About Us

The School of Social Work offers programs leading to the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree and the Masters of Science in Social Work (MSSW) degree. Both programs are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Field Education is an important component of each program. The BSW Program prepares students for generalist social work practice. Building on the generalist foundation, the MSSW program focuses on two concentrations:

  • Direct Practice with Latino Individuals, Families, and Groups, and
  • Community Practice and Administration.

Goals and Objectives

  1. To prepare graduates to practice with diverse, vulnerable, and at-risk populations to promote human well-being and social and economic justice especially in the Texas-Mexico border region.
    • Foundation Objective 1: Apply critical thinking skills in social work practice.
    • Foundation Objective 2: Understand and practice according to the value base of the profession and its ethical standards and principles.
    • Foundation Objective 3: Practice without discrimination and with respect, knowledge, and skills related to clients' age, class, color, culture, disability, ethnicity, family structure, gender, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, and sexual orientation.
    • Foundation Objective 4: Understand and interpret the history of the social work profession and its contemporary structures and issues.
    • Foundation Objective 5: (BSW) Apply the knowledge and skills of generalist social work practice with systems of all sizes. (MSSW) Apply the knowledge and skills of a generalist social work perspective with systems of all sizes.
    • Foundation Objective 6: Apply theoretical concepts and research findings to assessments at all system levels, including individual, family, group, organization, and community.
    • Foundation Objective 7: Use communication skills appropriately with clients, colleagues, and community members.
    • Foundation Objective 8: Use supervision and consultation appropriate to social work practice.
    • Concentration Objective 1: Demonstrate advanced family focused intervention knowledge and skills appropriate for Latino individuals and families.
    • Concentration Objective 2: Use communication skills appropriately with clients, colleagues, and community members.
    • Concentration Objective 3: Use clinical supervision and consultation to enhance clinical practice skills for work with Latinos.
    • Concentration Objective 4: Identify and prepare action plans for addressing ethical issues and dilemmas associated with the delivery of clinical services and programs to Latinos.
    • Concentration Objective 5: Apply theoretical concepts and research findings to family focused practice with Latino individuals and families.
    • Concentration Objective 6: Practice without discrimination and with respect, knowledge, and skills related to clients' age, class, color, culture, disability, ethnicity, family structure, gender, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, and sexual orientation.
  2. To prepare graduates for leadership in developing and implementing policies and services for at-risk populations with an emphasis on the Texas-Mexico border region.
    • Foundation Objective 9: Understand the forms and mechanisms of oppression and discrimination and apply strategies of advocacy and social change that advance social and economic justice.
    • Foundation Objective 10: Analyze, formulate, and influence social policies.
    • Foundation Objective 11: Function within the structure of organizations and service delivery systems and seek necessary organizational change.
    • Concentration Objective 7: Demonstrate advanced skills in social work policy practice, including research, analysis, formulation, influence, and advocacy for family programs and services consistent with social work values.
    • Concentration Objective 8: Function within the structure of the placement agency and, as appropriate, seek necessary change.
  3. To develop the knowledge base of the social work profession, particularly as it relates to addressing the needs of at-risk populations with an emphasis on the Texas-Mexico border region.
    • Foundation Objective 12: Critically analyze and apply research findings to practice and evaluate his/her own interventions.
    • Concentration Objective 9: Evaluate the effectiveness of family focused practice with diverse client systems.