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Start Your Journey in Social Work at UTRGV
Thank you for your interest in the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) Program at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley! We’re excited to welcome future changemakers like you into a program that’s committed to empowering communities and transforming lives.
Our BSW Program is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), ensuring a high-quality education that meets national standards. As a graduate, you’ll be eligible to take the Texas Bachelor of Social Work licensing examination—opening doors to professional practice across the state.
Built on a strong liberal arts foundation, the BSW degree combines coursework in the social and behavioral sciences with specialized training in social work. You’ll explore social welfare systems, professional ethics, and practice theories, while developing the skills and values essential for generalist social work practice. You’ll also be well-prepared to pursue graduate studies in social work or related fields.
Each year, we proudly graduate around sixty BSW students who go on to make a real impact in their communities.
BSW Admission Application
You must complete an application process that includes the following:
- Application for Admission into BSW Degree Program - BSW Application.
- Personal Statement – Personal Statement.
- One Letter of Recommendation – Letter of Recommendation.
- Transcript: For UTRGV students a transcript will not be required. Transfer Students: A copy of unofficial transcripts for each college you attended. Ensure that all your official transcripts have been submitted for each college you attended to the Registrar's Office.
Application Deadline
| For FALL Admission | For SPRING Admission |
|---|---|
April 1st |
October 1st |
BSW
To apply to become a social work major, you must have the following:
- 2.7 cumulative GPA
- At least 30 hours of University General Education Core Curriculum requirements, with a 2.0 GPA
- SOCW 2361 Introduction to the Social Work Profession, with a grade of ‘C’ or higher,
- 6 hours of freshmen Rhetoric and Composition, with a grade of ‘C’ or higher (ENGL 1301 and ENGL 1302)
- 3 hours of college algebra or higher-level mathematics, with a grade of ‘C’ or better.
BSW
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 Worker (LBSW).
The School of Social Work at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley offers a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree, which the Council on Social Work Education accredits. The BSW is a professional degree built on a liberal arts foundation with supporting course content in the social and behavioral sciences. Departmental courses provide basic knowledge of social welfare systems, the social work profession, theories relating to social work practice, skills, value, 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 School graduates approximately sixty BSW students annually.
The mission of social work is to:
1) Provide effective and efficient social work services to people in need.
2) Alleviate poverty, oppression, and discrimination.
3) Promote social and economic justice. This is accomplished by applying ethical and responsible standards of practice, advocacy, activism and leadership in agency settings.
Social workers are employed in diverse settings including but not limited to:
- Public and private social service agencies
- Hospitals
- Mental health centers
- Rehabilitation facilities
- Geriatric services
- Child welfare organizations
- Substance abuse treatment centers
- Business and employee assistance programs
- Housing authorities
- Criminal justice settings
- Policy making agencies
- Schools
Beginning salaries range from $35,000 to $44, 000 depending upon the setting and geographic area. Upon graduation, a BSW student may become a Licensed Social Worker under the provisions of the Texas Professional Social Work Act.
Graduates with a BSW degree from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited social work program may apply for advanced standing in our Master of Science in Social Work (MSW) program. This is a 30-credit hour program that consists of a 3-hour bridge course and 30 hours of advanced MSW courses.
Students wishing to apply for the work field internship must have:
- Have an official degree plan on file
- Have a 3.0 minimum cumulative GPA
- Have successfully completed the SOCW Core courses
- Have completed all University Core courses, and
- Have an application for the field internship on file in the department office