Texas Woman’s University MSW

Texas Woman’s University’s Orien Levy Woolf Division of Social Work leads social work education in Texas. The program, 77 years old, ranks among Texas’s first accredited social work programs. Located in Denton, TX, the school combines excellence in education with steadfast dedication to community service.

The Texas Woman’s University MSW program champions academic excellence, ethics, diversity, and social justice. These values align with social work’s traditional focus on human rights, cultural complexity, and social, economic, and environmental justice. The division prepares ethical, competent professionals who think critically and apply evidence-based approaches in their work.

TWU’s social work students make real changes in their communities. Last year, they provided over 20,000 hours of service to help children, elderly people, those living with HIV/AIDS, domestic violence survivors, people in poverty, immigrants, refugees, and other vulnerable groups. This practical experience shows how students learn by doing meaningful work.

Students in TWU’s MSW program learn Advanced Generalist Practice, now the most rapidly growing concentration in MSW programs nationwide. This curriculum gives students advanced multilevel, multimethod techniques they need in today’s complex work environments.

Students experience challenging coursework and diverse field placements. These opportunities let them discover their interests and build real-world skills. The program focuses on essential career skills that work in any professional setting:

• Communication and critical thinking
• Teamwork and ethical reasoning
• Adaptability and digital literacy

TWU’s program gives you the knowledge, skills, and values you need to work effectively with diverse populations. You’ll help advance the profession and become a leader in your field. This blend of rigorous academics and hands-on experience creates the foundation for a successful social work career.

The school’s excellence and rich history in social work education make Texas Woman’s University’s MSW program an excellent choice if you want quality social work education in Texas.

Programs offered

Texas Woman’s University has flexible and complete social work education paths that work well with different academic backgrounds and career goals. The MSW program gives you two distinct tracks based on your previous education and experience.

The Generalist Program needs 60 credit hours and works best if you have a bachelor’s degree in any field except social work. This two-year full-time program lets you complete 30 credit hours of foundation courses in your first year and 30 hours of advanced coursework in your second year. You can also spread this program over four years part-time if that suits your schedule better.

Students with a BSW degree from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited program who graduated in the last seven years might qualify for the Advanced Standing Program. This faster option lets you skip the first-year foundation curriculum and finish your MSW with just 30 credit hours. You’ll complete this program in one year full-time or two years part-time.

Both programs focus on Advanced Generalist Practice curriculum, which has become the most popular concentration area for MSW programs across the country. This approach gives you the skills needed for multilevel, multimethod work that you’ll need in complex professional settings.

Field experience plays a crucial role in both programs. Generalist students must complete 900 hours of practicum, while Advanced Standing students need 500 hours. These supervised experiences happen in community agencies under qualified social workers and give you real-life application of your classroom learning.

The Generalist program has these foundation courses:

• Human Behavior in the Social Environment
• Social Work Practice with individuals, groups, and communities
• Social Work History and Social Welfare Policy
• Research Methods
• Foundation Field Seminar and Practicum

The Advanced year in both programs features specialized courses in Advanced Practice, Policy Practice, Administration and Management, and Advanced Field Practicum. You can also choose electives like Death, Dying and Bereavement; Practice in Mental Health; Theories and Interventions with Children; and Child Maltreatment.

TWU and the University of North Texas had a joint MSW program, but this partnership ends May 31, 2024. TWU will run its own MSW program starting Fall 2024, continuing its tradition of excellence in social work education.

About the online program

Texas Woman’s University’s Master of Social Work program offers a unique hybrid learning model. The program balances online flexibility with face-to-face instruction. Unlike other social work schools in Texas that offer fully online programs, TWU’s model creates a thoughtful balance between what’s available remotely and hands-on learning.

Students split their coursework almost equally between virtual and in-person methods. About half of all courses happen online through either real-time or self-paced teaching methods. The other half requires students to come to campus just once per week. The university guidelines classify this as a hybrid program because students complete 50% or more—but not 100%—of credit hours through distance education.

Course distribution follows a logical pattern. Classes focused on practice meet in person to build vital hands-on skills. Theory-based coursework happens online. Many in-person sessions take place during evening hours. This helps students who have daytime work or personal commitments.

The Generalist Degree Two-Year Plan makes it simple to spot online courses. An asterisk (*) marks all online instruction. This clear system helps students plan their academic experience effectively.

This program design comes with several benefits:

• Students get both remote learning convenience and great connections through face-to-face interaction
• Campus visits happen just once a week, which reduces commuting time
• Evening classes work well for professionals
• Students can choose full-time or part-time enrollment based on their situation

TWU shows its dedication to making advanced social work education available to qualified students from all backgrounds through this well-laid-out approach. The hybrid model delivers the same quality instruction as traditional classes while building strong student-faculty relationships.

The online parts of the program run on Canvas, an internet-based software platform. Students need reliable daily computer and internet access. They should also have a backup plan to use another device if technical issues occur. New online learners can find complete guidance in the university’s Guide to Online Learning resource.

This balanced approach creates a program that values both educational excellence and practical availability throughout your MSW experience.

Accreditation

Quality indicators in Texas social work programs rely heavily on accreditation status. The Texas Woman’s University MSW program has full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), which leads social work education accreditation in the United States. CSWE reaffirmed this credential in 2024, granting the maximum eight-year period through 2032.

CSWE’s accreditation process gives a full picture of program quality. The organization is 72 years old and has managed to keep high standards for master’s programs since 1952. It later included baccalaureate programs in 1974 and practice doctorate programs in 2025. This detailed evaluation confirms that Texas Woman’s University’s MSW program meets national standards for professional social work education.

