9 Best BSW Programs in Houston: Degree Guide 2026

A career in social work in Houston opens doors to a rewarding profession that pays well too. Social workers stand on the front lines of critical societal issues. They tackle challenges in healthcare, immigration, homelessness, education, and addiction. The career outlook looks promising whether you want to make a difference or need job stability.

Your BSW degree investment can really pay off. To name just one example, substance abuse and mental health counselors earn $53,710 annually on average, while health educators make about $62,860 per year. Certified social workers take home around $58,380 yearly, and social and community service managers earn approximately $77,030 per year. Social work in Houston TX creates job opportunities throughout Texas and beyond. BSW graduates find roles in child welfare, healthcare, mental health, education, and criminal justice systems. Online social work degree programs in Texas might work better for you if you need flexibility. They deliver the same quality education with extra convenience.

Here’s something encouraging – you probably won’t have to handle all costs by yourself. Last year, two out of three University of Houston-Clear Lake students got some type of financial aid. Most programs need about 120 credit hours and come with Council on Social Work Education accreditation. This ensures you’ll get quality education that prepares you to improve people’s lives, both in your community and around the world.

1. University of Houston-Clear Lake (UHCL) BSW Program

The University of Houston-Clear Lake’s Bachelor of Social Work program is a fully accredited option that gets you ready for meaningful social service careers. This 18-year-old program, reaccredited in 2008 and 2016 by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), gives you the skills to make real changes in your community.

Program Overview

UHCL’s BSW program helps you become a professional who knows how to work with diverse and oppressed populations. You’ll learn to serve vulnerable communities in the Houston-Galveston metropolitan area. Getting your degree prepares you to take the Licensed Social Worker exam, which boosts your appeal to employers by a lot.

The program aims to prepare entry-level social work professionals for agency-based generalist practice. You’ll learn various theoretical viewpoints that reflect an integrated bio-psycho-social approach with professional values, ethics, and skills. Students develop respect for diversity in every aspect of learning, with special focus on populations that have faced discrimination.

UHCL BSW graduates find work in many fields, including:

• Adoption and foster care
• Criminal justice system
• Disabilities services
• Immigrant and refugee services
• Physical and mental health care
• Social policy and advocacy
• Schools and education
• Senior care
• Substance use and addiction treatment
• Veterans and military affairs

Admission Requirements

The UHCL BSW program needs you to meet these academic requirements:

• Complete Texas Core Requirements
• Earn a grade of “C” or higher in Introduction to Psychology
• Earn a grade of “C” or higher in Introduction to Sociology
• Complete a natural science course (Human/General Biology, Anatomy & Physiology, or equivalent)
• Complete SWRK 2361 (Introduction to Social Work) with a grade of “C” or higher
• Complete SWRK 3304 (Professional Issues and Ethics in Social Work) with a “C” or higher
• Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher

The program looks at professional traits through your application materials. These include emotional maturity, interpersonal skills, good judgment, and commitment to social work values.

Your application packet should have an application form with checklist, unofficial college transcripts, three recommendation letters, and a 4-6 page autobiographical statement. The program accepts applications throughout the year with deadlines of July 15 for fall admission and December 15 for spring admission.

Curriculum and Fieldwork

The BSW curriculum covers nine connected areas: human behavior and social environment, social welfare policy, social work research, values and ethics, diversity, social justice, working with at-risk populations, practice methodology, and field placements.

Core courses include Diversity and Human Behavior in the Social Environment, Social Welfare Policy and Services, Oppression, Diversity and Social Justice, research methods, and three practice courses that focus on individuals, groups/families, and organizations/communities.

Field education is a vital part of your BSW education at UHCL. You’ll complete two internship experiences (SWRK 4619 and SWRK 4629), each worth six credit hours. These internships happen at regional social service agencies and non-profit organizations where you get hands-on experience and build your professional network.

UHCL also offers special ways to boost your social work education. You can join faculty research projects or become part of organizations like Phi Alpha Honor Society, the Social Work Student Organization, and the National Association of Social Workers. You can also earn a Women’s and Gender Studies Certificate with your BSW degree, gaining specialized knowledge that employers value more and more.

