5 Top MSW Programs in Houston

Want to build a rewarding social work career in a city packed with opportunities? MSW programs in Houston connect you to a thriving job market where social workers earn $68,064 on average per year.

Social work positions in Texas will grow by 20% between 2023 and 2033. This is a big deal as it means that MSW programs in Houston Texas can boost your career growth. The region faces tough challenges – poverty rates are above 18% and one in five adults need mental health support they can’t access.

Houston’s reliable healthcare system makes your MSW degree more valuable. The city has four major nonprofit hospital systems—Houston Methodist, Memorial Hermann, Baylor St. Luke’s, and HCA Gulf Coast. These hospitals give you great clinical social work internship options. On top of that, major employers like Harris Health System, MD Anderson Cancer Center, and Texas Children’s Hospital actively seek MSW graduates.

New to the field? No problem. Entry-level social workers with less than one year of experience earn around $63,164 yearly. Let’s look at five outstanding MSW programs that can prepare you for this vital and growing profession.

1. University of Houston – Graduate College of Social Work

The Texas Legislature founded the University of Houston’s Graduate College of Social Work (GCSW) in 1967. Today it ranks among Houston’s premier MSW programs. The college shapes diverse leaders who tackle complex challenges to bring about social, racial, economic, and political justice through outstanding education, groundbreaking research, and community impact.

Program overview

The GCSW’s Master of Social Work (MSW) program equips students with skills to provide direct social services. The program has full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) since 1970.

Students pick from three enrollment options: Face-to-Face (full-time), Hybrid (part-time), or Online (part-time). The program structure became more efficient recently. The full program now needs 51 credit hours instead of 63, while Advanced Standing requires 34 credit hours instead of 38. This credit reduction, approved by The Office of the Provost and Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board in 2023, helps students save between $1,900 and $12,800 in tuition.

Students start with a distinctive 16-credit hour foundation that covers professional social work basics, human behavior, policy, practice, and research. They must finish these foundation courses before moving to advanced work. The program needs 900 total clock hours of practicum experience for the full program and 720 hours for Advanced Standing students.

MSW specializations

After completing foundation courses, students choose between two specialized practice areas:

1. Clinical Practice: Focuses on direct intervention with individuals, families, and groups
2. Macro Practice: Concentrates on organizational and community-level change

The GCSW also has several optional Focused Learning Opportunities (FLOs) that help students build expertise in specific areas:

• Trauma Education Program (TEP) – Provides specialized training in trauma-informed care
• Global Leaders of Behavioral Health Education (GLOBE) – Trains students to deliver behavioral health services to underrepresented populations
• Political Social Work – Readies students for systems-level change in organizational, community, and political arenas
• Mental Health Advanced Practice in Social Work (MHAPS) – Meets the growing need for mental health professionals
• Nonprofit Leadership Alliance (NLA) – Offers certification as Nonprofit Professionals
• Action Research – Builds capacity to create and share collaborative research

The GCSW makes shared career paths possible through dual degree programs that pair the MSW with other advanced degrees. Options include MSW/MBA with the C.T. Bauer College of Business, MSW/MPH with the University of Texas School of Public Health, MSW/JD with the University of Houston Law Center, and MSW/MPP with the Hobby School of Public Affairs.

Admission requirements

Candidates need several qualifications for unconditional admission to the MSW Program. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with strong liberal arts foundation comes first. They also need a grade point average of 3.0 or better (on a 4.0 scale) for all undergraduate and graduate coursework, or in the last 60 hours of coursework.

The application needs:

• 2-3 recommendations from people who can speak to your potential for graduate education
• A personal narrative statement describing your interest in social work and dedication to justice
• A resume showing educational background, social service agency experience, work history, and activities

Application deadlines vary by program type:

• January 1: Early Consideration (Advanced Standing Face-to-Face applicants only)
• February 1: All Face-to-Face applicants (including Advanced Standing)
• March 1: All Hybrid and Online applicants (including Advanced Standing)

Domestic applicants pay a $50 nonrefundable application fee while international applicants pay $80. The university waives application fees for current or former volunteers/employees of Teach for America, Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, and City Year, plus McNair Scholars and DACA recipients.

