8 Best BSW Programs in Dallas: Complete 2026 Guide
Here’s a striking fact: 97% of Texas counties don’t have enough mental health professionals. This makes social work in Dallas more than just a calling – it’s a smart career choice too.
The best social work colleges in Texas prepare you for many career paths. You could work in child welfare, family services, case management, hospice care, community mental health, or substance abuse treatment. On top of that, many schools now offer online bachelor’s of social work degrees, making education more available than ever.
A BSW degree gives you the skills you need for counseling, community outreach, or human resources. The degree also lets you take the Texas State Board of Social Work Examiners Licensing Exam. Most accredited programs include study areas like human behavior, social welfare policy, intervention methods, research, and real-world field experience.
This guide looks at the eight best undergraduate social work programs in Dallas. It will help guide you through your options to find the right fit in one of the Dallas-Fort Worth area’s fastest-growing fields.
1. University of North Texas at Dallas – Online BSW Program
UNT Dallas will launch a groundbreaking online Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program on January 12, 2026. The program addresses a pressing need in Texas, where 97% of counties lack enough mental health professionals.
Program overview
The BSW program teaches students generalist social work practice and puts social justice and advocacy at its core. The curriculum follows Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) standards and gives students valuable skills in critical thinking, ethical principles, theoretical application, and effective communication.
Students learn these core professional areas:
- Human behavior throughout life
- Social welfare policy and services
- Diversity and culturally competent practice
- Mental health intervention
- Research and evidence-based practice
Students who complete the program can take the Texas State Board of Social Work Examiners Licensing Exam, which leads to many career options. “This is one of the fastest-growing fields in Dallas-Fort Worth,” says Dr. Alex Colvin, Associate Professor and Chair of Undergraduate Programs. Graduates work in various settings:
Child welfare services, family counseling, school-based programs, healthcare facilities, hospice care, substance abuse treatment, and community mental health organizations. Many graduates also become counselors, advisors, and advocates in public and private organizations.
Online learning format
Students from urban, suburban, and rural areas can access the program’s 100% online format, even those living outside Texas. The program uses innovative teaching methods that keep educational quality high while removing location barriers.
Students get these key benefits in the virtual classroom:
- Freedom to complete coursework on their schedule
- One-on-one guidance from professors in virtual sessions
- Room to balance studies with work and family life
The program still focuses on hands-on experience despite being online. Students must complete a 400-hour practicum. They can do this practical work in their local community—at schools, clinics, domestic violence shelters, nonprofits, or government agencies. This helps them build skills and professional networks where they live.
The program welcomes high school graduates, community college transfers, working professionals looking to advance, and people switching careers to social work. “We are looking for people with a passion for advocacy and social justice, stronger, healthier communities, and a pathway to invest in the future,” says Dr. Colvin.
Program affordability
UNT Dallas provides one of the most affordable paths to earning a social work degree. Students who might find higher education too expensive can now get their degree here.
The university keeps its tuition rates competitive compared to similar programs at other schools. This creates a chance for students to get quality education without taking on too much debt.
Dr. Constance Lacy, Dean of the School of Behavioral Health and Human Services, says “This program fulfills a unique niche: accessibility without barriers”. Students get great value through affordable tuition and flexible online learning.
The university now accepts applications for Spring 2026’s first semester. First-time college students, current students changing majors, transfers from other schools, and returning students can all apply. This first group of students will help build what promises to be a meaningful addition to social work education in Dallas.
2. Texas Woman’s University – Social Work Program
Texas Woman’s University ranks among the best colleges for social work in Texas. The program combines academic excellence with skill development. You’ll find TWU just north of Dallas, where it offers a unique social work education that balances theory with real-life experience in community settings.
Admission process
The Bachelor of Social Work program at Texas Woman’s University has a simplified yet detailed admission process. TWU looks beyond academic credentials and takes an all-encompassing approach to evaluate your personal qualities alongside academic achievements.