2. University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) BSW Program

The University of Houston-Downtown runs a BSW program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The program takes an urban-centered approach and prepares change agents who work toward inclusion, equity, and justice in Houston’s diverse communities. Students looking to create meaningful change through social work in Houston will find this program appealing.

Program Overview

The UHD Bachelor of Social Work program has a clear mission. It prepares future social workers as change agents who champion inclusion, equity, and justice through state-of-the-art methods, collaborative efforts, and service. The program envisions “creating a community that heals, nurtures, and enhances wellbeing for all people”.

The program prepares generalist social workers and gives them the tools to work in schools, hospitals, mental health facilities, and juvenile justice systems. Graduates can handle key tasks like case management, client advocacy, and counseling.

The program builds on four key goals:

• A caring, collaborative educational environment
• Self-reflection opportunities that match social work values
• Training for anti-oppressive leadership in diverse communities
• Growth in intellectual curiosity and professional development

Students master nine core competencies by graduation. These include ethical behavior, human rights advancement, diversity work, research-informed practice, policy involvement, and skills in assessment, intervention, and evaluation.

Admission Requirements

The UHD Social Work program has specific prerequisites:

• English Composition I and II
• Texas Common Core Mathematics requirement
• A minimum of 30 semester credit hours of college coursework

Students need a minimum 2.5 GPA at UHD and in social work major courses. They must also earn a C or better in all social work courses.

The admission process looks at several factors. These include a quality writing sample, GPA in the last 30 hours, and positive recommendations. Students don’t need these before applying, but they’ll need to complete some liberal arts courses later: 3 hours of advanced writing, 3 hours in psychology, and 3 hours in either sociology or anthropology.

Curriculum and Fieldwork

Students need 120 credit hours to earn their BSW degree. The curriculum has 45 hours of major requirements, 9 hours of supporting coursework, and 18 hours of free electives.

Core courses cover social welfare policy, urban practice, case management, research methods, human behavior in social environments, and professional ethics. Students pick two elective courses from options like practice with aging populations, practice with children and adolescents, urban community organizing, and crisis intervention.

Field practicum bridges classroom knowledge and professional practice. Students watch experienced professionals, get mentorship, and practice new skills in supportive settings. Field practicum applications open in January for fall start and September for spring start. Application deadlines fall on February 28 and September 30.

Field education includes four courses: Field Practicum I and II, plus Issues in Field Practicum I and II. Students must buy liability insurance before starting fieldwork. Coverage should start August 1 for fall start or January 1 for spring start.

The program helps students with a no-cost textbook program that reduces financial stress. Houston-Woodlands-Sugarland area graduates earn between $55,617 and $69,485 yearly.

3. Texas Southern University B.A. in Social Work

Texas Southern University’s Bachelor of Arts in Social Work program is notable with its dedication to preparing diverse students for ethical generalist social work practice. With full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the program offers a detailed approach to social work education in Houston that highlights strengths-based practice and resilience.

Program Overview

TSU’s Department of Social Work aims to prepare students for ethical generalist practice using the person-in-environment framework. The curriculum shines especially when you have African Americans and other people of color, along with populations vulnerable to discrimination based on factors such as race, physical ability, socioeconomic status, and gender identity.

The program shows remarkable growth, with 35 bachelor’s degrees awarded in the 2021-2022 academic year—this is a big deal as it means that there’s a 40% increase from the previous year. TSU’s Social Work program differs from many undergraduate departments as it doesn’t require students to declare a minor in another academic discipline.

The program goals specifically address:

• Preparing students with knowledge and skills that promote just and equitable service delivery
• Providing opportunities to use various tools for assessing and intervening with diverse populations
• Engaging students in culturally competent approaches for underserved populations
• Strengthening students to work collaboratively for change at micro, mezzo, and macro levels

Program graduates earn a median salary of $42,333 annually, surpassing the national median of $37,334 for social work bachelor’s degree recipients.

Admission Requirements

Students must first gain admission to the university and meet all Texas Success Initiative (TSI) requirements. The next step requires petitioning for departmental admission after completing nine semester credit hours of specific social work courses with a grade of “C” or better:

• SOCW 145: Introduction to Social Welfare
• SOCW 246: Social Welfare Legislation
• SOCW 340: Seminar in Helping

Social work professionals must demonstrate professional demeanor and integrity in classroom and field-related activities. Students who return to the university after an absence of one semester or longer need a GPA of at least 2.0 for Social Work approval.

