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MSSW Program


Jo Redcliffe, Ph.D.

MSSW Program Director

Phone: 956-882-1901
Email: jo.redcliffe@utrgv.edu

Denise A. Longoria, Ph.D., LCSW-S

Director of Online Programs and Distance Learning

Phone: 956-523-7450
Phone Alt: (956) 665-3575
Email: denise.longoria@utrgv.edu

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Frequently Asked Questions

Commonly asked questions about social work programs and modalities

The MSW is a Master of Social Work, and the MSSW is a Master of Science in Social Work. Both are recognized by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), social work program’s accrediting body. Both are recognized as master’s level social work degrees for employment purposes and allow the graduate to test for the LMSW license and later the LCSW license (see “Questions about licensing” below).

Our MSSW program is offered via two different modalities – Traditional and AOP:

  • The traditional program is offered in a combination of in-person (i.e., face-to-face) and online courses. Some of these may be synchronous. Synchronous means students and faculty meet in real time; online meetings require attendance. The traditional program follows the standard, fifteen-week semester format.

  • The Traditional Online Program (TOP) is complete online; however, all of the courses include a required, synchronous component.  Students are required to “attend” class virtually via Zoom or Teams on days designated by the instructor.

Advanced Standing refers to our 33-hour MSSW program, which can typically be completed in one-year. It is for students who already have a Bachelor’s in Social Work (BSW) from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Advanced Standing is available in both the Traditional and Traditional Online Program (TOP) options. Both of our concentrations are available to Advanced Standing students:

  • Direct Practice with Latino Individuals, Families and Groups (micro)
  • Administration and Community Practice (macro)

In addition to having a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program, to qualify for Advanced Standing, applicants must have a 3.2 GPA or higher in the social work core courses.

  • The “micro” concentration focuses on direct practice with individuals, couples, families, and groups. This concentration is for individuals who want to work as social workers in mental health or substance abuse, schools, healthcare settings, etc.
  • The “macro” concentration focuses on practice at a more mezzo or macro level, such as political social work, legislative affairs, grass roots efforts, advocacy, administration, program evaluation, and work with communities and organizations.

No. The University offers graduate scholarships and information can be found at https://www.utrgv.edu/graduate/funding/scholarships/index.htm.

Commonly Asked Questions About Courses and Course Schedules

Many of our students work full-time. We offer all of our graduate courses in the evenings. Additionally, some courses in our traditional program are offered online. In the TOP, all courses are online.

Students can take any basic undergraduate statistics course to fulfill this requirement. This includes courses offered through the departments of Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, Criminal Justice, Mathematics, etc.

No. Research courses typically focus on research methods, not on statistical analyses.

We recognize many of our students bring valuable work experience to our programs. These work experiences enrich the student’s work and the discussions in class. However, we are not able to substitute work experience for coursework because it is not allowed by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the social work program’s accrediting body.

Students are required to maintain a 3.0 GPA. If the GPA falls below a 3.0, the student will be placed on academic probation.

A student can earn no more than two Cs in the program to remain in good standing. A third C will result in automatic dismissal from the program.

Commonly Asked Questions About Licensing in Social Work

In the state of Texas, the MSSW/MSW is a pathway for licensing. After graduation, students must pass the Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) exam. Then the individual must complete two years of post-graduate work in a clinical setting under the supervision of a board-approved supervisor and pass the LCSW exam. While most states have similar requirements, we encourage applicants in other states to check with their respective social work state boards.