There are many ways into the social work profession. For students who are at the very beginning of their educational journeys, one possible path is by getting an Associate Degree in Social Work (ASW). This can be a valuable stepping stone for those who are eager to break into the social work field quickly.
An Associate’s Degree in Social Work will teach you the fundamentals of the field and build skills that can be put to use in entry-level social work positions as well as offering transferable credits that can help accelerate bachelor’s degree programs down the line.
Though this degree will not render you eligible for licensure – you will need to obtain a bachelor’s degree and ultimately a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree for that – an ASW can be the fastest possible path to professional opportunities that help others in need. These positions are typically found on the support teams for licensed social workers, providing invaluable assistance to ensure that all clients receive comprehensive care and that operations run smoothly.
In Texas, there are numerous institutions – including traditional colleges and universities as well as community colleges – offering Associate Degrees in Social Work. This guide will explain the ins and outs of attending an associate’s program in Texas, as well as providing an index of programs available in the state. This includes information about online Social Work Associate Degree programs in Texas.
Benefits of Getting an Associate Degree in Social Work
There are several reasons why social work students can benefit from obtaining their associate’s degrees. These include the following:
- Associate’s programs allow motivated students to enter the workforce more quickly than other degree options. For students who are eager to get their feet wet in the world of social work, this can make associate’s programs an attractive option.
- Because they are shorter in length than bachelor’s programs, associate’s programs are also frequently the more affordable option.
- Associate’s degrees can provide a solid educational foundation and a significant number of course credits to later pursue a bachelor’s (and eventually, a master’s) degree.
Your Associate of Social Work degree credits can be transferred once you enter a Bachelor of Social Work program, allowing you to bypass a significant amount of coursework and expedite your BSW experience.
One should only consider pursuing an associate’s degree in social work if they don’t yet hold a bachelor’s degree of any sort. Those who hold bachelor’s degrees in any subject are eligible to enroll in Master of Social Work (MSW) programs, which are required in order to obtain state licensing and take on the full responsibilities of a social worker.
Jobs for Social Work Associates
Those who hold ASWs are qualified to assist licensed social work practitioners in their day-to-day responsibilities. This means that while as a Social Work associate, you will not be able to, for example, provide direct counseling to clients, you will be able to assist those who do, and in doing so can gain an illuminating up-close education.
Many social workers who start their careers with associate’s degrees are able to cultivate strong senses of their own career goals by observing seasoned social workers at work.
This can be highly motivating for those who are just at the beginning of their professional trajectories.
Job titles for those holding ASWs include:
- Behavioral health aide
- Foster care assistant
- Home health aide
- Human service assistant
- Inpatient residential aide
- School social work aide
- Social service assistant
As you can see, these roles are designed to support providers of key services. While your work will not encompass the one-on-one attention that licensed social workers are able to provide, you will be an indispensable part of a social work team, taking on responsibilities that help your team run smoothly and offer the highest quality care to those who rely on your services.
Social Work Associate Degree Programs in Texas: What to Expect
As a prospective applicant, it can be difficult to get a realistic sense of what your day-to-day experience will look like as a student. So what does an ASW program actually entail? While each program is unique, there are some factors that are likely to stay consistent from one school to the next.
Timeline
Typically, ASW programs take two years to complete – only half the duration of a Bachelor of Social Work program. In some cases, it is possible to take these courses more slowly, though not every associate’s program offers this, so be sure to do your research if this is an option that appeals to you.
Curriculum
ASW programs will cover the foundations of social work practice, including the following topics:
- The history of social work in the United States
- Up-to-date social work procedures and protocols
- Ethical questions in the social work profession
- Psychology
- Intervention strategies
- Criminology
- Child welfare
These classes are designed to build both knowledge and skill, allowing graduates to handle the important responsibilities of social work aides and assistants.
Formats
In recent years, students have been lucky to have an excellent new educational option at their disposal: online degree programs. These programs make courses available remotely, sparing students the difficulty of commuting to school and sometimes even providing pre-recorded lectures so that students can attend class on their own schedules. For students who are balancing their studies with outside responsibilities, such as employment or childcare, this can make all the difference in making it possible to pursue higher education.
