Texas · BSW programs by city
Best BSW Programs near Fort Worth, TX (2026)
Published · Last updated
Edited by Zoe MacDougall, BS in Psychology
Fort Worth, Texas (population 978,468) has 2 CSWE-accredited BSW programs based in the city , with 5 more accredited programs within about 60 miles. 6 Texas programs also offer an online option. Every program below is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the requirement for baccalaureate social work education and for Advanced Standing admission to an MSW.
Studying for a BSW in Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth gives BSW students the resources of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex with a distinct, more affordable community of its own. The city anchors the western metroplex with its own public hospital, children’s health system, and county mental-health authority, so students are not simply training in Dallas’s shadow.
For a baccalaureate student, that means field placements and entry-level jobs across healthcare, child welfare, behavioral health, and a strong nonprofit sector, with many more programs and agencies a short drive away in Arlington, Denton, and Dallas. Bilingual Spanish-speaking graduates are in steady demand.
Fort Worth hosts CSWE-accredited BSW programs at Texas Christian University and Tarleton State University, and the University of Texas at Arlington’s large program is just minutes east, giving students a deep regional network.
Best BSW programs in Fort Worth, TX
Accredited programs with a campus in Fort Worth, 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 Fort Worth, TX
Texas Christian University
Fort Worth, TX, TX · CSWE-accredited since 1977 · On-Campus
8.1
On-campus Full or part-time 2 certificates Carnegie R2Why it ranks here
Texas Christian University has held CSWE accreditation since 1977, 49 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Fort Worth, TX). Students can enroll full-time or part-time. It records 2 embedded certificates (Gender Studies, Other) and 1 dual-degree option. Its home institution holds a Carnegie R2 classification for high research activity.
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (40%) 9.8
- Delivery flexibility (22%) 4.0
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (15%) 7.5
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
- Program breadth (11%) 8.5
- #2 In Fort Worth, TX
Tarleton State University
Bryan, TX, TX · CSWE-accredited since 1980 · On-Campus
7.9
On-campus Full or part-time Carnegie R2Why it ranks here
Tarleton State University has held CSWE accreditation since 1980, 46 years of standing as of 2026. The program is offered on 4 approved campuses (Bryan, TX; Fort Worth, TX; Stephenville, TX; and more). Students can enroll full-time or part-time. Its home institution holds a Carnegie R2 classification for high research activity.
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (40%) 9.4
- Delivery flexibility (22%) 7.0
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (15%) 7.5
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
- Program breadth (11%) 3.0
Best BSW programs near Fort Worth, TX
Accredited programs whose nearest campus is within about 60 miles of Fort Worth, TX, ranked by our five-factor model. Each card shows the campus city and straight-line distance from the city center.
- #1 Arlington · ~14 mi
University of Texas at Arlington
Arlington, TX, TX · CSWE-accredited since 1982 · Online or On-Campus
8.4
Online option Full or part-time 1 certificate Carnegie R1Why it ranks here
University of Texas at Arlington has held CSWE accreditation since 1982, 44 years of standing as of 2026. The Bachelor of Social Work is offered both online and on campus (Arlington, TX). Students can enroll full-time or part-time. It records 1 embedded certificate (Diversity Studies). Its home institution holds a Carnegie R1 classification for very high research activity.
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (40%) 9.0
- Delivery flexibility (22%) 7.0
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (15%) 10.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
- Program breadth (11%) 5.0
- #2 Denton · ~32 mi
Texas Woman's University
Denton, TX, TX · CSWE-accredited since 1974 · On-Campus
7.8
On-campus Full or part-time 1 certificate Carnegie R2Why it ranks here
Texas Woman's University has held CSWE accreditation since 1974, 52 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Denton, TX). Students can enroll full-time or part-time. It records 1 embedded certificate (Administration or Management). Its home institution holds a Carnegie R2 classification for high research activity.