Tuition and financial aid

The MSW program’s 2025-2026 academic year tuition rates at the University of Houston are:

SCH = Semester Credit Hour

These rates combine tuition and incidental fees but exclude required fees like Student Services Fee, Extended Access Fee, Recreation and Wellness Center Fee, and UC Fee. Total costs change based on department, residence status, graduate level, and specific courses.

The GCSW provides various financial aid options. Their City Year partnership gives a minimum 25% annual tuition scholarship to up to two City Year applicants for the full-time, face-to-face MSW program, renewable for up to two years. Students must pay tuition bills by term due dates to complete registration.

Fieldwork opportunities

Students learn to apply nine competencies through real service delivery. They put classroom theory into practice, refine their skills, and examine their attitudes and values.

The GCSW partners with over 200 social service agencies in Greater Houston and beyond. These partnerships create learning and growth opportunities. Students work with field coordinators to find their placements.

Full program students complete two field practicums—420 hours in year one and 480 hours in year two, totaling 900 hours. Advanced Standing students complete 720 hours.

Qualified affiliated social workers provide practicum instruction with support from college clinical faculty. Students learn to analyze policy effects on programs and services, create research questions about practice efforts, and assess practice interventions during fieldwork.

Accreditation and career outcomes

The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) has fully accredited the University of Houston’s Graduate College of Social Work MSW program since 1970. This accreditation confirms the program meets national social work education standards.

Student feedback shows 67% find the program difficulty manageable, while 67% believe their degree is worth the investment. One student noted, “I have acquired an incredible amount of new information throughout my time in this program. Equity and inclusion are among the things I learned most about”.

The GCSW student body shows true diversity with 56% ethnic minorities, 20 languages spoken, and 42% bilingual or multilingual students. The college celebrated 251 MSW and 6 PhD graduates joining over 6,000 alumni in 2023.

Program graduates make real differences in their clients’ lives and help develop fair social policies while advocating for everyone. Social workers lead as the fastest growing and largest group of mental health professionals, providing 65% of direct mental health practice in the U.S. This positions graduates well for career success.

The college updates and publishes student learning outcome results against Council on Social Work Education competencies every two years. This commitment ensures excellent preparation for professional practice in today’s challenging social service environment.

2. Prairie View A&M University – Online MSW Program

Prairie View A&M University stands out among MSW programs in Houston Texas with its fully online clinical program. The program’s rich cultural heritage makes it unique. It’s the only MSW program at a Historically Black College/University (HBCU) in Texas that features an Africentric curriculum to tackle health disparities.

Program overview

The university’s Department of Social Work runs an online clinical Master of Social Work degree program. Students learn medical and behavioral health interventions. The program holds full Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accreditation, making it one of the few accredited degree programs at HBCUs in Texas. The program shines because it’s the only MSW program in Texas that trains students specifically in medical social work, among just three MSW programs focusing on healthcare social work.

Students need 56 semester credit hours in the Traditional Program and 33 semester credit hours in Advanced Standing. Traditional students follow a two-part curriculum: professional foundation in the first year and clinical concentration in the second. Students can choose between a two-year full-time or three-year part-time program.

Faculty members show dedication to teaching, research, and service excellence. Small faculty-to-student ratios create an ideal learning environment with top-notch customer service. Students also get personalized attention through mentoring and one-on-one advisement.

MSW specializations

Medical social work and behavioral health form the heart of Prairie View A&M’s MSW program. PVAMU’s Africentric curriculum teaches evidence-based interventions, research, and theory. This approach has earned it the #1 ranking among HBCU Social Work Programs in Texas.