The program doesn’t grant academic credit for prior life experiences. Students must maintain strict standards, with no more than three grades below a “C” in all courses, and grades below “D” aren’t accepted for credit.

Curriculum and Fieldwork

The B.A. in Social Work requires 120 total credit hours, split into:

• 42 hours of general education core curriculum
• 56 hours of social work major requirements
• 22 hours of other requirements

Students follow a well-laid-out “Curriculum Guide” that maps required course sequences through senior year. They must achieve a minimum GPA of 2.5 by the end of junior year to advance to senior-level coursework.

The program features a unique block system for senior year. Block I (fall semester only) has courses like Generalist Practice I, Field Instructions I, and Social Work Practice Research Evaluation. Block II (spring semester only) continues with Generalist Practice II, Field Instruction II, and Social Welfare Policy. Students need at least a “C” in Block I courses to move to Block II.

Field education gives hands-on experience through agency placements. Students complete Field Instructions I and II (4 credits each) with accompanying seminars. These placements help students blend classroom learning with ground practice while building professional networks.

Graduating seniors must take an exit examination. On top of that, social work majors with criminal backgrounds should complete a Criminal History Evaluation through the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners to learn about their eligibility for social work licensure.

4. Texas State University Online BSW Program

If you’re looking for flexibility while pursuing social work education, Texas State University offers an accredited online Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program. This program ranks among the best social work education options in Texas. The CSWE-accredited program allows you to earn professional licensure and access career opportunities nationwide without attending traditional campus-based classes.

Overview

Texas State’s online BSW program prepares you to practice generalist social work in settings of all types. The program features three distinct phases that ensure complete skill development throughout your educational trip. You become eligible for state social work licensure and qualify to pursue advanced graduate studies after graduation.

BSW graduates find employment opportunities in many practice fields, including:

• Child welfare and family services
• Healthcare and mental health facilities
• Educational institutions
• Criminal justice settings

The School of Social Work has managed to keep leadership in social work education since 1975. The school continues receiving recognition as one of the top programs nationwide. The online BSW curriculum helps you improve the well-being of individuals, families, and communities with integrity.

Admission Requirements

The online BSW program requires a formal application for admission to Phase II of the curriculum. You need:

• An overall GPA of at least 2.5
• Completion of most Phase I courses before Phase II begins
• Responses to essay and short answer questions

The web-based application process opens each Fall and Spring semester for admission in the following semester. You must clearly indicate your preference for the online cohort rather than on-campus options during application.

Students admitted to Phase II must attend a mandatory orientation before beginning the program. The written notification of admission includes information about orientation.

Curriculum and Fieldwork

Texas State’s online BSW program delivers coursework through the Canvas learning management system asynchronously. You don’t need to attend face-to-face instruction or scheduled meeting times. Faculty may include optional synchronous sessions for questions or discussions about specific course content in spite of that.

Field education forms the foundation of social work training and many call it the profession’s “signature pedagogy”. BSW students complete one block internship with 400 contact hours in a single semester. This requirement will change to 400 contact hours for admitted students starting Fall 2025.

Field education consists of two concurrent courses:

• SOWK 4374 (Field Seminar) – 3 credit hours
• SOWK 4975 (Field Internship/Placement) – 9 credit hours

You can complete Field Seminar (SOWK 4374) fully online, but the Field Internship/Placement (SOWK 4975) requires face-to-face participation at an approved social service agency. The Office of Field Education coordinates all placements, so you don’t need to secure your own internship. They place students in many states where social service agencies are available.

5. Prairie View A&M University BSW Program

Prairie View A&M University is one of the few fully accredited BSW programs at a Historically Black College/University in Texas. The program offers a distinctive approach to social work education with deep historical roots. Accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) since 1980, students learn through an Afrocentric viewpoint while preparing for professional generalist practice.

Program Overview

Students need 120 semester credit hours to complete the Bachelor of Social Work (BASW) at Prairie View. The complete program readies you for entry-level professional generalist social work and builds a solid foundation for advanced studies. Students learn skills in micro, mezzo, and macro-level practice that help them work with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.

