The following frequently asked questions are organized by subject.
Master of Social Work Programs
How can I become a social worker in Texas?
Texas’ requirements to become a social worker are in line with most other states in the country: all social work practitioners must obtain a Master of Social Work degree from an accredited institution and a Texas state social work license.
What is a Masters in Social Work?
A Master’s in Social Work (known as an MSW) is a graduate-level degree that prepares future social workers for the ins and outs of their profession. It combines a macro-level overview of key issues in the United States with micro-level approaches to one-on-one client practice, leaving students prepared to take on a range of social work roles in any number of focus areas within the field.
Do you need a master’s degree to be a social worker?
Yes. Social workers take on critical responsibilities on behalf of vulnerable clients, meaning their work requires extensive training and preparation. For this reason, it is not possible to obtain a social work license in Texas without first getting a Master of Social Work degree, making it a flat-out requirement for anyone who wishes to hold the full responsibilities of a social worker in the state.
How can I get a Masters in Social Work?
Texas is home to a large number of accredited MSW programs that can equip you with the deep knowledge and skill needed to perform the role of a social worker. There are programs available in in-person and online delivery formats, as well as on full-time and part-time schedules. For more complete information on the steps to receiving your MSW, take a look at our homepage.
Can I pursue an MSW if I don’t yet hold a bachelor’s degree?
No. Master of Social Work programs are graduate-level programs that require applicants to already hold a bachelor’s degree in any subject. If you don’t yet have a bachelor’s degree but are committed to pursuing a career in social work, you can accelerate your academic journey by obtaining a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree, which will leave you eligible for Advanced Standing MSW programs that reduce your time in graduate school to just one year instead of two.
What is an Advanced Standing MSW?
An Advanced Standing MSW is a degree pathway only available to students who hold Bachelor of Social Work degrees. It is an attractive option for motivated students who know during their undergraduate studies that they wish to pursue careers in the social work field. Since the coursework of a BSW overlaps with the foundational materials in an MSW program, BSW holders are eligible to bypass the first year of their MSW, reducing their time in graduate school to one year and allowing them to get their careers started as quickly as possible.
Are there accredited online MSW programs in Texas?
Yes – many! Online degree options have offered a terrific opportunity for students who may not otherwise be able to take on a graduate program. There are many excellent degree programs in Texas that are now offering online options which will provide you with the same Master of Social Work degree that you would receive in a traditional in-person program.
How long does a Masters in Social Work program take?
Most MSW programs are available in both full-time and part-time formats, which take different durations to complete. A full-time Master of Social Work program typically takes two years total, while part-time programs typically take three years. (Occasionally, part-time students will complete their programs in four.)
What is field education in social work?
During an MSW program, social work students are expected to complete field work in a local social work organization every semester. This provides students direct exposure to their future profession, building skills and helping students determine the particular career path they wish to pursue. For many students, this is a highlight of their Master of Social Work programs, offering them the opportunity to get involved in causes they care about before they have received their degrees. For more information about field education, take a look at our guide here.
What is the cost of an MSW degree?
The cost of tuition for MSW programs can vary greatly depending on institution. It is advised to look closely at financial information for any school you wish to apply to. Fortunately for aspiring social work students, many schools offer financial aid packages and scholarships to help offset the cost of tuition, and there are numerous independent institutions that also offer academic awards to help students with financial needs pursue their academic and career goals.
Is an MSW worth it?
MSWs will provide you with skills that will build the foundations of your career as well as offering you your first work opportunities in the social work field. Further, thanks to scholarship and grant opportunities, it’s easier than ever for talented social work students to find funding to support their studies. In short, if you’re a motivated individual who wishes to launch a long-lasting career helping others, your MSW will absolutely be worth it, providing the critical first step in your professional trajectory.
Is an MSW a terminal degree?
For most social workers, an MSW is the final step in their educational journey, and is the only higher level degree required to pursue a career as a social worker. Indeed, most social workers do not pursue further education following their Master of Social Work programs. However, it is not technically a terminal degree, as it is possible to get a PhD. in Social Work if you wish to teach social work at MSW programs. To learn about the variety of social work degrees available, take a look at our guide here.
Social Work License Requirements
How can I become a licensed social worker in Texas?
Obtaining a social work license in Texas requires applicants to hold a Master of Social Work degree. If you seek a Licensed Master of Social Work credential, you will immediately be eligible for your licensing examination upon finishing school. If you wish to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, you will need to complete 3,000 hours of additional supervised field work before qualifying for your state licensing exam. For more information on the process of obtaining a social work license, visit our licensing guide here.
How long does it take to get an LCSW credential after completing an MSW program?
Upon obtaining their Master of Social Work degree, LCSW candidates must complete 3,000 hours of supervised field work at a social work institution. For most people, this process takes about two years, meaning you should expect to devote four years total to your social work preparation, including your Master of Social Work program.
What is the license renewal process for social workers?
Texas-based social workers are expected to renew their licenses every two years. In order to do this, they must complete 30 hours of continuing education (CE) courses, with at least six hours devoted to ethics in social work practice and at least three hours devoted to cultural competence. For more information on continuing education requirements, take a look at our guide here.
What are continuing education (CE) courses?
Continuing education courses are classes for social work practitioners that are designed to ensure all social workers are up to date on protocols and emerging issues in the field. They can be excellent avenues for social workers to build new skills and areas of specialty within their practice, potentially opening up new avenues for employment.
I am already a practicing social worker in another state. Is it possible to transfer my social work license so that I can practice in Texas?
