Texas · MSW programs by city
Best MSW Programs near Denton, TX (2026)
Published · Last updated
Edited by Zoe MacDougall, BS in Psychology
Denton, Texas (population 158,349) has 1 CSWE-accredited MSW program based in the city , with 3 more accredited programs within about 60 miles. 15 Texas programs also offer an online option. Every program below is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the requirement for Texas licensure.
Best MSW programs in Denton, TX
Accredited programs with a campus in Denton, TX, ranked by our five-factor model. National and online rank badges appear only for programs in the top 25 (nationally, or among online programs).
- #1 In Denton, TX
University of North Texas
Denton, TX, TX · CSWE-accredited since 2017 · On-Campus
4.8
1 concentration ✓ Advanced Standing On-campusWhy it ranks here
University of North Texas has held CSWE accreditation since 2017, 9 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Denton, TX). It records 1 concentration (Advanced Generalist). An Advanced Standing track is available for qualified BSW holders. Students can enroll full-time or part-time.
Concentrations
Advanced Generalist
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 3.1
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 4.7
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 5.0
- Delivery format (18%) 4.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
Best MSW programs near Denton, TX
Accredited programs whose nearest campus is within about 60 miles of Denton, TX, ranked by our five-factor model. Each card shows the campus city and straight-line distance from the city center.
- #1 Arlington · ~36 mi National #20 Online #20
University of Texas at Arlington
Arlington, TX, TX · CSWE-accredited since 1970 · Online or On-Campus
9.1
5 concentrations ✓ Advanced Standing Online option Carnegie R1Why it ranks here
University of Texas at Arlington has held CSWE accreditation since 1970, 56 years of standing as of 2026. The MSW is offered both online and on campus (Arlington, TX). It records 5 concentrations (Children, Youth, and Families; Healthcare; Management or Administration; and more). An Advanced Standing track is available for qualified BSW holders. Students can enroll full-time or part-time. The program also offers 6 dual-degree options and 4 embedded certificates. Its home institution holds a Carnegie R1 classification for very high research activity.
Concentrations
Children, Youth, and Families, Healthcare, Management or Administration, Mental Health, Aging and Gerontological Practice
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 8.7
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 10.0
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 10.0
- Delivery format (18%) 7.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
- #2 Fort Worth · ~32 mi
Tarleton State University
Stephenville, TX, TX · CSWE-accredited since 2016 · On-Campus
5.8
1 concentration ✓ Advanced Standing On-campus Carnegie R2Why it ranks here
Tarleton State University has held CSWE accreditation since 2016, 10 years of standing as of 2026. The program is offered on 3 approved campuses (Stephenville, TX; Waco, TX; Ft. Worth, TX). It records 1 concentration (Integrated Practice). An Advanced Standing track is available for qualified BSW holders. Students can enroll full-time or part-time. Its home institution holds a Carnegie R2 classification for high research activity.
Concentrations
Integrated Practice
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 3.2
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 4.7
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 7.5
- Delivery format (18%) 7.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
- #3 Fort Worth · ~32 mi
Texas Christian University
Fort Worth, TX, TX · CSWE-accredited since 2012 · On-Campus
5.5
1 concentration ✓ Advanced Standing On-campus Carnegie R2Why it ranks here
Texas Christian University has held CSWE accreditation since 2012, 14 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Fort Worth, TX). It records 1 concentration (Advanced Generalist). An Advanced Standing track is available for qualified BSW holders. The program runs on a full-time plan of study. The program also offers 1 dual-degree option and 2 embedded certificates. Its home institution holds a Carnegie R2 classification for high research activity.
Concentrations
Advanced Generalist
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 3.7
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 7.3
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 7.5
- Delivery format (18%) 4.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 6.0
Online MSW programs available in Denton, TX
Texas-based CSWE-accredited programs with an online option, which Denton, TX residents can complete from home. See the full online MSW ranking for national options.
| Institution | Accredited | Adv. Standing | Natl. |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Texas at Arlington | 1970 | Yes | #20 |
| University of Houston | 1970 | Yes | #51 |
| Our Lady of the Lake University | 1945 | Yes | #82 |
| University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley | 2002 | Yes | #108 |
| Baylor University | 2001 | Yes | #117 |
| Abilene Christian University | 2007 | Yes | #141 |
| Texas State University | 1997 | Yes | #146 |
| Stephen F. Austin State University | 1998 | Yes | #155 |
| East Texas A&M University | 2001 | Yes | #198 |
| Angelo State University | 2019 | Yes | #223 |
| University of Texas at El Paso | 2010 | Yes | #237 |
| Texas Tech University | 2015 | Yes | #263 |
| Texas Woman's University | 2017 | Yes | #274 |
| Prairie View A&M University | 2021 | Yes | #280 |
| West Texas A&M University | 2010 | Yes | #297 |
How much do social workers make in Denton, TX in 2026?