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (40%) 10.0
- Delivery flexibility (22%) 4.0
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (15%) 7.5
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
- Program breadth (11%) 5.0
- #3 Denton · ~32 mi
University of North Texas
Denton, TX, TX · CSWE-accredited since 1975 · On-Campus
7.7
On-campus Full-time 1 certificate Carnegie R1Why it ranks here
University of North Texas has held CSWE accreditation since 1975, 51 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Denton, TX). The program runs on a full-time plan of study. It records 1 embedded certificate (Trauma). Its home institution holds a Carnegie R1 classification for very high research activity.
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (40%) 10.0
- Delivery flexibility (22%) 4.0
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (15%) 10.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 6.0
- Program breadth (11%) 5.0
- #4 Dallas · ~34 mi
East Texas A&M University
Commerce, TX, TX · CSWE-accredited since 1978 · On-Campus
7.4
On-campus Full-time 1 certificate Carnegie R2Why it ranks here
East Texas A&M University has held CSWE accreditation since 1978, 48 years of standing as of 2026. The program is offered on 2 approved campuses (Commerce, TX; Dallas, TX). The program runs on a full-time plan of study. It records 1 embedded certificate (Management). Its home institution holds a Carnegie R2 classification for high research activity.
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (40%) 9.7
- Delivery flexibility (22%) 5.0
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (15%) 7.5
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 6.0
- Program breadth (11%) 5.0
- #5 Waxahachie · ~40 mi
Nelson University
Waxahachie, TX, TX · CSWE-accredited since 2018 · Online or On-Campus
5.1
Online option Full or part-timeWhy it ranks here
Nelson University has held CSWE accreditation since 2018, 8 years of standing as of 2026. The Bachelors of Social Work is offered both online and on campus (Waxahachie, TX). Students can enroll full-time or part-time.
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (40%) 3.3
- Delivery flexibility (22%) 7.0
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (15%) 5.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
- Program breadth (11%) 3.0
Online BSW programs available in Fort Worth, TX
Texas-based CSWE-accredited programs with an online option, which Fort Worth, TX residents can complete from home. See the full online BSW ranking for national options.
| Institution | Accredited | Format | Natl. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Our Lady of the Lake University | 1974 | Online or On-Campus | #10 |
| University of Texas at Arlington | 1982 | Online or On-Campus | #30 |
| Texas State University | 1978 | Online or On-Campus | #38 |
| Abilene Christian University | 1982 | Online or On-Campus | #65 |
| Angelo State University | 2010 | Online or On-Campus | #409 |
| Nelson University | 2018 | Online or On-Campus | #462 |
What can you earn with a BSW in Fort Worth, TX in 2026?
Fort Worth, Texas sits within the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX metro area, the labor market that sets pay and demand for its social-service workforce. Across the social-work specialties, the area employs roughly 10,460 social workers , and child, family, and school social workers, the most common BSW-level specialty, earn a $57,080 median. Figures are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program (May 2025).
| Occupation | Employed | Median wage | Typical range (10th–90th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child, family & school social workers | 4,480 | $57,080 | $40,650 – $75,970 |
| Social & human service assistants (entry-level) | 4,140 | $46,850 | $31,530 – $61,310 |
| 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 |
| 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 Fort Worth, TX earn a median of $57,080 versus $55,680 statewide in Texas and $59,550 nationally. That is at or above the Texas median.
Where do social workers work in Fort Worth, TX in 2026?
Fort Worth anchors the western side of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex with its own distinct set of employers. My Health My Resources of Tarrant County (MHMR) is the local mental-health authority, and JPS Health Network, the county public hospital, along with Cook Children’s Health Care System and Texas Health Resources, employs medical, pediatric, and behavioral-health social workers.
Tarrant County government, the Fort Worth Independent School District, and the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services anchor child-welfare, school, and human-services roles. Nonprofits including Catholic Charities Fort Worth, ACH Child and Family Services, and The Parenting Center hire BSW graduates into case-management and family-support positions.
Fort Worth, Texas sits in Tarrant County. Representative organizations in and around the city that commonly employ social workers and BSW-level human-service staff include:
- My Health My Resources of Tarrant County (MHMR), the local mental-health authority
- Cook Children’s Health Care System and JPS Health Network
- Texas Health Resources
- Fort Worth Independent School District
- Catholic Charities Fort Worth and ACH Child and Family Services
- Tarrant County government and the Texas Department of Family and Protective 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 7% from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations, driven by demand in healthcare and mental-health settings. Social and human service assistant roles, a common BSW entry point, are projected to grow alongside them. See pay by role in our salary 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 for all workers in each occupation; BLS does not break pay out by degree, and BSW-level roles typically fall toward the lower end of each range.
