MSSW Degree Program
The MSSW Program’s has an established concentration in family focused practice with Latino individuals and families, and it is currently developing another concentration in community practice and administration. Our program received its initial accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education in April 2003. We graduated the first class (13 students) in Spring 2000. On average the program graduates 35 students yearly. (Use this link to access alumni list and news and information).
There are two degree programs. The 33-hour program (advanced standing) is for qualified BSWs, and the 63-hour program is for other baccalaureate graduates, including those with degrees in other majors. The links on the bottom of this page allow access to the MSSW Program Application and the form for the reference letters.
Both degree programs can be completed on a full-time basis or over an extended study period. In Fall 2004, the program admitted the first cohort of students into extended study. Previously, students were admitted only into full-time study. Students now can complete the 33-hour Advanced Standing Program in one or two years, and the 63-hour program can be completed in 2, 3, or 4 years.
Additionally, both degree options require field education internships. Students in the advanced 36-hour program complete either a block internship (SOCW 6376 and 6377) over one semester or a split-internship over two semesters during the second year (SocW 6376 in fall and SOCW 6377 in spring). Students in the 63-hour program complete a 400-hour foundation block internship and a 500-hour block concentration internship. Students in the 63-hour program can also elect to complete the 900-hour field education requirement over four semesters (SOCW 6370, 6371, 6376, and 6377).
Six graduate faculty are assigned primary teaching responsibility in the MSSW Program. BSW Program faculty also teach in the MSSW Program.
ADMISSION PROCESS
Summer/Fall 2009 -- Prospective students for the summer /fall 2009 admission cycle can obtain detailed information about the admission process, deadlines, prerequisites, and field internship options from this link:
SCHOLARSHIPS/STIPENDS
Hogg Foundation Bilinqual Scholarship
Hogg Foundation scholarships for tuition and fees are available for graudate students in the clinical concentration (family focused practice with Latino individuals and families) who are fluent in English/Spanish and who are committed to post-MSSW employment in agency settings who deliver mental health services to Hispanic populations in Texas. Contact Dr. Alonzo Cavazos at alonso@utpa.edu for additional information.
Child Welfare Training Stipend (Title IV-E)
Stipends are available for graduate students who contract to do their 500-hour field internship with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (TDFPS) and accept employment with the Department following graduation. Additionally, stipends are also available for TDFPD employees. Contact Sonja Arredondo at 381-2421 for additional information.
PROGRAM EVALUATION
Several processes are used to evaluate the program's goals and objectives. As part of a broader university evaluation system, the program prepared a comprehensive assessment plan in 2004. Program's assessment plan enumerates the student learning outcomes and the describes the methodology that is used for data collection and measuring goal attainment. The Plan also contains a 5-year assessment timeline (2005-2009). Three progress reports have been completed since the plan was developed (Spring 2005, Fall 2005, Spring 2006, Fall 2006, Spring 2007, and Fall 2008. The next report will be completed in Spring 2008.
E-Library
Electronic resources are available at the University Library for students to complete term papers and other classroom assignments. Checkout the social/behavioral sciences link at the library’s website
Social Work Licensure
The Social Work Department is sponsoring a license exam preparation workshop for current and former students on April 19, 24, & 28, 2008. Click here for presentation powerpoints and workshop materials.
Program graduates qualify for social work state licensure (LMSW). Sample exams are available at: www.socialworkexam.com and at http://licensingprep.com/quizzes/. The examination site for the LMSW exam is located in Harlingen, Texas. Call 1-888-579-3926 to register for the examination.
If you have any questions, please call me at 956-381-2487 or email me at alonso@utpa.edu.
Alonzo Cavazos, Ed.D., LCSW
Professor & MSSW Program Director