Dean's Welcome
Welcome from the Founding Dean
Welcome to the School of Social Work at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. I’m Luis Torres-Hostos, Founding Dean, and it’s a privilege to welcome you to a vibrant community of learners, scholars, and changemakers.
Located in the heart of South Texas, UTRGV is a public, research-intensive, and community-engaged university—and our School of Social Work embodies those values and commitments. We offer CSWE-accredited BSW and MSW programs, as well as a dual MSW-MPH in partnership with UTHealth Houston School of Public Health in Brownsville. Whether you choose to study in Edinburg, Brownsville, or Laredo—or online—you’ll find flexible pathways designed to meet your goals and serve our diverse communities.
Our faculty are deeply committed to research and teaching in areas that matter—social determinants of health, aging, child welfare, grief and trauma, school social work, and more. We’ve recently revamped our curricula to reflect the evolving landscape of health and social services in our region and nationally, and to align with the latest accreditation standards. Our MSW program now follows an Advanced Generalist model, preparing graduates to lead in both direct and macro practice.
What truly sets us apart is our people—our students, faculty, staff, and community partners—whose lived experiences, dedication, and excellence are making a real difference across the Rio Grande Valley and beyond.
We’re excited to have you explore our programs and join us in advancing health, social justice, and community well-being in all our communities.
Warm regards,
Luis R. Torres-Hostos, PhD
Founding Dean, School of Social Work