Upon completing their military service, many veterans choose to take up careers in military social work, channeling what they have learned from their own experiences into work supporting others. Indeed, becoming a military social worker can allow you to connect with veterans and active duty service members in need, staying connected to the military community and contributing positive change in the personal lives of your peers.
In order to practice social work in the military, one is expected to complete the same educational pathway as any other form of social worker, obtaining a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree to qualify for relevant licensure exams. Though the steps to doing so are simple, it’s no secret that pursuing an advanced degree can be a great financial burden, to the extent that many can be scared away.
The high cost of higher education can be daunting, but veterans and active duty military members in Texas have access to a great number of military-friendly social work programs that won’t break the bank.
Paired with the wealth of military benefits available in Texas, this means a social work education (and the career path that follows) should be within reach for any veterans and active duty service members who want it. This guide provides a list of affordable military-friendly social work programs in Texas to pursue your education and take the next steps in your career.
Online Degree Programs Make It Easier Than Ever to Launch Your Career
Online degree programs can be a lifesaver for Texas-based veterans and military members, offering a flexible and accessible path to earning a social work degree and in turn, launching the next steps of your career. Whether you are stationed at a military base like Fort Cavazos or transitioning to civilian life in Houston, Austin, San Antonio, or elsewhere, you will be able to take classes on your schedule, completing coursework from home and signing up for field internships convenient to wherever you are.
The flexibility of online degree programs is an unprecedented asset for military members and veterans, ensuring that they will be able to balance their education with deployments, training, and family responsibilities.
Though these opportunities were all but unheard of a decade ago, they have quickly risen to the forefront of education, making it possible for more students to enter the social work profession. Due to the immense convenience they offer students, online degree programs are only becoming more popular with every passing year.
For aspiring social workers in particular, online programs can be a great help in accelerating you on the path to your next career. Since social workers are required to hold MSWs in order to qualify for licensure, your education is an indispensable part of your professional pursuits. Beginning this process while you are still serving in the military can help you take your career into your own hands as soon as you complete your service. Meanwhile, for veterans, the opportunity to take classes while holding down other jobs can make it possible to continue to support oneself while also building a more advanced career at the same time.
Make the Most of Military Benefits to Minimize Your Education Costs
Beyond selecting a low-cost social work degree program, budget-minded veterans looking to lower the cost of their education are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the military benefits available to them. These provide a fantastic opportunity to take the reins on your educational experience and in turn, the social work career you want in the long run.
Federal and state military benefits can go a long way in reducing your tuition costs, in some cases even eliminating them altogether.
This means it should be a no-brainer for any active duty military member or veteran to investigate which federal and state military benefit programs they are qualified for. These can include:
- Transferred G.I. Bill benefits
- The Yellow Ribbon Program (See listings below for participating schools)
- The Montgomery G.I. Bill
- Fry Scholarships
Texas-based veterans (as well as their spouses and dependents) also have the opportunity to take advantage of the Hazlewood Act, a program specific to the state that provides up to 150 hours of tuition exemption at Texan institutions of higher learning. As you look over degree programs, give consideration to which schools are public, as they will allow you to apply your Hazlewood Act benefits.
It can be confusing determining which military benefits are applicable to your situation, so you are encouraged to do your research early. This can help ensure that you will apply for the correct program(s) for your needs and obtain the funding support you are seeking.
Index of Schools (in alphabetical order)
The following programs have been ranked as the most affordable on-campus and online social work degree programs in Texas. They all have been deemed “military-friendly,” whether because they are Yellow Ribbon schools, are in proximity to military bases (within one hour’s driving distance), or offer fully online delivery models that can allow students to pursue their social work degrees from anywhere in Texas.
As you review programs, be sure to look carefully at degree pathways and concentration options available to be sure that your selected programs meet your specific needs. There are some schools offering only online Bachelor of Social Work degrees in Texas, and others offering only Master of Social Work degrees. Be mindful of your own degree level and areas of professional interest as you look over these options.
