University of Texas at Arlington Online MSW Programs
The School of Social Work at the University of Texas at Arlington offers a fully online Master of Social Work (MSW) program — one of the oldest MSW programs in Texas, receiving its initial CSWE accreditation in 1970, the same year it graduated its first class. The program is consistently ranked among the nation’s best, and UTA has offered it online for more than a decade.
The online program is delivered in an asynchronous format, allowing students to complete coursework on their own schedule from wherever they live. The same faculty who teach on-campus classes also teach the online sections, and the online MSW degree is identical to the on-campus degree.
Learn More: Interview with Dr. Jane C. Hickerson – Assistant Dean of Field Education at UT Arlington
“We use our history and experience to build an online program of the highest quality.” Read more from Dr. Jane C. Hickerson’s interview
Sponsored Online MSW Programs
UTA’s MSW program has two entry points: a Traditional Standing program for students without a qualifying BSW (or BSW graduates who don’t meet Advanced Standing criteria), and an Advanced Standing program for qualifying BSW graduates. Both are available fully online. The program is open to Texas residents, U.S. military personnel and their dependents, and — through the Distance Learning Out-of-State Online (formerly NRODE) program — students from all 50 states and select U.S. territories. Out-of-state online students are charged a rate equivalent to Texas resident tuition plus $20 per credit hour, which UTA notes can represent savings of 40–50% compared to typical out-of-state rates.
UTA offers five specialty areas: Direct Practice in Mental Health & Substance Abuse; Direct Practice in Aging; Direct Practice with Children & Families; Direct Practice in Health; and Macro-Practice: Community and Administrative Practice. Four of the five specialties are available online. Students can pursue the degree on a full-time or part-time basis.
UTA’s School of Social Work MSW program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The university is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Program Overview:
Department: School of Social Work
Degree Types: Traditional Standing; Advanced Standing
Specialties (choose one):
- Direct Practice in Mental Health & Substance Abuse
- Direct Practice in Aging
- Direct Practice with Children & Families
- Direct Practice in Health
- Macro-Practice: Community and Administrative Practice
(Four of five specialties are available in the fully online format.)
Program Structure: 100% online with local field practicum placements (no campus visits required)
Instruction Methods: Asynchronous; full-time or part-time pacing available; cohort model
Out-of-State Eligibility: Students from all 50 states, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands are eligible to apply via the Distance Learning Out-of-State Online program. U.S. Armed Forces military personnel, U.S. Public Health Service Corps members, U.S. Department of Defense civilian employees, and their dependents are also eligible, regardless of location. International students from select countries may apply (contact the admissions office for details).
Social Work Licensure: Graduates of UTA’s CSWE-accredited MSW program are eligible to apply for social work licensure in all 50 states, Washington D.C., the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Canadian provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, and Manitoba. Students are responsible for confirming any state-specific requirements with their state licensing board prior to enrollment.
Contact Information:
- Website: University of Texas at Arlington’s School of Social Work
- Phone Number: (817) 272-1044
Program Information – Traditional Standing Students
The Traditional Standing program is for applicants with a bachelor’s degree in any field (including BSW graduates who do not qualify for Advanced Standing). Students complete both the Foundation Year and Specialty Year. Over 65% of UTA’s MSW students are Traditional Standing non-BSW graduates.
Program Requirements
- Field Education Requirements: Two practicum internship placements (one Foundation-year, one Specialty-year). Students have access to more than 400 partner agencies and organizations for placements.
- Number of Credits Required: 61 credit hours
Program Length
- Full-time or part-time pacing available
- Start Dates: Fall, Spring, and Summer (no application deadlines; rolling admissions — applying by UTA’s priority date is recommended for scholarship eligibility)
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution in any field
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 in approximately the last 60 credit hours of undergraduate university-level work for Quick Admissions (if GPA is below 3.0, Probationary Admissions process applies — see below)
- Official or unofficial transcripts from all higher education institutions attended (official transcripts required before enrolling)
- GRE: Not required (strong scores may be considered positively for probationary applicants)
- English proficiency (for non-native English speakers): TOEFL minimum 550 paper / 213 computer / 79 iBT (with sectional minimums: Writing 22, Speaking 21, Reading 20, Listening 16); IELTS minimum 6.5; Duolingo minimum 100
Program Information – Advanced Standing Students
The Advanced Standing program is for qualifying BSW graduates. Advanced Standing waives the Foundation Year coursework, allowing students to complete the MSW in approximately one year by completing only the Specialty Year.
To qualify for Advanced Standing, applicants must have: earned a BSW from a CSWE-accredited institution in or after 2010 (prior to starting MSW coursework); met the 3.0 GPA Quick Admissions standard; and earned a grade of B or higher in all required undergraduate social work courses.
BSW graduates who do not meet Advanced Standing criteria are admitted as Traditional Standing students and complete the full 61-credit program.
Program Requirements
- Field Education Requirements: One Specialty-year practicum internship placement
- Number of Credits Required: 38 credit hours
Program Length
- Approximately 1 year (Specialty Year only)
- Start Dates: Advanced Standing students typically begin in Summer
- Full-time or part-time pacing available
Admission Requirements
- Same two-step application process as Traditional Standing
- BSW from a CSWE-accredited institution earned in or after 2010 (prior to beginning MSW coursework)
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 in approximately the last 60 credit hours
- Grade of B or higher in all required undergraduate social work courses
- Official or unofficial transcripts from all higher education institutions attended
- GRE: Not required
- English proficiency: same requirements as Traditional Standing (for non-native English speakers)
University of Texas at Arlington’s MSW program information was last updated in March 2026. For more information, visit the university’s website above.
If you have additional information about this program, email us at contactus@onlinemswprograms.com.