PVAMU’s unique strength lies in its Africentric approach woven through the curriculum, guided by humanistic values. The program employs an autonomous social work practice model to create culturally competent practitioners who can address problems that affect African-American children, families, and males within community contexts. Graduates become ready to tackle social and economic justice issues at local, national, and international levels.

Admission Requirements

Students must complete the University Core Curriculum with 48 semester hours of coursework from approved general education areas. The program reviews candidates based on:

• Academic performance
• Professional demeanor and integrity in classroom settings
• Capability to meet field education requirements

The department supports three student organizations that boost your professional growth: the Social Work Action Club, Phi Alpha International Honor Society, and Alpha Delta Mu SW Honor Society.

Curriculum and Fieldwork

Liberal arts foundations support three essential skill areas:

• Advanced micro-level practice with individuals
• Advanced mezzo-level practice with families and small groups
• Advanced macro-level practice with organizations and communities

Field education serves as the substance of professional development. Students complete 400 hours of supervised experiential field instruction at community centers, mental health agencies, drug treatment facilities, and child welfare organizations. This hands-on experience helps students apply theoretical knowledge in ground settings.

Marketable skills gained include effective communication, interpersonal abilities, culturally competent practice, and expertise in referrals, assessment, and interventions. These skills open doors to many employment opportunities in hospitals, schools, residential treatment centers, and public welfare agencies throughout Houston and beyond.

6. University of St. Thomas Houston BSW Program

The St. Thomas Houston BSW program is essential to social work education in Texas. The program celebrates its 50th anniversary of preparing future social workers. Recent accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education in March 2024 (valid until 2032) paves the way for students who want to build careers in this fast-growing field.

Program Overview

St. Thomas’s social work education highlights how professionals promote health and wellbeing at individual, community, and societal levels. The program gives you the skills to become a licensed professional ready for direct practice with children, adults, groups and organizations. The job market looks promising. Employment growth will exceed 20% in the next decade—this is a big deal as it means more jobs than most other fields. Health care social work, mental health, and substance abuse social work lead the pack as the fastest-growing specializations.

Admission Requirements

Students declare their social work major at UST through the university’s OneStThomas intranet system. The process starts by selecting “Major and Minor Declaration Form” from the My Actions menu. Students who prefer paper forms can print directly from the BSW homepage and submit to the Office of Student Data and Registrar.

Students should seek advising early, especially those interested in a co-major degree, minor, or study abroad experience. Most students take social work courses before their formal admission to the major in spring of junior year.

Curriculum and Fieldwork

The BSW curriculum features 12 courses totaling 44 credits. Four supporting courses (16 credits) in psychology, sociology, and biology round out the program. Students gain detailed knowledge in social welfare policy, advocacy, community outreach, communication, interviewing, group work, case management, and research.

Field education shapes students into professionals. Social work majors complete two field placements—one during junior year and a 400-hour placement in senior year. These experiences are a great way to get hands-on practice under agency-based field instructors.

Graduates can start working immediately or enter an MSW program with “advanced standing” status, cutting a full year off graduate studies. High-performing juniors interested in clinical social work can fast-track their education through accelerated admission to St. Thomas’s MSW program.

7. Lamar University BSW Program

Lamar University is reputable with its nationally accredited Bachelor of Social Work program. Students learn to tackle personal and societal problems in multiple settings. This hands-on program is a chance to make a difference in social work in Houston TX.

Program Overview

The BSW program at Lamar uses a unique “person-in-environment” point of view. Students learn to address individual problems and change social conditions that lead to human suffering. The program goes beyond traditional classroom learning. Students get practical experience through volunteer work, simulation exercises, and field placements. The program helps you become skilled at working with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. After graduation, you can get your state license and start working right away.

Admission Requirements

Students need a 2.5 or higher overall GPA to start field practicum. They must also complete key prerequisite courses like Introduction to Social Work, Survey of Social Welfare, Human Behavior in Social Environment I and II, and Practice courses. The program needs you to complete 50 hours of volunteer work before placement. You’ll also need to pass a criminal history check during the application process.

