University of Texas Arlington MSW

The School of Social Work at the University of Texas Arlington ranks among the largest and most prestigious institutions of its kind nationwide. This esteemed school began its mission to educate and develop leaders committed to social justice over 55 years ago. The program managed to keep its high ranking for five decades and is now essential to social work education in the United States.

UTA, a top-tiered research institution, gives you a chance to work closely with world-renowned professors who bring their expertise to your education. Students become ready for leadership roles in academic and practical settings through this research-rich environment.

The School of Social Work educates leaders who build community partnerships to promote a just society. It also upholds high standards in research, teaching, and service while making shared scholarly opportunities available to students and the community.

The program’s main goals include:

• Using evidence-informed research, teaching, and practice
• Getting students ready to lead in local communities and beyond
• Doing community-based research that tackles complex social issues locally, nationally, and globally

The UTA School of Social Work earned recognition as Texas’s #1 military/veteran friendly program and ranks #5 nationwide. This honor shows the school’s steadfast dedication to helping service members and veterans build careers in social work.

Students interested in University of Texas Arlington MSW online programs can choose from fully virtual options, regardless of their location. The online MSW program stands in the top 10 for both affordability and academic quality across several rankings.

UTA understands working professionals’ needs by offering both day and evening classes. This mix of flexibility and affordability makes the University of Texas Arlington MSW program a smart choice for social work professionals looking to advance their careers.

Programs offered

The University of Texas Arlington MSW program gives students multiple pathways that fit their needs and career goals. Students can prepare themselves for advanced positions in both micro/mezzo clinical practice and macro-level administrative leadership.

Students can choose between two main formats: Traditional and Advanced Standing. Traditional students (without a BSW) need to complete 61 credit hours and two required internships. Advanced Standing students who have a BSW degree and meet quick admission requirements only need 38 credit hours with one required internship.

This program stands out because of its specialization options. Most MSW programs offer three or fewer specialty tracks, but UTA has five distinct specializations:

• Mental Health and Substance Misuse
• Aging
• Children and Families
• Health
• Community and Administrative Practice

Working professionals will find great flexibility in the Fort Worth Cohort option. Classes take place at the UTA Fort Worth location with a schedule that works well for students who balance careers and education. Students attend classes on Wednesday and Thursday evenings in 5-week, 8-week, 11-week, and 16-week formats. Traditional students complete their foundation coursework in 24 months, while BSW graduates finish their advanced coursework in 14 months.

Students nationwide can benefit from the University of Texas Arlington MSW online option. The fully asynchronous online program lets students specialize in Mental Health and Substance Misuse, Aging, Children and Families, or Community and Administrative Practice. Students can complete their degree entirely online from anywhere in the United States or military installations.

Your chosen pathway determines the program structure. Advanced Standing students who study full-time can graduate in just 12 months, while traditional full-time students usually finish in 24 months. Many classes run every semester, which helps students move through the curriculum faster.

Field experience plays a vital role in all program options. Online students work with approved agencies or organizations in their area to complete field internships. Students can apply their theoretical knowledge through practical experience and prepare for real-life challenges in social work practice.

Students in the clinical practice track learn evidence-based assessment, diagnosis, and intervention with diverse populations across the lifespan. The macro-level practice concentration helps students develop skills in community needs assessment, program leadership, and policy advocacy.

The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) fully accredits all program formats. This accreditation ensures your degree meets the highest professional standards in the field.

About the online program

UTA’s online MSW program gives working professionals maximum flexibility to advance their social work careers. Students can complete coursework on their own schedule from any location. This makes it perfect for busy people who juggle multiple responsibilities.

The online path offers four specialization areas: Mental Health and Substance Misuse, Aging, Children and Families, or Community and Administrative Practice. Students can shape their education to match their career goals without giving up the convenience of online learning.

Students can join from anywhere in the United States or military installations. Texas residents pay the same affordable in-state tuition as campus-based students. Students outside Texas can benefit from the Non-Resident Distance Education Program (NRODE), which saves them 40-50% on tuition compared to standard non-resident rates.

The program’s flexible entry allows students to start in summer, fall, or spring terms. This helps them arrange their educational experience with their personal schedule. Advanced Standing students can finish in just 12 months, while Traditional Standing students need 24 months. Students can choose full-time or part-time options, and part-time students have up to six years to graduate.

The distance learning format still provides these benefits:

• Flexible scheduling that fits your commitments
• Freedom to study from anywhere
• Learning from the same expert faculty who teach on-campus courses

Students move through courses together in a cohort model, which creates a supportive learning community even without meeting in person. This approach helps students build connections with peers who share similar professional goals and challenges.

Students complete their coursework online, but field education remains a vital hands-on component. They can complete internship practicums at approved agencies or organizations in their local area. This lets them gain practical experience while staying in their current location.

UTA’s online teaching quality shows the program’s excellence. Faculty members receive special training to teach online. This ensures virtual classrooms meet the same high standards as on-campus learning. The program’s quality has earned recognition in national rankings consistently.

Accreditation

Quality assurance in social work education programs relies on accreditation as its foundation. The University of Texas Arlington’s Master of Social Work program has full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The program has managed to keep this status since 1970, which highlights UTA’s steadfast dedication to excellence in social work education.

CSWE accreditation goes far beyond a simple credential. The process involves thorough peer review that balances similar outcome requirements while letting institutions create their unique approach based on context. Your education will meet nationally recognized professional standards with this accreditation.

