5 Best Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) Programs in Austin: Compare & Choose
Your future career helping others can dramatically change based on the BSW program you choose in Austin, TX. A BSW degree does more than prepare you to practice at entry-level – it creates a strong foundation to get professional licensure and leads to rewarding careers where you can help individuals, families, and communities.
Texas social work programs provide distinct advantages to aspiring professionals. The state’s top social work colleges blend intensive classroom learning with practical experience through mandatory internships. Students complete up to 400 hours of field experience in their senior year at certain institutions. This gives them professional skills and a broad network before they graduate.
BSW programs with Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accreditation let you pursue state licensure right after graduation. These programs teach you how to promote economic and social justice. You graduate with both practical skills and strong ethical foundations. The right program matters whether you want direct service roles or plan to pursue an MSW. This guide will help you compare your options.
1. St. Edward’s University – Social Work Program
St. Edward’s University stands out among BSW Programs in Austin, TX through its unique approach to social work education. This private Catholic university in South Austin offers a BSW program that centers on social justice and ethical practice values.
Program Highlights
The BSW program prepares you professionally through a comprehensive curriculum that focuses on human behavior, social welfare policy, and evidence-based interventions. The program blends liberal arts with professional social work training to create graduates who can tackle complex social problems with critical thinking skills.
Core coursework has:
- Human Behavior in the Social Environment
- Social Welfare Policy and Services
- Research Methods for Social Workers
- Generalist Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, and Communities
Students learn cultural competency – a vital skill needed in Texas’s diverse communities. Small class sizes of 15-25 students let you build close relationships with faculty and participate actively in discussions about challenging social issues.
The program builds on its Catholic heritage through a curriculum that examines social work practice’s ethical aspects. Students from all faiths and backgrounds are welcome, creating a diverse community united by service commitment.
Internship Opportunities
Field education serves as the substance of St. Edward’s BSW program. Senior students complete 400 hours of field placement across two semesters. This hands-on experience helps you apply classroom knowledge in real-life situations.
The university has mutually beneficial alliances with over 50 social service agencies around Austin, offering placements at:
- Child welfare agencies
- Healthcare facilities
- Mental health centers
- Community development organizations
- Advocacy groups
The field education office helps each student find placements that match their career interests. Students receive guidance from an agency-based field instructor and a faculty liaison throughout their internship.
Weekly seminar sessions let you and your classmates share experiences, insights, and feedback. These discussions help shape your professional identity and sharpen critical thinking abilities.
St. Edward’s helps students find field placements instead of leaving them to search alone – a big advantage for newcomers to the field.
Faculty & Support
Faculty quality shapes your educational experience substantially. St. Edward’s BSW program faculty members hold MSW or PhD degrees in Social Work and stay active in the field through research, consulting, or direct practice.
The program’s intimate size means professors know you personally, understand what drives you, and provide guidance tailored to your needs throughout your studies.
Students receive comprehensive support through:
- Dedicated social work academic advising
- Social service career development resources
- Professional writing support at the writing center
- Student success resources including tutoring and counseling
The university’s Phi Alpha chapter (Social Work Honor Society) organizes professional growth events, service projects, and networking opportunities. This organization builds community among social work students and develops leadership skills.
Campus Ministry and Service initiatives provide extra opportunities for students interested in faith-based service or social justice work, with optional participation that respects diverse beliefs.
Accreditation & Recognition
The BSW program at St. Edward’s University is 32 years old with continuous CSWE accreditation. This accreditation ensures the program meets professional standards and qualifies graduates for licensure and advanced MSW program standing.
CSWE accreditation means your degree will be recognized by:
- State licensing boards for LBSW credentials
- Graduate schools for advanced standing MSW programs
- Employers looking for qualified social work candidates
Many graduates work in social service agencies across Texas, especially in Austin. Others pursue graduate education, often with advanced standing that reduces MSW completion time.
The program’s social justice focus matches social work’s core values perfectly. While private university tuition costs more than public schools, St. Edward’s offers scholarships and financial aid to make the program more available.
This program offers a compelling choice in Austin’s higher education landscape for students who want personal attention, strong field education, and values-based social work training.
2. Texas State University – Bachelor of Social Work
Texas State University’s Bachelor of Social Work program guides students through three distinct phases. Students progress from general education to specialized social work training. The program sits within the School of Social Work and has been essential to social work education in the region for 48 years.
Program Highlights
The BSW program at Texas State University prepares students for generalist social work practice. Students learn to improve the well-being of individuals, families, and communities. Students need 120 semester credit hours to graduate. This includes 57 hours of general education core and 6 hours in supportive Social Sciences.
