Social Work with a Concentration in Administration and Community Practice, (MSSW) - 33 Hour Program
Overview
The School of Social Work is committed to preparing entry-level generalist (BSWs) and advanced professional social workers (MSSWs) to meet the needs of a bi-national and multicultural community. The program has two concentrations: Direct Practice with Latino Individuals, Families and Groups, and Administration and Community Practice. The program emphasizes multicultural awareness, professional competence, ethical practice, knowledge building acquisition, and social services that promote social and economic justice in a bi-national environment.
An accelerated online version of the program is also available. Students are not allowed to alternate enrollment in accelerated and traditional program courses.
Program Goals and Objectives
The UTRGV MS in Social Work – Administration and Community Practice develops leaders with the advanced skills necessary to strengthen and improve human services within the Latino community.
Coursework in this degree is designed specifically to help students develop the leadership skills and commitment necessary for strengthening agencies and improving human services for at-risk Latino communities.
Develop macro assessment skills and understand the practice implications and characteristics of Latino populations, in order to serve the border region of South Texas and beyond. In this program, you will:
- Learn how to work with diverse populations, including members of minority, vulnerable, at-risk and disenfranchised groups, including needs assessment and asset mapping
- Study organizational administration, including human resource development, policy development, fundraising and project management
- Gain advanced, real-world experience applying community organizing, social advocacy and social action mobilization practices during a 500-hour practicum in a field setting of your choice
At the completion of this degree program, you will be eligible to sit for exams to attain Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) credentials.
Potential jobs for graduates include administrative or leadership roles in a social service organization, policy or advocacy, organizations, or community action agencies
Graduates are of the Master of Science in Social Work are expected to master the following core competencies as required by the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards of the Council on Social Work Education:
- Educational Policy 2.1.1- Identify as a professional social worker and conduct oneself accordingly
- Educational Policy 2.1.2 – Apply ethical principles in practice
- Educational Policy 2.1.3 - Apply critical thinking to inform and communicate professional judgments
- Educational Policy 2.1.4 - Engage diversity and difference in practice
- Educational Policy 2.1.5 - Advance human rights and social and economic justice
- Educational Policy 2.1.6 - Engage in research-informed practice and practice-informed research.
- Educational Policy 2.1.7 - Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment
- Educational Policy 2.1.8 - Engage in policy practice to advance social and economic well-being and to deliver effective social work services.
- Educational Policy 2.1.9 - Respond to contexts that shape practice.
- Educational Policy 2.1.10(a)–(d) - Engage, assess, intervene, and evaluate with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
The MSSW Curriculum
The foundation curriculum consists of three hours of Introduction to Professional Social Work, nine hours of Generalist Social Work Practice, three hours of diversity, six hours of Human Behavior and the Social Environment, three hours of Research Design and Analysis, three hours of Social Welfare Policy, and six hours of Field Education.
The curriculum of the Administration and Community Practice concentration consists of three hours in social work practice with Latinos, six hours in the area of macro practice assessment and evaluation, three hours in advanced practice with organizations, three hours in advanced practice with communities, three hours in advanced policy analysis and development, six hours in a macro practicum and six hours in social work electives.
The required courses are designed to provide the student with a multicultural background, emphasizing the important social issues in direct services to Latino individuals, families and groups or administrative and community practice. The degree program, administered by the Department of Social Work, offers professional preparation for advanced social work practice. Graduates will have the opportunity to attain advanced analytical and practice skills sufficient for self-critical, accountable and autonomous practice.
Graduates of the Master of Science in Social Work will be eligible to take the state examination to become a licensed master social worker (LMSW's).
Admission Requirements
To be admitted to the graduate program, prospective candidates must first meet all requirements for graduate admission to UT Rio Grande Valley, as well as the other requirements listed below:
- 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.
- Three letters of recommendation
- Personal statement detailing professional goals and reasons for pursuing the graduate degree.
- Verified successful completion of a course in basic statistics
- Current Resume
Application for admission must be submitted prior to the published deadline. The application is available at www.utrgv.edu/gradapply.
Advanced Standing
Applicants who possess a Bachelor of Social Work degree from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) may qualify for advanced standing and receive a waiver of up to 30 hours of academic credit for professional foundation courses. The advanced standing curriculum consists of 33 hours. Applicants who wish to be considered for advanced standing must also meet the following admissions requirements:
- Clear admission to graduate study at UT Rio Grande Valley
- GPA of 3.2 or higher on a 4.0 scale in social work core undergraduate courses.
Admissions Committee Review
All applications will be reviewed by the Department of Social Work MSSW Program Admissions Committee. The committee is responsible for the selection of the individuals who are admitted into the master’s in social work degree program.
Progression Requirements
Suspension/Dismissal Policy
The School of Social Work policy is the following: A student whose overall GPA drops below a 3.0 in any given semester is automatically placed on academic probation the following semester. Within the following nine semester credit hours, the overall GPA must return to 3.0 or the student will be dismissed from the program. If a student’s overall GPA drops below 3.0 resulting in being placed on academic probation a second time, the student will be automatically dismissed from the program.
- If a student earns more than 2 Cs, regardless of the overall GPA, the student will be dismissed from the program.
- If a student earns a third C in the final semester, the student will not meet the requirements for graduation from School of Social Work.
- A student who earns an F in any course is automatically dismissed from the graduate program.
- Any student dismissed from the program will not be eligible for re-admission to the program.
Program Requirements
Required Courses - 21 Hours
| SOCW 6315 | Social Work with Diverse Populations | 3 |
| SOCW 6332 | Social Work Practice with Latinos | 3 |
| SOCW 6336 | Advanced Macro Assessment | 3 |
| SOCW 6340 | Advanced Social Work Practice with Organizations | 3 |
| SOCW 6341 | Advanced Social Work Practice with Communities | 3 |
| SOCW 6342 | Advanced Policy Analysis and Development | 3 |
| SOCW 6380 | Accountability and Evaluation in Macro Practice | 3 |
Electives - 6 Hours
Capstone - 6 Hours
Total Credit Hours: 33