School of Social Work Programs

The School of Social Work at The University of Texas – Rio Grande Valley offers a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree program which is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The BSW is a professional degree built on a liberal arts foundation with supporting social and behavioral sciences coursework. Graduates of our program will qualify to take the Texas licensing examination to become a Licensed Baccalaureate Social Work (LBSW).

View degree plan

UTRGV is the only institution to offer a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Social Work south of San Antonio. The program is considered to be one of the best in the State of Texas and prides itself by graduating some of the best professionals in the field. Whether your academic background is in social work or another field, our MSSW program will prepare you to for tomorrow’s work force using ground-breaking research and theoretical frameworks.

Our MSSW program has a tradition of EXCELLENCE!

  • We are ACCREDITED! The MSSW program has been accredited by the Council on Social Work Education since April 2003.
  • We receive grants for SCHOLARSHIPS from the state’s Title IV-E program for students who wish to pursue employment in Child Protective Services
  • AFFORDABLE tuition! UTRGV has one of the lowest tuition rates in the U.S. You will maximize the return on your graduate education.

Areas of Concentration: Direct Micro Practice with Latino Individuals, Families, and Groups (micro practice) OR Community Practice and Administration (macro practice).

Degree Plan

Foundation Courses

Foundation courses are required for students in the Regular (63 hour) program. After taking foundation courses, students may proceed to concentration courses.

SOCW 6300 Human Behavior and the Social Environment I
SOCW 6301 Human Behavior and the Social Environment II
SOCW 6302 Social Welfare Policy and Programs
SOCW 6311 Social Work as a Profession
SOCW 6321 Generalist Social Work Practice I
SOCW 6322 Generalist Social Work Practice II
SOCW 6323 Generalist Social Work Practice III
SOCW 6381 Research Design and Applications
SOCW 6370 Field Practicum (200 hours)
SOCW 6371 Field Practicum (200 hours)

Concentrations

MSSW offers 2 concentrations. Each one has its own unique curriculum that the student must follow in order to complete the program.

Direct  Practice with Latino Individuals, Families, and Groups (micro-practice)

 
SOCW 6315 Social Work with Diverse Populations
SOCW 6330 Advanced Family Practice I
SOCW 6331 Advanced Family Practice II
SOCW 6332 Social Work with Latinos
SOCW 6335 Advanced Clinical Assessment
SOCW 6342 Advanced Policy Analysis and Development
SOCW 6350 Advanced Policy with Individuals
SOCW 6351 Advanced Practice with Groups
SOCW 6376 Concentration Practicum (250 hours)
SOCW 6377 Concentration Practicum (250 hours)
SOCW XXXX SOCW Elective (must be 6000 level course)

Community Practice and Administration (macro-practice)

SOCW 6315 Social Work with Diverse Populations
SOCW 6332 Social Work Practice with Latinos
SOCW 6336 Advanced Macro Assessment
SOCW 6340 Advanced Social Work Practice with Organizations
SOCW 6341 Advanced Social Work Practice with Communities
SOCW 6342 Advanced Policy Analysis and Development
SOCW 6380 Accountability and Evaluation in Macro Practice
SOCW 6378 Macro Practicum (250 hours)
SOCW 6379 Macro Practicum (250 hours)
SOCW XXXX Social Work Elective (Approved by Advisor)*
SOCW XXXX Social Work Elective (Approved by Advisor)*

*NOTE: Substitution of a Social Work elective must be approved by your faculty advisor or MSSW program director.

UTRGV MSSW students have an opportunity to earn a Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Community Health Promotion in Social Work while earning the MSSW degree. Students do not need to complete more hours than required for the MSSW 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.