Texas Woman’s University also holds accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award degrees at all levels. Students can ask questions about institutional accreditation directly at SACSCOC’s Georgia headquarters or through their website.

The university goes beyond standard accreditation requirements. Texas Woman’s University earned the “Research 2: High Spending and Doctorate Production” designation under the 2025 Carnegie Classification system. This recognition comes from spending at least $5 million on research yearly and awarding research doctorate degrees to 20 or more PhD candidates each year.

CSWE accreditation provides these key benefits to future MSW students:

• Your education meets national quality standards
• Most states accept this credential for licensure
• You qualify for jobs that need accredited degrees
• You might qualify for federal loan forgiveness programs

TWU stands among 21 CSWE-accredited master’s programs in Texas. The program started in 1946 as one of Texas’s first accredited social work programs. TWU’s focus on gender, multiculturalism, and wellness makes it unique among state social work schools.

The university’s steadfast dedication to educational excellence shows in its accreditation history. TWU belongs to the Council of Graduate Schools and has ties with selective associations that recognize exceptional standards. This commitment to quality spans disciplines of all types, which creates a strong base for the MSW program’s future success.

Admission Requirements

Getting into the Texas Woman’s University MSW program means you need to meet both the university’s graduate standards and specific program requirements. You’ll first need to fulfill TWU’s Graduate School requirements that set basic standards for all graduate programs.

You must have a minimum 3.0 GPA in your last 60 semester credit hours of coursework. This measure will give a strong academic foundation you need for graduate studies. You also need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. college or university, or an equivalent degree from a foreign institution.

The application steps are straightforward. Start by creating an account in the TargetX application system through TWU’s Graduate Programs Application Portal. You’ll need to upload these documents:

• A complete curriculum vitae or resume showing your education, experience, and employment
• The completed Master of Social Work program application form
• Contact information for two professional references

The MSW admissions committee recommends getting recommendation letters from specific sources. These include recent social services employers, volunteer supervisors at social service agencies, field placement supervisors, or current/former faculty members. Advanced standing applicants should have at least one reference from their BSW program – either from the program director, faculty member, or practicum instructor.

Your application needs official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended, even if those grades show up on another transcript. If you’re an international applicant, you must provide course-by-course evaluations from a NACES or AICE member evaluation service.

The application fee is $50 for domestic applicants and $75 for international applicants. Certified McNair Scholars and TWU Alumni can ask for fee waivers through proper channels.

Note that your TWU admission stays valid for four terms unless you attend another higher education institution during this time. After acceptance, you’ll learn about the next steps to start your experience in one of Texas’s most respected social work programs.

Tuition

The Texas Woman’s University MSW program provides competitive tuition rates that make it stand out among other social work programs in Texas. Students need to think about several cost factors before making their decision.

Graduate-level tuition at TWU for Texas residents is $323.00 per semester credit hour. This amount has $50.00 statutory tuition, $188.00 designated tuition, and $85.00 board authorized tuition. Non-resident students pay $728.00 per semester credit hour. Graduate-level Social Work courses also come with a $50.00 per credit hour surcharge.

Full-time Generalist students who take 12 credit hours per semester should expect to pay $6,102.00 for Texas residents and $11,022.00 for non-residents in Fall 2024. The costs for full-time Advanced Standing students with 15 credit hours are $7,494.00 for Texas residents and $13,644.00 for non-residents.

Students must pay these mandatory fees whatever their study method or location:

• University Services Fee: $81.00 per credit hour
• Student Services Fee: $35.71 per credit hour (maximum $250.00)
• Program Fee: $25.00 per credit hour for graduate courses
• Per-semester fees for fitness, international education, medical services, and student center

TWU’s standard costs are 9% lower than the Texas university average. All the same, the Board of Regents or Texas Legislature can change these rates without prior notice.

TWU’s installment plans help students manage their payments better. Students can enroll online by the published deadlines. The standard plan for fall and spring splits the semester balance into four payments. Students pay 25% upfront plus a $25.00 installment fee. The remaining payments are due monthly (September 15, October 15, and November 15 for fall; February 15, March 15, and April 15 for spring).

The university understands students’ financial challenges. The Emergency Installment Plan is a great way to get help for students who expect financial aid after the original payment deadlines. This plan lets students defer their down payment and gives them more time to arrange their finances.

Additional Information

Texas Woman’s University MSW students make a real difference beyond their classrooms. Their dedication shows in numbers – students gave more than 20,000 hours of community service last year. This service helped children, elderly, domestic violence victims, and other marginalized populations.

MSW graduates face bright job prospects. Social worker employment should grow 7% from 2023 to 2033, which is a big deal as it means that the average 4% growth for other occupations. Texas mental health social workers earn a median of $44,790 yearly, while healthcare social workers make $69,960.

The program thrives under expert faculty leadership. Dr. John Terrizzi serves as Director, Dr. Brandi Felderhoff leads as MSW Program Coordinator, and Dr. Ratonia Runnels works as Field Coordinator. Students learn directly from their expertise throughout their academic experience.

Students can join campus groups like the Student Association for Masters Social Workers (SAMSW). TWU also runs Teaching Series Webinars each semester that let practitioners earn free continuing education units.

The program gives students complete support through counseling services, career guidance, disability services, and financial counseling at the Student Money Management Center. Students who face money challenges get help through TWU’s partnership with the North Texas Food Bank, which provides vital nutrition resources.