Online MSW Programs in Texas
Last Updated: September 23, 2026
Online MSW programs can work well for working adults, parents, and anyone who lives far from a campus, including Austin residents: UT Austin, the only MSW program located in Austin, is offered in person only. If you plan to practice in Texas, accreditation matters. Texas requires a master’s degree from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) for the Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) license.
Online MSW Programs Offered by Texas Universities
Each program below is listed with an online option in the CSWE program directory and describes an online MSW on its own website. Details come from each school’s website as of September 2026. Tuition is shown only where the school publishes a figure labeled with a term or academic year; otherwise, see the program website.
University of Texas at Arlington (UTA)
- Format: Fully online (Texas residents) or on campus in Arlington. Online students complete their field placement near where they live.
- Traditional: 61 credit hours; as little as 24 months. Part-time enrollment is available.
- Advanced standing: 38 credit hours; as little as 12 months.
- Tuition: See program website (UTA directs students to its tuition estimator).
Texas State University
- Format: Online (full- or part-time) or on campus in San Marcos, about 30 miles south of Austin.
- Traditional: 62 semester credit hours.
- Advanced standing: 36 semester credit hours.
- Tuition: Texas State lists a Fall 2026 graduate rate of $4,511.49 for Texas residents taking 9 credit hours. Rates can vary by program and instructional method; see program website.
Texas State MSW program details
University of Houston
- Format: Online (part-time). UH also offers a hybrid option with Saturday classes at its Sugar Land campus.
- Traditional: 63 total hours (per UH Online); 3 years online.
- Advanced standing: 34 credit hours; 2 years online.
- Tuition: See program website. UH notes that additional fees apply to hybrid and online programs.
University of Houston online MSW program details
Texas Tech University
- Format: Online (mostly asynchronous) or on campus in Lubbock.
- Traditional: 59 credit hours; 2 years.
- Advanced standing: 32 credit hours; one calendar year.
- Availability: Texas Tech states that its online MSW programs have reached capacity for 2026-2027 and lists October 1, 2026 as the opening date for 2027-2028 applications.
- Tuition: See program website.
Texas Tech MSW program details
Baylor University
- Format: Online, with required weekly live classes on Zoom. Baylor places online students in practicum internships within 75 miles of where they live.
- Traditional (standard track): 58 credit hours; from 1 year, 4 months (accelerated) to 3 years, 4 months (part-time).
- Advanced standing: 30 credit hours; as little as 1 year full-time or 1 year, 8 months part-time.
- Tuition: See program website.
Baylor online MSW program details
Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU)
- Format: Online, in addition to hybrid programs in San Antonio and the Rio Grande Valley. Online students complete practicums at agencies in their local community.
- Traditional (foundation): 57 credit hours; 16 to 38 months.
- Advanced standing: 30 credit hours; 11 to 20 months.
- Tuition: See program website.
Angelo State University
- Format: 100% online or on campus in San Angelo.
- Traditional: 66 credit hours; 2 years full-time or 4 years part-time.
- Advanced standing: 36 credit hours; 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time.
- Tuition: See program website.
Angelo State MSW program details
East Texas A&M University
- Format: 100% online, with asynchronous classes. Part-time options are available.
- Traditional (foundation): 57 credit hours; 2 years full-time.
- Advanced standing: 33 credit hours; 1 year full-time.
- Tuition: See program website.
East Texas A&M MSW program details
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV)
- Format: Online, with a separate traditional (on-campus) version.
- Traditional (regular): 60 credit hours.
- Advanced standing: 30 credit hours.
- Tuition: See program website.
University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP)
- Format: Fully online, with synchronous evening and weekend classes.
- Traditional: 60 credit hours.
- Advanced standing: 30 credit hours; available to students who earned a BSW within the past 5 years.
- Tuition: See program website.
UTEP online MSW program details
Abilene Christian University (ACU)
- Degree: Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW).
- Format: Online.
- Traditional (standard): 60 credit hours; 2 years, 4 months full-time (part-time available).
- Advanced standing: 33 credit hours; 1 year, 4 months full-time (part-time available).
- Tuition: See program website.
ACU online MSSW program details
West Texas A&M University
- Degree: Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW).
- Format: 100% online.
- Traditional: 60 credit hours; 2 years full-time.
- Advanced standing: 36 credit hours; a fast-track option takes one calendar year.
- Tuition: See program website.
West Texas A&M MSSW program details
Prairie View A&M University
- Format: Online.
- Traditional: 56 semester credit hours.
- Advanced standing: 33 semester credit hours.
- Tuition: See program website.
Prairie View A&M MSW program details
Stephen F. Austin State University
- Format: SFA offers its advanced standing MSW track completely online.
- Credit hours, length, and tuition: See program website.
