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Why Pursue a Master's Degree in Social Work

Community Impact

UTSA is proud to partner with communities in San Antonio and beyond, which create a wide range of possibilities for student practicum experiences. In addition to engaging with the community, students engage with dedicated faculty and with one another through campus organizations. On the state licensing exam, students and alumni from the MSW program have a passing rate that is significantly higher than the national passage rate. MSW alumni are transforming lives and organizations in San Antonio and across the country.

See What Our Students Say

UTSA’s Master of Social Work program focuses on transformative, culturally competent practice. Alumnus Rogelio Narvaez talks about his meaningful work in San Antonio since earning his degree.

Degree Options

Admission & Application Requirements

Applications are submitted through the UTSA Graduate Application. Please upload all required documents (listed below) on your UTSA Graduate Application. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure completion and submission of the application, a nonrefundable application fee, and all required supporting documents are on file with UTSA by the appropriate application deadline.

Social Work (MSW)
  Required Degree Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in the United States or have proof of equivalent training at a foreign institution.
  Minimum GPA 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) Departments may consider GPA of last 60 semester credit hours
  Coursework 18 credit hours in an area related to this graduate degree and at least 12 hours must be at the upper-division level.
  Transcripts* Required from all institutions attended; international transcripts must be recorded/translated to English
  Credential Evaluation Required if you have earned university-level credit from foreign institutions. Submit an evaluation of your transcripts from Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) directly from the graduate admission application platform
  English Language Proficiency 550 TOEFL Paper / 79 TOEFL Internet / 6.5 IELTS / Duolingo 100
  Purpose Statement Required Your purpose statement should be a narrative no longer than five double-spaced pages that should address the questions found in this MSW narrative document.
  Letters of Recommendation 3 academic or professional reference(s) demonstrating your attributes for successful completion of this program (you will request these through the Graduate Admissions Application; let your recommenders know of your deadline to ensure submissions are on time). For the 36-hour program, 1 additional letter of reference from a BSW program/field director should also be included.
  Field Evaluation Required for the 36-hour program
  Liberal Arts Perspective Required for the 60-hour program. Form must be completed in the graduate application.
*Unofficial transcripts will be taken into consideration for admissions; however, if admitted into the program, you must submit official transcripts to the University.
Apply 2023-24 Application Apply 2024-25 Application

Admission Deadlines

Applicants are encouraged to have their admission file completed as early as possible. All applications, required documents and letters of recommendation, if applicable, must be submitted by 5:00 PM U.S. Central Time on the day of the deadline. Deadlines are subject to change.

Social Work (MSW)
Completed applications will be reviewed for admission on a rolling basis. Decisions generally will be made and sent to applicants within 4 to 6 weeks of receiving the application.
Academic Year 2023-24 Priority International Domestic
Fall 2023 April 15 June 1 July 1
Spring 2024 Not Available November 1 November 1
Summer 2024 Not Available Not Available Not Available
Academic Year 2024-25 Priority International Domestic
Fall 2024 Not Available June 1 June 1
Spring 2025 Not Available November 1 December 1
Summer 2025 Not Available Not Available Not Available

Funding Opportunities

Title IV-E of the Social Security Act authorizes the federal government’s Foster Care and Adoption Assistance programs to provide matching funds to state educational programs. Students who qualify will receive a stipend under the Title IV-E program to help off-set costs associated with obtaining a Master of Social Work. For more information, click below.

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For information about scholarships, click below.

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Career Options

UTSA prepares you for future careers that are in demand. The possible careers below is data pulled by a third-party tool called Emsi, which pulls information from sources like the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau, online job postings, other government databases and more to give you regional and national career outlook related to this academic program.


The Master of Social Work program was fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) in February 2008, with reaffirmation in 2012 and 2021, making it a CSWE accredited program through 2028.

This program is offered at the UTSA Downtown Campus. This accredited program offers a Master in Social Work degree for part-time or full-time students. We offer primarily evening classes, with some day classes, to provide options for students with a variety of schedules. 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. Occasionally, weekend and evening placements are available, but students should plan on trying to be available for field approximately 8 hours per week during the regular 8-5 workweek in order to increase placement opportunities.

Graduate Advisor of Record

Emily Perez, LCSW-S

(210) 458-3168

emily.perez3@utsa.edu