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About SSW

The School of Social Work offers programs leading to the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree and the Masters of Social Work (MSW) degree. Both programs are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Practicum Education is an important component of each program. The BSW Program prepares students for generalist social work practice.

Building on the generalist foundation, students will learn different areas to help understand and develop their interestes and career goals - these include: Practice with Children and Families (Title IV-E), Mental Health, Gerontology, Leadership & Social Change (Macro Practice), School Social Work, Medical Social Work, Global Social Work

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Mission

The School of Social Work is committed to preparing generalist and advanced professional social workers to meet the needs of a bi-national and multicultural community. The educational emphasis is on social work practice with Latinos considering multicultural competence, ethical practice, knowledge building, and social services that promote social and economic justice.

Dean's Information

Dr. Luis Torres-Hostos

Founding Dean for School of Social Work

Phone: (956) 665-3575

Email: Luis.TorresHostos@utrgv.edu

Location: RGV

Found Dean Dr. Luis Torres-Hostos

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

Accreditation

The School of Social Work at UTRGV is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education-Commission on Accreditation (CSWE-COA). CSWE-COA voted to reaffirm the accreditation of the program for 8 years which ends in February 2031