Master of
Social Work
Prepare to lead, serve and create change
Master of Social Work
The Master of Social Work (MSW) program at Texas A&M University–Central Texas prepares students for advanced social work practice and leadership in human services, health care, behavioral health, protective services, and community-based organizations.
Through this program, students develop the knowledge, practical skills, and professional judgment needed to work with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. In addition, the curriculum emphasizes ethical practice, respect for humanity and community well-being, research-informed decision-making, and the responsibility to recognize and challenge oppressive practices
To accommodate different educational backgrounds, the program offers both a traditional 60-credit-hour pathway and a 30-credit-hour Advanced Standing pathway for eligible students who hold an accredited Bachelor of Social Work degree.
MSW — Quick Facts
- Degree type: Master of Social Work
- Area of specialization: Advanced generalist practice
- Traditional pathway: 60 semester credit hours
- Advanced Standing pathway: 30 semester credit hours
- Format: Full-time and part-time
- Field education: Included throughout the curriculum
- Program cost: Standard tuition and fees for the Advanced Standing pathway (30 hours) is $10,076; for the traditional pathway (60 hours) $20,152, based on 9 hours per long semester. Some additional course fees may apply.
- Offered Online: The degree is primarily online with only field instruction classes being offered face-to-face
What is an Advanced Generalist MSW?
An advanced generalist Master of Social Work prepares graduates to address complex needs at multiple levels of practice. Rather than concentrating exclusively on one population or type of service, advanced generalist social workers learn to work across individual, family, group, organizational and community settings.
At A&M–Central Texas, students build skills in areas including:
- Individual and family practice
- Group social work
- Organizational and community practice
- Social work leadership
- Supervision and administration
- Program and practice evaluation
- Culturally grounded social work
- Social welfare policy
- Research methods and analysis
- Field-based professional practice
Who should pursue this MSW?
The program is designed for people who want to become advanced social work practitioners, organizational leaders, or licensed social workers. It is particularly well suited for students interested in serving urban or rural communities through human-service organizations, health care systems, behavioral health programs, protective services, public agencies, or nonprofit organizations.
Additionally, you do not need a bachelor’s degree in social work to enter the traditional MSW pathway. Applicants with bachelor’s degrees in other disciplines may complete the full 60-credit-hour program.
Choose your MSW pathway
Traditional MSW pathway: 60 credit hours
The traditional pathway is intended for students who do not hold a Bachelor of Social Work from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education or an approved equivalent.
Students begin with a 30-credit-hour generalist curriculum before completing 30 credit hours of specialized advanced generalist study.
Advanced Standing MSW pathway: 30 credit hours
Students who hold a Bachelor of Social Work from a CSWE-accredited program or an approved equivalent may be eligible for Advanced Standing. Eligible students complete the final 30 credit hours of the MSW curriculum.
Advanced Standing applicants must receive regular admission. Students admitted conditionally are not eligible for full Advanced Standing status.
What will you learn in the MSW program?
The curriculum combines social work theory, research, ethics, leadership, and supervised field education. As a result, students learn to assess needs, develop interventions, evaluate results, and lead within organizations and communities.
Through this comprehensive preparation, graduates will be prepared to:
- Apply social work ethics and professional standards
- Practice effectively with individuals, families and group
- Work with organizations and communities
- Understand the social, economic and environmental forces affecting well-being
- Use research and evidence to inform professional decisions
- Evaluate programs, services and practice outcomes
- Lead and supervise within social-service organizations
- Work respectfully across cultures, identities and communities
- Recognize and respond to systemic barriers and oppressive practices
What can you do with a Master of Social Work?
An MSW can prepare graduates for advanced practice and leadership opportunities in settings such as:
- Behavioral and mental health organizations
- Hospitals and health care systems
- Child and family service agencies
- Protective service organizations
- Community and nonprofit organizations
- Government and public-service agencies
- Schools and educational settings
- Social-service administration
- Program development and evaluation
- Community advocacy and outreach
Job requirements vary by position and employer. Some clinical and professional roles require state licensure, supervised experience or additional credentials.
Social Work Licensure
The MSW curriculum is intended to prepare graduates for professional social work practice and the pursuit of social work licensure. However, licensure requirements are established by state regulatory agencies and may include education, supervised practice, examinations, and other requirements.
Therefore, prospective students should verify current licensing requirements with the state in which they intend to practice. In addition, completion of the degree alone does not automatically grant a professional license.
Affordable MS in Social Work
Standard tuition and fees for the Advanced Standing pathway (30 hours) is $10,076; for the traditional pathway (60 hours) $20,152, based on 9 hours per long semester. Some additional course fees may apply. Find out more using our tuition calculator.
Additional Program Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Program Contact
Dr. Michael Daley, Ph.D. LMSW-AP, ACSW
Department: Humanities
Regents Professor of Social Work and MSW Program Director
Office/Room: Warrior Hall-420F
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