Social Work
PROGRAM SUMMARY
The Master of Social Work (MSW) program was granted accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) in February 2008. The Department of Social Work is located within the College of Public Policy at UTSA’s Downtown campus, located at 501 West Durango Boulevard. Other graduate programs currently located in the College include a M.S. in Justice Policy, a M.P.A. in Public Administration, and a Ph.D. in Demography.
The Master of Social Work (MSW) degree prepares students for advanced culturally competent 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 social responsibility, cultural competence, and community collaboration within an interprofessional and global context.
MISSION STATEMENT
Educating to act with integrity-
as socially responsible, culturally competent
social work professionals—
in service with diverse populations through
community collaboration within an
interprofessional and global context.
MSW PROGRAM GOALS
The Department of Social Work at The University of Texas at San Antonio demonstrates commitment to its Mission through:
1. Socially Responsible Service
To demonstrate leadership within an educational environment that promotes socially responsible program planning and implementation, teaching, research, and service with students, university, and community.
To educate and graduate social work students who integrate socially responsible service through their professional values, knowledge, and skills to work collaboratively with communities.
2. Cultural Competence within a Global Context
To incorporate cultural competence as an organizing framework and diversity as the evaluative lens through which all UTSA social work education activities are designed, implemented, and evaluated.
To educate and graduate culturally competent MSW’s who will provide advanced practice values, knowledge, and skills with diverse populations.
3. Interprofessional Collaboration
To engage in education, practice, policy, and research in a university community partnership within an interprofessionally collaborative context.
To educate and graduate MSW’s who will integrate values, knowledge, and skills within an interprofessional context that will build on the strengths of individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
MSW PROGRAM ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
All Applicants are encouraged to apply on line at http://www.utsa.edu/graduate/.
Applicants must satisfy University-wide graduate admission requirements. All applicants who apply for unconditional admission must possess a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university in the United States or have proof of equivalent training at a foreign institution, must have a grade point average of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in the last 60 semester credit hours of coursework for the baccalaureate degree as well as in all graduate-level work previously completed, must be in good standing at the last institution attended, and based on review of documents including applicant narrative and reference forms, must be recommended for admission by the Department of Social Work Graduate Program Committee.
ALL APPLICANTS (Non Bachelor of Social Work & Bachelor of Social Work)
Admission requirements for all students include:
- a completed graduate application form submitted to the UTSA Graduate School, including official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended;
- a narrative statement to study in the UTSA MSW program not to exceed 1250 words (approximately 5 pages);
- three completed department recommendation forms from individuals familiar with applicant preparation for graduate social work education;
- department forms documenting prior professional and volunteer experiences and academic preparation in the liberal arts;
- for international students, results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL; not more than five years old and a score of not less than 550), or results of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS; not more than five years old and a score of not less than 4.5).
Applicants for non-BSW, advanced standing, or modified MSW program may be admitted as unconditional, conditional, probationary, special graduate, or non-degree-seeking students. Admission as a special graduate or non-degree-seeking student does not guarantee subsequent admission as a degree-seeking student; such students must reapply for degree-seeking status.
BSW APPLICANTS
Students with a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree may qualify for advanced standing if they graduated from a baccalaureate social work program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The minimum number of semester credit hours required for the advanced standing degree is 36, exclusive of BSW coursework with a grade of “C” or below.
For advanced standing admission, the applicant must meet program admission requirements, and in addition:
- hold a BSW degree from a CSWE-accredited BSW program;
- have a grade point average of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in the last 60 semester credit hours of coursework for the BSW, as well as in any graduate-level work previously completed;
- provide two additional reference letters from:
the BSW field director/coordinator/liaison or BSW program director, and
the agency-based field supervisor where the applicant completed his/her BSW field internship;
- provide a copy of the BSW field evaluation form which indicates number of clock hours completed, final grade, description of practicum setting (includes community and clientele served), and accomplishments as a practicum student;
- be in good standing at the last institution attended; and
- be recommended for admission by the Department of Social Work Graduate Program Committee.