It’s worth noting that not all ASW programs in Texas offer their lessons online. Some schools offer hybrid models, which feature both in-person and online courses, while other schools still only offer on-campus courses. As a prospective student, it’s important for you to consider your logistical needs as well as your own unique learning style as you decide which course delivery format is best for you.
Financial Aid for Social Work Programs in Texas
Many students opt to pursue associate’s degrees because they are more affordable than longer-term Bachelor of Social Work degrees. Still, the cost of even these programs can be daunting for many students.
If you’re considering enrolling in an ASW program, don’t let the cost of tuition deter you. There are often ways to obtain financial aid or outside scholarships to support your studies.
It’s worth taking a look at our list of scholarships, fellowships, and grants to see if you’re a fit for any outside funding opportunity in Texas. Further, many schools offer financial aid or work-study packages to students within their programs, meaning it’s worth exploring aid options at each of the schools on your list. These can go far in supporting your academic ambitions.
Accredited Social Work Associate Programs in Texas
The following index features a list of accredited Social Work Associate’s Degree programs in Texas. As you will see, some of these schools offer their associate’s programs online or in hybrid models, while others offer in-person classes only. There are some part-time social work programs in Texas on this list as well – be sure to keep your scheduling and logistical concerns in mind as you consider each school’s academic offerings.
Alamo Colleges District: Palo Alto College
Location: San Antonio, TX
Format(s): In-person
Associate of Science (AS) in Behavioral Science
Estimated Program Tuition (per year, in-district): $3,112
Palo Alto College is one of five community colleges within the Alamo Colleges District, and has been named as one of the top community colleges in the nation, as well as among the top community colleges for Hispanic students. It offers a social work-focused Associate of Science degree within the Behavioral Science department, which takes two years to complete on a full-time schedule.
Palo Alto College’s Social Work Associate’s program is intended to help those who plan to pursue BSWs (and potentially MSWs) down the line, offering courses that cover the foundations of social work practice to give students the lay of the land at the outset of their education. Many of these credits are designed to be transferable within a BSW program in the future.
Alamo Colleges District: St. Philip’s College
Location: San Antonio, TX
Format(s): In-person
Social Work Field of Study
Estimated Program Tuition (per year, in-district): $3,112
Another school in the Alamo Colleges District, St. Philip’s College is a Historically Black College and Hispanic Serving Institution. At more than a century old, it is one of Texas’ oldest and most esteemed community colleges.
St. Philip’s College’s AA in Social Work program is designed to equip students with an introductory education in social work theory and practice, providing credits that are guaranteed to be eligible for transfer toward a BSW degree. Using a generalist intervention model, it is an ideal program for those who wish to eventually take up clinical social work practice, as well as other direct-intervention social work jobs.
Alamo Colleges District: San Antonio College
Location: San Antonio, TX
Format(s): In-person, online
Associate of Arts (AA) of Social Work
Estimated Program Tuition (per year, in-district): $3,412
With a student body of over 20,000, San Antonio College is a community college that offers an atmosphere comparable to a traditional university. It is also the only social work program offered within the Alamo Colleges District with a fully online program option.
The Associate of Arts in Social Work program at San Antonio College provides an overview of the social work field, building skills and expertise that can prepare students for BSW programs or entry-level work in social service organizations. Placing an emphasis on service delivery, the program prepares students for the day-to-day responsibilities of social work professionals, helping them acquire the core competencies needed to provide supportive services to individuals and families in need.
Austin Community College
Location: Austin, TX
Format(s): In-person, partially online
Associate of Arts (AA) in Social Work
Estimated Program Tuition (per year, in-district): Free
If you graduated high school in 2024 or obtained your GED after July 1, 2023, you’re eligible for a tremendous opportunity: thanks to Austin Community College’s brand-new ACC Free Tuition program, incoming students can pursue their degrees at practically no cost at all (save for the standard expenses of supplies and small school fees that amount to a total of less than $100). This is incredible news for motivated prospective students who have felt daunted by the high cost of attending social work programs.
