps with career preparation through Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) and Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) exam preparation.

Online learning brings clear advantages compared to traditional programs. Students enjoy more scheduling freedom with part-time options available. The overall costs stay lower without commuting or relocation expenses. You can keep your job while studying. Field placements remain crucial, and UTPB arranges these in your local area.

UT Permian Basin’s online MSW stands among several fully online options in Texas, alongside Abilene Christian University, Baylor University, and the University of Houston. The program holds Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accreditation. This ensures your degree meets national quality standards needed for future licensure and career opportunities.

Accreditation

Accreditation plays a vital role when students choose their social work programs. It confirms program quality and shapes career opportunities after graduation. The University of Texas Permian Basin has regional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). This accreditation serves as the foundation for every degree program at the institution.

The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) sets the standard for social work education accreditation. CSWE accreditation makes sure programs meet strict educational standards and prepare graduates to work effectively. Yes, it is often required for social work licensure and many jobs in the field.

UTPB’s Bachelor of Social Work program has managed to keep its full CSWE accreditation since June 2007. The BSW program got its re-accreditation in October 2019, which follows CSWE’s standard 8-year cycle. BSW graduates can take the Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW) examination thanks to this accreditation status. The Texas State Board of Examiners for Social Workers administers this exam.

The Master of Social Work program at UTPB has started its journey through CSWE’s multi-stage accreditation process. The program has reached Pre-Candidacy Status. This marks a significant step in a comprehensive process that usually takes 3-5 years. Multiple reviews, site visits, and developmental stages help confirm program quality.

UTPB’s MSW program should meet all required standards for full retroactive accreditation by Fall 2025. This fits the typical timeline where CSWE gives conditional accreditation status to programs under evaluation.

Students should know that CSWE accreditation means much more than just administrative approval. Programs must have clear missions and goals that match social work practice expectations. This gives assurance to both service recipients and students. Accredited programs must meet higher standards to educate culturally competent professionals.

CSWE-accredited degrees give graduates real benefits. These include social work licensure eligibility, employer recognition, credit acceptance at other schools, and federal financial aid qualification. A UTPB accredited social work degree will give you credentials that professionals respect throughout the field.

UTPB shows its steadfast dedication to quality education beyond just social work. Many other programs have specialized accreditations in their disciplines. This shows how the institution maintains high academic standards in a variety of fields.

Admission Requirements

The University of Texas Permian Basin MSW program has simple admission criteria. The program does not require GRE scores for admission. Academic performance and background are the main factors in the selection process.

Students need these basic requirements:

• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited U.S. institution (or equivalent training from a foreign institution)
• A minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4-point scale for the last 60 hours of coursework
• Submission of official transcripts from all previous institutions

The program offers two pathways. Students with a BSW degree from a CSWE-accredited program can qualify for Advanced Standing if they earned their degree within six years of their planned start date. Students with bachelor’s degrees in other fields enter as Traditional students. Both paths have an efficient two-step admissions process when applicants meet the 3.0 GPA requirement.

Your journey starts with an online application through ApplyTexas. You will get access to your UTPB Application Portal within 24-48 hours to track your documents. The application fee is $40, but UTPB alumni and U.S. veterans don’t need to pay this fee.

UTPB takes a comprehensive look at applications from students with GPAs between 2.75-2.99 for conditional admission. Students with GPAs between 2.5-2.7 might receive provisional admission. The program cannot accept applicants with GPAs below 2.5.

International students must meet additional requirements, including English proficiency tests. They need to score at least 550 on paper-based TOEFL, 213 on computer-based TOEFL, 79 on internet-based TOEFL, or 6.5 on IELTS.

UTPB graduate programs accept applications throughout the year. Students should submit their applications 60 days before registration. This affordable MSW program will prepare you for a rewarding career in clinical social work with specialized healthcare training.

Tuition

Money matters a lot when choosing a graduate program. The University of Texas Permian Basin stands out as one of the most available options in Texas. UTPB’s MSW program has earned recognition as the most affordable Master of Social Work program in Texas.

Graduate student tuition depends on where you live and your living arrangements. Texas residents who take 9 credit hours each semester pay about $6,906 yearly for tuition and fees on campus. Students from other states and countries pay $14,286 for the same credits. Online students pay a bit more – Texas residents owe $9,426 and non-residents $16,806 each year.

The cost breakdown per term shows graduate students with 5 credit hours pay $900 for state tuition plus $4,048 in board tuition and $1,778 in fees. Students taking 6 credit hours pay $8,262 in state tuition with the same extra costs.

MSW students can access several outstanding financial aid options. The Impact Behavioral Health Scholarship Program pays tuition and mandatory fees for up to three years. This competitive scholarship comes from federal, state, and institutional funding. Keep in mind that this scholarship covers practicum and Master’s Thesis hours just once – you won’t get extra coverage if you need to retake failed courses.

Students can also apply for the Graduate Studies Scholarship (GSS), which gives up to $1,000 yearly for on-campus graduate programs. This award lets non-Texas residents pay in-state tuition rates during their first year, which saves them a lot of money.

Students worried about paying for school have federal aid options. These include Direct Subsidized Loans for undergraduates (up to $5,500) and Direct Unsubsidized Loans for both undergraduate and graduate students (up to $20,500 for graduates). Graduate students might also qualify for Graduate PLUS Loans to cover any remaining costs.

Through mutually beneficial alliances with the Permian Strategic Partnership and Scharbauer Foundation, many students get full coverage for tuition and mandatory fees. This makes the program a great way to advance your social work career affordably.

Additional Information

UTPB’s MSW program provides significant career advantages beyond regular coursework. Social work professionals who hold advanced degrees can earn up to $94,910 annually. These opportunities lead to leadership roles and clinical practice positions.

MSW graduates find rewarding careers in a variety of settings. They work in hospitals, long-term care facilities, mental health clinics, family service agencies, schools, and law enforcement agencies. Most graduates choose careers in individual and family services, while others work with state, community, non-profit, and for-profit organizations.

The Permian Basin region’s employment rate ranks among the nation’s highest, which creates plenty of opportunities for new graduates. UTPB’s strong connections with local employers make internships and networking easier. These opportunities often lead to full-time positions after graduation.

UTPB’s place-based educational philosophy makes it unique. The curriculum tackles challenges faced by rural and underserved communities, which gives graduates expertise that’s especially valuable in West Texas. Students benefit from smaller class sizes compared to other state universities’ MSW programs, allowing closer faculty mentorship.

The Falcon Alumni Network (F.A.N.) welcomes graduates and anyone who has completed even one UTPB class. Members enjoy several perks including monthly newsletters, exclusive decals, bookstore purchase discounts, and access to special events.