11 Best Associates in Social Work Programs in Texas (2026 Guide)
Want to launch your social work career without spending four years in school? A Texas Associates in Social Work can lead to roles with annual salaries up to $46,240. The job market looks promising too, with growth rates at 6% nationally, and even higher in Texas – nowhere near the average.
Most social workers end up getting their bachelor’s degree, but you can start your career with an associate’s degree. You’ll need to move on to a master’s degree to gain responsibility as a social worker. Social work’s career paths range from child welfare to mental health and addiction counseling. These roles help create meaningful change in communities. Your degree will qualify you for entry-level positions at government agencies, senior care facilities, food banks, community outreach centers and youth programs. You’ll also find opportunities in schools, hospitals, crisis centers, juvenile facilities, hospices and nursing homes.
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The sort of thing we love about Texas are its excellent social work programs. This guide looks at 11 top-rated programs that will set you up for a rewarding counseling degree. We’ll compare everything from available courses to transfer options that help continue your education.
1. Central Texas College – Human Services Program
Central Texas College runs a complete Human Services Program that gets students ready for careers in social work and counseling. The program aims to “educate students utilizing multimodal and experiential approaches to encourage student success in the human services field”.
Students can earn an Associate of Applied Science degree through a core curriculum with three specialty tracks:
- Chemical Dependency
- At-Risk Youth
- Social Work
The program lets students choose between certificates or Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees in these tracks. A Community Health Worker Certificate is also available for those who want to work in community health advocacy. Students appreciate the flexibility to complete their programs online or in classrooms, which works well with busy schedules.
Key Courses at Central Texas College
The program has essential courses in human behavior, development, and service delivery. Social Work students learn about:
- Human growth and development throughout life
- Interpersonal studies about relationships
- Family and community services
- Professional communications
Students gain both theory knowledge and hands-on experience through lab work. The Family and Community Services course gives students “realistic and meaningful community-based activities through direct service or service-learning experiences”.
Students must complete a practicum to graduate. They need to pass prerequisite classes with a ‘C’ or better and meet other requirements like background checks and immunizations before starting their practicum.
Career Opportunities from Central Texas College
Social Work graduates can choose from several career paths. Program data shows these potential roles:
- Social work/human services assistant (Average annual salary: $18,000-$30,000) with 6% growth rate
- Youth specialist (Average annual salary: $19,000-$25,000) with 11% growth rate
- Community Health Worker (Average annual salary: $40,360) with growth rate above 14%
Chemical dependency counselors can earn up to $46,240 yearly in a field growing at 22%.
Graduates work in chemical dependency counseling agencies, juvenile justice systems, residential treatment centers, after-school programs, and public schools as teachers’ aides.
Transfer Options from Central Texas College
Students who want to continue their education have several transfer options. The college’s 2+2 transfer agreements with four-year schools let students move smoothly into bachelor’s programs while keeping all their credits.
Students should contact their target four-year university before starting the AAS in Social Work. This helps them know which classes will transfer since requirements vary by school.
A master’s in social work (MSW) opens doors to specialized practice and therapy in clinical settings. Entry-level administrative jobs usually need a bachelor’s in social work (BSW).
2. Austin Community College – Associate of Arts in Social Work
The Associate of Arts in Social Work program at Austin Community College gives you the skills to help individuals, families, and communities through different viewpoints and field experiences. Students interested in social work, human services, counseling, and related fields will find this program a great foundation.
ACC’s social work program stands out because it uses the person-in-environment model and strengths-based approach. You’ll be ready to start working or transfer to a four-year institution for a bachelor’s degree. This matters because most social work careers need higher education and state licensure.
ACC ranks among Texas’s best colleges for social work. The college has stackable credentials—certificates that help advance your career while counting toward your associate degree.
Key Courses
Three core social work courses make up the curriculum:
- SOCW 2361 – Introduction to Social Work: Covers the development of social work philosophy and practice in the United States
- SOCW 2362 – Social Welfare as a Social Institution: Introduces social work philosophy, ethics, and approaches to special populations
- SOCW 2389 – Academic Cooperative: Provides supervised experiential learning with field exposure
Students must complete SOCI 1301 (Introduction to Sociology). This course teaches theoretical viewpoints on society and individual relationships. New ACC students with fewer than 12 credit hours need to take EDUC 1300 in their first semester.
