Master of Science in Social Work Online - Direct Practice with Latino Individuals, Families and Groups (Advance Standing)

The UTRGV MS in Social Work (MSSW) – Direct Practice teaches evidence-based practices for working with at-risk populations with a focus on applicability to the Latino community.

Ranked #1 for Most Affordable Online Masters in Social Work by Eduref.net (2020)
Ranked #6 for Best Online Master of Social Work Programs by socialworkdegreeguide.com (2020)
Ranked #32 for Best Online Master’s in Social Work by Intelligent.com (2020)
Ranked #1 for Most Affordable Online Master's in Social Work Programs by Socialworklicensure.org (2019)
Ranked #2 for Best Online Master's in Social Work by Bestcolleges.com (2018).

 

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About the Program

The School of Social Work is committed to preparing entry-level generalist (BSWs) and advanced professional social workers (MSSWs) to meet the needs of a bi-national and multicultural community. The program has two concentrations: Direct Practice with Latino Individuals, Families and Groups, and Administration and Community Practice. The program emphasizes multicultural awareness, professional competence, ethical practice, knowledge building acquisition, and social services that promote social and economic justice in a bi-national environment.

Program Goals and Objectives

The UTRGV MS in Social Work – Direct Practice teaches evidence-based practices for working with at-risk populations with a focus on applicability to the Latino community.

Deepen your knowledge of advanced social work practice with individuals, families and groups, including the therapeutic process, empowerment and strength perspectives, and clinical strategies for change.

Learn to apply evidence-based family therapy practice models for working with populations-at-risk, as well as critique family practice models with respect to their efficacy for work with Latinos.

In this program, you will:

  • Learn to develop treatment plans, establish therapeutic relationships, and apply intervention strategies
  • Understand how challenges such as discrimination and oppression limit the opportunities of minority, at risk, and disenfranchised groups; develop strategies for intervention and change.
  • Gain real-world experience applying intervention strategies with a 500-hour practicum in a field setting of your choice.

Potential job opportunities include:

  • family/children’s social services agency
  • working in mental health programs
  • working in health services organizations
  • working in substance abuse treatment centers

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Courses

This course prepares students for effective professional intervention in a diverse world, and provides an understanding of how discrimination and oppression operate to limit the life opportunities of members of minority, vulnerable, at risk, and disenfranchised groups. A conceptual framework for understanding diversity, discrimination and oppression is presented and used to understand discrimination based on factors such as race, ethnicity, social class, gender, and sexual orientation. Selected theoretical perspectives are used to critically analyze the manifestations of discrimination and oppression and their impact on affected populations. Social world’s responses to discrimination and inequality, including strategies for intervention, are also examined.
This course, which is the first of two family practice courses, focuses on theories and evidence-based practice models for working with populations-at-risk. Family practice models are critiqued with respect to their efficacy for work with Latinos. The course builds on a generalist foundation which includes a theoretical framework for working with families.
This course is taken concurrently with the concentration internship (SOCW 6375 or SOCW 6975) and focuses on the application of evidence-based family practice models with populations-at-risk. This entails formulating family assessments, developing treatment plans, establishing therapeutic relationships, applying intervention strategies and evaluating outcomes using relevant family therapy approaches that can also be adapted for work with couples and individual clients.
Social work practice implications of the characteristics of the Latino population of the Southwest. The course will analyze distinctive practice in engagement, communication, and service with Latino clients, differential modalities and helping processes for clinical and macro practice with this population.
This course examines diverse ways to assess mental health functioning with an emphasis on understanding, analyzing and assessing mental disorders and formulating treatment plans according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (latest edition). Attention is given to the significance of gender, race and ethnicity, age, sexual orientation and culture in assessing mental health and mental disorders. Assessment models are analyzed in terms of their consideration of biological, psychological, social, cultural and spiritual aspects of human behavior. Coping strategies, adaptation and resiliency are addressed in the assessment process and a strengths-based perspective is used in formulating treatment plans. Attention is also given to the role of psychopharmacology in treatment. Criticisms and debates regarding the DSM are addressed.
This course provides advanced skills in policy formulation, analysis, evaluation, advocacy, social marketing, lobbying, international development policy, and social action mobilization.
This course focuses on knowledge and skills needed for advanced clinical social work practice with individual clients. Emphasis is given to the therapeutic process, empowerment and strengths perspectives, and clinical strategies for change. A variety of therapeutic models are examined with attention given to their efficacy for work with Latinos and vulnerable and at-risk populations.
Emphasis is on the use of group dynamics and techniques to treat mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders, conditions and addictions.
This practicum course requires completion of 250 clock hours in an approved field setting which prepares interns for family focused practice with Latino individuals and families.
This practicum course requires completion of 250 clock hours in an approved field setting which prepares interns for family focused practice with Latino individuals and families.
Examination of current policies of government-sponsored child welfare programs and current issues in the service delivery aspect of practice with cases of child abuse and neglect.
This course examines perspectives on human well-being within diverse spiritual and religious traditions; models of spiritual development; the role of spirituality and religion in fostering well-being or contributing to the oppression of diverse, at risk, and vulnerable populations; and values and ethics for spiritually sensitive practice. Tools for spiritual assessment and spiritually-based interventions are explored.
Examination of special topics in social work practice.

Calendar - Next Module

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Tuition & Financial Aid

UT Rio Grande Valley's 100% online accelerated graduate programs offer affordable tuition, and financial aid is available for those who qualify.

Total Program Cost

Per Credit Hour

Per 3-Credit-Course

*We estimate that tuition and fees will total no more than the rates shown above; however, rates are subject to change.

Scholarships

For more information on our Graduate Scholarships, please visit our Scholarships page.

Financial Aid

UTRGV is an equal opportunity institution in the administration of its financial aid programs. In keeping with this policy, financial aid is extended to students without regard to race, creed, sex, national origin, veteran status, religion, age or disability. For additional information regarding funding please visit our Financial Aid for Accelerated Online Programs page.

Additional Fees

No Application Fee
Graduation Fee: $50


Admissions

Please review all the admission requirements for the Master of Science in Social Work Online - Direct Practice with Latino Individuals, Families and Groups (Advance Standing) degree program. For specific questions or more details, contact an enrollment specialist at 1-833-887-4842.

Admissions Criteria

Online Application

Submit your application online.

Official Transcript

Submit transcripts from all colleges/universities

GPA

3.0 (on a 4.0 scale)

References

3 References from Professional or Academic sources