Master of Social Science in Social Work Online
Program Options: Full- and Part-Time
Tuition: $7,587
Acceptance Rate: 63 percent
GRE Required: Yes
1-Year/Accelerated Option: Yes
Campus Visits Required: No
Field Hours: 500
CSWE Accredited: Yes
Application Deadline: May 20
See our ranking of the Top 10 Affordable Social Work Online (MSW) Degrees.
Overview
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley began in 2013 as the first major public university in Texas during the 21st Century. The university was designed to provide residents of the region to benefit from the Permanent University Fund, a public endowment that supports the University of Texas System as well as other institutions.
The mission of the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is to provide innovative and accessible education designed to promote student success, research, creative works and community engagement.
Strengths
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Master of Social Work program is designed to help students develop leadership skills in the social work field. Students develop clinical and macro assessment skills in order to provide assistance to those in need in South Texas and beyond.
Concentrations
The degree is available in two concentrations. Students can choose from the Administration and Community Practice concentration which gives students the advanced skills necessary to strengthen and improve human services in the Latino community. Students may also choose the Direct Practice with Latino Individuals Families and Groups. This program provides students with evidence-based practices working with at-risk populations in the Latino Community. Both concentrations are available online and are only available in advanced standing formats.
Program Requirements
The Administration and Community Practice concentration provides students with the ability to work with diverse populations, such as minorities, at-risk and disenfranchised groups. Students develop an understanding of needs assessment and asset mapping. Instruction is provided in organizational administration, such as human resource development, policy development, fundraising and project management. Students gain advanced, real-world experience in community organization, social advocacy, and social action during their practicum.
The Direct Practice with Latino Individuals, Families and Groups concentration gain an understanding of treatment plans as well as how to establish therapeutic relationships while applying intervention strategies. Students learn how challenges like discrimination and oppression limit the opportunities of minorities, those at risk and groups who are disenfranchised. Students also learn how to develop strategies designed for intervention and that can affect change.
Admissions Requirements
In order to apply for the Master of Social Work, applicants must provide official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. One transcript must display the conferring of a bachelor’s degree or higher in Social Work. Students must submit official GRE scores as well. Students must have a 3.0 GPA in all undergraduate work and must provide three references from professional or academic sources.
Faculty
The faculty at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is highly qualified. The interim chair, Dr. John Gonzalez earned his Bachelor of Arts at the University of Texas – Austin, his Master of Science in Social Work at Southwest Texas University and his Ph.D. in Social Work at the University of Texas – Austin. His research interests are in older Latinos and mental health services. Dr. Gonzalez has authored and co-authored publications on older adults overcoming oppression as well as older Latinos and mental health services.
Dr. Catherine Faver, an Associate Professor, earned her Bachelor of Arts at Hardin-Simmons University, her Master of Social Work at the University of Texas, a Master of Arts at the University of Michigan and her Ph.D. in Social Work and Sociology from the University of Michigan. Her scholarly work focuses on plant-based nutrition, spiritual well-being, and attitudes toward animals and the natural environment.
Dr. Sudershan Pasupuleti, Professor, earned his bachelor’s in social work at Osmania University and his Master of Arts in Social Works from the University of Delhi. He also holds a master’s in philosophy from the University of Delhi and earned his Ph.D. in Social Work from Osmania University. His areas of expertise are Macro Systems, including organizations, community organizing and development as well as children, older adults and at-risk populations. He also specializes in cognitive challenges, active aging, evaluation studies and social justice studies. He is currently chair of the Social Work Department and is discipline coordinator and adjunct faculty at the School of Medicine. He has nearly 20 years’ experience teaching, researching, practicing and consulting, as well as 12 years’ experience of administrative experience. He has taught extensively at both the undergraduate and graduate level.
Dr. Susy P. Villegas De Chaverri earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Sociology from the University of Lawrentian and obtained a Licentiate in Clinical Psychology from the University of Costa Rica. Dr. Villegas De Chaverri earned a master of social work from the University of Kansas and a Ph.D. from the University of Texas. Dr. Villegas De Chaverri’s area of expertise is teen pregnancy and foster care adult outcomes. Research and creative works include “Adolescent Pregnancy in Costa Rica” published in the International Handbook of Adolescent Pregnancy: Medical, psychosocial, and public health responses as well as “A Matter of Life and Death?” published in Decision cases for advanced social work practice, which was co-authored with Karen Gray and Monica Alzate.
Online Courses
Courses required for the Master of Science in Social Work Administration and Community Practice include:
- Accountability and Evaluation in Macro Practice
- Advanced Macro Assessment
- Advanced Policy Analysis and Development
- Advanced Social Work Practice with Communities
- Advanced Social Work Practice with Organizations
- Child Welfare
- Social Work Practice with Latinos
- Social Work with Diverse Populations
- Spirituality and Social Work
Courses required for the Master of Science in Social Work Direct Practice with Latino Individuals, Families and Groups include:
- Advanced Clinical Assessment
- Advanced Family Practice I & II
- Advanced Policy Analysis and Development
- Advanced Social Work Practice with Groups
- Advanced Social Work Practice with Individuals
- Social Work Practice with Latinos
- Social Work with Diverse Populations
Contact
Name and/or Title: Dr. John Gonzalez, Interim Chair of the Department of Social Work
Phone: 833-887-4842
Program Websites:
Administration and Community Practice
Direct Practice with Latino Individuals, Families and Groups