Curriculum and Fieldwork

This complete curriculum needs 120 credit hours split between:

• 42 credit hours of general education core
• 51 credit hours in social work major
• 12 credit hours of departmental requirements
• 15 credit hours of electives

The program ends with a 400-hour field placement in your final semester. This gives you valuable hands-on experience. Some students might qualify for the Child Welfare Professional Development Project, which offers up to $5,000 during field placement. Core courses cover Social Welfare Policy, Promoting Social Justice, and Social Work Research Methods. The program equips you with skills to address urgent social issues and work in various practice settings effectively.

8. Stephen F. Austin State University BSW Program (Houston Extension)

Stephen F. Austin State University brings its respected Bachelor of Social Work program to Houston-area students who want professional social work education. Students benefit from a CSWE-accredited program that builds competent professionals through comprehensive coursework in generalist practice.

Program Overview

SFA’s BSW program began the mission to create skilled social workers dedicated to generalist practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. The program puts emphasis on:

• Meeting community needs and tackling poverty-related issues
• Supporting cultural diversity and social justice
• Building critical thinking and ethical practice skills
• Getting graduates ready for continuous professional growth

Houston’s state agencies, schools, medical facilities, and community organizations provide rewarding career paths to program graduates.

Admission Requirements

The program requires you to keep an overall GPA of 2.5 or higher and score a ‘C’ or better in prerequisite courses. You need to complete all core undergraduate curriculum requirements with just nine hours remaining. Transfer students can bring credits from other schools under SFA policies, but they must complete nine hours of practice methods courses and 15 hours of field practicum at SFA.

Curriculum and Fieldwork

Students need 47 hours of professional social work courses plus additional supportive discipline courses and electives. Field education is the foundation of professional development. Seniors spend 32 hours each week at community agencies under expert supervision. This 500-hour supervised fieldwork gives students a great way to get hands-on experience by applying theoretical knowledge to real-life situations. Students must maintain a 2.25 GPA and show professional conduct, personal integrity, and effective interpersonal skills during field instruction.

9. Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) Houston Campus BSW

OLLU’s historic Worden School of Social Service runs a distinguished BSW program at its Houston campus. This program makes social work education available to aspiring professionals. The school, now 80 years old, is the first social work school in Texas.

Program Overview

The Worden School maintains high standards in social work education with full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Cultural sensitivity plays a key role in the program, which particularly focuses on Hispanic children and families. Students can boost their credentials by earning specialized certificates in Violence Prevention and Intervention or a biliterate (English-Spanish) certificate with their BSW.

Admission Requirements

Program entry requires you to:

• Maintain an overall GPA of 2.0 or higher
• Achieve a social work GPA of 2.5 or higher
• Submit a signed Worden Student Code of Conduct Form
• Provide a personal statement
• Include one faculty letter of recommendation

Students begin formal admission processing after they complete six semester hours of social work courses at the Worden School.

Curriculum and Fieldwork

Field education is a vital component that requires 450 hours of supervised experience. Your practical training involves working with a field instructor and faculty liaison. You will complete an educational plan and document your learning activities in bi-weekly supervisory logs. The program aligns with the Council on Social Work Education framework and prepares you to take the licensure examination in Texas after graduation.

Next Steps

Your path to becoming a social worker in Houston starts with picking the right BSW program. Nine accredited programs share core values of professional ethics, hands-on experience, and detailed preparation for licensure. Each program brings its own strengths to the table.

BSW graduates can look forward to solid career prospects. Substance abuse counselors earn average annual salaries of $53,710, while social and community service managers make up to $77,030. These programs will give you the skills that work in healthcare, education, criminal justice, child welfare, and many other fields.

Field education is key to your social work training. Students typically complete 400-500 supervised hours. This hands-on experience lets you put classroom knowledge to work and build vital professional connections. Your coursework covers human behavior, social policy, research methods, and intervention strategies. This combination prepares you to make an immediate difference after graduation.

Programs usually ask for a minimum GPA of 2.5, specific prerequisite courses, and personal qualities that line up with social work values. CSWE accreditation will give a guarantee that your degree meets national quality standards and prepares you for the licensure exam.

Houston-area BSW programs offer different ways to earn your degree. You can choose campus-based or online learning, full-time or part-time study. These options help you join a profession that changes lives and tackles society’s biggest challenges. Finding the right program might seem daunting at first. Take time to think about each program’s strengths, location, curriculum focus, and support systems. This approach will lead you to the perfect match for your career goals