Advanced Practice Leadership (M.S.W.)
M.S.W. Advanced Practice Leadership
Program Overview
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.
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 M.S.W. curriculum integrates both direct practice and administrative courses. The M.S.W. online option can be completed on a full- or part-time basis. However, the on-campus cohort is full-time only. Core faculty teach 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 | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Degree M.S.W. | Program For Non-B.S.W. Holders (Foundation/Regular) | Hours 62 | Thesis Option Non-Thesis | Minor Option No minor | Location San Marcos/Online |
Degree M.S.W. | Program For B.S.W. Holders (Advanced) | Hours 36 | Thesis Option Non-Thesis | Minor Option No minor | Location San Marcos/Online |
Online Availability
This program is offered completely online. If you are not a Texas resident and will not relocate, please visit the Office of Online and Extended Programs. 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.
Program Details
The School of Social Work has been a leader in social work education since 1975. The master of social work (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.
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, veteran's affairs, and criminal justice. Alumni also fill a range of leadership positions in different agency-based settings, such as clinical practice, program development or administration.
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
Contact us for general questions about your application, funding opportunities, and more. If you have specific questions after reviewing the program details, contact the program's graduate advisor.
Graduate Advisor
Dr. Chelsey Wooten
mswprogram@txstate.edu
512.245.2592
Encino Hall (ENC), Room 150
Advisor Support
Elizabeth Ramos
er10@txstate.edu
512.245.2592
Encino Hall (ENC), Room 150A
M.S.W. Questions
MSWProgram@txstate.edu
Apply Now Already know that Texas State is right for you?
Application Deadlines
| Deadlines | U.S. Citizen | International |
|---|---|---|
Deadlines Fall - Priority | U.S. Citizen January 15 | International January 15 |
Deadlines Fall - Standard | U.S. Citizen March 15 | International March 15 |
This program's deadline is firm. This type of deadline means the application and other application requirements must be submitted by the program's specified deadline day.
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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. |
Admission 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.
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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.
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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 complete their application (including submission of their official Peace Corps description of service) by the priority deadline to have their application fee(s) reimbursed.
- $55 nonrefundable application fee
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Transcripts & GPA
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 (Non-U.S. degrees must be equivalent to a four-year U.S. Bachelor’s degree. In most cases, three-year degrees are not considered. Visit our International FAQs for more information.)
- a copy of an official transcript from each institution where course credit was granted
- a 2.9 overall GPA or 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
- a 2.9 overall GPA or 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.
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Test Scores
GRE
- GRE not required
Approved English Proficiency Exam Scores
Applicants are required to submit an approved English proficiency exam score that meets 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
- official Duolingo scores required with a 110 overall
- official TOEFL Essentials scores required with an 8.5 overall
This program does not offer admission if the scores above are not met.
Review important information about official test scores.
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Documents & Other Requirements
- departmental application
- resume/CV (maximum two pages)
- statement of purpose addressing the following:
- Please describe your motivation for pursuing a Master of Social Work degree including how your academic history and experiences have prepared you for graduate school.
- Describe the responsibility a social work professional has to ethical standards, social justice, advocacy and cultural awareness.
- Discuss how you will contribute to the field of social work, either through evidence-based practice, research participation, or exploration of practice modalities and how your contribution in these areas will distinguish you from other applicants.
- 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.