Texas State’s unique approach follows a three-phase progression:
- Phase I: Students complete prerequisite coursework and general education requirements
- Phase II: Students enter full major status through a competitive application process
- Phase III: Students finish with field placement (internship) as their culminating experience
Students must keep a minimum 2.50 overall GPA and submit a formal application for Phase II review by an Admissions Committee. So, only qualified students enter the program’s advanced phases, which ensures high-quality preparation for all graduates.
Students develop detailed social work competencies in these key areas:
- Human behavior in the social environment
- Social policy
- Practice skills with individuals, families, groups, and communities
- Social research methodology
- Supervised fieldwork
Texas State now runs both on-campus and 100% online BSW cohorts. This gives students flexibility based on their priorities. Students throughout the Austin area and beyond can now access the program.
Students must earn a minimum grade of ‘C’ in each social work course and maintain the required GPA. The program also requires emotional and behavioral stability, effective communication skills, and high self-awareness—qualities every successful social worker needs.
Internship Opportunities
Field education is the “signature pedagogy” in Texas State’s social work program. It gives students significant ground experience in real settings. BSW students complete one block internship with 420 contact hours at a social service agency during one semester.
Texas State’s Office of Field Education handles all internship placements, unlike other programs where students find their own. This ensures quality experiences that line up with educational goals. Students without professional connections still get great opportunities.
Students must meet these requirements before starting field placement:
- Complete all required courses except SOWK 4374 and SOWK 4975
- Show emotional and behavioral stability
- Apply through the School of Social Work’s Field Office
- Pass the Phase II Competency Exam
Students get strong support during placement through:
- Weekly individual supervision with field instructors
- Classroom learning mixed with field experiences
- Regular evaluation of professional competencies
The School works with agencies of all types including hospitals, mental health centers, state and federal organizations, community-based services, shelters, nursing facilities, and correctional institutions. Students can gain experience that matches their career interests while building broad professional skills.
Students take an integrative seminar (SOWK 4374) with their field placement. This unique approach lets them process experiences and get peer feedback. Students develop their professional identity beyond just work experience.
Faculty & Support
The School of Social Work’s diverse faculty includes professors, associate professors, assistant professors, and lecturers. Most hold doctoral degrees and bring valuable practice experience to their teaching. Faculty stay active in research, community service, and professional organizations to keep their knowledge current.
The program supports students through:
- BSW Director and Associate Director’s program oversight
- Field Education Office’s placement coordination
- Faculty advisors’ academic guidance
- Special support for online and Round Rock campus students
Faculty look beyond grades to assess professional behaviors essential for social work practice. They evaluate students’ emotional stability, communication skills, interpersonal abilities, and adherence to professional ethics throughout the program.
The School shows its commitment to student growth through its organization. The BSW Field Coordinator helps students transition to field education. Faculty stay available to students and create a supportive learning environment despite the program’s size.
Accreditation & Recognition
The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) has fully accredited Texas State University’s Bachelor of Social Work program since 1978. This credential lets graduates:
- Take state social work licensure examinations
- Get advanced standing in graduate social work programs
- Start their career with recognized credentials
The School of Social Work’s strong reputation spans nearly five decades. Its graduates perform well on state licensing exams and work in various settings throughout Texas.
Graduates work in child welfare, schools, long-term care, general social services, mental health, and public assistance. They learn to mix knowledge, values, and skills to address economic and social justice issues effectively.
The BSW program stands out for its innovative options. Students can choose between campus-based and fully online classes while getting the same quality education.
Students near Austin looking for quality social work education will find a solid, rigorous program at Texas State University. The program has strong institutional support and professional recognition. Students develop academic knowledge and professional skills methodically through the three-phase structure.
3. Stephen F. Austin State University – BSW Program
Stephen F. Austin State University runs a unique BSW program focused on rural social work practice. Students learn through classroom instruction combined with extensive field work. The program operates from Nacogdoches and gives graduates specialized skills to help rural Texas communities.
Program Highlights
The Bachelor of Social Work program focuses on generalist social work practice, with special attention to rural populations. Students must complete 47 hours of professional social work courses, supportive discipline courses, and 13 hours of electives. The curriculum teaches students to work with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities through balanced theory and practice.
The program’s core mission prepares effective professional social workers dedicated to community needs. Students learn to ease poverty and oppression while supporting cultural diversity and social justice. This shapes their education and readies them to help vulnerable people in rural and urban areas.
Academic standards remain high. Students need a 2.25 cumulative GPA and must earn C grades or better in all professional courses. The program also looks at professional conduct, personal integrity, emotional stability, interpersonal skills, and dedication to social work values—key qualities for success.
SFA makes the program available to everyone with full-time and part-time options. Traditional students and working professionals can access quality social work education. Students come from Texas and nearby states, which creates a rich learning environment with different viewpoints.
The university believes that “Transformative experiences are at the core of our academic philosophy”. Students demonstrate this through classroom simulations, community activities, and field experiences that connect theory with practice.