Career Opportunities
Most social workers need a bachelor’s degree. However, Texas graduates with an Associates in Social Work can find entry-level positions. The degree helps you start careers as case managers, social work assistants, and community outreach workers.
Job growth in this field is projected to rise. You’ll find opportunities in healthcare, academic, nonprofit, and corporate settings. This field enables professionals to enhance individual and community well-being, particularly helping vulnerable populations.
ACC’s Career Services helps students find jobs and internships. They also provide useful career resources.
Transfer Options
Many students choose ACC as their first step toward a four-year university. The college’s transfer services make sure your credits count at your target institution.
ACC’s university transfer/core curriculum naturally fits into bachelor’s degree programs. Advisors help pick the right transferable courses. Transfer Specialists guide you through choosing schools, understanding requirements, and completing applications.
Students can receive their associate degree even after transferring. A simple process recognizes your completed work. This Texas counseling pathway offers an economical route to a bachelor’s in social work.
3. Northeast Texas Community College – AS in Social Work
Northeast Texas Community College is distinctive with its Associate of Science in Social Work program. Students can start their careers right away or continue their education further. The college, 39 years old and located in Mount Pleasant, keeps education affordable with tuition around $7,000 per year. Students learn the basics while getting ready to move into bachelor’s programs.
The program’s value comes from its special agreement with Texas A&M University-Commerce. Students can move smoothly from their associate degree to a Bachelor of Science in Social Work. The 60-credit program combines 51 hours of social work classes with psychology and sociology courses.
Key Courses
The program has several specialized courses that are the foundations of social work education:
- SOCW 2361 – Introduction to Social Work: A look at how social welfare institutions developed and professional social work practice evolved
- SOCW 2389 – Academic Cooperative: Students get supervised hands-on experience with at least 80 contact hours (48 in social service settings)
- SOCW 2362 – Social Welfare: Legislation, Programs, and Services: Students learn about past and present social welfare policies
The program requires ANTH 2351 (Cultural Anthropology) and puts emphasis on human biology courses. Students must complete prerequisites because of the program’s carefully planned sequence.
Career Opportunities
Graduates can work in medical social work and community services. The program ranks #9 in Medical Social Work Programs in Texas and #10 in Community Services Programs statewide. Regional rankings show #65 and #72 respectively.
Entry-level jobs let graduates work with people of all backgrounds in family services, child welfare, aging services, corrections, and schools.
Transfer Options
The Transfer Center has complete resources to help students move smoothly to four-year schools. Students who want to transfer should:
- Check grade requirements for their chosen program
- Talk to universities about transfer agreements
- Submit applications through ApplyTexas
- Send official transcripts
- Apply for financial aid and scholarships
The core team of social work faculty helps students pick the right courses each semester. Their guidance helps credits line up with bachelor’s degree requirements at Texas A&M University-Commerce or other four-year schools.
4. South Texas College – AA in Social Work
The Associate of Arts in Social Work at South Texas College serves as an excellent stepping stone to a four-year social work degree. We focused on building students’ critical thinking and problem-solving skills while promoting a deep understanding of social work ethics and values.
This program has a reputation for its hands-on approach. Students work with local community organizations and get real-world experience through active participation. This practical learning helps you work with people from all walks of life – children, families, elderly individuals, and people experiencing homelessness.
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Students can choose between in-person and online classes based on their priorities. The program shows its dedication to diversity with 94% of graduates being women and 99% Hispanic or Latino students.
Key Courses
The core coursework has these essential classes:
- SOCW 2361 – Introduction to Social Work: Shows how the profession developed, covering social work values, ethics, and practice areas under the Generalist Intervention Model
- SOCW 2362 – Social Welfare: Legislation, Programs, and Services: Looks at past and present legislation, programs, policies, and services in the U.S. social welfare system
- SOCW 2389 – Academic Cooperative: Provides supervised hands-on learning with field exposure, requiring 80 contact hours minimum (48 in social service settings)
Students need to complete TSI in Reading and Writing or meet equivalent prerequisites before taking these courses.
