Texas State MSW Program

The School of Social Work at Texas State University has been a leader in social work education since 1975. The school’s strategic location in the Austin-San Antonio corridor gives students plenty of opportunities to grow professionally and serve their community. Graduates can find work in practice settings throughout Texas and beyond, thanks to this prime location.

The school’s social work programs have earned national recognition. The Master of Social Work online program stands out as one of the top programs in the country. The Social Work program achieved a notable milestone when it tied for No. 142 among Best Graduate Schools in the 2025 U.S. News and World Report rankings. This achievement showcases the school’s dedication to educational excellence and professional growth.

The school’s core mission shines through: preparing ethical social workers who respond to cultural needs and advocate for positive change as leaders. Social work’s fundamental goal of promoting individual and organizational well-being gets advanced here while building a fairer society. The curriculum places special emphasis on social justice and professional ethics.

Graduate success stories prove the school’s impact. Students pass state licensing exams with flying colors and find jobs in a variety of service delivery fields. Texas State MSW graduates now work in Texas, other parts of the United States, and around the world. They serve in areas like child welfare, healthcare, behavioral mental health, education, and criminal justice. Many have stepped into leadership roles in agency settings, from clinical practice to program development and administration.

The school’s faculty includes respected scholars from various backgrounds who blend teaching, research, and service in their fields. These educators focus on students while conducting meaningful research that supports the school’s goal of preparing students for evidence-based, advanced-level practice. Students learn from professionals who bring both practical experience and academic expertise to the classroom.

Texas State University’s School of Social Work runs both on-campus and online MSW programs. Both programs use similar textbooks and curricula taught by the same core faculty, which ensures quality education stays consistent across both platforms.

Programs offered

Texas State University’s Master of Social Work (MSW) degree with a major in Advanced Practice Leadership helps students become specialists in a variety of settings. Students learn both direct practice and administrative skills that make them versatile professionals.

Students can choose between two tracks based on their education. The Foundation/Regular track needs 62 credit hours if you don’t have a social work degree. Students with a BSW from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited program can take the Advanced Standing track with 36 credit hours.

These tracks teach students to provide direct practice and administrative services to people and families of all ages. Students can also pick specialized electives in health care, diversity, international social work, gerontology, spirituality, adventure therapy, and work with veterans.

The Texas State MSW program fits different student schedules with these options:

• On-Campus Programs – Available in San Marcos, completed on a full-time basis only
• Online Programs – Can be completed either full-time or part-time
  • Part-time students take two courses per semester
  • Full-time students take three to four courses per semester

Advanced Standing students finish in four semesters full-time or six semesters part-time. The Foundation Regular program takes seven semesters full-time and eleven semesters part-time.

The program’s unique Advanced Practice Leadership (APL) major prepares graduates to work in both direct practice and administrative roles. This versatility gives students more career options after graduation.

Students get hands-on experience through supervised field practice. MSW-supervised agency-based internships let students apply their knowledge in real-life settings. These experiences help build professional skills needed for various career paths.

Texas State stands out among MSW online programs in Texas with excellent results. Their graduates have impressive passing rates on state licensure exams. Many alumni work in different service delivery fields.

The School of Social Work also offers a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree that prepares students for generalist social work practice. BSW graduates can apply for state social work licensure and continue their education in graduate social work programs.

Career projections

Texas State MSW program’s graduates achieve soaring wins in their careers. The program has an impressive 93% job placement rate. Most alumni quickly find positions in their preferred practice areas after graduation. These results come from the program’s hands-on education approach and strong industry connections.

Texas State MSW graduates report high satisfaction with their professional roles consistently. The program’s unique blend of direct practice and administrative preparation leads to their success. This approach gives graduates the flexibility they need in today’s evolving social work world. They adapt well to workplace changes throughout their careers.

The Austin-San Antonio corridor location gives graduates a clear employment edge. Many social service agencies, healthcare facilities, and community organizations in this region look for qualified social workers. Students build professional relationships during field placements that often turn into job offers after graduation.

Learning continues well past graduation day. Texas State’s School of Social Work’s active alumni network creates career advancement opportunities. Graduates get access to job postings, continuing education workshops, and mentorship relationships that boost their growth.

Students learn evidence-based practices that prepare them to meet the growing need for results-focused social work. Employers value Texas State MSW graduates because they know how to implement and review effective interventions. This skill matters especially when organizations want to show program effectiveness.

Texas State MSW graduates excel in professional licensing examinations. Their success goes beyond their first job, as many move up to leadership and supervisory roles. The program’s Advanced Practice Leadership focus builds this strong foundation for career growth.

The success of Texas State graduates shows the program’s value to anyone thinking about MSW online programs in Texas. It launches rewarding social work careers effectively.

About the online program

Texas State’s MSW online program follows a cohort model that lets students take classes in sequence through the Canvas learning platform. Students progress through the curriculum step by step and build lasting relationships with their cohort peers. The program ranks among the top nationwide, making it a standout choice for MSW online programs in Texas.

Students can choose between two online tracks based on their background:

• Advanced Standing track (36 credit hours) – For graduates with a BSW degree from a CSWE-accredited program earned within the last 10 years
• Foundation/Regular track (62 credit hours) – For students who hold bachelor’s degrees in fields other than social work

The program’s quality matches its on-campus counterpart perfectly. Students use the same textbooks, follow the same curricula, and learn from the same faculty as on-campus students. This approach maintains Texas State’s high academic standards across all formats.

Students can tailor their study pace to fit their life. Part-time students take two courses per semester and complete the program in four years. Full-time students take three to four courses per semester and graduate in about two and a half years.

