Upon successful degree completion, an MSW graduate is eligible to become a Licensed
Master Social Worker (LMSW), one of the most highly recognized professional titles
in health and human services. Students can pursue their licensure by meeting state
requirements, including passing an examination approved by the Association of Social
Work Boards (ASWB). Social workers who complete two years of post-graduate supervision
may take the examination to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).
An MSW degree opens a broad range of career options for graduates. Direct service
careers in child welfare, mental health, community practice, schools, aging, medical
practice, clinical work, advocacy, and many others are all available to MSW graduates.
Additionally, many management and administrative positions in public and private non-profit
agencies are filled with MSW graduates.
The UNT MSW Program’s Mission is to prepare effective advanced generalist social workers for ethical practice and
leadership across settings and to promote human and community well-being in rapidly
changing environments. The program is dedicated to preparing graduates to apply evidence-informed
knowledge, skills and values as they address complex issues and problems, while promoting
social and economic justice with those who are vulnerable and oppressed. With a global
perspective of our interdependent world, graduates will practice and promote respect
for human diversity and the advancement of human rights to benefit the quality of
life for individuals, groups, families, organizations and communities.
If you completed a BSW degree within the last five years and meet the program requirements,
you are eligible to apply to the Advanced Standing program. Advanced Standing students
may earn their MSW in one year.
As long as you have a degree from an accredited university and meet the program requirements,
you are eligible to apply to the two-year Traditional Program.
Program duration is determined by student status. There are two types of students
admitted to the UNT Master of Social Work Program. Students on the Advanced Standing
degree plan complete the program in one year. Students on the Traditional degree plan
complete the program in two years.
We have two extended degree plans allowing students to take courses over additional
semesters. The advanced standing program includes an extended option which will take
three semesters to complete. The traditional program includes an extended option which
will take six semesters to complete. The degree plans can be viewed on our website.
Yes, the minimum GPA is 3.0 for the last 60 hours of coursework.
No GRE or GMAT is required to apply for admission.
Applicants can learn more about the application process to the UNT MSW Program here.
Please email untmswprogram@unt.edu for more information on the MSW program, as well as questions and concerns. Applicants
can also visit our website to learn more about the program and how to apply.
Prospective transfer students must first apply to the UNT MSW program here and be admitted before a determination will be made on graduate credit hours that
may be accepted. We only review transfer credits from other CSWE accredited programs.
This means applicants with graduate credit hours outside of social work will not be
able to transfer credits into the program. Practice courses, Field Practicum courses,
and Field Seminar courses from another institution will not be accepted.
MSW courses taken at another institution will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis
and subject to approval before they can be transferred into the MSW program. Transfer
credits are limited in accordance with graduate school guidelines up to 9 credit hours.
Admission to the MSW Program does not guarantee approval of transfer credits.
Prior to admission to the program:
- Applicants must contact the institution they are transferring from to request a letter
of recommendation from the MSW Program Director or Chair to be sent to socialwork@unt.edu.
- Applicants requesting to transfer into the UNT MSW program must provide this letter
prior to the application deadline or they will not be considered for admission.
Once admitted into the program, applicants requesting transfer credit must send an
email to socialwork@unt.edu with the following attachments:
- A letter of request to the MSW Program Director that identifies the course(s) for
which the transfer credit is requested,
- A copy of the official catalog of the university where the course was taken,
- A copy of the course syllabus,
- An official transcript showing the grade earned (Only grade of B or higher will be
considered)
Is it possible to receive credit based on work or life experience?
No credit, including course work or field practicum hours, is granted for life experience
or work experience. Students must complete the full curriculum and all practicum requirements
in order to graduate from the program.
Licensure is acquired by successfully completing a CSWE accredited educational program
and passing an examination for licensure. Information about applying for the licensure
examination can be obtained at the Texas State Board of Social Work Examiners website.
Effective Sept. 1, 2017, HB 1508 created new laws that require entities providing
educational programs leading to an occupational license to notify all applicants and
enrollees of the implications of having a felony conviction, which may make them ineligible
to obtain a license upon program completion. The law requires that this information
be provided to all persons who are enrolled or applying to a teaching program without
regard to whether or not the person has been convicted of a criminal offense.
The cost of our programs varies based on a number of factors (e.g., in state vs. out
of state, full-time vs. part-time, academic year, etc.). Please visit the UNT Tuition
Estimator to input your status and estimate your tuition plan. For more information
on financial aid resources, please go to the UNT Financial Aid & Scholarships webpage.
In addition to conventional coursework, students on the Traditional Degree Plan complete
two full-time field practicum placements. Students on the Advanced Standing Degree
Plan complete one full-time practicum placement. Field practicum requires approximately
30-35 hours per week in an agency setting. Each practicum will be in one semester,
face to face, and during regular business hours (Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.). Students
completing the Traditional Degree Plan will need to complete 400 hours their first
year and 500 hours their second year in the program. Students completing the Advanced
Standing Degree Plan will need to complete 500 hours for their field practicum during
their last semester in the program.
The University of North Texas Social Work Master’s Program accepts applications for
fall and spring cohorts. We are now accepting applications for the Fall 2026 cohort for our advanced standing
and traditional standing programs. The application deadline is Feb. 1, 2026. You
can learn how to apply to our program here by reviewing the graduate admission process.
University of North Texas 
