Why University of Texas – Rio Grande Valley?
The online Master of Science in Social Work program offered by University of Texas – Rio Grande Valley recruits students holding any undergraduate degree. The University of Texas – Rio Grande Valley, a large public research university in Edinburg, Texas, offers a comprehensive curriculum specially adapted to the context of Southern Texas and the Mexican border region.
Standardized test scores are not required, and a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.00 is expected.
Program Snapshot
| University Name | University of Texas – Rio Grande Valley |
| Location | Edinburg |
| State | Texas |
| Niche.com Grade | B- |
| Name of Degree | Master of Science in Social Work |
| School or Department Administering Program | School of Social Work |
| Credits | 63 |
| Cost per credit | $444.00 |
| Tuition for Entire Program | $27,972 |
| Test Requirements | No |
| Minimum GPA | 3.00 |
| Prerequisite Courses and Skills | none |
| Campus Visit Required? | No Visit Required |
| Typical Time to Complete | 2 years |
| When Can Students Start the Program? | Fall, Spring, Summer |
| Program Concentrations | Direct Practice with Latino Individuals, Families and Groups; Administration and Community Practice |
| Synchronous Classes | No |
| Required Courses |
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| Does the Program Include a Capstone? | No |
| Does the Program Include a Practicum or Internship? | Yes |
| Other Features that Make the Program Unique | Core courses in working with Hispanic population and on spirituality and social work |
| Program Objectives (quoted directly from the program) | 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 |
| Program Description | This 63-credit program is the only Master of Social Work program in southern Texas preparing students to work with the region’s distinctive mix of Hispanic and non-Hispanic communities. A capstone is not required but all students must complete a practicum. Courses are offered on a flexible 7-week schedule with accessible asynchronous teaching modalities. |
What will I Learn?
Students in the U. Texas – Rio Grande Valley program learn how to work with diverse populations, including members of minority, vulnerable, at-risk and disenfranchised groups, including how to perform needs assessment and asset mapping. Students study organizational administration, including human resource development, policy development, fundraising and project management. They gain advanced, real-world experience applying community organizing, social advocacy and social action mobilization practices.
Required courses in the program include Human Behavior and the Social Environment I and II and Social Welfare Policy. Social Work as a Profession introduces professional ethics and values, while students learn to understand their clients in Social Work with Diverse Populations, and Generalist Social Work Practice I, II and III. They learn professional skills in Social Work Research Designs and Applications, and directly apply their practicum experience to their overall learning in required field practicum courses. All other courses are electives.
Students can choose to specialize in one of the following concentrations: Direct Practice with Latino Individuals, Families and Groups; Administration and Community Practice.
How much will the program cost?
Students finish their degree within and pay $444.00 per credit for a total of 63 credits, or $27,972 in total.
How does the program fit into my life?
All classes are asynchronous, meaning that students complete coursework on their own schedule each week, including watching pre-recorded lectures and participating in online discussion. No campus visit is required. Students can enter the program in Fall, Spring or Summer. All courses are 7 weeks long, meaning that students focus on only one course at a time.
Summary
Offering hard-to-find core courses in working with Hispanic population and on spirituality and social work, the University of Texas Rio-Grande Valley’s online Master of Social Work program will be attractive to students wishing to integrate Hispanic and spiritual perspectives into their work in social services. With a very low cost-to-degree, this program offers an accessible and flexible option for those wishing to upgrade their credentials. The program emphasizes real-world experience and administrative skills.