ACC’s Social Work program is offered within the Sociology department and requires students to take an Intro to Sociology course as part of the program’s curriculum. This means that students can expect their coursework to include a broad overview of major societal issues in the United States, grounding their study of social work methods within a larger context. From here, students will develop practical skills that can prepare them for entry-level social work positions, as well as earning credits that can be transferred toward BSW degrees down the line.
Central Texas College
Location: Killeen, TX
Format(s): In-person, online
Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Human Services
- Social Work Specialization
- At-Risk Youth Specialization
- Chemical Dependency Specialization
Estimated Program Tuition (per year, in-district): $3,750
Central Texas College offers not one, not two, but three associate’s degree paths for students who wish to build skills in the Social Work arena: the generalist Social Work track (for those who wish to get a sense of the field as a whole), the At-Risk Youth track, and the Chemical Dependency track. The latter of these categories are great choices for those who already have a strong sense of the specific issues they’d like their work to engage with.
CTC’s Social Work program is offered within the Department of Human Services. Coursework draws from a variety of other academic disciplines, including Psychology, Government, English, and Statistics. These ensure that students have received a well-rounded education that can enrich their studies and cover a good deal of the credits needed in a BSW program.
Dallas College
Location: Dallas, TX
Format(s): In-person
Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Social Work – Generalist
Estimated Program Tuition (per year, in-district): $4,740
Those who live in the Dallas area can begin their social work education at Dallas College, which offers an associate’s degree path with a generalist focus. This provides students a broad knowledge of the social work discipline that can give students a strong foundation to pursue higher levels of social work education down the line.
Dallas College’s A.A.S. in Social Work program can also be a great choice for those who wish to work in the field of substance abuse and addiction, as it is closely linked with the school’s Substance Abuse Counseling program. This means that students looking to help those struggling with addiction can build useful career skills in their first years of school.
Del Mar College
Location: Corpus Christi, TX
Format(s): In-person
Associate of Arts (AA) in Social Work
Estimated Program Tuition (per year, in-district): $3,500
Del Mar College offers an A.A. in Social Work designed to enrich students’ knowledge of all three levels of social work practice: micro, mezzo, and macro. This can help students get a sense of the many different ways social workers can impact public life, which in turn can lead them toward focus areas that can guide their future careers.
DMC’s A.A. in Social Work program is geared toward students who wish to transfer to BSW programs down the line. Some of the top Texas-based schools that graduates transfer to include UT Austin, UT San Antonio, Texas A&M University, Our Lady of the Lake University, and Texas State, making this an excellent entry point for those who wish to ultimately enroll in bachelor’s programs.
El Paso Community College
Location: El Paso, TX
Format(s): In-person
Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Social Work
Estimated Program Tuition (per year, in-district): $3,480
El Paso Community College offers an A.A.S. in Social Work, building both broad and focused skills that can prepare students for entry-level jobs in social work organizations. Those who have a particular interest in substance abuse counseling have the opportunity to additionally enroll in the school’s Social Work – Drug/Alcohol Abuse Counseling Certificate Program, which for three additional credits builds skills that can help qualify you for entry-level positions in addiction counseling centers.
For those who wish to get their feet wet in the world of social work quickly, this program will allow you to do so: in their second year of the program, a portion of students’ credits are devoted to internships at the social service organization of their choice, providing the opportunity to see the day-to-day responsibilities of a social worker up close. This can be deeply motivating for students, who benefit from learning about the ins and outs of their chosen career path as well as seeing the impact their work will have on clients in need.
Lee College
Location: Baytown, TX
Format(s): In-person
Associate of Arts (AA) in Social Work
Estimated Program Tuition (per year, in-district): $2,714
Lee College’s A.A. in Social Work program provides a comprehensive overview of the social work profession, including its history and development, ethical standards of care, areas of specialization, and more. This emphasizes both a micro (direct services to clients) and macro (community-focused) approach to social work, from practical skills for delivering supportive services to the role of advocacy in influencing public policy.
