JULY 19, 2023 — UTSA will launch a new Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree program this fall. The new program, offered through the College for Health, Community and Policy (HCaP), is designed to address the significant need for social workers in San Antonio.
This unique program prepares and develops general social workers into professionals who can recognize and respect different cultures and styles of communication and who can develop a practice the promotes equity, social justice and well-being.
As the seventh-largest city in the United States, San Antonio faces challenges including poverty, intimate partner violence, homelessness, mental health issues and substance abuse. A workforce trained in addressing these problems will begin to solve them.
Built as a companion and partner program to UTSA’s highly ranked Master of Social Work (MSW), the BSW will provide students with skills and knowledge to effectively address challenges at the individual, family, community and policy levels, opening doors to careers focused on making a positive impact on the lives of people who are vulnerable or marginalized.
“I am very excited about the BSW program launch and the impact it is poised to have,” said John Bricout, chair of the UTSA Department of Social Work. “The synergies that will result from the close links to our MSW program, its practicum and professional networks, resources and faculty expertise will be of immediate and significant benefit to our new BSW students. The program is particularly well-suited to the missions of our department and UTSA and to better serve the vibrant, growing San Antonio community while advancing our capacity to realize a robust classroom-to-career pipeline.”
UTSA faculty members intentionally designed the BSW program to align content, theories and focus with the university’s MSW program so that students are well-prepared to succeed in the work force. Students who successfully complete their BSW degree will be eligible to apply for UTSA’s advanced standing, 36-hour MSW program instead of the standard 60-hour MSW degree, obtaining their master’s sooner at a significant cost savings compared to similar programs at other colleges and universities.
Students begin the program with a social work core, including courses across all disciplines for a well-rounded approach to theory and practice. Classes include diversity and social justice, policy, human behavior, and social work practice skills. The program culminates with a 450-hour practicum in a community agency, giving students the experiential, on-the-job skills that will provide them with an edge for employment upon graduation.
These graduates will enter a workforce where social workers are in demand. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, social worker jobs are expected to grow by 9% over the next decade –faster than the national average for all industries.
“We have a long-standing master’s in social work but no means to train social workers at the undergraduate level,” said Lynne Cossman, dean of the college.
Less time in the classroom working on the MSW means students can choose their career path sooner.
"Importantly, this is the only Bachelor of Social Work in the greater San Antonio area offered in-person at a public institution,” Cossman added.
Social workers are essential to promoting social justice and equity, as well as improving the overall well-being of their communities. This new degree program supports UTSA’s urban-serving mission to tackle society’s grand challenges through world-class education and research programs. The program is also representative of UTSA’s mission as a Tier One research university that drives San Antonio’s knowledge economy and lives out the notion that great universities need great cities and great cities need great universities.
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The Roadrunner Pantry/Whataburger Resource Room has joined efforts with the campus community for the Move-In Market! Come shop for some great items for your room or apartment to get you started and set up for success. The best part about it--everything is free! Bring your UTSA student ID to receive shopping credits.
Student Union Annex (BK Lot 5 next to Campus Garden)UTSA parents and family members are invited for appetizers and drinks to meet other Roadrunner families following Move-In Week. Students are encouraged to attend Comedy Night and Late Night at the Rec, while family members celebrate their student’s next chapter.
Rock & Brews Restaurant, 5702 Landmark Pkwy, San Antonio, TX 78249Late Night at the Rec features an evening of fun, games, giveaways, and excitement. It's also a great way to learn about the facilities, recreation programs, and wellness services offered at the Main and Downtown campuses.
Campus Rec Center, Main CampusCome show your Roadrunner Spirit by joining our very own Rowdy, The Spirit of San Antonio Marching Band (SOSA), your fellow students, as we light the Monument at our Main Campus entrance at the stroke of midnight to mark the start of a new academic year.
Main CampusAnnual Giving will host a First Day of School celebration to welcome students back to campus. We will have giveaways and photo opportunities.
Sombrilla PlazaA sweet start to the Semester. Join the University College to customize your own sugar cookie while enjoying connecting with other UTSA students.
Airport Lounge (SU 2.02.00D,) Student Union, Main CampusJoin us for a tabling event with the UTS Bold Careers Program! Start the academic year off right with our team to discuss experiential learning and career development.
In front of the Rowdy Campus StoreThe University of Texas at San Antonio is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through research and discovery, teaching and learning, community engagement and public service. As an institution of access and excellence, UTSA embraces multicultural traditions and serves as a center for intellectual and creative resources as well as a catalyst for socioeconomic development and the commercialization of intellectual property - for Texas, the nation and the world.
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UTSA is a proud Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) as designated by the U.S. Department of Education .
The University of Texas at San Antonio, a Hispanic Serving Institution situated in a global city that has been a crossroads of peoples and cultures for centuries, values diversity and inclusion in all aspects of university life. As an institution expressly founded to advance the education of Mexican Americans and other underserved communities, our university is committed to promoting access for all. UTSA, a premier public research university, fosters academic excellence through a community of dialogue, discovery and innovation that embraces the uniqueness of each voice.