Online MSW Programs at a Glance
| School | Online Format | Traditional | Advanced Standing | Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UT Arlington | Fully online | 61 credit hours | 38 credit hours; as little as 12 months | See program website |
| Texas State University | Online, full- or part-time | 62 credit hours | 36 credit hours | Fall 2026 graduate rate (TX resident, 9 credit hours): $4,511.49 |
| University of Houston | Online, part-time | 63 credit hours; 3 years | 34 credit hours; 2 years | See program website |
| Texas Tech University | Online (full for 2026-27) | 59 credit hours; 2 years | 32 credit hours; 1 calendar year | See program website |
| Baylor University | Online with weekly live classes | 58 credit hours | 30 credit hours; as little as 1 year | See program website |
| Our Lady of the Lake University | Online | 57 credit hours; 16-38 months | 30 credit hours; 11-20 months | See program website |
| Angelo State University | 100% online | 66 credit hours; 2 years full-time | 36 credit hours; 1 year full-time | See program website |
| East Texas A&M University | 100% online, asynchronous | 57 credit hours; 2 years full-time | 33 credit hours; 1 year full-time | See program website |
| UT Rio Grande Valley | Online | 60 credit hours | 30 credit hours | See program website |
| UT El Paso | Fully online, evening and weekend classes | 60 credit hours | 30 credit hours | See program website |
| Abilene Christian University (MSSW) | Online | 60 credit hours; 2 years, 4 months full-time | 33 credit hours; 1 year, 4 months full-time | See program website |
| West Texas A&M University (MSSW) | 100% online | 60 credit hours; 2 years full-time | 36 credit hours; fast track in 1 calendar year | See program website |
| Prairie View A&M University | Online | 56 credit hours | 33 credit hours | See program website |
| Stephen F. Austin State University | Advanced standing track online | See program website | Online track; see program website | See program website |
One-Year and Advanced Standing Online MSW Programs
Advanced standing lets students who already hold a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from a CSWE-accredited program skip the foundation year and start with advanced coursework. You generally need a CSWE-accredited BSW to qualify, and some programs also limit how long ago you earned it (for example, UTEP requires a BSW earned within the past 5 years). These online programs state the following lengths for advanced standing:
- UT Arlington: as little as 12 months (38 credit hours)
- Texas Tech University: one calendar year (32 credit hours)
- Baylor University: as little as 1 year full-time; 1 year, 8 months part-time (30 credit hours)
- Angelo State University: 1 year full-time; 2 years part-time (36 credit hours)
- East Texas A&M University: 1 year full-time (33 credit hours)
- West Texas A&M University: one calendar year on the fast track (36 credit hours)
- Our Lady of the Lake University: 11 to 20 months (30 credit hours)
- Abilene Christian University: 1 year, 4 months full-time (33 credit hours)
- University of Houston: 2 years in the part-time online format (34 credit hours)
Texas State University (36 credit hours), UTRGV (30), UTEP (30), Prairie View A&M (33), and Stephen F. Austin State University also offer online advanced standing; see each program’s website for its stated length.
Getting Licensed in Texas After an Online MSW
Social work licenses in Texas are issued by the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners, part of the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council (BHEC). For the Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) license, BHEC lists requirements that include:
- A master’s or doctoral degree from a CSWE-accredited social work program
- Passing the ASWB Masters examination
- Completing the Texas Social Workers Jurisprudence exam
- A fingerprint background check
To become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), BHEC requires LMSW holders to complete at least 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience over at least 24 months, including at least 100 hours of supervision, and to pass the ASWB Clinical examination. See BHEC’s LCSW requirements for full details.
Online MSW FAQ
How much does an online MSW cost in Texas?
Costs vary by school, residency, and format, and some programs charge additional fees for online courses. Most of the programs above do not publish a single total price, so check each program’s website or tuition estimator for current costs.
How long does an online MSW take?
Traditional online programs above range from 56 to 66 credit hours and commonly take about 2 years full-time or longer part-time. Advanced standing programs for BSW holders range from 30 to 38 credit hours, and several can be completed in about one year of full-time study.
Does an online MSW qualify for Texas licensure?
BHEC’s LMSW requirement is a master’s or doctoral degree from a CSWE-accredited social work program; its listed LMSW requirements do not add a separate rule about how the program is delivered. Before you enroll, confirm the program’s accreditation in the CSWE directory.
How do field placements work for online students?
Field education is completed in person at an approved agency. Several online programs arrange placements near where students live: UT Arlington places online students near their homes, Baylor places students within 75 miles of where they live, and OLLU arranges practicums at agencies in the student’s local community.
What are the admission requirements for an online MSW?
Requirements vary by program. Traditional (foundation) programs are designed for applicants whose bachelor’s degree is not in social work, while advanced standing requires a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program, sometimes earned within a set number of years. Check each program’s admissions page for GPA, prerequisite, and application requirements.