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Welcome to the UTRGV School of Social Work, where passion meets purpose. Our Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and Master of Social Work (MSW) programs are designed to prepare compassionate and skilled professionals ready to make a meaningful impact across a variety of communities. Whether you're beginning your journey in social work or advancing your expertise, our programs offer rigorous academic training, hands-on field experience, and a deep commitment to community in the Rio Grande Valley and beyond. With our advanced generalist training combined with the multiple areas of focus in the MSW, students will gain the knowledge, skills, and real-world experience needed to become leaders in the field of social work. From practice with children and families, mental health, leadership and social change and more - join us in shaping a better future—one individual, one family, and one community at a time.
School of Social Work Programs
Bachelor's
Bachelor's Degree
Social Work (BSW)
Bachelor of Social Work
Program Modality: Campus
The Bachelor’s degree in Social Work is a professional degree built on a liberal arts foundation with supporting course content in the social and behavioral sciences. Courses provide basic knowledge of social welfare systems, the social work profession, theories relating to social work practice, skills, values, and knowledge necessary for generalist social work practice, and the evaluation of social work practice, as well as preparation of students to pursue graduate studies in social work and related professions.
The program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
Master's
Master's Degree
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Master of Social Work
Program Modality: Campus and Online
The Master's degree in Social Work prepares students to work with diverse communities around the world. Graduates will learn how to develop strong leadership skills, promote social justice, and apply practical solutions to social issues facing the most vulnerable in our society.
The program prepares students for tomorrow's workforce using ground-breaking research and theoretical frameworks. At the completion of this degree program, students will be eligible to sit for exams to attain Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) credentials. The program offers concentrations and provides flexibility in class locations, with courses available in Edinburg, Brownsville, and Laredo.
The program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
On-Campus Specializations:
Online Specializations:
Graduate Certificates
UTRGV MSW students have an opportunity to earn a Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Community Health Promotion in Social Work while earning the MSW degree. Students do not need to complete more hours than required for the MSW degree. Macro concentration students complete the requirements for the certificate by completing the required courses in the concentration.
All Micro students complete three courses required for the certificate: SOCW 6315, SOCW 6332 and SOCW 6342. To complete the fourth course requirement for the certificate, Micro-concentration students must select one of the courses listed below as their elective:
SOCW 6395 Natural Environment and Human Well-Being
SOCW 6336 Advanced Macro Assessment
SOCW 6340 Advanced Social Work Practice with Organizations
SOCW 6341 Advanced Social Work Practice with Communities
SOCW 6391 Community-Based Participatory Research
Overview of the Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Community Health Promotion in Social Work
This graduate certificate will enable social workers to engage more effectively in preventing disease and poor health by addressing the social, economic and environmental conditions that facilitate or impede health and well-being. A sustainability framework guides efforts to advance social, economic and environmental justice and facilitates inter-professional communication and collaboration to address persistent health disparities locally and globally. The certificate program addresses social work competency 3: Advance human rights and social, economic and environmental justice.
If you have any questions about the certificate program, please contact your advisor or Program Director.
Students in the Sustainable Community Health Promotion in Social Work Certificate focuses on applying a sustainability framework to analyze social conditions and social poficles that facilitate or impede achievement of healthy people and healthy communities