Angelo State University
Yellow Ribbon School
Location: San Angelo, TX
Online option: Yes
Nearby military bases: Goodfellow Air Force Base
Formats:
- Bachelor of Social Work
- Full-time MSW (2-year)
- Advanced Standing MSW (1-year)
Per-year tuition (in-state): $4,181
- Specializations: Advanced Generalist, Clinical Social Work
Tarleton State University
Locations: Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco
Online option: Yes
Nearby military bases: Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth (Fort Worth Campus), Fort Cavazos (Waco campus)
Formats:
- Bachelor of Social Work
- Full-time MSW (2-year)
- Part-time MSW (3-year)
- Full-time Advanced Standing MSW (1 year)
- Accelerated Advanced Standing MSW (8 months)
Per-year tuition (in-state): $4,356
- Specializations: Advanced Generalist
Texas A&M University – Kingsville
Location: Kingsville, TX
Online option: No
Nearby military bases: Corpus Christi Army Depot
Formats:
- Bachelor of Social Work
- Full-time MSW (2-year)
- Full-time Advanced Standing MSW (1-year)
Per-year tuition (in-state): $3,409
- Specializations: Clinical/Activist Social Work
Texas A&M University – Texarkana
Yellow Ribbon School
Location: Texarkana, TX
Online option: No
Nearby military bases: Red River Army Depot
Formats:
- Full-time MSW (2-year)
- Part-time MSW (2-year, summer classes)
- Part-time MSW (4-year)
Per-year tuition (in-state): $4,535
- Specializations: Mental Health, Trauma Informed Care, Substance Abuse
Texas State University
Location: San Marcos, TX
Online option: Yes
Nearby military bases: Randolph Air Force Base, Camp Mabry
Formats:
- Bachelor of Social Work
- Full-time MSW (2-year)
- Part-time MSW (3 year, online only)
- Full-time Advanced Practice MSW (1 year)
Per-year tuition (in-state): $4,181
- Specializations: Advanced Generalist, Clinical Social Work
Texas Woman’s University
Location: Denton, TX
Online option: No
Nearby military bases: Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth
Formats:
- Bachelor of Social Work
- Full-time MSW (2-year)
- Full-time Advanced Standing MSW (1-year)
Per-year tuition (in-state): $5,184
- Specializations: Advanced Generalist
The University of Texas at El Paso
Yellow Ribbon School
Location: El Paso, TX
Online option: No
Nearby military bases: Fort Bliss
Formats:
- Bachelor of Social Work
- Full-time MSW (2-year)
- Part-time MSW (3-year)
- Full-time Advanced Standing MSW (1-year)
Per-year tuition (in-state): $5,865
- Specializations: Social Work in the Border Region
University of North Texas
Location: Denton, TX
Online option: No
Nearby military bases: Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth
Formats:
- Bachelor of Social Work
- Full-time MSW (2-year)
- Full-time Advanced Standing MSW (1-year)
Per-year tuition (in-state): $7,160
- Specializations: Policy Analysis, Bereavement, Foster Care
FAQs
Do I need to study social work and the military in order to qualify for positions at the VA?
No – you will be eligible for military social work jobs with concentrations in a variety of social work subjects, including Advanced Generalist, Trauma Informed Care, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse, among others. One way that MSW students prepare for careers in military social work is by completing their field internships at the VA or other supportive services for veterans, gaining specialized expertise while they’re still in school.
What is a military social worker salary in Texas?
Though the Bureau of Labor Statistics does not provide targeted salary data about military social workers specifically, its 2023 state employment statistics report a mean annual salary of $68,500 for social workers in the “Social Workers – all other” category. This can provide a rough approximation of what you can expect to make in a job performing social work in the military.
Can I complete my field internship remotely?
In most cases, no. Field internships provide important skill-building opportunities for aspiring social workers, giving them on-the-ground experience and the chance to receive mentorship from working practitioners. For this reason, most schools require you to complete internships that are performed in person at the organization of your choosing.
Can I obtain a social work license with just a Bachelor of Social Work degree?
No. One must hold a Master of Social Work degree in order to qualify for Texas social work licensure. However, BSW can be useful for aspiring social workers who don’t yet hold undergraduate degrees, allowing them to begin to dip their toes into the world of social work through internships and classwork. They also put students on a fast-track once they get to graduate school, qualifying them for Advanced Standing MSW programs.
Do I need a Bachelor of Social Work degree in order to pursue a Master of Social Work?
No. One can apply to an MSW program as long as they hold a bachelor’s degree in any subject. However, one can only qualify for Advanced Standing MSW programs (which are expedited programs) if they hold a BSW.