Here’s what you need to start your BSW degree at TWU:
- Complete prerequisite coursework with a minimum GPA of 2.5
- Submit a personal statement about your motivation to pursue social work
- Provide two professional or academic references
- Document any relevant volunteer or work experience in human services
The application follows semester-based deadlines – October for spring admission and March for fall enrollment. While the program maintains high standards, it values students from different backgrounds and life experiences. TWU understands that great social workers come from various walks of life.
After admission, you become part of a cohort that encourages professional bonds with your peers throughout your educational experience. This setup creates a supportive learning environment where you’ll develop interpersonal skills needed for social work practice in Dallas and beyond.
Orientation and ethics
New students must attend an orientation that builds a strong foundation in social work ethics and professional identity. This thorough introduction marks your first step into the profession’s ethical framework.
The orientation includes these key areas:
- Core values of the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics
- Ethical decision-making frameworks for complex client situations
- Professional boundaries and self-care strategies
- Cultural humility and anti-oppressive practice principles
TWU weaves ethical practice throughout the BSW curriculum with dedicated coursework and hands-on learning. Classes use case studies and ethical dilemmas to help you direct complex moral situations in modern social work.
Students learn cultural competence to work in diverse communities. The multicultural environment of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex helps you develop sensitivity and skills to work with people from different backgrounds.
The social work program uses simulation-based learning. You’ll practice ethical decision-making in controlled settings before working in real-life situations. This method helps connect theoretical knowledge with practical use of ethical principles.
Advisor support
TWU’s social work program stands out with its detailed advisor support system. You’ll receive personal guidance matched to your academic needs and career goals from day one until graduation.
BSW students get support from:
- A faculty advisor who specializes in your interest area
- A field education coordinator who finds meaningful practicum placements
- Peer mentors who share their program experiences
Your relationship with advisors goes beyond picking classes. They help with career planning, graduate school prep, and professional networking. Regular meetings keep you on track academically while building professional connections for after graduation.
Advisors help students find specific areas of social work in Dallas. They suggest relevant electives and field placements that match your career goals. The advisor team customizes your education whether you’re interested in healthcare, school social work, or community development.
Students facing academic challenges get extra help through tutoring, writing assistance, and study groups. This active approach to student success leads to high retention and completion rates among BSW candidates.
3. University of Texas at Arlington – BASW Program
Ranked #1 in Texas for social work education, the University of Texas at Arlington offers a fully accredited Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW) program that’s incredibly flexible. Students can choose from three learning paths: fully online, traditional on-campus classes in Arlington or Fort Worth, or a mix of both formats.
Curriculum and skills
The BASW curriculum prepares you for generalist social work practice with a 120-credit hour program. The program combines academic coursework with ground experience within a liberal arts framework. You’ll become skilled at these nine key competencies:
- Demonstrating ethical and professional behavior
- Advancing human rights and social, racial, economic, and environmental justice
- Engaging in anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion practices
- Implementing practice-informed research and research-informed practice
- Engaging in policy practice
- Working effectively with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
- Getting a full picture of all client system levels
- Developing and implementing effective interventions
- Evaluating practice outcomes with various client systems
You must earn a C or better in five foundational courses to move from BSW Intended to BSW Major status. The program also requires completion of the BSW Orientation called “Map for the Trip” and a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher. You’ll develop critical thinking abilities, apply ethical principles, gain theoretical knowledge, and build effective communication skills – everything you need to succeed in social work in Dallas.
UTA BASW licensing eligibility
Graduating from UTA’s Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited program makes you eligible to apply for social work licensure in states and territories that license social work professionals at the bachelor level. The curriculum meets CSWE’s Educational Policies and Accreditation Standards, so it covers all content in the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Bachelor’s level licensure exam.
Getting your Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW) credential in Texas involves several steps. After graduation from the accredited program, you can apply to ASWB for the Baccalaureate exam. Once you pass the exam AND graduate, you’ll need to submit an online application through the Council’s online licensing system. The process includes submitting supporting documentation, official transcripts, and completing the required fingerprinting process.