Many students of Lee College’s Social Work Associate’s Program later go on to enroll in University of Houston – Clear Lake or University of Houston – Downtown. For this reason, the school offers credit tracks designed specifically for students who wish to later attend these schools, ensuring that they will have the appropriate credits to transfer toward these respective Bachelor of Social Work programs.
South Plains College
Location: Levelland, TX
Format(s): In-person
Associate of Arts (A.A.) in Social Work
Estimated Program Tuition (per year, in-district): $3,298
South Plains College offers an A.A. Degree in Social Work with a broad focus suited for students wishing to gain an understanding of the fundamentals of the social work field. Students are expected to complete credits in a variety of fields, including History, Sociology, English, and Government, allowing them to understand the intricacies of social work practice from a variety of disciplinary approaches.
This program is designed to help students transfer to Bachelor of Social Work programs at Texas universities once they have obtained their A.A. degrees. Many of these credits will be applicable for transfer, including ones outside of the formal social work discipline that are general core curriculum requirements at many Texas schools.
South Texas College
Location: McAllen, TX
Format(s): In-person, online
Associate of Arts (A.A.) in Social Work
Estimated Program Tuition (per year, in-district): $3,444
The Associate of Arts in Social Work program at South Texas College is specifically designed to align with the core curriculum at most Bachelor of Social Work programs in Texas, making it an ideal choice for students who intend to pursue BSWs down the line. For this reason, the program includes credits in a variety of subjects, including History, Psychology, English, Speech, and Math in addition to formal Social Work courses.
For students who wish to pursue their associate’s degrees remotely, South Texas offers a fully online A.A. of Social Work program which can build the same skills and base of knowledge through virtual classes. This is an excellent choice for students living outside of McAllen as well as those who are balancing school with outside employment.
Texas Southmost College
Location: Brownsville, TX
Format(s): In-person, online
Associate of Arts (AA) in Social Work
Estimated Program Tuition (per year, in-district): $4,300
The Social Work Associate’s program at Texas Southmost College provides an introduction to social work through the lens of a variety of academic disciplines. The first year of study features courses in a variety of disciplines, satisfying the core curriculum credits of most Texas universities for students who plan to transfer into BSW programs down the line. The second year, meanwhile, focuses on several of the primary social work focus areas, giving students a more detailed understanding of the specializations they can pursue in their careers.
The AA of Social Work program is available in a fully online option, featuring the same coursework that is included in the in-person model. This degree will also qualify students to transfer to BSW programs upon obtaining their AA degree.
Tyler Junior College
Location: Tyler, TX
Format(s): In-person, hybrid
Associate of Arts (AA) in Social Work
Estimated Program Tuition (per year, in-district): $3,112
Tyler Junior College offers an Associate of Arts in Social Work in both in-person and hybrid models, the latter of which is geared toward students with outside responsibilities who can benefit from reduced commuting time and course scheduling flexibility. This is a great choice of program for those who are maintaining employment while in school or juggling other responsibilities, such as childcare.
Students in the Social Work program are expected to complete the general core curriculum at Tyler Junior College, which covers many of the transferable credits that are also included in most four-year BSW programs. Beyond that, students will be expected to complete major courses, which are in the Social Work, Sociology, and Psychology departments.
How to Estimate Your Anticipated Salary with an Associate of Social Work Degree
Social work salaries in Texas can vary greatly depending on your position, your area of specialty, and your place of employment.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the following median annual incomes for Texas-based social workers in the four main social work sectors:
- Child, family, and school social workers: $49,810
- Healthcare social workers: $62,500
- Mental health and substance abuse social workers: $44,100
- Social workers, all other: $68,500
A.S., A.A.S, and A.A.: What is the difference between Social Work Associate’s Degree types?
As you survey the program options below, you may notice that different programs offer different types of associate degrees. So what does this mean, and will it affect your future career plans?