Career Opportunities
Graduates can start their careers in many settings. Common career paths include:
State agencies, social service aide positions in senior care facilities, food banks, and community outreach centers. You’ll find opportunities in schools, hospitals, juvenile detention facilities, crisis centers, information and referral programs, hospices, employee assistance programs, nursing homes, and home health agencies.
The program equips students to provide counseling services to children, families, domestic violence victims, people with disabilities, pregnant teenagers, and other groups needing special assistance.
Transfer Options
The college partners with several universities to create smooth transitions to bachelor’s programs. Notable partnerships include:
- University of Cincinnati: Students who finish the program can continue directly into the third year of UC’s BSW Social Work Online degree program
- University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV): Students can transfer up to 60 semester hours through a special agreement with established course equivalencies
These agreements usually need a 2.75 GPA, though students with 2.5 or higher might get conditional admission. The program builds strong foundations to advance toward recognized bachelor’s programs in social work or related social service fields.
5. El Paso Community College – Social Work Program
El Paso Community College is 54 years old, and it has grown by a lot since welcoming its first 901 students in 1971. Today, EPCC welcomes more than 27,000 credit students and 8,000 continuing education students each semester at its five campuses throughout El Paso County. Students can get quality education at affordable rates of around $6,000 per year.
EPCC’s social work program is notable among many other programs as a practical choice for students who want to work in human services. The college ranks #63 among Social Work Schools in Texas and #1,287 nationwide. The college has managed to keep its accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) since December 1978, which ensures high educational standards.
Key Courses
The social work curriculum at EPCC equips you with skills you need in client assessment, intervention strategies, and using community resources. Students learn crisis intervention techniques, mental health services, and how to conduct bio-psycho-social assessments that meet professional standards.
The program teaches students about client confidentiality rules under HIPAA and FERPA regulations. It also includes hands-on training to build skills in community networking, referral processes, and follow-up procedures—skills that every social worker needs.
Career Opportunities
Your associates in social work from EPCC opens doors to careers as social work assistants or clinical service providers in settings of all types. Graduates often help people who need emotional support, crisis intervention, or connections to resources.
You’ll be ready for jobs that need assessment skills, treatment planning, and making referrals to community resources. Many graduates work in community agencies, healthcare facilities, or schools where they use their knowledge to assess psychological and social needs.
Transfer Options
EPCC makes it easy to transfer credits to four-year schools. The college takes credits from any regionally accredited college or university. Most college-level non-remedial courses with a grade of “D” or better will transfer.
Quarter credit hours change to semester hours at a two-thirds ratio. Students who want to transfer must send official transcripts from all their previous schools. Students with credits from foreign colleges need translated transcripts and recommendations from agencies like WES that evaluate credentials.
If your transfer credits get denied, you can appeal under Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board guidelines. EPCC gives you a strong foundation to continue your counseling degree Texas journey at other schools.
6. San Antonio College – Social Work Pathway
San Antonio College has a unique focus on case management skills—something most practitioners pick up on the job. The Aspen Institute ranks SAC among the top 150 community colleges nationwide. Students can choose between an associate’s degree program and a 30-hour Level II Case Management Certificate, available online or in person. This certificate gives you skills you can use right away to boost your career prospects in psychology, criminal justice, and sociology.
The program helps you understand human behavior and builds your case management skills. You’ll get hands-on experience with interviews, assessments, counseling techniques, and professional ethics. The core team brings their ground experience as professional social workers to the classroom.
Key Courses
The Field of Study curriculum has these core courses:
- SOCW 2361 – Introduction to Social Work (philosophy and practice development)
- SOCW 2362 – Social Welfare: Legislation, Programs, and Services
- SOCI 1306 – Social Problems
- SOCW 2389 – Academic Cooperative
- Plus a statistics course (either MATH 1342 or PSYC 2317)
Career Opportunities
Your degree opens doors to jobs in public and private agencies, schools, hospitals, mental health clinics, senior centers, child protective services, and criminal justice systems. Many graduates work as case managers, enrollment specialists, case coordinators, intake coordinators, social services assistants, and client support specialists.