The license gives you two major advantages: you can legally call yourself a “social worker” and stand out in the job market. It also shows potential employers your knowledge and professionalism.
Career pathways
The future looks bright for social work graduates. The Health Resources and Service Administration expects a 30% growth in social work positions through 2030. General social work jobs should increase by 7%.
Your BASW degree from UTA prepares you for entry-level generalist practice social service positions in many settings. Here are some career paths:
- Adoption and child welfare services
- Aging and gerontology
- Healthcare counseling
- Mental health services
- Substance use education and treatment
- School social work
- Military and veteran care
- Immigration services
- Refugee resettlement
- Homeless case management
Field education serves as the final piece of your BSW program. During your practicum, you’ll spend 400 clock hours in an assigned agency and apply classroom knowledge in live settings. The Practicum Education Office helps match you with agencies that fit your career goals and ensures quality field experiences under qualified supervisors.
Students with good academic standing can qualify for Advanced Standing in UTA’s MSW program and potentially complete their master’s degree in about one year.
4. East Texas A&M University – BSW Program
The Bachelor of Social Work program at East Texas A&M University, 45 years old, ranks among Texas’s finest social work colleges. Students can access the program at both Commerce and Dallas campuses.
Mission and values
The program aims to prepare skilled generalist practitioners who will “serve, advocate, and strengthen” their communities. Three main goals shape this mission:
- Social work ethics and critical thinking promotion
- Students’ freedom to explore, learn and take action in an inclusive space
- Collaborative efforts that help communities grow
The social work program follows the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics strictly. Six core values guide both education and practice:
- Service: Helping those in need and tackling social problems
- Social Justice: Standing up against societal unfairness
- Dignity and Worth of the Person: Valuing human dignity
- Importance of Human Relationships: Change happens through relationships
- Integrity: Building trust through professional behavior
- Competence: Working within expertise while growing professional skills
These ethical principles spread through the curriculum. A liberal arts viewpoint will give a broad education beyond just technical skills.
Career options
The 60-semester-hour program opens doors to many career paths. Students complete 54 hours in social work plus additional courses in psychology and sociology. Graduates can work in:
- Benefits and case management
- Child welfare and foster care services
- Family social work and counseling
- Community outreach
- Geriatric social work
- Higher education environments
- Human resources and services
- Non-profit administration
- Probation services
- Policy analysis
- Research analysis
- Social justice initiatives
- School-based social work
Students learn in a well-laid-out sequence. Knowledge, skills, and values build logically to prepare them for generalist social work practice. This approach helps them solve problems and create positive change through direct help and community-wide programs.
Community engagement
Community involvement is the substance of East Texas A&M’s social work experience. The program supports “radical collaboration that transforms communities” as a key goal. Students gain hands-on experience through field work and practicum opportunities.
The university works with community organizations to solve local problems and strengthen individuals who build successful communities. Students learn in various settings:
- Schools and educational institutions
- Hospitals and healthcare facilities
- Social service agencies
- Community mental health centers
- Domestic violence shelters
- Government agencies
Students build confidence and practical skills while helping their communities. Field experience lets them use classroom knowledge in ground settings. They develop a professional outlook that combines knowledge, skills, and social work values.
The BSW Program Director guides students through academic choices. Both BSW Program and Field Education Directors help prepare students for their professional future. Students get help with BSW licensing requirements, ethical challenges, self-care strategies, and job opportunities.
Academic standards require a grade of “C” or higher in all Social Work courses and selected supporting courses. Students must maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA for admission and graduation.
5. Texas A&M University-Commerce – Social Work Program
Accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, Texas A&M University-Commerce’s social work program gives students a complete pathway to build careers in Dallas and beyond. The program started in 1978 when it first received accreditation.
Program structure
Texas A&M University-Commerce offers a well-laid-out Bachelor of Social Work degree that needs 60 semester hours. Students take 54 hours of social work courses and the rest in psychology and sociology. The program builds on liberal arts foundations, and students must complete most Core Curriculum requirements before they join the Social Work Program.