Denton, Texas sits within the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX metro area, the labor market that sets pay and demand for its social workers. Across specialties, the area employs roughly 10,460 social workers , and the best-paid specialty here is social workers, all other at a $98,670 median. Figures are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program (May 2025).
| Occupation | Employed | Median wage | Typical range (10th–90th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare social workers | 2,630 | $75,930 | $45,440 – $100,110 |
| Mental health & substance abuse social workers | 2,720 | $47,390 | $37,440 – $72,500 |
| Child, family & school social workers | 4,480 | $57,080 | $40,650 – $75,970 |
| Social workers, all other | 630 | $98,670 | $47,790 – $149,240 |
| Social & community service managers (macro) | 3,390 | $80,480 | $51,710 – $128,690 |
How local pay compares
Child, family & school social workers around Denton, TX earn a median of $57,080 versus $55,680 statewide in Texas and $67,310 nationally. That is at or above the Texas median.
Where do social workers work in Denton, TX in 2026?
Denton, Texas sits in Denton County. Organizations in and around the city that commonly employ MSW-level social workers include:
- Denton County MHMR Center, the local mental-health authority
- Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Denton
- Denton Independent School District
- CASA of Denton County
- University of North Texas
Representative local employers known to operate in the area; illustrative, not an exhaustive or BLS-sourced list.
Nationally, BLS projects social worker employment to grow 6% from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations, driven by demand in healthcare and mental-health settings. Macro roles such as social and community service managers are projected to grow alongside them. See pay by role in our career guides.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025) for Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX; employment projections from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Wages are annual medians.
What kind of social work license do I need in Denton, TX?
After an MSW from Denton, TX or anywhere, these are the Texas social work licenses, per ASWB. A CSWE-accredited degree is required for each.
| License | Education | Supervised hours | Exam |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW) | Bachelor of Social Work | 3000 hours | Bachelors |
| Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) | Doctorate of Social Work or Master of Social Work | 3000 hours | Clinical |
| Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) | Doctorate of Social Work or Master of Social Work | 3000 hours | Masters |
| Licensed Master Social Worker-Advanced Practice (LMSW-AP) | Doctorate of Social Work or Master of Social Work | — | Advanced Generalist |
Source: ASWB social work licensure database. Verify current requirements with the Texas state board before applying.
Denton as a two-university college town north of the metro
Denton is defined by its universities. Two large campuses sit at the heart of the city, filling it with students, faculty, and the energy that comes with a young population. That academic center of gravity gives Denton a culture distinct from the suburbs to its south, more independent, more creative, and more focused on the needs of young adults.
For social work students, a college town offers a supportive environment and abundant field-placement possibilities tied to campus and community life. It also keeps costs more manageable than the pricier parts of the metro. If you are comparing programs statewide, start with our Texas MSW rankings to see where Denton fits.
Young adult and student mental health social work in Denton
With two universities anchoring the city, Denton has an unusually large population of young adults, and their mental-health needs shape much of the local demand for social workers. Anxiety, depression, substance use, and the pressures of the college years all show up in campus counseling centers and community clinics alike.
Social workers who understand this stage of life, the transitions, the independence, the identity questions, find meaningful work here. Many pursue clinical licensure to provide therapy directly. If that path interests you, our guide on whether you can be a therapist with an MSW explains how counseling fits into a social work career.
Youth social work in Denton's arts community
Denton is known across Texas for its music and arts scene, a reputation built on its schools, its venues, and a creative community that draws young people from all over. That vibrancy is part of the city's identity, and it shapes the kind of youth-focused social work that thrives here.
Social workers connect with young people through schools, arts programs, and community organizations, using creativity and connection as pathways to support. The work often centers on belonging, self-expression, and mental health for teens and young adults still finding their footing. For those drawn to youth practice, explore the child and family social worker role and how it plays out in a creative city like this one.
Social work careers on the northern edge of DFW
Denton sits at the top of the metroplex, close enough to plug into the metro job market yet distinct enough to keep its own pace. For MSW graduates, that position offers the best of both. You can build a career rooted in Denton's community while still reaching the broad range of employers that make the DFW region such a deep market for social workers.
Many graduates commute toward the metro for specialized roles in hospitals or clinical settings, then return to a smaller, friendlier city at day's end. Others build their whole careers locally. Either way, the northern-edge location keeps your options open. Our careers overview lays out the range of paths available.
How affordable is it to earn an MSW in Denton?
Compared with the pricier corners of the metro, Denton is a relatively affordable place to be a graduate student. Housing tends to run lower than in the closer-in suburbs, and a college town's economy is built around students, which helps stretch a limited budget during your studies.
Affordability matters because social work salaries, while rewarding, are modest early in a career. Keeping living costs down while you earn your MSW leaves you less dependent on loans and more free to choose mission-driven work afterward. Weigh the long-run tradeoffs using our salary pages, and consider an online MSW if flexibility helps you keep working while you study.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many CSWE-accredited MSW programs are in Denton, TX?
How much do social workers earn in Denton, TX?
Can I earn an MSW online from Denton, TX?
What license do MSW graduates need in Texas?
MSW programs in other Texas cities
Sources
- CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs for program accreditation, campuses, and structure.
- U.S. Census Bureau 2023 Gazetteer (city coordinates) and Population Estimates Program (population).
- ASWB social work licensure database for Texas license requirements.
Published 2026-06-12; last updated 2026-06-23. "Near" means a program campus within 60 straight-line miles of the city center.