MODIFIED MSW TRANSFER APPLICANT OPTIONS
A modified MSW degree option is also available for transfer students who successfully complete a minimum of 18 graduate semester credit hours at the foundation level in a CSWE-accredited master of social work program. The minimum number of semester credit hours required for the modified MSW degree option is 36, exclusive of MSW coursework with a grade of “C” or below. For modified MSW program admission, the applicant must meet program admission requirements, and in addition:
- have a grade point average of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in the last 60 semester credit hours of undergraduate coursework as well as any graduate-level MSW coursework previously completed;
- provide a reference letter from the MSW program director/chair attesting to good standing status in the MSW program;
- when transferring field practicum courses, the applicant must also provide two additional reference letters from the MSW field director/coordinator/liaison or MSW program director, and the agency-based field supervisor where the applicant completed his/her MSW field internship, and provide a copy of the MSW field evaluation form which indicates number of clock hours completed, final grade, description of practicum setting (includes community and clientele served), and accomplishments as a practicum student; and
- be recommended for admission by the Department of Social Work Graduate Program Committee.
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 program, and 60 for the non-BSW student.
A. 24 semester credit hours of foundation courses. Non-BSW students must complete the following courses:
SWK 5013 Human Behavior and Social Environment: Dynamics of Individuals and Families
SWK 5023 Human Behavior and Social Environment: Dynamics of Organizations & Communities
SWK 5103 Social Problems and Social Welfare Policy Analysis
SWK 5203 Social Work Research
SWK 5303 Social Work Methods I
SWK 5313 Social Work Methods II
SWK 5403 Field Practicum I and Integrative Seminar
SWK 5413 Field Practicum II and Integrative Seminar
B. 9 semester credit hours of courses particular to program mission and goals. All students must complete the following courses:
SWK 5233 Global Context of Social Work
SWK 5513 Culturally Competent Practice with Diverse Populations
SWK 5633 Interprofessional Collaboration
C. 21 semester credit hours in Advanced Culturally Competent Practice. All students must complete the following courses:
SWK 5243 Advanced Social Work Research: Theoretically Driven Practice and Program Evaluation
SWK 5423 Field Practicum III and Integrative Seminar
SWK 5433 Field Practicum IV and Integrative Seminar
SWK 5443 Advanced Social Work Methods: Individual and Family Practice
SWK 5463 Advanced Social Work Methods: Group Practice
SWK 5473 Advanced Social Work Methods: Policy Practice and Advocacy
SWK 5493 Advanced Social Methods: Community Organization and Social Development
*Note: Prior to Fall 2007, the MSW Program also offers advanced concentration in direct and macro practice. Please refer to UTSA 2005-2007 Graduate Catalog for more information. http://www.utsa.edu/gcat/
D. 3 semester credit hours from the following selectives. All Students must choose one of the following courses:
SWK 5453 Social Work Administration and Supervision
or
SWK 5483 Multidimensional Assessment
E. 3 semester credit hours of electives. All students must choose one of the following courses:
3 semester credit hours of free elective graduate coursework chosen in consultation with the GAR
or
SWK 6953 Independent Study
or
SWK 6973 Special Topics in Culturally Competent Practice
Field Education
Field education mobilizes community engagement for the developing of social work professional. It brings to life our conceptualization that cultural competence is the organizing framework and diversity as the evaluative lens through which all UTSA social work education activities are designed, implemented, and evaluated. It is anchored and designed to reflect our program mission, values, goals, objectives, themes, and theoretical framework. The field education foundation – advanced curriculum continuim have been developed to guide and assure the attainment of program goals of socially responsible service, cultural competence within a global context, and interprofessional collaboration. The field education component of social work graduate education is an opportunity for the student to integrate theory and practice during a weekly integrative seminar.
The Department of Social Work relies on social service related organizations to provide opportunities for meeting the field education requirement. If you intend to work 30 or more hours outside the home during the MSW Program, it will be important for you to consider being able to provide a minimum of 8 clock hours during the Monday through Friday work week within 8 - 5 timeframe.
The MSW field practicum foundation – advanced curriculum continuum consists of two separate assignments for students without a Bachelor of Social Work Degree (BSW). Below you will find the respective courses and minimum number of clock hours for each practicum assignment:
- SWK 5403 Field Practicum I & Integrative Seminar (FP I) and SWK 5413 Field Practicum II & Integrative Seminar (FP II). 450 clock hours. This foundation field practicum is typically offered in the Fall (FP I) and Spring (FP II). The student is assigned a practicum site over these two semesters.
- SWK 5423 Field Practicum III & Integrative Seminar (FP III) and SKW 5433 Field Practicum IV & Integrative Seminar (FP IV). 450 clock hours within Spring and Summer semesters. A student has an option of combining this course with SWK 5433 (FP IV) in one semester for a "block placement," which requires a minimum of 450 clock hours for a total of 6 semester credit hours.
Students who qualify for the advanced standing program (have a BSW), will only be assigned # 2 above for a total of 450 clock hours.