The program follows a step-by-step curriculum where prerequisites and concurrent enrollment requirements are important. This approach helps students build and blend the knowledge, skills, and values they need to start their generalist social work practice.
Students need these requirements to join the program:
- Complete three lower division social work courses (SWK 2361, SWK 2389, SWK 2362)
- Finish Core Curriculum Requirements except PE courses
- Keep an overall GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
- Get a grade of ‘C’ or higher in all required social work courses
The program’s complete approach helps students become skilled at generalist social work practice. This makes them eligible to take licensure exams in Texas and many other states.
Faculty and mentorship
Student success at TAMUC depends on reliable academic guidance throughout their learning experience. The BSW Program Director guides all students on academic and professional matters, starting with the BSW Orientation.
The orientation covers key information including:
- Contact information and degree plans
- Course registration processes
- Good academic standing requirements
- Graduation requirements
- Academic integrity policies
- Available financial aid resources
- Student disability and support services
The BSW Field Education Director works together with the BSW Program Director to guide students, especially with field placement preparation. They conduct interviews to boost students’ interviewing skills and find potential field placements that match their interests—this makes TAMUC different from other social work programs.
Practicum opportunities
Field education at TAMUC is the cornerstone of social work education. It helps future practitioners think, perform, and act ethically. Students blend classroom theory with agency-based practice while getting vital support during this learning process.
The field practicum has several connected parts:
- Field Instruction courses (internships)
- Concurrent course enrollment
- Weekly field instruction sessions
Students complete SWK 425 Field Instruction I (160 clock hours) and SWK 426 Field Instruction II (240 clock hours). These experiences happen under qualified social workers certified by the BSW Field Education Director. Students must also take SWK 422 Integration of Practice with SWK 425, and SWK 424 Generalist Practice with SWK 426.
The field experience ends with a complete final exam in SWK 424. This exam tests knowledge from all areas of the social work curriculum and helps students prepare for the state licensing examination.
6. University of Texas at Dallas – Social Work Pathways
UTD offers a different way to study social work through its interdisciplinary studies programs instead of a traditional BSW degree. Students interested in social work can create customized academic paths that blend multiple disciplines and methods.
Academic tracks
Students who want to work in social services can shape their own educational experience through the School of Interdisciplinary Studies. The program lets you create a specialized concentration that combines sociology, psychology, and related fields to prepare you for social service careers.
The program helps you:
- Create a customized study plan with guidance from faculty advisors
- Mix regular academic courses with internships
- Learn both theory and ground application
UTD’s Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies (MAIS) program gives you even more ways to specialize. You can build a custom concentration or pick established paths like Diversity Studies or Healthcare Studies that match your social service career goals.
Interdisciplinary approach
UTD’s interdisciplinary method prepares you to handle complex social issues from different views. The MAIS program combines strong academic basics with areas you choose, so you can merge various academic subjects into one complete learning experience.
Your degree plan includes regular coursework and gives you chances for internships and independent study. You’ll finish with a two-semester master’s project where you blend information from different sources using various methods.
This approach builds skills that social service employers value:
- Research and analytical thinking in many subjects
- Strong writing and speaking skills to make evidence-based arguments
- Problem-solving methods that use knowledge from different areas
Research opportunities
UTD gives you many research options that fit social service careers, even without a traditional social work program. Students often work with faculty in the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences to study psychology, cognition, and speech pathology.
The university has several research paths:
- ENSURE Program in Neuroscience: A 2-year program with hands-on research
- MARC Program: A 3-year NIH scholarship with year-round biomedical research
- SPARK Fellowship: A year-long paid internship mixing developmental research with community work
- SWG Research: Short projects where you cooperate with faculty
These research activities boost your analytical and critical thinking skills to prepare you for graduate studies or professional work. The Office of Undergraduate Education helps connect your academic interests with ground applications by supporting both new and current undergraduate researchers.
