³ÉÈËÍ·Ìõ

PURPOSE OF THE ³ÉÈËÍ·Ìõ BSW PROGRAM

The purpose of the BSW Program is to prepare competent social work generalist practitioners to provide high quality social services to the U.S.- Mexico border region. The Department promulgates a model for social work in the 21st Century by preparing social workers to address the changing demographics that characterize the increasingly diverse nation. The department makes a major contribution to knowledge and training for both the next generation of Mexican-American social workers, and those committed to serving the needs of the border region.

REPRESENTING THE POPULATIONS WE SERVE

Social Workers in the border area include those who are a part of the region’s Hispanic majority, military families and personnel, Native Americans, and other sectors of the region. Faculty and staff are committed to preparing culturally competent practitioners, particularly with regard to the Mexican American and border populations.
Students are trained to address the many social and health needs of families and communities in this bi-cultural, bi-national region, including issues related to child welfare, family violence, drug and alcohol abuse, medical social work, immigration and criminal justice.

COURSE CURRICULUM

The BSW degree requires 59 credit hours; the BSW required core courses constitute 41 credit hours. This includes:

• 31 credit hours of courses related to Practice, Policy, Research, Culture, Clinical Social Work, and Human Behavior, taken over Junior and Senior years.
• 12 credit hours for Field Instruction (3 credit hours) and Field Seminar (3 credit hours) that are taken both semesters of the Senior year. For Field Instructions, students will spend 16 hours per week (240 hours per semester) in a field placement.
• 16 credit hours from electives from the courses offered in the BSW program or in related fields such as Sociology, Health Sciences, Chicano Studies, Women’s Studies, Anthropology or Political Science

COURSE SCHEDULE

All classes are offered during the day; occasionally classes are offered late afternoon or evening. Saturday classes may be offered if needed. Because the program is relatively small, there is typically only one section of a class offered in a given semester. Also, many of the classes are sequenced, such that you must take the first class before you can take the second class. For example, Policy, Human Behavior & Social Environment (HBSE), Practice, and Field are all sequenced. In addition, you must complete HBSE I & II and Practice I & II courses in order to be eligible to apply for and enroll in Field.

APPLICATIONS

Applications will be accepted using the online application portal found here during the month of January. Students are encouraged to submit their applications early so that if there are any problems, we have time to contact you to make corrections. Acceptance into this program is based on an assessment of a set of criteria that captures a holistic picture of an applicant’s abilities. Admission criteria are as follows:

1. Submission of a complete admission packet for the BSW Program
2. Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) 2.80 or above. GPA’s from other colleges and universities will be averaged together based on the following formula: GPA from each university times GPA hours from university equals points. The hours and points from each college or university are then added. The true GPA will be calculated by dividing the total hours from all colleges and universities into the total points from all colleges and universities
3. Submission of updated Degree Plan, showing completion of University Core and Pre-Professional courses with a grade of “C” or better, with inclusion of fall course grades and in-progress spring courses. Updated Degree Plans can be accessed through the College of Health Sciences Student Support Center (studentsupportcenter@utep.edu), students need to have declared Social Work as their major.
4. Submission of Official and/or Unofficial Transcripts from ANY institution attended prior to attending ³ÉÈËÍ·Ìõ.
5. 5. Two references from professionals or college professors using the reference form found on the website. Additional letters of recommendation can be submitted, however, the reference form found on the website is required for the application submission. Using the online portal, individuals serving as recommendations will be sent an email with the form attached for them to upload into the portal.
6. Resume content, including work or volunteer experience in a social work or related field
7. 7. Submission of Experience Summary Sheet, which includes participation and leadership in community and professional organizations. The form is found on the website under forms for application

QUESTIONS?

For more information about the program, please visit our website ( ). Click on “Academic Programs”, then “Bachelor of Social Work.” You will find links to pages with more information about the Bachelor of Social Work program. If after reviewing the material you still have questions, please contact the Department of Social Work by phone at (915) 747-5095.