Need Help?

MSSW Program


Denise A. Longoria, Ph.D., LCSW-S

MSSW Director / Director of Online Programs and Distance Learning

Phone: 956-523-7450
Phone Alt: (956) 665-3575
Email: denise.longoria@utrgv.edu

MSSW Prospective Students - Related Links

Welcome to MS Social Work

MS Social Work

We appreciate and welcome your interest in the Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) Program with the School of Social Work at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV). 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 workforce using ground-breaking research and theoretical frameworks.

If you are interested in the traditional (face-to-face) format, the Regular program (63 credit hour) is designed for students that do not have an undergraduate degree in social work, and admissions for the Regular (63 credit hour) are only done once a year in the Fall Semester. The Advanced (33 credit hour) program will start in the Spring and Summer II semesters.

The online program will have two admission cycles for both the Regular (63 credit hour) and the Advanced (33 credit hour) programs during the Fall and Spring semesters. However, Community and Administration Practice concentration (macro) only has one admission cycle which is every Fall semester. For more information on the MSSW Program click here .


MSSW Admission Application

Along with the other program requirements listed below, please complete the application by following this link Apply now to the MSSW program.


Regular (63-hour program)

  • Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution in the United States or a recognized international equivalent in a similar or related field.
  • Undergraduate overall 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 for Personal Statement )
  • A Recommendation Questionnaire is emailed to three professional or academic sources you provide
  • Verified successful completion of a course in basic statistics.
  • Current Resume.

Advanced (33-hour program)*

  • Clear admission to the UTRGV Graduate College.
  • BSW from a CSWE-accredited program.
  • Undergraduate overall GPA of at least 3.0.
  • 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 for Personal Statement )
  • A Recommendation Questionnaire is emailed to three professional or academic sources you provide.
  • Verified successful completion of a course in basic statistics.
  • Current resume.

* Students with a BSW from an accredited social work program will only be considered for the MSSW advanced standing program; they may not gain admission into the 63-credit hour program. If they are not admitted to the advanced standing program, they must reapply.