Field education plays a vital role in the online MSW experience. Traditional standing students complete 900 hours of field education, while advanced standing students need 540 hours. These placements span several semesters and include field seminars where students share their experiences with faculty and classmates.

Foundation track students must complete two internships. The first requires 360 contact hours for foundation field work, followed by 540 contact hours of advanced field work in a different setting. Advanced standing students only need the 540-hour internship. These supervised experiences help students apply classroom theory in real-life settings under licensed master social workers’ guidance.

The online program accepts new students once a year for fall entry. Texas State welcomes students from all states except Alabama.

Accreditation

Accreditation plays a vital role when choosing an MSW program, especially for your future career. The Texas State MSW program has full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). This ensures students receive education that meets the highest professional standards.

CSWE accreditation holds the most important value in social work education. The Department of Social Work Accreditation (DOSWA), under CSWE, is the only accrediting agency the Council for Higher Education Accreditation recognizes for social work education in the United States. This credential marks the gold standard for social work programs nationwide.

Students looking at msw online programs in Texas should know what accreditation means for their future. CSWE accreditation opens doors to:

• Employment opportunities
• Graduate school admission
• Membership in the National Association of Social Workers
• State licensing eligibility
• Professional certification

The Texas state university msw program belongs to an elite group of 21 CSWE-accredited master’s programs in Texas. This places it among the state’s top social work education options. The university’s BSW (since 1978) and MSW (since 1997) programs have maintained full CSWE accreditation, showing their steadfast dedication to educational excellence.

CSWE recognition rests on how well the program’s objectives and education level match U.S. social work education standards. Graduates can start their careers knowing they’ve met nationally recognized benchmarks.

The program’s accreditation status lets Texas State MSW graduates pursue state licensure right after graduation. This benefit helps students who want to practice quickly or need credentials for specific jobs.

The Texas State MSW program’s CSWE accreditation confirms it provides complete education. Graduates emerge ready to lead advanced practice roles in settings and populations of all types.

Admission Requirements

The Texas State MSW program’s review process looks at many factors besides academic performance. Students can apply only for fall semesters. Priority deadlines are January 1, and standard deadlines are August 1 for U.S. citizens and June 1 for international applicants.

Students need to submit an online application with a nonrefundable fee. Domestic students pay $55, while international applicants pay $90. The program doesn’t require GRE scores. Students must submit transcripts from all schools they attended and keep a minimum 2.9 GPA—either overall or in their last 60 undergraduate hours.

Your background determines which of the two entry paths you’ll take. A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university is enough for Foundation/Regular applicants without a social work degree. BSW holders (Advanced applicants) need their degree from a CSWE-accredited program earned in the last ten years. On top of that, Advanced applicants must have a 2.9 GPA in all undergraduate social work courses and in their last two full academic years.

The admissions committee asks for these items:

• A departmental application
• A maximum two-page resume/CV
• A statement of purpose that shows your motivation, understanding of social work ethics, and potential contribution to the field
• A professional interview

International students must also submit English proficiency exam scores that meet specific requirements—78 for TOEFL iBT, 52 for PTE, 6.5 for IELTS, 110 for Duolingo, or 8.5 for TOEFL Essentials.

Returned Peace Corps Volunteers can apply for the Coverdell Fellowship. They need to meet extra requirements and submit their official Peace Corps description of service.

The School of Social Work takes an all-encompassing approach to evaluate candidates. They look at previous college GPAs, essay content and clarity, work/volunteer history, and interview performance. The program doesn’t offer conditional admission, so applicants must meet all requirements before acceptance.

Tuition

The financial investment in your education plays a significant role in choosing an MSW program. The Texas State msw program has some of the most competitive tuition rates among graduate social work programs in Texas.

Texas residents pay approximately $9,000 per academic year based on nine credit hours per semester. The rates go up to about $16,380 annually for non-resident students with the same credit load. The msw online programs in Texas at Texas State University stand out with yearly costs around $8,000 for in-state students.

Students should also consider several other expenses. Books and supplies cost about $780 per year, while housing and food expenses range from $3,440 to $13,230 depending on living arrangements. Personal expenses typically run around $2,730, and travel costs range between $1,450 and $3,300.

Domestic applicants pay a $75 application fee, while international students pay $90. Additional charges might include late registration fees ($25-$200), electronic course fees ($50 per credit hour), and returned item fees ($30).

Your program choice, instructional method, and campus location affect the final tuition rates. The Texas Legislature or Board of Regents can modify these fees.

Student Business Services provides current Graduate Tuition Rates that can help you calculate costs specific to your situation.

Additional Information

The Texas State MSW program puts field education at its heart. Students in the regular track need to finish 20 semester credit hours through two internships. They start with a 360-hour foundation placement and move on to a 540-hour advanced field in a different setting. Students in the advanced track complete just the 540-hour internship.

Students must achieve a minimum score of 70% on a detailed examination and keep a 3.0 GPA in MSW courses before they graduate. This full picture will give a clear indication that graduates are ready for their professional journey.

The program’s quality shows in its career results. Texas State’s social work master’s graduates earn a median salary of $55,185. This is a big deal as it means that the national median of $51,347 for MSW graduates. Bachelor’s degree holders reach a median salary of $38,660, which tops the national average of $37,334.

Major employers of the program’s master’s graduates span healthcare giants like HCA Healthcare and Ascension. Educational institutions such as Austin ISD and New Braunfels ISD also hire many graduates. Government bodies including Hays County Government and Travis County actively recruit these professionals. The program attracts diverse students – 93% of social work bachelor’s graduates are women, with 51% Hispanic or Latino representation. Master’s degree demographics show 88% women, with 52% white students.

The Texas State University MSW program takes pride in its alumni. Many graduates have become influential social work leaders who make an impact at state, national, and global levels.