Social Work (M.S.W.)
Basic Degree Information/Description:
The Masters of Social Work (MSW) program was approved effective January 1, 2005 by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board for implementation at The University of Texas at San Antonio was granted accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education in February 2008. The mission of the Social Work program is educating transformative competent social workers. The Master of Social Work (MSW) degree prepares students for advanced social work practice. Graduates work in professional positions serving diverse individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Students graduating from the program will demonstrate a commitment to cultural competence, multidimensional contextual practice, social responsibility and transformative social work.
The Department of Social Work is located within the College of Public Policy at UTSA's Downtown campus, located at 501 West Cesar Chavez Boulevard. The program emphasizes cultural competence in working with individuals, families, groups, organizations, communities and at the societal level. Other graduate programs currently located in the College include an M.S. in Justice Policy, an M.P.A. in Public Administration, and a Ph.D. in Applied Demography.
Why pursue a Masters of Social Work?
- Our emphasis on cultural competence, and the fact that we allow students to attend school while working, diverse opportunities for field practicum experiences, including evening and weekend placements.
Degree Requirements:
The minimum number of semester credit hours required for the degree, exclusive of coursework or other study required to remove deficiencies, is 36 for the BSW (advanced standing) student, 36 for the modified MSW degree option for transfer students from CSWE-accredited graduate social work programs, and 60 for the non-BSW student. See contact below, departmental website and catalog for more information.
For a complete list of degree requirements please see the Graduate Catalog.
Admission Requirements and Deadlines:
Admission pre-requisites: Bachelor's degree. Students with a BSW from an accredited social work program may apply for Advanced Standing.
Graduate Studies Application: Yes
Department Application: No
Transcripts: Official transcripts from ALL colleges and universities attended
Test Scores: Not required, except for international applicants (see below)
Resume: No
Letters of Recommendation: 3 Professional L/R Required (4 L/R for BSW graduates applying for Advanced Standing)- recommendation forms from professionals familiar with the applicant preparation for graduate social work education.
Statement of Purpose: A narrative statement addressing interest in and the fit with the UTSA MSW program not to exceed 1,250 words (approximately 5 pages)
Other Degree Requirements: Department form documenting prior professional and volunteer experiences and academic preparation in the liberal arts
Minimum TOEFL Score (for International Applicants): 550 paper/79 internet
Minimum IELTS Score (for International Applicants): 6.5
Additional Requirements: International students and those with international degrees may be required to submit additional documents per our admissions policies and procedures. The Graduate School reserves the right to request any additional documents needed to fairly and consistently evaluate applicant credentials.
Note for International Students: Students who have received social work degrees from other countries- All students admitted as advanced standing students must have a bachelor's degree in social work (BSW) from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). CSWE provides a service for international applicants who have received social work degrees from other countries that determines whether their degrees are equivalent to a BSW from an accredited program in the United States. It is a student's responsibility to determine equivalency and submit appropriate documentation to UTSA at the time of the application. Instructions for using this service, including applicable fees, can be found at: http://www.cswe.org/CentersInitiatives/22207/22213.aspx .
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Application Deadline Dates
Domestic Applicants (Citizens and Permanent Residents):
Spring- November 1
Fall- July 1
International Applicants:
Spring- September 1
Fall- April 1
Contact Information:
Graduate Advisor of Record:
Dr. Robert Ambrosino
Email: Robert.Ambrosino@utsa.edu
Telephone: (210) 458-2026
Degree Website:
http://copp.utsa.edu/social-work/home
Contact the Graduate School:
Contact now for more information.
Degree Catalog Link:
http://www.utsa.edu/gcat/chapter6/COPP/swdept.html#msw
Career Options Available for an M.S.W. Graduate:
- Students can become clinicians/direct practice social workers in health care, mental health, child welfare/child and family services, schools, juvenile and adult probation/parole/corrections, with the homeless, in substance abuse treatment facilities, they can provide case management in similar settings, or they can focus on macro practice, working in congressional, legislative and city and state government offices assisting in shaping policy or in advocating for clients and their needs in community agencies. They can work with abused and neglected children in a variety of settings, as adoption workers, helping families to move from welfare to self-sufficiency, and become administrators of human services organizations.
- Former students are working as a supervisor at the SAMM transitional living program, as a supervisor of Parole at the Texas Youth Commission, as supervisors or senior workers for Child Protective Services, as a clinician at San Antonio State Hospital, as a social worker with a local HIV program, at a children's transplant program, and as a program manager at a family violence program.
Funding Opportunities:
Course Scheduling and Offerings:
- At this point all courses are offered either evenings or Saturdays. Courses are from 5:30-8:30 or 7-10 M-Th, Saturdays either half days every Saturday or full days every other Saturday and from 6-10 p.m. M-Th during the summer sessions. Evening classes meet once a week during the fall, spring and 10 week summer sessions and twice a week during 5 week summer sessions.
- Students also do two 450 clock hour field practicum while in the program, which means working in an agency setting 12-15 hours a week for four of the semesters they are in the program. Some weekend and evening placements are available but students usually take some vacation time if working full time so they can also get a feel for what an agency does during the M-F 8-5 workweek.
- Program classes are offered at the Downtown Campus.
Research taking place in the M.S.W. program:
- Our faculty is conducting research related to family violence, child welfare, mental health, and disaster assistance. Students have an opportunity to work as graduate research assistants and to assist faculty in research efforts. All of our students complete an advanced research course and conduct their own research relating to their advanced field practicum experience.
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