Recent graduation stats show that women made up 100% of SAC’s social work associate degree holders. The graduates came from diverse backgrounds including Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, and White students.
Transfer Options
SAC’s transfer advising guide outlines 63 college-level credit hours that count toward a Texas A&M University-Central Texas Bachelor’s degree in Social Work. Most social work jobs need advanced degrees, so this program creates a strong foundation for further education.
The school follows the standard Field of Study curriculum, which means credits transfer naturally to other Texas public institutions. Students who complete their FOS courses can apply them to degree programs across the state without losing credits or repeating coursework.
7. Lone Star College – Human Services Program
Lone Star College excels with specialized tracks that help students pursue their dreams in the helping professions field. The Human Services program has four distinct pathways: an entry-level Human Services Certificate, an Associate’s degree with a general Human Services concentration, a Basic Chemical Dependency Certificate, and an Associate’s degree with a concentration in substance abuse counseling. Students can shape their education based on their career goals.
We focused on giving students practical skills to work with different populations. These groups face challenges like developmental disabilities, psychological issues, substance abuse problems, and need help with simple life needs. The substance abuse counseling track lets students become a licensed chemical dependency counselor intern after completing the certificate program.
Key Courses
Your chosen track determines which specialized courses you’ll take:
- Ethics for Social Service Professionals
- Basic Counseling Skills
- Dynamics of Group Counseling
- Counseling of Substance Use Disorders
- Introduction to Substance Use Disorders
Students also complete supervised field practicums that give them hands-on experience in ground settings.
Career Opportunities
Graduates can work as case workers, counselors, promoters, prevention specialists, or education specialists. Some work directly with clients in care positions, while others take on administrative roles.
Starting salaries range from $21,000 to $28,000. Students can earn more through additional education and licensure. The job market stays strong for human service professionals, especially when they continue their education beyond the associate’s degree.
Transfer Options
Lone Star College’s strategic collaborations with local four-year colleges and universities make educational advancement easier. These schools accept human service associate’s degrees. Students get a chance to build on their foundation and pursue bachelor’s-level education without losing credits.
8. Tarrant County College – Social Work AA Degree
The Northeast Campus at Tarrant County College features a Level 1 Certificate in Social Work through its Human & Public Service Pathway. Students looking for affordable counseling degrees in Texas will find the 30-credit curriculum at $2,220 fits their budget. The college also offers a Social Work Field of Study option that lets students transfer their credits easily.
Key Courses
Students learn both theory and practical skills in this program. SOCW 2361 (Introduction to Social Work) teaches students about social work’s history and evolution as a profession. The curriculum includes SCWK 1303 (Ethics for Social Services Professionals), SCWK 2305 (Special Problems of Youth), along with specialized courses like GERS 1301 (Introduction to Gerontology) and GERS 1342 (Aging and Mental Health). Students gain hands-on experience through SOCW 2389 (Academic Cooperative) at the program’s end.
Career Opportunities
The program’s graduates often work as Substance Abuse Counselor Interns, Mental Health Technicians, or Social & Human Services Assistants. Students develop job-ready skills that community agencies and social service organizations need for entry-level positions.
Transfer Options
The University of Texas at Arlington has a strong transfer partnership with TCC. The Texas Common Course Numbering System makes credit transfers smooth across all public institutions in the state. Students should meet with advisors who can create tailored academic paths through the Transfer Collaborative program before transferring.
9. Houston Community College – Social Work Program
Houston Community College doesn’t have a dedicated social work program. Students can take a pathway within their Social & Behavioral Sciences department. The college provides Associate in Arts and Associate in Science degrees that build a strong foundation for students who want to pursue bachelor’s degrees in social work at four-year universities. HCC’s focus lies on providing transferable education that prepares students for advanced study.