You will be equally able to pursue a BSW or entry-level social work positions with an A.S., A.A.S., or A.A. degree.
The key distinction between them has to do with the department in which your social work program is based. Some schools’ social work programs are hosted by psychology and behavioral health-related departments, meaning students graduate with Associate of Science degrees. At some schools, these degrees are in Human Services, which offer Associate of Applied Sciences degrees. Other schools offer social work programs through departments like Sociology and therefore confer Associate of Arts degrees.
All of these degree types are equally reputable. The primary difference between them is the academic department offering your social work program, and in turn, the coursework offered in your program. This is relevant to students’ long-term goals as it will determine the transferable credits you can use in BSW programs. Those who have AS degrees may have more transferable credits if they are pursuing a science-related bachelor’s degree, while those who have AA degrees may have more transferable credits in arts and humanities-related bachelor’s programs. But whatever choice you make, you can rest assured that you will graduate with the qualifications you are seeking.
Because these are median incomes, it is possible for social workers to earn more or less than the figures listed above.
Those who hold ASWs are only eligible for entry-level positions, but this work experience can give you a leg up as you acquire more advanced degrees and ultimately your social work license.
While entry-level positions are likely to earn salaries on the lower side of the spectrum for social workers, the prospect of earning a more senior role and a salary to match can motivate ASWs to continue amassing credentials and experience, rising in the ranks over the course of their careers.
Job Growth
Another great reason to enter the social work profession is the promising rate of job growth projected in the field over the next decade. According to the BLS, employment opportunities for social workers are expected to grow by 7% by 2023, greatly outpacing the projection of 3% for overall job growth across industries. Jobs for clinical social workers (counselors and therapists) are projected to grow even more quickly, with an estimated rate of 9% growth over the next decade.
This should come as a great incentive for prospective ASW students to kickstart their educational journeys. With your associate degree in hand, you’re likely to find abundant job opportunities that will only continue to increase over the course of your career.
FAQs
What can I do with an Associate’s Degree in Social Work?
An Associate’s Degree in Social Work will qualify you for entry-level positions in social work organizations. These are often roles that support licensed practitioners, with titles such as Behavioral Health Aide, Home Health Aide, and Social Service Assistant, among others. Gaining this experience may help those who are planning to pursue advanced degrees in social work to refine their larger career goals.
What license can I get with an Associate’s Degree in Social Work?
You can not get a social work license in the state of Texas with an associate’s degree alone. However, your associate’s degree will be a resume-booster for entry-level (unlicensed) positions in the social work field.
Are there options for online Social Work Associate’s Degrees in Texas?
Yes. Texas-based students who wish to pursue Associate’s Degrees in Social Work can find excellent online opportunities that make educational opportunities far more accessible for students, eliminating the burden of commuting and providing scheduling flexibility for students who are working while in school.
Is it possible to put my ASW credits toward a Bachelor of Social Work down the line?
Yes – this is a popular reason many students pursue Associate of Social Work degrees in the first place . There are many opportunities for Social Work degree transfer credits in Texas, though it’s important to look at the particular requirements and offerings of schools to make sure your coursework will be approved. This can require dedicated research, but the work will be worth it: ASW credits can help Bachelor of Social Work students skip over a significant amount of coursework, reducing the time spent in their BSW programs.
Do I need to hold an Associate’s Degree in Social Work in order to pursue a Master of Social Work degree?
No. Associate’s Degrees in Social Work are not required in order to apply for an MSW program. One must hold a bachelor’s degree in order to qualify for a Master of Social Work degree. Your bachelor’s doesn’t have to be a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), but those who hold BSWs can complete their MSW programs more quickly.
An associate’s degree is also not required in order to attend a four-year bachelor’s program. In other words, social workers aren’t required to hold associate’s degrees at all. However, some students are only ready to take on the two-year schedule of an associate’s program, which can help them build skills for entry-level social work positions as well as serve as stepping stones for longer-term educational programs.
2023 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and employment figures for Social Workers reflect state data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed July 2024.