Social Work Advanced Practice Leadership for Foundation and Advanced Students
The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited advanced practice leadership curriculum covers a wide variety of practice fields and settings. The program focuses on providing direct practice and administrative services to diverse individuals and families across the lifespan. Program options include on-campus full-time, online full-time or part-time, and regular or advanced standing.
Students prepare for advanced-level leadership integrating practice and administration skills, particularly with diverse populations receiving public services.
Contact The Graduate College for general questions about getting started with your application, funding your degree and more.
If you have program-specific questions after reviewing the program details, we encourage you contact the following:
Graduate Advisor
Dr. Raphael Travis
rtravis@txstate.edu
512.245.2592
Encino Hall (ENC), Room 150A
M.S.W. Questions
MSWProgram@txstate.edu
Advisor Support
Elizabeth Ramos
er10@txstate.edu
512.245.2592
Encino Hall (ENC), Room 150A
“My passion for social work is not merely a job description but more of a calling that is both personally enriching and professionally rewarding.ˮ
– Jose de Jesus Garcia-Cuellar, M.S.W. ’14, Licensed Master Social Worker, Bilingual Counselor, Lifeworks
Course Work
Students who hold a bachelor of social work (B.S.W.) degree from a CSWE-accredited university apply for advanced standing and enroll directly in the advanced year. Non-B.S.W. degree holders apply for regular standing and enroll in the two-year program, starting with the foundation year. The advanced practice leadership curriculum integrates both direct practice and administrative courses. The master of social work (M.S.W.) online option can be completed on a full- or part-time basis. The on-campus cohort is full-time only. Core faculty teaches most graduate courses, especially at the advanced level. Students have some flexibility to engage in specialized study through electives and their internship, which entails intensive M.S.W.-supervised agency-based practice. Graduates are eligible for state licensure exams and have a very high passing rate.
| Degree | Program | Hours | Thesis Option | Minor Option |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M.S.W. | On Campus for Non-B.S.W. Holders (Foundation/Regular) | 62 | Non-Thesis | No minor |
| M.S.W. | Online for Non-B.S.W. Holders (Foundation/Regular)* | 62 | Non-Thesis | No minor |
| M.S.W. | On Campus for B.S.W. Holders (Advanced) | 36 | Non-Thesis | No minor |
| M.S.W. | Online for B.S.W. Holders (Advanced)* | 36 | Non-Thesis | No minor |
| *Online Availability The online program is offered completely online. If you are not a Texas resident and will not relocate, please visit the Office of Distance and Extended Learning. International applicants will not be eligible to receive a Form I-20 or DS-2019 for an F-1 or J-1 visa from Texas State and may review the eligibility requirements of enrolling in online programs and contact the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) with questions. |
The School of Social Work has been a leader in social work education since 1975. The M.S.W. online program consistently receives recognition as a top program nationwide.
Program Mission
The School of Social Work at Texas State University prepares culturally responsive, advocacy-focused, ethical social workers who are prepared to serve as leaders for positive change. It advances the purpose of social work, which is to promote personal and organizational well-being and to build a more just society. The Advanced Practice Leadership curriculum allows students to integrate direct [practice] and administrative course work in order to train ethical, effective social workers. The program celebrates their distinguished alumni, who are recognized social work leaders at the state, national and global levels.
Program Faculty
The diverse faculty are well-regarded scholars who actively combine teaching, research, and service in their respective fields of practice. Faculty members are deeply committed to maintaining a student-centered orientation while engaging in research that supports the School of Social Work’s mission of instilling in students a professional value for evidence-based, advanced-level practice. As a result, M.S.W. students encounter many opportunities to collaborate with faculty on research projects.
Career Options
M.S.W. graduates are employed across Texas, the U.S., and the world in a variety of practice fields, including child welfare, healthcare, behavioral mental health, education, and criminal justice. Alumni also fill a range of leadership positions in different agency-based settings, such as clinical practice, program development, or administration. The university’s location in the Austin-San Antonio corridor provides a range of opportunities for on-campus students.
Application Process
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Application Deadline This program has a firm deadline. |
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Funding Information The deadlines to apply for certain types of funding may be earlier than the standard deadline, including returned Peace Corps Volunteers applying for the Paul D. Coverdell Fellowship. |
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Decision Timeline This program reviews applications on a firm basis. |
Application Requirements
The items required for admission consideration are listed below. Additional information for applicants with international credentials can be found on our international web pages.
Application
- completed online application
Review important information about the online application.
Returned Peace Corps Volunteers applying for the Coverdell Fellowship should check "yes" to the "Coverdell Applicant" question in the application.
Application Fee
- $55 nonrefundable application fee
OR - $90 nonrefundable application fee for applications with international credentials
Review important information about application fees.
Returned Peace Corps Volunteers applying for the Coverdell Fellowship should upload their official Peace Corps description of service to waive the application fee(s).
Transcripts & GPA for B.S.W. Holders (Advanced Applicants)
- baccalaureate degree in social work (B.S.W.) with regional and CSWE (Council on Social Work Education) accreditations, earned within the last ten years
- a copy of an official transcript from each institution where course credit was granted
- minimum 2.9 GPA in your last 60 hours of undergraduate course work (plus any completed graduate courses)
- minimum 2.9 GPA in the last two full academic years of study
- minimum 2.9 GPA in all undergraduate social work courses
Review important information about transcripts. Official transcripts, sent directly from your institution, will be required if admission is granted.
Transcripts & GPA for Non-B.S.W. Holders (Foundation/Regular Applicants)
- baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university
- a copy of an official transcript from each institution where course credit was granted
- minimum 2.9 GPA in your last 60 hours of undergraduate course work (plus any completed graduate courses)
Review important information about transcripts. Official transcripts, sent directly from your institution, will be required if admission is granted.
GRE Scores
- GRE not required
Documents & Other Requirements
- departmental application
- resume/CV (maximum two pages)
- statement of purpose
- interview
Returned Peace Corps Volunteers applying for the Coverdell Fellowship should submit the following:
- departmental application
- official Peace Corps description of service
- resume/CV (list Peace Corps Volunteer work) (maximum two pages)
- statement of purpose (explicitly mention Peace Corps Volunteer work)
- interview
Review important information about documents.
TOEFL, PTE, or IELTS Scores
Applicants are required to submit TOEFL, PTE, or IELTS scores that meet the minimum program requirements below unless they have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or the equivalent from a country on our exempt countries list.
- official TOEFL iBT scores required with a 78 overall
- official PTE scores required with a 52 overall
- official IELTS (academic) scores required with a 6.5 overall and
- minimum individual module scores of 6.0
This program does not offer admission if the scores above are not met.
Review important information about official test scores.