Texas · MSW programs by city
Best MSW Programs near Houston, TX (2026)
Last updated
Edited by Zoe MacDougall, BS in Psychology, MSW Student (Exp. Graduation 2028)
Houston, Texas (population 2,314,157) has 1 CSWE-accredited MSW program based in the city . 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 Houston, TX
Accredited programs with a campus in Houston, 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 Houston, TX
University of Houston
Houston, TX, TX · CSWE-accredited since 1970 · Online or On-Campus
8.4
2 concentrations ✓ Advanced Standing Online optionWhy it ranks here
University of Houston has held CSWE accreditation since 1970, 56 years of standing as of 2026. The MSW is offered both online and on campus (Houston, TX). It records 2 concentrations (Clinical or Direct Practice; Macro Social Work). An Advanced Standing track is available for qualified BSW holders. Students can enroll full-time or part-time. The program also offers 5 dual-degree options and 5 embedded certificates.
Concentrations
Clinical or Direct Practice, Macro Social Work
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 8.7
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 10.0
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 5.0
- Delivery format (18%) 8.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
Online MSW programs available in Houston, TX
Texas-based CSWE-accredited programs with an online option, which Houston, 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 Houston, TX in 2026?
Houston, Texas sits within the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area, the labor market that sets pay and demand for its social workers. Across specialties, the area employs roughly 8,500 social workers , and the best-paid specialty here is social workers, all other at a $82,610 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 | 2,660 | $71,900 | $46,400 – $100,490 |
| Mental health & substance abuse social workers | 1,160 | $48,880 | $35,980 – $85,420 |
| Child, family & school social workers | 4,080 | $56,670 | $42,600 – $74,860 |
| Social workers, all other | 600 | $82,610 | $36,950 – $134,450 |
| Social & community service managers (macro) | 2,730 | $76,780 | $49,800 – $127,970 |
How local pay compares
Child, family & school social workers around Houston, TX earn a median of $56,670 versus $55,680 statewide in Texas and $67,310 nationally. That is at or above the Texas median.
Where do social workers work in Houston, TX in 2026?
Houston, Texas sits in Harris County. Organizations in and around the city that commonly employ MSW-level social workers include:
- The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD, the local mental-health authority
- Texas Children’s Hospital and Houston Methodist
- Memorial Hermann Health System
- Houston Independent School District
- Harris County Resources for Children and Adults
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 Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX; employment projections from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Wages are annual medians.
What kind of social work license do I need in Houston, TX?
After an MSW from Houston, 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many CSWE-accredited MSW programs are in Houston, TX?
How much do social workers earn in Houston, TX?
Can I earn an MSW online from Houston, 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.
Last updated 2026-06-12. "Near" means a program campus within 60 straight-line miles of the city center.