Top MSW Programs in and Near Austin, Texas
Last Updated: September 23, 2026
The University of Texas at Austin’s Steve Hicks School of Social Work is the only CSWE-accredited master’s program in social work located in Austin, according to the CSWE program directory. Texas State University, about 30 miles south in San Marcos, offers its MSW on campus and online, and several other Texas universities offer online MSW programs that Austin residents can complete from home. Details below come from each school’s own website; confirm current requirements and costs with the program before you apply.
MSW Program in Austin
University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin)
School: Steve Hicks School of Social Work
Degree: UT Austin’s master’s degree is called the Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW).
Program Details:
- Format: In person in Austin. The school lists online/distance learning as not offered.
- Length: 2 years full-time; 3 to 3.5 years part-time; just over 1 year for the Post-BSW (advanced standing) option, which starts in summer.
- Credit hours: 60 credit hours of coursework plus 900 clock hours of supervised practicum internship.
- Concentrations: Clinical Social Work; Administration and Policy Practice.
- Tuition: See program website for current tuition.
UT Austin MSSW program details
Nearby: Texas State University (San Marcos)
Texas State University
School: School of Social Work
Location: San Marcos, about 30 miles south of Austin. Texas State lists its MSW in San Marcos and online.
Program Details:
- Format: On campus (full-time cohort only) or online (full- or part-time).
- Credit hours: 62 semester credit hours for the regular program; 36 for the advanced program for students with a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program.
- Field education: 900 contact hours across two practicum placements in the regular program.
- Tuition: Texas State publishes university-wide graduate rates. For Fall 2026, the listed rate for Texas residents is $4,511.49 for 9 credit hours ($8,364.49 for non-residents). Rates can vary by program and instructional method, so see the program website for current MSW costs.
Texas State MSW program details
Online MSW Options for Austin Residents
These Texas universities are not located in Austin, but each offers an online MSW according to its own website. Several of these programs state that online students complete field placements near where they live; check each program for details. For a longer list, see our guide to online MSW programs in Texas.
Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU)
School: Worden School of Social Service (San Antonio)
- Format: Online, in addition to hybrid programs in San Antonio and the Rio Grande Valley.
- Credit hours: 57 for the foundation program; 30 for advanced standing (BSW from a CSWE-accredited program).
- Tuition: See program website for current tuition.
University of Houston (UH)
School: Graduate College of Social Work
- Format: Online (part-time). UH also offers a hybrid option with Saturday classes at its Sugar Land campus.
- Credit hours: 63 total hours for the full program (per UH Online); 34 for advanced standing.
- Length (online): 3 years for the full program; 2 years for advanced standing.
- Tuition: See program website for current tuition. UH notes that additional fees apply to hybrid and online programs.
University of Houston online MSW program details
Baylor University
School: Diana R. Garland School of Social Work
- Format: Online, with required weekly live classes on Zoom. Baylor places online students in practicum internships within 75 miles of where they live.
- Credit hours: 58 for the standard track; 30 for advanced standing (BSW required).
- Length: Standard track from 1 year, 4 months (accelerated) to 3 years, 4 months (part-time); advanced standing in as little as 1 year.
- Tuition: See program website for current tuition.
Baylor online MSW program details
Angelo State University
School: Department of Social Work (San Angelo)
- Format: On campus or 100% online.
- Credit hours: 66 for the traditional program (2 years full-time or 4 years part-time); 36 for advanced standing (1 year full-time or 2 years part-time).
- Specializations: Advanced Generalist; Clinical.
- Tuition: See program website for current tuition.
Angelo State MSW program details
Texas Tech University
School: School of Social Work (Lubbock)
- Format: On campus or online.
- Credit hours: 59 for the standard program (2 years); 32 for advanced standing (one calendar year).
- Availability: Texas Tech states that its online MSW programs have reached capacity for the 2026-2027 school year. It lists October 1, 2026 as the opening date for 2027-2028 applications.
- Tuition: See program website for current tuition.
Texas Tech MSW program details
MSW Program Comparison Table
| University | Location / Format | Traditional Program | Advanced Standing | Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UT Austin (MSSW) | Austin; in person | 60 credit hours; 2 years full-time, 3-3.5 years part-time | Post-BSW option; just over 1 year | See program website |
| Texas State University | San Marcos; on campus or online | 62 credit hours | 36 credit hours | Fall 2026 graduate rate (TX resident, 9 credit hours): $4,511.49; see program website |
| Our Lady of the Lake University | Online (also hybrid in San Antonio and RGV) | 57 credit hours | 30 credit hours | See program website |
| University of Houston | Online (part-time); hybrid in Sugar Land | 63 credit hours; 3 years online | 34 credit hours; 2 years online | See program website |
| Baylor University | Online with weekly live classes | 58 credit hours | 30 credit hours; as little as 1 year | See program website |
| Angelo State University | On campus or 100% online | 66 credit hours; 2 years full-time | 36 credit hours; 1 year full-time | See program website |
| Texas Tech University | On campus or online (online full for 2026-27) | 59 credit hours; 2 years | 32 credit hours; 1 calendar year | See program website |
Sources: each university’s MSW program pages and the CSWE program directory, reviewed September 2026.
Job Demand for MSW Graduates in Texas
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that overall employment of social workers will grow 6% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. BLS reports a national median annual wage of $61,780 for social workers (May 2025).
In the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos metro area, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics reported these median annual wages for May 2025:
- Child, family, and school social workers: $58,640
- Healthcare social workers: $76,020
- Mental health and substance abuse social workers: $47,740
Learn more about career opportunities for MSW graduates.
Choosing the Right MSW Program
When selecting an MSW program, think about:
- Specializations that align with your career goals
- Program format (online, hybrid, in-person)
- Field placement opportunities and partnerships
- Tuition costs and financial aid availability
- CSWE accreditation, which Texas requires for LMSW licensure
Ready to Apply?
Explore each university’s offerings, attend information sessions, and take the next step in your social work career.
Additional Resources:
- Social Workers – U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
This page provides detailed information on job outlook, salaries, and employment statistics for social workers. - National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
The NASW is the largest professional organization for social workers, offering resources on licensure, advocacy, and professional development. - Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Program Directory
The CSWE is the accrediting body for social work education programs in the U.S. Use its directory to confirm a program’s accreditation status. - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics – U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
This page offers wage data for social workers by state and metropolitan area. - Community and Social Service Occupations – U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
This resource provides an overview of community and social service occupations, including projected growth and job opportunities.