Yes. Though Texas does not have a formal license reciprocity system in place, licensed social workers from other states have the opportunity to bypass entry-level licensing requirements by submitting their existing license to the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners, passing the Texas Jurisprudence Exam, and receiving an endorsement from the state where you have been practicing social work. For more information on transferring your license in Texas, visit our guide here.
Master of Social Work Careers and Salaries
What can I do with a Masters in Social Work?
A Master of Social Work degree will qualify you for a wide range of social work responsibilities, with opportunities to work in whatever subfield of social work most calls to you. This can include program supervision, case management, advocacy work, and (for those who hold LCSW licenses) counseling and therapy. You can find more information about career paths for social workers in our guide here.
Where are social workers employed?
Social workers can find employment at a huge number of organizations, some of which are exclusively focused on providing social services and others of which have broader focuses that include but are not limited to social work. Employers of social workers include government agencies, nonprofits, inpatient and outpatient clinics, homeless shelters, medical centers, schools, nursing homes, legal organizations, and many more.
How much do social workers make in Texas?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics, which is the official source of comprehensive salary data in the United States, reports the following mean annual salaries for social workers in the four primary social work subfields: $49,810 per year for child, family, and school social workers; $62,500 for healthcare social workers; $44,100 for mental health social workers; and $68,500 for all other social workers. For more detailed information about social worker salaries in Texas, visit our guide here.
How can I earn a top salary as a social worker?
The best way to earn a top salary as a social worker is by committing to your work, gaining experience and skill so that you are qualified for high-ranking positions in social work organizations. It can also be helpful to pursue sub-specializations that give you authority on particular issues in social work, making you an especially appealing candidate for advanced positions related to that topic. Some social workers choose to do this by taking continuing education or certificate courses to focus on building a particular area of expertise.
Social Work Focus Areas
How do I become a child social worker in Texas?
If you wish to work with young people – whether in child welfare agencies, family services, or other organizations that help children and adolescents in need – it is recommended that you complete your MSW field work hours in an organization that performs such work. In some MSW programs, it is possible to pursue a concentration in Child Social Work, but this is not an all-out necessity to qualify for future positions in related organizations. For more information about child social work, visit our guide here.
How do I become a school social worker in Texas?
School social work can overlap with child social work, though it tends to be more oriented toward clinical practice (becoming a school guidance counselor or therapist). This means that concentrating in Child Social Work can be a good choice for those who know they wish to become school counselors or hold other social work positions, and it is recommended to find opportunities at schools for your field work internship while in your Master of Social Work program. For more information about opportunities for social workers in schools, visit our guide here.
How can I become a medical social worker in Texas?
As with child social workers, medical social workers are expected to fulfill all of the same obligations as any other sort of social worker, though it’s recommended you pursue field work at an organization that offers medical or healthcare-related services so that you can build skill and expertise before leaving your MSW program. There are some schools offering concentrations in Medical Social Work as well. For more information about becoming a medical or healthcare social worker, take a look at our guide here.
How can I become a mental health social worker in Texas?
If you wish to pursue mental health social work (which also encompasses addiction and substance abuse social work), it is advised to pursue a concentration in the topic in your Master of Social Work program. The majority of mental health social workers perform clinical services (i.e. counseling and therapy), meaning those who wish to enter this field should typically expect to pursue their LCSW credential upon obtaining their Master of Social Work degrees. To learn more about becoming a mental health social worker, see our guide here.
How can social workers get involved in efforts related to climate change?
Social workers have proven to be instrumental in supporting individuals, families, and communities in the wake of natural disasters related to climate change. This can involve crisis management – dealing with those hardest hit by disasters and helping them find immediate services – to longer-term supportive services to help people get back on their feet after being impacted by climate change-related events.
Dual Degree Programs
What are MSW dual degree programs?
For students who wish to merge their interest in social work with other areas of expertise, there are several different types of dual degree program that allow students to pursue two different degrees simultaneously. These include Master of Public Health / Master of Social Work programs, Juris Doctor / Master of Social Work programs, and Master of Business Administration / Master of Social Work programs. You can find more information about dual degree programs in our overview of social work degree types here.
What is an MPH/MSW dual degree?
Those who wish to combine a passion for civic causes with an interest in public health can find Master of Public Health / Master of Social Work dual degree programs at some Texas schools. These programs typically take three years to complete and will leave graduates qualified to hold positions in both public health and social work organizations. This is an excellent choice for those interested in healthcare policy as well as the hands-on work of social work practice.
Is it possible to get an MPH/MSW dual degree online?
Yes. While there are only a few MPH/MSW dual degree programs in Texas, there are some offering online options, which include all of the same coursework as a traditional in-person program but allow students to attend classes remotely.
What is the difference between an MPH vs. an MSW?
The primary difference between Master of Public Health programs and Master of Social Work programs is the scope of the work they wish to do. The public health arena is primarily focused on policy-level advocacy, while the social work profession is primarily concerned with providing direct support to individuals, families, and communities in need. Though these disciplines can overlap, the two fields are grounded in their respective approaches.
Are there MSW/JD dual degree programs in Texas?
Yes. There are a few different programs in Texas offering Master of Social Work / Juris Doctor programs, which give students an education in both social work foundations and legal frameworks that can allow them to pursue high-level policy advocacy in their career paths.
Are there MSW/MBA dual degree programs in Texas?
Yes. Students who are interested in refining their business skills so that they can launch social justice initiatives from the business sector can find dual degree programs at several Texas universities. These programs typically take three years to complete.