Admission Criteria
Apply to the UTRGV Graduate College:
Step #1: Submit a UTRGV Graduate Application at www.utrgv.edu/graduate/onlineapplication. The university application fee of $50 ($100 for International Applicants) can be paid online by credit card or electronic check (in the online application). All application fees are nonrefundable.
Step #2: Request your transcripts and other supporting documentation to be mailed to:
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
The Graduate College
Marialice Shary Shivers Bldg. 1.158
1201 W. University Drive
Edinburg, TX 78539-2999
Review and submit all Program Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution in the United States or a recognized international equivalent in a similar or related field.
- Undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0.
- Official transcripts from each institution attended (must be submitted directly to UTRGV).
- Personal statement detailing professional goals and reasons for pursuing the graduate degree. (Instructions)
- Three letters of recommendation from professional or academic sources using this reference form. (Reference Form)
- Verified successful completion of a course in basic statistics.
Advanced (33-hour program):
- Online application at www.utrgv.edu/graduate/onlineapplication. The university application fee of $50 ($100 for International applicants) can be paid online by credit card or electronic check (in the online application). All application fees are non‐refundable.
- Clear admission to the UTRGV Graduate College.
- BSW from a CSWE accredited program.
- 3.2 GPA or higher, in social work core undergraduate courses.
- Official transcripts from each institution attended (must be submitted directly to UTRGV).
- Personal statement detailing professional goals and reasons for pursuing the graduate degree. (Instructions)
- Three letters of recommendation from professional or academic sources using this reference form. (Reference Form)
- Verified successful completion of a course in basic statistics.
Application Review
The evaluation process for admission to the program begins after the Spring deadline for receipt of all materials. At least two reviewers, of the departmental graduate faculty, independently review completed applications. Reviewers assign points based on accomplishments in four categories: GPA, three letters of reference, professional experience, and a personal narrative.
Offers of Admission to The Graduate College
Official admission offers will be made only by The Graduate College and are valid only for the semester requested on the application. Through the online application web site, you will be able to view the status of your application. Students who are accepted but do not attend the semester requested on the application must submit an application for readmission to enroll for a later semester. An additional fee will be charged if the student applies more than one year from the semester originally requested.
Additional requirements for domestic applicants who attended foreign universities:
- TOEFL or IELTS Language Proficiency Test with minimum scores: 550 on paper‐based, 213 on computer based, or 79 on internet‐based for the TOEFL; 6.5 for the IELTS. TOEFL and IELTS scores are valid for 2 years.
- English translation of educational records.
- Transcript Evaluation by the Foreign Credentials Service of America (FCSA).
Additional requirements for international applicants:
- TOEFL or IELTS Language Proficiency Test with minimum scores: 550 on paper‐based, 213 on computer based, or 79 on internet‐based for the TOEFL; 6.5 for the IELTS. TOEFL and IELTS scores are valid for 2 years.
- English translation of educational records.
- Transcript Evaluation by the Foreign Credentials Service of America (FCSA). For additional information, click here.
- Financial Documentation showing sufficient funds (minimum of $25,000) to cover all expenses (living and academic) for the first year of study.
- Immigration documents, including a current copy of your valid passport.
| Spring 2020 Advanced 33-hour Program |
November 30, 2019 |
| Summer II 2020 Advanced 33-hour Program |
April 30, 2020 |
| Fall 2020 Regular 63-hour Program |
April 30, 2020 |