Students develop skills in several therapeutic methods:

• Case management
• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Motivational interviewing
• Dialectical behavior therapy

Students learn clinical techniques and master rapport building, networking, self-awareness, and self-care. The program lets students embrace Africentric values of spirituality, interdependence, and collectivism. Students learn in an environment free from alienation, discrimination, and stereotyping – issues minority students often face at other institutions.

Admission requirements

Prairie View A&M MSW program has specific admission criteria. Traditional Program (Full-time or Part-time) candidates must have:

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college
• A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 (on a 4.0 scale)
• A completed introductory statistics course with a grade of C or better
• Strong background in liberal arts and behavioral sciences

Advanced Standing candidates need:

• A BSW degree from a CSWE-accredited social work program
• A minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in upper division coursework
• A final field practicum evaluation

Each applicant submits three recommendation letters from their academic major field or concentration area. They also write a 1000-word statement about their academic goals and professional interests. The department head and dean review materials and make recommendations. The Graduate School sends formal acceptance notifications.

Tuition and financial aid

Prairie View A&M University’s annual costs for graduate students break down like this:

These costs cover tuition, fees, housing, meals, books, loan fees, transportation, and other expenses. PVAMU helps students through loans, scholarships, and assistantships. Students can apply for the PV Opportunity Graduate Student Scholarship based on merit and need. Full-time students can also get Graduate Teaching and Non-Teaching Assistantships through various schools and colleges.

Fieldwork opportunities

Students apply nine core competencies through ground service delivery. They use classroom theory, sharpen their skills, and grow professionally.

Traditional Program students complete 950 clock hours of internship. Advanced Standing Program students finish 500 clock hours. Students learn how social policies shape services, develop research questions, and test different interventions.

PVAMU’s School of Social Work partners with many social service agencies locally and nationally. Qualified social workers and university clinical faculty guide students during field education.

Accreditation and career outcomes

The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) has accredited Prairie View A&M University’s Social Work Program since 1980. This ensures high-quality social work education and professional preparation.

MSW graduates can pursue the prestigious Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) designation. PVAMU graduates work worldwide in professional social work agencies and human services.

Medical social work careers, which the program focuses on, rank among the highest-paid in the field. Texas medical social workers earn between $50,000 and $90,000 annually. The field shows strong growth with 5,764 medical social work openings and 12,387 behavioral health positions in Texas as of March 2022.

3. Texas Southern University – School of Public Affairs

The Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs at Texas Southern University is a hub for leadership development and academic excellence among MSW programs in Houston. This institution honors Barbara Jordan and Mickey Leland’s legacies through innovative programs that tackle critical societal challenges and encourage dedication to public service and community involvement.

Program overview

The Department of Social Work sits at Texas Southern University’s social work education heart and offers a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work. The department prepares diverse students for ethical generalist social work practice that builds on strengths, promotes resilience, and uses the person-in-environment framework. Note that the program builds on a liberal arts foundation with four main areas:

• Professional social work practice
• Evidence-based assessment and intervention with at-risk populations
• Service to African Americans and other people of color
• Advocacy for system and policy changes that promote human rights and social justice

The Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs wants to become nationally and internationally recognized. The school creates an intellectually challenging educational environment that supports inquiry, scholarly production, ethical behavior, and social growth.

MSW specializations

Texas Southern University runs a comprehensive Bachelor of Arts in Social Work program with Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accreditation. The undergraduate program lays strong groundwork for future graduate studies in social work, even though TSU doesn’t currently offer an MSW degree program. Students learn skills that relate to nine Core Competencies defined in the 2015 CSWE Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards.

The undergraduate program specializes in preparing students with an Africentric point of view that addresses underserved populations’ unique needs. Students learn to work with inter- and intra-disciplinary teams to create micro, mezzo, and macro-level change.

Admission requirements

Texas Southern University’s Graduate School has specific requirements for degree applicants. You need an undergraduate GPA of 2.5 or better, or 3.0 on the last 60 hours of coursework. Some programs need GRE (General) or GMAT for Business programs, with scores valid within five years of your application date.