Internship Opportunities
Field education serves as the foundation of SFA’s BSW program. Students apply their classroom knowledge in real settings through two separate practicum experiences.
Junior students complete 100 hours (8 hours weekly) of supervised work in community settings. This original field experience introduces professional social work practice with guidance from experienced practitioners. Students also attend a seminar that connects field experiences with classroom learning.
Senior students spend 32 hours weekly at social service agencies supervised by professional social workers. This 400-hour placement provides hands-on training with clients of all types. Seniors also join a co-requisite seminar (SWK 490) for reflection and professional growth.
The Child Welfare Professional Development Project stands out in SFA’s field education. This federally funded Title IV-E partnership with Texas Department of Family and Protective Services gives qualified students special field placements with stipends. This creates a pipeline of prepared professionals for child welfare services.
SFA social work students can also:
- Join study abroad programs in Ireland and Ghana
- Present research at local, state, national, and international conferences
- Take part in community-based research through the Center for Rural Social Work Research and Development
These experiences help graduates build theoretical knowledge, practical skills and professional networks needed for career success.
Faculty & Support
The School of Social Work faculty provides “the perfect combination of academic expertise and clinical, hands-on knowledge”. Teachers bring decades of clinical experience in a variety of specialties like child welfare, mental health, HIV/AIDS outreach, and gerontology. Students learn both theory and ground applications from this mix of academic and practical expertise.
Faculty stay active in research, community service, and professional organizations. Their work creates chances for students to join meaningful research projects about rural social issues.
Small class sizes allow close faculty mentorship. Professors know students personally and guide their academic and professional growth. This customized approach helps students pursue their interests and goals.
Students get support through several organizations:
- Social Work Student Council shapes academic and student affairs policies
- Student Association of Social Workers creates professional networking chances
- Phi Alpha Honor Society (Theta Omega chapter) rewards academic success and promotes service
These groups help students connect with peers and professionals while building leadership skills. SFA’s Disability Services provides detailed accommodations including priority registration, alternative materials, testing support, and assistive services.
Accreditation & Recognition
The Bachelor of Social Work program holds full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). This significant credential meets professional standards and lets graduates seek state licensure and advanced standing in MSW programs.
The university also has institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Both credentials confirm high educational standards.
The program got recognition for addressing underserved rural populations’ needs. The Center for Rural Social Work Research and Development contributes research and intervention strategies for rural communities. Graduates learn to work in places where social services may be limited.
SFA’s BSW graduates work in healthcare facilities, schools, mental health agencies, family services organizations, and community nonprofits. Their generalist practice skills with rural populations help them solve complex social problems with limited resources.
Students looking for quality social work education with a rural focus will find a 60-year-old program at Stephen F. Austin State University. The program offers strong accreditation, experienced faculty, and extensive field education opportunities.
4. Texas A&M University–Central Texas – BSW Program
The Bachelor of Social Work at Texas A&M University–Central Texas stands out with its close-knit learning environment. Small class sizes help students build strong relationships with their professors. This nationally recognized degree program prepares students for entry-level social work and advanced education through a student-focused approach.
Program Highlights
TAMUCT’s BSW program has a clear purpose. Students learn to become high-quality social workers who understand professional behavior, values, ethics, and community well-being from a global viewpoint. The program builds its curriculum around how people interact with their environment and scientific research.
Students must meet these requirements to join the program:
- Admission to A&M-Central Texas
- Declaration of social work as major
- Enrollment in or completion of foundation courses (SOWK 3301, 3300, 3303)
- Minimum 2.5 overall GPA
- Grade of C or better in all social work courses
- Attendance at New Social Work Student Orientation
The program looks beyond academic achievements. Students need emotional maturity, self-awareness, and the ability to handle life’s challenges effectively. University data shows the BSW program’s success – this is a big deal as the 2018-2019 cohort’s first-year retention rate of 91.7% surpassed both the College of Arts and Sciences (76.3%) and university-wide averages (72.9%).
Students receive a complete understanding of various practice areas like child welfare, mental health, healthcare, and community advocacy. This broad preparation helps graduates work in different settings.
Internship Opportunities
Field education plays a vital role in TAMUCT’s social work program. The university has strategic collaborations with hundreds of agencies throughout Central Texas. Students gain valuable real-life experience under professional guidance.
TAMUCT’s partnership with Child Protective Services through the Title IV-E program makes it unique. Students get specialized experience in Texas’s child welfare community. The university hosts internship and career fairs that connect students with potential employers.
These field experiences help students develop nine core competencies. Students learn ethical behavior, research skills, policy practice, and ways to help individuals, families, groups, and communities.