Who do social workers serve in Fort Worth, TX?
Fort Worth social workers serve a fast-growing and diverse population, including substantial Latino and immigrant communities where bilingual skills are an asset. Growth across Tarrant County has increased need around housing, healthcare access, and family services.
Children and families are a central focus, anchored by Cook Children’s Health Care System and a strong child-welfare presence, and behavioral-health need is met by MHMR of Tarrant County and JPS Health Network. Homelessness and veterans services add further demand across the metro.
What are the social work field placements and experience in Fort Worth, TX?
CSWE’s 400-hour field requirement is readily met in Fort Worth, where Cook Children’s, JPS Health Network, MHMR of Tarrant County, school districts, and nonprofits all host BSW interns, with additional sites a short drive away across the metroplex.
Texas Christian University, Tarleton State University, and the nearby University of Texas at Arlington maintain field partnerships across Tarrant County, and placements frequently lead into first jobs and supervised LBSW experience.
Can I work in micro social work in Fort Worth, TX?
Micro social work, direct practice with individuals and families, is where most Fort Worth BSW graduates begin. Micro roles include pediatric and hospital case management, child-welfare casework, benefits and resource navigation, and behavioral-health support, and Cook Children’s, JPS Health Network, MHMR, and the state’s child-protection system hire heavily for this one-on-one work.
A BSW, and the Texas LBSW that follows it, is the standard qualification for non-clinical micro roles. Clinical micro practice, meaning therapy and diagnosis, requires a master’s and the LMSW or LCSW, so BSW-level work in Fort Worth focuses on support, coordination, and connecting families to care.
Can I work with children and families with a BSW in Fort Worth, TX?
Yes, and it is one of Fort Worth’s strongest fields for BSW graduates. Cook Children’s Health Care System, ACH Child and Family Services, and the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services all hire bachelor’s-level staff for child- and family-focused roles, from hospital case management to child-welfare casework.
BSW graduates work as caseworkers, family-support specialists, and case managers, supporting children and families through health, safety, and stability needs. The work offers early responsibility and a direct route to LBSW licensure and, later, an MSW for clinical or supervisory positions.
How can I advance from a BSW in Fort Worth, TX?
Fort Worth offers clear ladders out of entry-level work. With a BSW and the Texas LBSW, graduates can move from frontline case management into program coordination and specialist roles, and the metroplex’s large healthcare and nonprofit employers create openings as people gain experience.
The biggest step up, into clinical practice or program leadership, runs through an MSW, since Texas reserves the LCSW for master’s-prepared social workers. Texas Christian University, the University of Texas at Arlington, and other metroplex schools offer Advanced Standing MSW options, and many local employers help staff pursue them while working.
Can I get a Social Work license with a BSW in Fort Worth, Texas?
Licensing data from the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB), the body that develops the social work licensing exams, captured 2026.
Texas licenses social workers at the bachelor level, so a CSWE-accredited BSW is the degree requirement for an entry-level license here. That makes program accreditation, the basis of our ranking, a direct licensing prerequisite.
| License | Name | Exam | CSWE BSW required |
|---|---|---|---|
| LBSW | Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker | ASWB Bachelors exam | Yes |
The license ladder continues to the master's level (LMSW, LMSW-AP), and the clinical, independent-practice level (LCSW). A CSWE-accredited BSW also qualifies graduates for Advanced Standing admission to a master's program.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many CSWE-accredited BSW programs are in Fort Worth, TX?
How much do social workers earn in Fort Worth, TX?
Can I earn a BSW online from Fort Worth, TX?
Do I need a license to work with a BSW in Texas?
BSW 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).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS (May 2025) for metro wages; ASWB regulatory database for Texas license requirements.
Published 2026-06-29; last updated 2026-07-24. "Near" means a program campus within 60 straight-line miles of the city center.