College Web Site

Graduate School of Social Work

Contact Information

GSSW Home Page
http://www.uh.edu/gssw

Office of the Dean
(713) 743-8085 212 Social Work Building

Associate Dean
(713) 743-8085 210 Social Work Building

M.S.W. Program Director
(713) 743-8082 202 Social Work Building

Ph.D. Program Director
(713) 743-8080 305 Social Work Building

M.S.W. Admissions Office
(713) 743-8078 203 Social Work Building

General Information
(713) 743-8075

Dean: Karen A. Holmes, Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin
Associate Dean for Administration: Paul R. Raffoul, Ph.D., Washington University
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs: Susan P. Robbins, D.S.W., Tulane University

General Information

The Graduate School of Social Work (GSSW) was established by the Texas Legislature in 1967. Two degrees are offered: the Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) and the Ph.D. in Social Work.

About the College

The social work profession has as its primary goal the enhancement of social functioning of all persons, as individuals, family members, community participants, and members of society. Individual as well as social problems are viewed from a broad perspective which encompasses a variety of different causes; as a result, the M.S.W. curriculum of the GSSW reflects an overall systems perspective as a means of understanding the complexities of individual and social dysfunction. Social work practice is concerned with promoting the well-being of all persons, ameliorating the harmful effects of unhealthy social environments, and striving to achieve social justice.

In line with the diverse types and causes of human problems, as well as the diverse populations whom these problems affect, graduates of this program will be qualified to work in a variety of capacities and in various settings. Work settings include, but are not limited to, public or private agencies and treatment facilities concerned with issues such as mental and physical health, family and child welfare, income maintenance, vocational rehabilitation, education, social justice, and advocacy. Job functions and methods may include various types of counseling, advocacy, community resource development and referral, program design and administration, research, policy analysis, and evaluation of various human service programs. Social workers may be employed in social service agencies, counseling centers, hospitals, hospices, prisons and probation centers, employee assistance programs, halfway houses, educational institutions, churches, community development projects, and in the political arena.

The social worker needs maturity, knowledge, and skill to provide direct services or to develop programs that encourage maximum development of human potential. Thus, the purposes of graduate social work education are to encourage a broad-based perspective and value system, to provide knowledge for understanding and positively influencing human behavior and social systems, and to develop skills necessary for professional practice.

Accreditation

The Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) program of the Graduate School of Social Work is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

M.S.W. Program Mission Statement

The mission of the Graduate School of Social Work is to advance social and economic justice by educating students for knowledgeable and competent social work practice. These values affirm the social work profession's historical commitment to promote a just social order, thereby ensuring equal opportunities for all persons to achieve their full potential. The school, as an integral component of the University of Houston, is committed to meeting the needs of the diverse racial, ethnic, and cultural groups in the Gulf region, as well as the state of Texas, the nation, and the international community.

The M.S.W. Degree

The GSSW offers a 63 credit hour M.S.W. degree. All students are required to successfully complete a sequenced set of foundation courses prior to selecting a specific field of practice concentration in their second year. Choices of concentration include Health Care, Mental Health, Children and Families, Gerontological Social Work, and Political Social Work. A variety of electives is also available. The program can be completed in two calendar years full time, or in four years on a part-time basis.