Comprehensive Examination
Students who successfully complete SWK 5243, Advanced Social Work Research: Theoretically Driven Practice and Program Evaluation, with a grade of “B” or better satisfy the comprehensive examination requirement for master’s degree graduates. Students who receive a grade of “C” may still satisfy this requirement by successfully passing a comprehensive examination.
PROSPECTIVE APPLICANT SESSIONS
UTSA holds Prospective Applicant Sessions during each admission cycle. Persons who are considering applying to the UTSA Department of Social Work are strongly encouraged to attend.
Benefits of attending a prospective applicant session include receiving information about the social work profession; UTSA, College of Public Policy, and the Department of Social Work; the mission; course of study for the MSW degree; and the application and admissions process. Meetings are informal and provide an opportunity for questions and answers. Each meeting is scheduled for about an hour.
Date |
Time |
Location |
Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2008 |
6:00 – 7:00 pm |
Downtown Campus |
| Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2008 | 12 - 1 pm |
Downtown Campus Buena Vista Bldg., BV 1.322 (Community Room) |
| Thursday, Oct. 9, 2008 | 6:00 – 7:00 pm |
Downtown Campus Durango Bldg., DB 2.208 |
| Thursday, Oct. 23, 2008 | 12 - 1 pm |
Downtown Campus Buena Vista Bldg., BV 1.322 (Community Room) |
Prospective students may apply online at the UTSA online application site. For additional information on applying for graduate education at UTSA, contact the UTSA Graduate School.
Sharrón Pachéco, Administrative Associate II
Voice: (210) 458-3000
FINANCIAL AID OFFICE
Information regarding financial aid, such as loans or grants, may be obtained through the UTSA Office of Student Financial Aid (210-458-4154). The federal, state, and institutional financial aid available at the UTSA has something to offer to all students. More specifically, you can go to UTSA’s Financial Aid Office for information on Graduate Student’s financial assistance, which could be grants or loans.
GRADUATE APPLICATION DEADLINES:
Semester of Entry |
UTSAGraduateSchool Deadline* |
MSW Program Preferred Deadline** |
Fall |
July 1 |
April 1 |
Spring |
November 1 |
September 1 |
Summer |
May 1 |
April 1 |
* International applicants have different deadlines. Please refer to GraduateSchool for more information. ** All UTSA Graduate School applications will be reviewed that are completed by the Graduate School deadlines, but priority will be given to applications completed by the above UTSA MSW Program preference dates. Start date for review of MSW applications follow MSW Program Preferred Deadlines.
UTSA GRADUATE TUITION AND FEES
See the graduate tuition and fee schedule for Fall 2007, Spring, and Summer 2008 information. http://utsa.edu/fiscalservices/tuition.htm
Career Services at UTSA
The Department of Social Work is working collaboratively with UTSA Career Services. All job announcements sent to the Department of Social Work are forwarded to Career Services for posting.
The Career Services office provides UTSA students and alumni with comprehensive employment and career development services. It offers job search assistance to students/alumni conducting a job search for full-time career positions, cooperative education, internships (note: all social work internships are managed by Social Work Coordinator of Field Education) and part-time jobs.
To review job openings, please visit the Career Services website.
MSW COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Foundation Courses
5013 Human Behavior and Social Environment: Dynamics of Individuals and Families
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: Graduate standing or consent of instructor or graduate advisor.
In this foundation course, ecological systems and biopsychosocial developmental frameworks are used to examine the influence that context has in shaping individual and family dynamics across the life span with an emphasis on cultural diversity and social justice issues.
5023 Human Behavior and Social Environment: Dynamics of Organizations & Communities
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: Graduate standing or consent of instructor or graduate advisor.
This foundation course applies the social systems/ecological perspective to the study of the dynamics of human behavior in diverse groups, organizations, and communities. The focus on the interconnectedness of variables and on the multiple causation of events prepares students to perceive holistically and contextually small groups, organizations, and communities.
5103 Social Problems and Social Welfare Policy Analysis
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: Graduate standing or consent of instructor or graduate advisor.
This foundation policy course examines the historical perspective on the development of social problems and the social welfare institutions, policies, and programs created in response to those programs with emphasis on policy development and analysis within a local-global perspective.
5203 Social Work Research
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: Graduate standing or consent of instructor or graduate advisor.
This foundation research course is designed to develop understanding of the process of research and of the use of the scientific method in social work practice. This course focuses on quantitative and qualitative research methods useful in evaluating culturally competent social work interventions with diverse populations.
5303 Social Work Methods I
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisites: Graduate standing in social work and concurrent enrollment in SWK 5403.