The application process requires:

1. Three letters of recommendation
2. Current resume or curriculum vitae
3. Personal essay (300-500 words)
4. Application fee of USD 75.00
5. Official transcripts sent directly to TSU from previous institutions

International students must also submit an affidavit of support, transcript evaluation, and TOEFL score of 79 or IELTS (iBT) score of 6.0 if not from an English-speaking country.

Texas Southern University tuition and financial aid

Texas Southern University’s estimated costs for undergraduate students in 2025-2026 might help you understand graduate studies expenses:

Fieldwork opportunities

Fieldwork plays a vital role in Texas Southern University’s social work education. Students in the undergraduate program need extensive field practicum experience to develop and integrate their professional skills. The curriculum helps students understand at-risk and underserved populations’ unique needs.

Texas Children’s Hospital offers field placement opportunities for social work students in Houston. Their Social Work department welcomes graduate-level social work students for second-year placements with at least 500 practicum hours. Students get exceptional experience working with patients and families from various socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds.

Accreditation and career outcomes

The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) fully accredits Texas Southern University’s Bachelor of Arts in Social Work program. Social work’s purpose, values, and ethics shape the entire curriculum.

Students can join professional organizations to build leadership and organizational skills. These include the Social Work Student Organization, National Association of Black Social Workers – Student Chapter, and Phi Alpha Honor Society for Social Work Students. Members work on community projects, attend conferences, join career development workshops, and take part in legislative processes.

Program graduates can work in social service agencies or pursue advanced social work degrees. The field offers many opportunities in medical social work, child welfare, mental health, and community development.

4. Baylor University – Houston Hybrid MSW Program

Baylor University’s Diana R. Garland School of Social Work stands out among MSW programs in Houston. The program blends academic excellence with ethical foundations to help students tackle complex social challenges in a Research 1 and Christian setting.

Program overview

Baylor’s Master of Social Work lets students choose paths that fit their needs without cutting corners on quality. Students can pick between:

• Standard Program (58 credit hours) – perfect for students who hold bachelor’s degrees in other fields
• Advanced Standing Program (30 credit hours) – tailored for students with BSW degrees from CSWE-accredited programs

Students can enroll full-time (9+ hours) or part-time (up to 9 hours). The online MSW program gives you four ways to finish: a quick 16-month accelerated option, a two-year track, a longer 2-year-8-month option, or a flexible 3-year-4-month path.

MSW specializations

The program features two unique specializations:

1. Clinical Practice – Students learn advanced social work skills they’ll need in clinical and mental health settings. They work with various teams and develop expertise in counseling, therapy, and helping individuals, families, and groups.
2. Community Practice – This track prepares students to work with public/nonprofit organizations, communities, congregations, and faith-based agencies. Students learn to build better human resource systems, create green environments, and develop fair policies.

Each specialization comes with specific courses and hands-on internships that match students’ career goals.

Admission requirements

Students need a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution to apply. The application package should include:

• A completed MSW application
• $45 application fee
• Three recommendation letters (standard program needs 2 professional, 1 academic)
• Official transcripts from previous schools
• Essays about social work, advocacy, and society’s challenges

Students might transfer some credits from other CSWE-accredited MSW programs, depending on when they earned them.

Tuition and financial aid

The Waco campus MSW program costs $875 per credit hour. Online MSW students pay $1,100 per credit hour. Here’s what you’ll pay in total:

The Garland School helps make education more affordable. Campus students can get tuition discounts (5-15%), scholarships, and graduate assistant positions. Every student should fill out the FAFSA (code: 003545) to see what federal aid they can get.

