UTRGV Social Work Programs

Want to earn your Master of Social Work degree in just 12 months? The University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley Social Work Programs has an Advanced Standing MSW program you can complete online in one year.

UTRGV stands as the nation’s second largest Hispanic-serving institution. The university’s social worker degree in Texas helps you work effectively with Latino populations. Your credentials will meet national standards through UTRGV’s social work degrees, which are fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The Advanced Standing track needs only 33 credits and has 500 hours of field experience. This combination gives you practical skills and academic knowledge. You can begin your trip to become a qualified social worker at the time that fits your schedule best, with flexible full-time options and start dates in spring, summer, and fall.

Social Work Degrees Offered at UTRGV

UTRGV provides two social work programs that prepare you for professional practice at different levels. The University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley is the only institution south of San Antonio that offers both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work.

The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program builds on liberal arts foundations with supporting coursework in social and behavioral sciences. Students who graduate from this CSWE-accredited program can take the Texas licensing examination to become a Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW). The BSW curriculum has core courses such as:

• Introduction to the Social Work Profession
• Human Behavior and the Social Environment
• Social Welfare Policy and Programs
• Social Work Practice I-IV
• Field Education experiences totaling 400 hours

The Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) program teaches you to work with diverse communities while you develop leadership skills and promote social justice. Students can choose between two main pathways:

Regular (63-hour) program if you don’t have a social work bachelor’s degree Advanced Standing (33-hour) program if you graduated with a BSW from CSWE-accredited programs

UTRGV’s MSSW program also offers specialized concentrations that match your career goals. You can focus on Direct Practice with Latino Individuals, Families, and Groups (micro practice) or Community Practice and Administration (macro practice).

Both concentrations need field practicum experiences of 500 hours. After completing the program, you can take exams to get Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) credentials.

The MSSW program has kept its CSWE accreditation since April 2003 and ranks among Texas’s best programs. Both degree programs provide thorough professional preparation at an affordable cost—UTRGV has one of the lowest tuition rates in the U.S., making your graduate education investment worthwhile.

Students can attend MSSW classes in Edinburg, Brownsville, and Laredo, with online options available for selected specializations.

Specializations

UTRGV’s social work programs provide specialized tracks that set you up for targeted career paths in social services. The Master of Social Work program has two distinct concentrations, available in multiple formats to match your educational background and schedule priorities.

The Direct Practice with Latino Individuals, Families and Groups concentration (micro-practice) gives you advanced clinical skills to work directly with clients. This specialization has coursework in:

• Advanced Family Practice (two courses)
• Social Work with Latinos
• Advanced Clinical Assessment
• Advanced Policy Analysis and Development
• Advanced Practice with Individuals and Groups
• Concentration Practicum totaling 500 hours

The concentration aims to develop advanced family-focused intervention knowledge specifically for Latino populations. It helps improve communication skills with clients and colleagues while using clinical supervision to strengthen practice.

The Administration and Community Practice concentration (macro-practice) readies you for leadership roles in organizations and community development. This track has specialized courses in:

• Advanced Macro Assessment
• Advanced Social Work Practice with Organizations
• Advanced Social Work Practice with Communities
• Accountability and Evaluation in Macro Practice
• Two Social Work electives approved by your advisor

Both concentrations come in 33-hour Advanced Standing formats (if you have a BSW) and 63-hour Regular formats (if you don’t have a BSW). You can find a pathway that suits your needs whatever your previous education.

UTRGV also offers specialized certificates to boost your credentials:

• Primary Care Behavioral Health Certificate
• Sustainable Community Health Promotion Certificate (available both on-campus and online)

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley degrees prepare social workers to practice without discrimination and respect diversity in ethnicity, culture, national origin, and other backgrounds. As the second largest Hispanic-serving institution in the nation, UTRGV’s programs are a great way to get exceptional preparation for working with Latino communities.

Online and Hybrid Options

UTRGV provides complete online social work degrees that work great for professionals and distance learners. Students worldwide have benefited from the Accelerated Online Program (AOP) since its launch in 2017.

Students can participate in UTRGV’s curriculum through the Master of Science in Social Work online program’s unique 7-week module format. Online students get the same high-quality educational content as on-campus students, which ensures consistent quality across program options.

Qualified candidates with BSW degrees from CSWE-accredited programs can complete the Advanced Standing online MSW program in as few as 12 months. Students need to complete 500 hours of fieldwork through practicum experiences, though classes are fully online with no campus visits.

