Texas · MSW programs by city
Best MSW Programs near Plano, TX (2026)
Published · Last updated
Edited by Zoe MacDougall, BS in Psychology
Plano, Texas (population 290,190) has no MSW campus within city limits , with 4 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 Plano, TX
No CSWE-accredited MSW program currently lists a campus inside Plano, TX. See the nearby and online options below.
Best MSW programs near Plano, TX
Accredited programs whose nearest campus is within about 60 miles of Plano, TX, ranked by our five-factor model. Each card shows the campus city and straight-line distance from the city center.
- #1 Arlington · ~33 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 · ~39 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 · ~39 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
- #4 Denton · ~26 mi
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
Online MSW programs available in Plano, TX
Texas-based CSWE-accredited programs with an online option, which Plano, 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 Plano, TX in 2026?
Plano, 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 Plano, 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 Plano, TX in 2026?
Plano, Texas sits in Collin County. Organizations in and around the city that commonly employ MSW-level social workers include:
- LifePath Systems, Collin County’s mental-health authority
- Children’s Health Specialty Center Plano and Texas Health Presbyterian Plano
- Plano Independent School District
- Collin County Children’s Advocacy Center
- Collin County Health Care Services
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 Plano, TX?
After an MSW from Plano, 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.
Social work in Plano's affluent, corporate landscape
Plano is one of the most prosperous suburbs in Texas, home to corporate headquarters, master-planned neighborhoods, and a highly educated population. It is easy to assume affluence means fewer social needs, but that is rarely the truth. Wealthy communities still face addiction, family conflict, elder isolation, and mental-health crises, often quietly and with more stigma attached.
Social workers in Plano frequently work in private practice, employee-assistance settings, schools, and healthcare, meeting needs that can be hidden behind comfortable exteriors. The clinical path is especially relevant here. If therapy interests you, our explainer on whether you can be a therapist with an MSW is a useful starting point.
Multilingual social work in Plano's Asian-American community
Plano is home to one of the largest and most established Asian-American communities in Texas, and that shapes real demand for culturally responsive social work. Families may navigate generational differences, immigration histories, and mental-health stigma that make trusted, language-matched care especially valuable.
Social workers who understand these communities, or who speak a heritage language, are positioned to do work that few others can. This shows up in schools, in family services, and in clinical settings where cultural context changes how care is delivered. For students drawn to this work, cultural fluency is as much a professional credential as the degree itself. See how varied the field can be on our careers overview.
Older adult and family social work in Plano
As Plano's early residents age in place, services for older adults and their families have become a growing area of social work. Practitioners help with care transitions, caregiver support, cognitive decline, and the difficult conversations families face when an aging parent needs more help than a household can provide alone.
This work sits at the intersection of healthcare, mental health, and family systems, and it calls for patience and strong coordination skills. Roles range from hospital and hospice settings to community agencies and private practice. Many social workers pair this focus with clinical licensure over time. Explore how the healthcare social worker role connects to aging and family care.
School social work in Plano's high-performing districts
Plano's public schools are known for strong academic outcomes, but high-achieving environments carry their own pressures. School social workers here support students dealing with anxiety, competitive stress, family expectations, and the mental-health challenges that can hide beneath good grades. The work is quieter than crisis intervention, but no less important.
Because area districts are well resourced and family engagement runs high, school social work in Plano tends to be collaborative, involving parents, counselors, and outside providers. An MSW is the expected credential for advancement. If supporting students in a demanding academic setting appeals to you, read more about the school social worker path.
What healthcare social work looks like in Plano
Plano and its surrounding communities are served by a robust network of hospitals, specialty clinics, and outpatient care, and healthcare social workers are woven throughout. They handle discharge planning, connect patients to resources, support families through diagnoses, and help people manage chronic conditions over the long term.
In an affluent, aging suburb, much of this work touches older adults and complex family situations, which makes coordination and clear communication essential. Many graduates enter as an LMSW and pursue clinical licensure while gaining experience. To understand how Texas structures that progression, see our credentials page, and review typical earnings on our salary pages.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many CSWE-accredited MSW programs are in Plano, TX?
How much do social workers earn in Plano, TX?
Can I earn an MSW online from Plano, 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.