Social Work with a Concentration in Direct Practice with Latino Individuals, Families and Groups (MSSW) - 33 Hour Accelerated Online 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.
This program is accelerated and is 100% online. A traditional 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 – Direct Practice teaches evidence-based practices for working with at-risk populations with a focus on applicability to the Latino community.
Deepen your knowledge of advanced social work practice with individuals, families and groups, including the therapeutic process, empowerment and strength perspectives, and clinical strategies for change.
Learn to apply evidence-based family therapy practice models for working with populations-at-risk, as well as critique family practice models with respect to their efficacy for work with Latinos.
In this program, you will:
- Learn to develop treatment plans, establish therapeutic relationships, and apply intervention strategies
- Understand how challenges such as discrimination and oppression limit the opportunities of minority, at risk, and disenfranchised groups; develop strategies for intervention and change
- Gain real-world experience applying intervention strategies with a 500-hour practicum in a field setting of your choice.
Potential job opportunities include:
- family/children’s social services agency
- working in mental health programs
- working in health services organizations
- working in substance abuse treatment centers
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 in social work, prospective candidates must first meet all requirements for graduate admission to UT Rio Grande Valley, as well as the other requirements listed below:
- BSW from a CSWE accredited program.
- 3.2 GPA or higher, in social work core undergraduate courses.
- Three letters of recommendation.
- Personal narrative statement.
- 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.
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 - 30 Hours
Elective Courses - 3 Hours
Choose one of the following
Total Credit Hours: 33