Key Courses
The Field of Study curriculum has these essential social work courses:
- SOCW 2361: Introduction to Social Work
- SOCW 2362: Social Welfare
- SOCW 2389: Academic Cooperative
- SOCI 1306: Social Problems
Students take these courses with a 42-credit core curriculum that creates a detailed educational experience. The curriculum covers communications, mathematics, sciences, history, government, and behavioral sciences.
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Career Opportunities
Your associate degree opens doors to entry-level positions in organizations of all types. Social work professionals can build careers in advocacy, child welfare, community organizing, crisis intervention, and substance abuse counseling. The field offers competitive salaries – substance abuse or mental health counseling roles average $53,710 annually, while social and community service managers earn around $77,030.
Transfer Options
HCC’s specific transfer agreement with University of Houston-Downtown for their Bachelor of Social Work program is notable. The college’s transfer coordinators help students create transfer plans that match their goals. The Houston GPS initiative makes smooth transitions to area universities possible through structured pathways that save time and money.
10. Collin College – Social Work Associate Degree
Collin College helps students build a strong foundation in social work through introductory courses. Students learn about the history, fields, skills, and values of social work in the United States. The program combines theoretical coursework with hands-on applications to build essential knowledge.
Key Courses
Students can choose from these recommended electives:
- SOCW 2361 – Introduction to Social Work (3 credits)
- SOCW 2362 – Social Welfare (3 credits)
- SOCW 2389 – Academic Co-op Social Work (3 credits)
The program includes SOCI 1306 (Social Problems) as part of the Field of Study pathway. These courses are the foundations of your social work education at Collin.
Career Opportunities
After graduating, you’ll be ready for entry-level positions working with people of all backgrounds in various settings. The program gives you fundamental skills to understand human behavior and social welfare systems.
Transfer Options
Your associate degree requires completing the 42-credit hour General Education Core and 18 credit hours of general studies electives. You should check with your future university before registering for electives. This step will make sure your courses count toward your bachelor’s degree requirements at your next institution, making your educational path smooth.
11. Blinn College – AA in Social Work
The 140-year-old Blinn College District is known for its academic transfer rate—the highest among Texas community colleges and almost double the state average. The college serves over 19,000 students across five campuses and offers an Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts degree that paves the way to social work careers.
Key Courses
Blinn’s Bryan and Brenham campuses offer SOCW 2361: Introduction to Social Work, despite not having a dedicated social work program. The course aligns with Tarleton State University’s Bachelor of Social Work program and covers social work’s history, development, values, ethics, and practice areas.
Career Opportunities
The college’s graduates work in offices, schools, healthcare facilities, and nonprofit organizations. Social workers earned a median annual salary of $49,470 in 2018, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an 6% employment growth nationwide between 2024-2034.
Transfer Options
Blinn’s transfer pathways have ended up being exceptional. Students can earn their AA degree and complete their Bachelor of Social Work from Tarleton State University through the RELLIS Academic Alliance. The college’s strategic collaborations with universities create specific degree pathways, making the educational experience smooth as students pursue their social work careers.
Next Steps
An Associates in Social Work program in Texas is a great way to start a rewarding career without spending four years in school. These 11 programs give you solid foundations to either start working right away or move on to a bachelor’s degree later.
These schools each bring something special to your education. Central Texas College is known for its human services programs with multiple tracks. Austin Community College focuses on person-in-environment models. Northeast Texas Community College has a direct path to Texas A&M University-Commerce.
The job market looks good for associate degree holders. Entry-level positions can pay up to $46,240 per year in growing fields like substance abuse counseling. You can work in government agencies, healthcare facilities, schools, crisis centers, and community outreach programs.
Your transfer options need careful planning. Most programs have agreements with four-year universities that let your credits transfer easily. Talk to advisors when picking your courses to create the quickest path to your bachelor’s degree.
These programs give you quality education at an affordable price. They are perfect starting points for your social work career. Whether you pick Central Texas College’s specialized tracks, South Texas College’s practical approach, or any other program listed, you’ll learn skills to help make real changes in your community. Your path to becoming a social work professional can start at any of these great Texas schools.