This foundation course is an introduction to social work methodology from a culturally competent and strengths perspective focus. Students are introduced to social work practice methods with individuals, families, and small groups through a generalist perspective of social work practice.
5313 Social Work Methods II
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisites: Graduate standing in social work, completion of SWK 5303 and SWK 5403.
This foundation course builds on SWK 5303 by deepening student’s knowledge of a generalist practice perspective and introduces macro practice approaches with diverse groups, organizations, and communities.
5403 Field Practicum I and Integrative Seminar
3 hours credit. Prerequisites: Graduate standing in social work and concurrent enrollment in SWK 5303.
This foundation field practicum course is designed to serve as the integration of classroom theory and real world practice. It is a practice course based on supervised assignments designed to facilitate the student’s ability to develop and demonstrate independent learning competencies of a generalist social work perspective which includes skill in working with individuals, families, and small groups. The student will complete a minimum of 225 clock hours at an assigned field practicum site. An integrative seminar that emphasizes integration of theory and practice will be held weekly. The grade report for this course is either “CR” (credit) or “NC” (no credit).
5413 Field Practicum II and Integrative Seminar
3 hours credit. Prerequisites: Graduate standing in social work, completion of SWK 5303 and SWK 5403, and concurrent enrollment in SWK 5313.
This foundation course is a continuation of SWK 5403 with a focus on demonstrating independent learning competencies in generalist social work perspective and skill development with groups, organizations, and communities. The student will complete a minimum of 225 clock hours at an assigned practicum site. An integrative seminar that emphasizes integration of theory and practice will be held weekly. The grade report for this course is either “CR” (credit) or “NC” (no credit).
Advanced Courses
5243 Advanced Social Work Research: Theoretically Driven Practice and Program Evaluation
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisites: Graduate standing in social work, completion of all foundation courses, and concurrent enrollment in SWK 5423.
This advanced research course integrates theory, practice, and research skills. Students demonstrate program competency mastery through completion of an independent capstone course paper. This course examines both program and practice interventions and to facilitate student’s integration of research methods in the assessment, planning, intervention, and evaluation of practice and program effectiveness.
5423 Field Practicum III and Integrative Seminar
3 hours credit. Prerequisites: Graduate standing in social work, completion of all core coursework with the exception of SWK 5243, which may be taken concurrently.
Building on foundation or BSW field experiences, this advanced field practicum course provides a supervised practicum within a human service agency. The internship addresses the continued independent learning and application of theory to practice at an advanced level as related to the demonstration of culturally competent practice. The internship requires a minimum of 225 clock hours for 3 semester credit hours. A student may combine this course with SWK 5433 in one semester for a “block” placement, which requires a minimum of 450 clock hour for a total of 6 semester credit hours. An integrative seminar that emphasizes integration of theory and practice will be held weekly. The grade report for this course is either “CR” (credit) or “NC” (no credit).
5433 Field Practicum IV and Integrative Seminar
3 hours credit. Prerequisites: Graduate standing in social work, completion of all core coursework with the exception of SWK 5243, which may be taken concurrently.
Building on foundation or BSW field experiences, this advanced field practicum course provides a supervised practicum within a human service agency. The internship addresses the continued independent learning and application of theory to practice at an advanced level as related to the demonstration of culturally competent practice. The internship requires a minimum of 225 clock hours for 3 semester credit hours. A student may combine this course with SWK 5423 in one semester for a “block” placement, which requires a minimum of 450 clock hour for a total of 6 semester credit hours. An integrative seminar that emphasizes integration of theory and practice will be held on a regular basis. The grade report for this course is either “CR” (credit) or “NC” (no credit).
5443 Advanced Social Work Methods: Individual and Family Practice
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisites: Graduate standing in social work and completion of all foundation courses.
This advanced practice methods course applies evidence and theory-based individual and family intervention skills and techniques with an emphasis on cultural competence within the local/global context. Ecological systems, interpersonal process, and social constuctionism provide an overarching framework for integrating values, knowledge, skills, and techniques from the various practice approaches.
5463 Advanced Social Work Methods: Group Practice
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisites: Graduate standing in social work and completion of all foundation courses.
This advanced methods course focuses on developing group leaders with both theoretical and experiential understandings of group purpose, development, dynamics, group theories, methods and skills, and other group approaches. Emphasis is given to developing an integrative perspective of group theory and in applying skills differentially to diverse populations across the lifespan.
5473 Advanced Social Work Methods: Policy Practice and Advocacy
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisites: Graduate standing in social work and completion of all foundation courses, or consent of instructor or graduate advisor.