7. Dallas College – Transfer-Friendly BSW Pathway
Dallas College provides an affordable path to a social work degree through specialized transfer programs that connect directly to four-year universities.
Transfer agreements
Dallas College has built mutually beneficial alliances with many four-year universities that create smooth transfer pathways. These well-laid-out routes keep you aligned with the right coursework for your chosen major at a four-year institution. The Texas Direct program now lets students complete the Texas Core Curriculum and Field of Study to automatically qualify for an associate degree – the Texas Direct Transfer Degree. Students can apply this 60-credit pathway directly to Bachelor of Social Work programs at public Texas universities.
Affordability and access
Dallas College delivers exceptional value with quality instruction at just $297 per three-credit course for Dallas County residents. The college’s tuition is nowhere near as expensive as many alternatives – students pay about $7,000 annually. Students need to complete at least 25% of required credits (15 hours) through Dallas College classes to graduate.
Student support services
The college’s support system works through several essential programs. TRIO Student Support Services helps traditionally underrepresented students, particularly first-generation and low-income college students. Students receive personalized academic advising, registration assistance, transfer guidance, financial aid application help, and tutoring. The Student Care Network takes a comprehensive approach beyond academics and connects students with resources for food, housing, mental health, legal aid, and medical services.
8. Tarleton State University – BSW Program
Tarleton State University’s fully accredited Bachelor of Social Work program prepares students to promote positive change in both rural and urban communities throughout Texas. The program is distinguishable from other social work education options in Dallas by blending professional training with real-world experience.
Rural and urban focus
The BSW program at Tarleton emphasizes serving rural and underserved areas to address critical healthcare gaps and accessibility challenges that communities outside metropolitan areas face. Students learn about social factors affecting rural healthcare settings and develop creative service delivery models with limited resources. This focus on rural social work practice gives Tarleton graduates unique skills that urban-focused programs don’t typically provide.
Experiential learning
Practical experience is the foundation of Tarleton’s educational approach. Students complete a complete 450-hour practicum at community agencies under qualified social worker supervision. Strategic collaborations with over 80 agencies in North Central Texas create valuable learning opportunities and job networks. Students interested in child welfare can pursue a specialized concentration that includes stipends for four semesters during their agency internships.
Program flexibility
Students can access the BSW program at multiple campus locations – Stephenville, Fort Worth, Texas A&M-RELLIS, and Waco. The program prepares graduates for the Texas state social worker licensure examination. Career paths exist in a variety of settings from hospitals and mental health centers to schools and protective services. Many graduates qualify for Advanced Standing in master’s programs and can earn their MSW in just one year.
Next Steps
Your specific career goals, priorities, and personal circumstances will shape which social work program works best for you. Each of the eight schools brings something special to the table. UNT Dallas shines with its groundbreaking online format. Texas Woman’s University provides detailed advisor support. Tarleton State focuses uniquely on rural communities.
These programs share a steadfast dedication to training compassionate professionals. They aim to address the critical mental health professional shortage that affects all but one of these counties in Texas. On top of that, most programs include vital field experiences of 400 to 450 hours. Students learn practical skills while working with experienced practitioners.
Cost remains one of the most important factors for students. Dallas College’s transfer pathways are a great way to get bachelor’s degrees affordably. UNT Dallas takes pride in its affordable tuition rates that help students avoid heavy debt.
These programs excel at being flexible. Many schools now offer various learning formats – from traditional campus classes to fully online or hybrid programs. Students can access education whatever their location or schedule looks like.
These accredited programs prepare you to take the Texas State Board of Social Work Examiners Licensing Exam. This opens doors to careers in child welfare, healthcare, mental health, substance abuse treatment, and many other fields. The job market looks bright, with data suggesting strong growth in social work positions through 2030.
While you head over to explore these eight exceptional programs, take time to visit their websites. Talk to admissions counselors and connect with current students or alumni. Your experience of becoming a social work professional in the Dallas-Fort Worth area starts with finding a program that matches your drive to create positive change in communities that need your skills right now