Master of Science in Social Work
Doctor of Philosophy

For More Information

Campus address: School of Social Work Building (WWH) 405 W. 25th Street, Austin, TX 78705, phone (512) 471-5457; campus mail code: D3500

Mailing address: The University of Texas at Austin, School of Social Work, 405 W. 25th Street Stop D3500, Austin, TX 78705

E-mail: utssw@lists.cc.utexas.edu

URL: http://socialwork.utexas.edu/

Facilities for Graduate Work

The School of Social Work is located in Walter Webb Hall, which houses classrooms, faculty and administrative offices, and student lounge areas. 

The school offers students several other services and resources, including the Office of Academic Affairs, which coordinates advising, registration, and other academic matters. Career planning is available through the DiNitto Career Services Center. The Office of the Associate Dean for Research administers faculty-conducted research in such areas as substance use and mental health; child welfare; cultural diversity; domestic and community violence; gerontology; families, children, and youth; social work education; organizational structures; restorative justice; health; health disparities; and behavioral health.

Areas of Study

The Steve Hicks School of Social Work offers graduate study leading to the Master of Science in Social Work and the Doctor of Philosophy with a major in social work.

The Master of Science in Social Work program prepares students for advanced social work practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities, as well as for policy-related and administrative positions. Two areas of concentration are available: clinical social work or administration and policy practice.

The Doctor of Philosophy degree prepares students to be social work scientists and to pursue careers as academicians and researchers. Students pursuing this degree design their own areas of study based on their academic and research interests.

Graduate Studies Committee

The following faculty members served on the Graduate Studies Committee (GSC) in the spring 2025 semester.

Joan E Asseff Mary-Ellen Brown Noel B Busch-Armendariz Esther Calzada Yessenia Castro Namkee Choi Kasey Claborn Allan H Cole Jr Fiona Conway Catherine Cubbin Diana M Dinitto Cynthia G Franklin

Rebecca Gomez Lauren E Gulbas Mercedes Hernandez Sandy Magana Lailea Noel Yolanda C Padilla Danielle Parrish Carmen R Valdez Mary M Velasquez Shetal Vohra Kirk L Von Sternberg Yuanjin Zhou

Admission Requirements

Master of Science in Social Work

Applicants for admission to this degree program should have a general liberal arts education with a broad range of studies in the behavioral sciences. All applicants must have completed at least one college-level statistics course that includes inferential applications.

Applicants with a Bachelor of Social Work degree from a school accredited by the Council on Social Work Education may be admitted into a modified program of study.

Doctor of Philosophy

Applicants to the Doctoral Program in Social Work must have a master’s degree from an accredited school of social work or a master's degree in a related discipline. GPA of 3.0 or above in upper-division undergraduate courses, a graduate GPA of 3.0 or above, and completion of an undergraduate or graduate introductory statistics course with a minimum grade of B. International applicants from countries with a primary language other than English are to provide scores for TOEFL (minimum of 100, 25 in each section preferred). All applicants must show capacity for advanced academic work and potential for scholarship, demonstrate excellent and writing and analytic skills, and show evidence of research interests and capabilities

Professional Liability Insurance

Professional liability insurance is required and a criminal background check may be required of all students enrolled in field placement or internship courses. The insurance policy must cover the duration of the course, beginning on or before the first regular class period.