This advanced methods course in community organization and social development is aimed at students who seek to refine their skills in community-building and collective action. It draws and builds on foundation knowledge and skills from introductory level practice, policy, and Human Behavior and the Social Environment courses in the curriculum.
5493 Advanced Social Work Methods: Community Organization and Social Development
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisites: Graduate standing in social work and completion of all foundation courses.
This advanced methods course focuses on the community and the struggles of its people to build upon its strengths, reduce its distresses, and move toward fulfillment of self-determined goals. It seeks to deepen and expand the student’s knowledge, skills and understanding of community-based organizing and local social and economic development and how they can be combined through community building strategies shaped by participative organizing and advocacy.
Required Courses Particular to Program Mission and Goals
5233 Global Context of Social Work
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: Graduate standing in social work, or consent of instructor or graduate advisor.
This advanced selective course examines the historical contexts of contemporary international social issues and the mutually reinforcing relationship between the local and the global. This course will critically explore the economic, political, social, behavioral, environmental, and cultural dimensions of globalization.
5513 Culturally Competent Practice with Diverse Populations
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: Graduate standing or consent of instructor or graduate advisor.
This course, particular to the mission of the UTSA Department of Social Work, explores social diversity and social justice and their relationship to social work practice with diverse and oppressed populations. The course examines the history, demographics, and cultures of various disenfranchised groups served by social workers. The course moves beyond a focus on cultural appreciation and self-awareness to focus on knowledge acquisition and culturally competent skill development.
5633 Interprofessional Collaboration
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: Graduate standing or consent of instructor or graduate advisor.
This course, particular to the mission of the UTSA Department of Social Work, focuses on the social responsibility of culturally competent social workers to collaborate across disciplines within an interprofessional context in order to better serve families and communities. Central to interprofessional practice principles is the valuing of individual, family, and community expertise. Students will incorporate values, knowledge and skills to participate in the development of holistic service integration approaches and the creation of systems of care service networks.
Selective Courses
5453 Social Work Administration and Supervision
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisites: Graduate standing in social work and completion of all foundation courses.
This advanced selective course critiques major theories of management and emphasizes the knowledge and skills needed for effective practice in human service management such as management functions, planning and goal setting, decision making, leadership, personnel management, conflict resolution, budgeting and fiscal management, and the management of a diverse workforce.
5483 Multidimensional Assessment
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisites: Graduate standing in social work and completion of all foundation courses, or consent of instructor or graduate advisor.
This advanced selective course on the multidimensional assessment of the functioning of children, adolescents, and adults gives emphasis to students learning to critically evaluate and adapt assessment approaches and methods that are congruent with the cultural experiences of clients. The multidimensional framework incorporates biological, genetic, physical, developmental, social, cultural, environmental factors, and social justice issues in the assessment process.
Elective Courses
6953 Independent Study
3 hours credit. Prerequisites: Graduate standing, successful completion of 6 semester credit hours of social work graduate courses, and permission in writing (form available) from the program advisor, graduate advisor, or instructor.
Independent course of study in a special topic of interest in the areas of research, field practicum, or other social work related topic under the direction of a faculty member. For students needing specialized work not usually available as part of the regular social work course offerings. May be repeated for credit, but no more than 6 hours will apply to the Master’s degree.
6973 Special Topics in Culturally Competent Practice
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisites: Graduate standing, successful completion of 6 semester credit hours of social work graduate courses, and permission in writing from the instructor, program advisor, or graduate advisor.
This is an organized course offering the opportunity for specialized study in culturally competent practice not usually available as part of the regular course offerings. Special Topics courses may be repeated for credit when topics vary, but no more than 6 semester credit hours, regardless of discipline, will apply to the Master’s degree.
Interdisciplinary Electives
Note: Arrangements have been made to permit UTSA-MSW students to take selected elective courses from other academic departments at UTSA and UTHSCSA. Students will make selection in consultation with the Graduate Advisor of Record (GAR).
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT
Rosalie Ambrosino, Ph.D., Interim Chair
Sandra G. Posada, LCSW, ACSW; Director of Field Education
Sharrón Pachéco, Administrative Associate II
University of Texas at San Antonio
Department of Social Work
College of Public Policy
501 West Durango Boulevard
San Antonio, TX 78207-4415
Voice: (210) 458-3000
Fax: (210) 458-3001
E-mail: Sharrón Pachéco
501 W. Durango Blvd., San Antonio, TX 78207 PH (210) 458-3000 FAX (210) 458-3000