UTA’s MSW program has showed excellence in preparing students for advanced social work practice over the years. The program is the most affordable CSWE-accredited MSW in the country without sacrificing academic quality. This makes it an excellent value for your education dollars.

The university strengthens its academic credentials with regional accreditation from the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. These dual accreditations confirm the program’s academic excellence and stability.

CSWE accreditation brings several key benefits to your career:

• Employers and licensing boards will recognize your degree
• Your program follows established educational standards
• Graduates learn to think critically, solve problems, and promote justice, equity, inclusion, and diversity
• Your curriculum covers all core competencies needed for professional practice

CSWE aims to “ensure a well-educated social work profession equipped to promote health, well-being, and justice for all people in a diverse society”. Their accredited programs prepare graduates who can serve diverse populations and tackle complex social challenges effectively.

Working professionals who want to take the online MSW should know it carries the same full CSWE accreditation as on-campus classes. Whatever delivery method you choose, you’ll get an education that meets professional standards across all formats.

Admission Requirements

The University of Texas Arlington MSW program has a simplified admission process that welcomes students from different educational backgrounds. Students with strong academic credentials can benefit from a “quick admissions” path that makes starting their social work career easier.

The MSW program has three main applicant categories:

• Advanced Standing: Reserved for graduates with a BSW degree from a CSWE-accredited program earned within six years of planned MSW start date, with a GPA of 3.0 or higher in the last approximately 60 hours of undergraduate work. Qualified students can complete their degree in just one year.
• Non-BSW Traditional: For applicants with undergraduate degrees in other fields than social work. About half of MSW students come from non-social work backgrounds. These applicants need a 3.0 or higher GPA in the last ~60 credit hours to qualify for quick admission.
• General Admission: For applicants with GPAs between 2.7 and 3.0 in their last 60 credit hours.

The simple requirements ask all applicants to submit an online application through the ApplyUTA portal with official transcripts from all previous colleges and universities. The GRE is optional for the MSW program, but good scores can help strengthen your application if you choose to submit them.

Applicants who don’t qualify for quick admission need additional documents. They must submit three recommendation forms through the ApplyUTA portal. The system sends automated forms electronically to recommenders. The program will accept recommendations through their previous method until December 2025 but recommends using the new portal system.

A 2-3 page narrative is required that addresses specific topics, such as your motivation to pursue an MSW degree and how you line up with NASW Code of Ethics principles. The admissions committee uses this narrative to review how well you match the program’s values and mission.

The University of Texas Arlington works with priority application dates instead of strict deadlines. You should submit your application and supporting documents at least two months before your desired semester start date. The ApplyUTA portal accepts applications up to 30 days before the semester begins.

International students must meet extra requirements. Those without a U.S. degree need to submit TOEFL scores. These students should plan for more time in their application process.

Tuition

Planning your MSW degree starts with understanding the costs involved. UT Arlington’s tuition rates are competitive and make its program more affordable than many accredited MSW programs across the country.

Texas residents can expect to pay around $30,278 for the 2025-2026 academic year. The total cost has several parts: $11,044 for tuition and fees, $500 for books and supplies, $14,416 for housing and meals, $3,280 for transportation, and $2,274 for personal expenses.

Students from other states pay an extra $12,442 above in-state tuition rates. The good news is that UTA lets students qualify for in-state tuition whatever their residency status. Students who get scholarships worth $1,000 or more usually pay in-state rates.

MSW program costs break down like this:

• Traditional program (61 credits): Around $35,000 total
• Per credit cost: Approximately $574

Graduate courses in the School of Social Work charge an extra $16 per credit hour. This small fee helps keep program quality high while maintaining reasonable costs. Students also pay mandatory fees that support campus resources like computer technology, library services, and medical services.

Students can get financial help from several sources. The School of Social Work gives out scholarships between $100 and $1,000 based on available funds. These scholarship opportunities come up in both fall and spring semesters.

The online MSW option works well for working professionals. Students can spread their payments throughout their studies. Most people finish their degree in three years, which makes balancing work and education costs easier.

These numbers serve as a general guide and might not match exact costs for each student. UTA’s Tuition Estimator tool can give you a better idea of costs based on your specific program choices and situation.

Additional Information

The University of Texas Arlington MSW program goes beyond academics by providing complete student support services that improve your educational experience. UTA’s Compassionate Assistance for Relieving Emergencies (CARE) fund helps social work students who face sudden financial challenges that could interrupt their studies.

Students can get help with content, research, grammar, APA guidelines, and ethical writing at the Connections Tutoring Lab. This resource becomes invaluable when you work on complex assignments during your program.

The Graduate Student Leader Program creates mentorship opportunities to expand your professional network. The Online Social Work Career Development Corner serves as a complete resource hub that guides both current students and alumni through job searches and professional growth.

Career Development office strengthens your professional journey through résumé workshops, job opportunities, and licensure preparation. UTA maintains an online portal where employers post social work positions exclusively for UTA students and graduates.

UTA’s campus-wide resources include Counseling and Psychological Services, the Writing Center, Health Services, Student Access and Resource Center, Emergency Assistance Fund, and Maverick Pantry. These services support your academic and personal needs throughout graduate education.

The Canvas Student Success course gives online students access to writing workshops and other academic resources. This ensures that distance learners receive the same level of support as on-campus students.