Faculty & Support
TAMUCT’s BSW program faculty brings impressive credentials and practical experience to their teaching. Dr. Michael R. Daley leads the Social Work Department as chair and professor. The CSWE unanimously chose him for their Distinguished Recent Contributions to Social Work Education Award. His research on rural social work, ethics, and the profession enriches his teaching and leadership.
Dr. Claudia Rappaport serves as Associate Professor in the BSW Program. She earned her PhD in Medical Humanities and has 25 years of experience as a medical social worker specializing in pediatrics. Her background includes supervision and private practice. The Central Texas chapter of NASW recognized her work with their 2015 Lifetime Achievement Award.
Students receive comprehensive support beyond faculty mentorship:
- Community Resources program links students with local services
- Individual needs assessments and help accessing social services
- Special resources for foster care students
- Dedicated social work academic advising
Accreditation & Recognition
The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) fully accredits TAMUCT’s BSW program. This accreditation matters because graduates can apply for social work licensure right after graduation.
Graduate success proves the program’s quality. Within a year of graduating in 2016-2017, 60% of social work graduates found jobs in Texas. Graduates work in various settings including child and family services, healthcare, mental health, substance abuse treatment, case management, schools, and geriatric care.
TAMUCT offers an outstanding program for students seeking quality social work education. The program combines academic excellence with hands-on experience and strong support in a smaller university setting.
5. University of Texas at Austin – School of Social Work
The Steve Hicks School of Social Work at the University of Texas at Austin ranks among the top ten social work schools nationwide and provides exceptional education in a vibrant setting. A game-changing USD 25 million donation from telecommunications pioneer R. Steven Hicks in 2017 has deepened the school’s commitment to excellence among Texas social work programs.
Program Highlights
Students need 122 credit hours to complete their BSW at UT Austin, which includes 480 hours of supervised field internship and 60 hours of service learning. The program spans four years – two years of foundational courses and two years of specialized social work coursework. Students learn:
- Social work research methods
- Foundations of social justice
- Generalist social work practice
The program stands out by blending social work principles with liberal arts education to create a detailed learning experience. BSW graduates can immediately pursue licensure and enter human service positions. This degree provides solid groundwork for students who want to pursue postgraduate studies in law, public health, and medicine.
Internship Opportunities
Field education serves as the foundation of UT Austin’s BSW program. Students complete their supervised practicum internship in their final semester, with placements that match their career goals. The school’s partnerships with hundreds of Austin agencies create well-laid-out learning opportunities that benefit students and communities alike.
Faculty liaisons work with agency-based field instructors to encourage individual-specific learning experiences. Austin-area agencies actively seek UT Austin social work interns because of their excellent preparation and strong support systems. Through collaboration with organizations like the Texas Department of Family & Protective Services, the school provides funded practicum programs with financial support ranging from USD 2,500 to USD 10,000 per semester.
Faculty & Support
The Steve Hicks School’s faculty has secured USD 40 million in awards from federal, state, local agencies and nonprofits in fiscal year 2024. Currently, the school manages 86 externally sponsored awards.
Students receive detailed support through several resources:
- DiNitto Career Center for career advising
- Student Emergency Assistance Fund offering up to USD 300 for emergencies
- CARE program providing available mental health support
Accreditation & Recognition
The Steve Hicks School of Social Work maintains its status as one of Texas’s premier social work schools. The school creates a caring, intimate community within a top-tier research institution. Dr. Allan Cole, who became dean in 2022, continues to champion values and ethical principles of social justice and human flourishing.
Next Steps
Your choice of BSW program will substantially affect your future social work career. We’ve looked at five outstanding programs around Austin, each bringing something unique to social work education.
St. Edward’s University takes a values-first approach with intimate classes and one-on-one mentoring. Texas State University runs a well-laid-out three-phase program both on campus and online. Stephen F. Austin State University shines with its focus on rural social work. Texas A&M University-Central Texas creates a close-knit learning environment with high student retention. The University of Texas at Austin rounds out the list as one of the nation’s top programs, blending academic excellence with rich research opportunities.
These programs may differ, but they share everything needed to prepare you for professional practice. They all hold CSWE accreditation, which means your degree meets the standards for licensure and advanced education. Each program also features field education with 400-480 hours of structured internships. This hands-on experience lets you apply what you learn in real-life settings.
Your professors’ expertise makes a vital difference in these programs. You’ll learn from instructors who bring both scholarly knowledge and field experience to the classroom. This mix ensures you understand both theory and its applications.
Take time to think over what matters most to your career goals. Look at program size, specialization options, location, cost, and student support services. Some programs excel at rural practice training, while others offer better connections to city agencies or specialized fields like child welfare.
Social work needs both classroom learning and hands-on practice. These five BSW programs help develop your skills, grow your professional network, and start a career that makes a difference. Whatever program you pick, your BSW degree will give you the tools to champion social justice and create meaningful change for individuals, families, and communities.