Program of Study - Social Work with a Concentration in Direct Practice with Latino Individuals, Families and Groups (Advance Standing) (MSSW) - Accelerated Online Program
Mission Statement
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.
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
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.
Application for admission must be submitted prior to the published deadline. The application is available at www.utrgv.edu/gradapply.
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Program Requirements
Required Courses (30 Credits)
Elective Courses
Choose ONE of the following
The 33-hour degree program consists of courses and field education experiences of the selected concentration, as listed above under the 63-hour degree plan plus SOCW 6315 Social Work with Diverse Populations
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).
Total Credit Hours: 33