Fieldwork opportunities

Hands-on experience shapes students’ education at Baylor’s MSW program. Students put their classroom knowledge to work in real-life settings. The program requires:

• BSW and MSW Foundation students: 240 hours each semester/term (480 total)
• MSW Advanced students: 550 hours across two semesters/terms

Students work in hospitals, schools, non-profits, mental health centers, adoption agencies, treatment centers, and other settings. Most students spend 18-20 hours each week at their placement during regular business hours.

Accreditation and career outcomes

The Council on Social Work Education fully accredits both Baylor’s Bachelor and Master of Social Work programs. Graduates can become Licensed Master Social Workers or Licensed Clinical Social Workers.

Students learn skills, theories, and models to help clients and communities with complex social justice issues. MSW graduates typically earn 40% more than those with just bachelor’s degrees.

5. University of Houston-Clear Lake – MSW Program

The University of Houston-Clear Lake (UHCL) stands out among MSW programs in Houston, Texas. The university prepares skilled social work professionals through its undergraduate program that builds a strong foundation for graduate studies. Their integrated approach focuses on practical experience and professional development.

Program overview

UHCL’s Social Work undergraduate program equips students for professional practice and advanced studies. Students become eligible to take the Licensed Social Worker exam after graduation, which enhances their employment prospects. The program teaches students to work with oppressed populations who face discrimination based on race, gender identity, age, or disability.

MSW specializations

UHCL students can build careers in several specialized areas. These include adoption/foster care, criminal justice, disabilities services, immigrant services, healthcare, social policy, nonprofit organizations, schools, senior care, substance use treatment, and veterans’ affairs. The program develops respect for diversity through its applied learning environment.

Admission requirements

UHCL’s graduate program application deadlines vary by semester. New degree-seeking students must apply by August 1 for fall, January 5 for spring, and May 1 for summer. The university hosts virtual Q&A sessions several times each week where prospective students can learn more about the programs.

Tuition and financial aid

Graduate students at UHCL can expect these annual costs:

Students can access financial support through the Hawk Scholars Scholarship for new residential graduate students. UHCL alumni pursuing graduate studies can receive $1,000 through the Higher-Up Scholarship.

Fieldwork opportunities

UHCL’s Graduate Internship Program combines academic experiences with community work. Students connect classroom knowledge with field practices while developing analytical skills. They can conduct research, teach, or complete organizational internships under professional supervision.

Accreditation and career outcomes

The Council on Social Work Education accredits UHCL’s Bachelor of Social Work program. UHCL graduates have built successful careers at prestigious organizations. NASA employs more than 100 alumni, while others work at Memorial Hermann and HCA Healthcare. Graduates also become engineers, CEOs, physicians, artists, and teachers. The university’s Center for Career Development helps students with résumés, interview preparation, and job fairs.

Start Your Houston MSW Today

Your future success as a social worker in Houston starts with picking the right MSW program. Five institutions offer different advantages that line up with various career goals and personal needs. Houston has options to match what matters most to you – whether that’s flexible scheduling, specialized clinical training, Africentric views, faith-based learning, or hands-on fieldwork.

MSW graduates in Houston face bright career prospects. Social work positions across Texas will grow by 20%, and entry-level professionals earn above-average salaries starting at $63,000. This field gives both financial rewards and personal satisfaction. Houston’s resilient healthcare network creates many clinical opportunities for graduates who want to help communities facing major challenges.

These programs give you practical skills through extensive fieldwork. You get real-world training while building professional connections that often lead to jobs after graduation. Most programs have strong ties with major healthcare systems, social service agencies, and community organizations in the region.

Each program has its own admission requirements and costs, but they all lead to licensure and career growth. Of course, financial aid helps make these programs available at different tuition rates. Your MSW education investment typically pays off through better career opportunities and higher earning potential.

Houston’s mix of people and social challenges creates a perfect learning environment for future social workers. These MSW programs help you develop specialized skills to tackle complex issues like poverty, mental health needs, healthcare access, and social justice. Your choice to pursue an MSW in Houston sets you up for career success and meaningful work that strengthens Texas’s communities.