UTRGV’s MSSW degree offers four online specializations:

• Social Work with Specialization in Administration and Community Practice (33-hour program)
• Social Work with Specialization in Administration and Community Practice (63-hour program)
• Social Work with Specialization in Direct Practice with Latino Individuals, Families and Groups (33-hour program)
• Social Work with Specialization in Direct Practice with Latino Individuals, Families and Groups (63-hour program)

Students can start their Texas social worker degree at their convenience with multiple intake periods throughout the year – spring, summer, and fall. The curriculum follows the same robust sequence as traditional formats and progresses logically from foundational knowledge to specialized practice.

Denise Longoria, Director of Online Programs and Distance Learning for the School of Social Work, leads UTRGV’s partnerships with institutions like Laredo College to help students transfer and pursue their social work education.

Graduation rates

UTRGV shows excellent completion rates for students who want social worker degrees in Texas. The university’s 6-year graduation rate stands at 51%, which makes it one of the top performers in the region. The 4-year graduation rate has grown consistently and reached 31.4% in 2024.

These numbers tell an impressive story, especially when you look at UTRGV’s diverse student body. The Wall Street Journal ranks the university #1 in Texas for social mobility. This recognition highlights UTRGV’s success at helping students from lower-income backgrounds climb the socioeconomic ladder while maintaining strong graduation rates.

Students who come back to school see remarkable success here. Non-first-time full-time students graduate at a rate of 62% within six years, which beats national averages. The story remains positive for part-time returning students, who graduate at 51% over six years – another number that surpasses national standards.

UTRGV’s work with Pell Grant recipients deserves special attention since they represent much of the student population. The 2024 data shows Pell recipients achieved a 50% graduation rate compared to 53% for non-Pell students. This small difference shows how well the university supports students from all economic backgrounds through graduation.

The university has set bold goals and wants to reach 55% overall six-year graduation rates. UTRGV strengthens its student support services to help more students graduate on time.

These statistics show the university’s steadfast dedication to student success, whatever their background. The School of Social Work thrives under this focus on keeping students enrolled and helping them graduate. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’s social work degrees provide a supportive environment for everyone – from first-generation college students to professionals advancing their careers.

Career outcomes

UTRGV’s social worker degree programs in Texas offer expanding opportunities and career benefits. The University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley’s social work degrees prepare students to take on various professional roles that address vital community needs.

Social workers with MSW degrees earn much more than those with BSW degrees. BSW holders typically earn $15,000 less annually compared to their MSW counterparts. An advanced degree improves job prospects and provides better tools to serve clients effectively.

UTRGV’s Master of Social Work creates paths to specialized careers such as:

• Child Welfare Social Worker
• Medical Social Worker
• Mental Health Counselor
• Substance Abuse Social Worker
• School Social Worker
• Forensic Social Worker
• Military Social Worker
• Social Work Administrator

Your training qualifies you to work directly with clients or focus on program and policy development based on your interests and specialization. Social work professionals remain highly sought after, with growing demand in organizations of all types.

Students describe the field practicum as their “most exciting and significant educational experience.” This component serves as a vital bridge between academic knowledge and professional practice. Students apply theoretical concepts in ground settings before graduation, similar to practitioners in medical and educational fields.

UTRGV’s MSSW program has built its reputation as “one of the best in the State of Texas” by producing top professionals in the field. The program’s success shows in its outcomes – 85% of UTRGV students find employment in Texas or continue their education within one year after graduating.

UTRGV goes beyond academic preparation by offering valuable networking through its career center. Students connect with talent across various sectors and stay involved with faculty and staff.

Unique Features about the Social Work Programs at UTRGV

The University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley Social Work Programs have several unique features that make them different from some of the other best social work schools. UTRGV stands out because of its steadfast dedication to bilingual and bicultural education. Students learn to serve diverse communities effectively.

The program’s location in a border region makes it special. UTRGV emphasizes cross-cultural skills through specialized courses about Latino populations. The faculty’s extensive experience with border communities helps students learn about immigration, transnational families, and cultural intervention strategies.

Students can join exciting research projects at UTRGV’s Center for Community Engagement and Health Disparities. The center studies health inequities in underserved populations. You’ll get hands-on research experience while helping local communities.

UTRGV offers one of the nation’s lowest tuition rates. This makes it an affordable choice to get your social work degree in Texas. The university also provides many scholarships specifically for social work students to help reduce costs.

The program’s strong alumni network extends throughout Texas and beyond. Graduates can tap into valuable networking opportunities. They also get mentorship and job leads after finishing their degree.

The School of Social Work partners with over 200 community organizations in the Rio Grande Valley. These connections create diverse placement opportunities for students. Many graduates find jobs through these partnerships.

UTRGV’s faculty conducts state-of-the-art research on important social issues like poverty, immigration, mental health disparities, and community development. Students benefit from learning current research methods and evidence-based practices.

The curriculum reflects UTRGV’s dedication to social justice and community service. Students learn to promote vulnerable populations’ rights. They develop skills to create positive changes for individuals, families, and communities.