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Graduate College of Social Work

Contact Information

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

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

Ph.D. Admissions
(713) 743-8080
422 Social Work Building
phdinfo@sw.uh.edu

M.S.W. Admissions
(713) 743-8130
203 Social Work Building
mswinfo@sw.uh.edu

General Information
(713) 743-8075
College Web site: www.sw.uh.edu


Dean:
Ira C. Colby, D.S.W., University of Pennsylvania

Associate Dean for Administration and Information Technology:
Paul R. Raffoul, Ph.D., Washington University

Associate Dean for Academic Affairs:
Karen A. Holmes, Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin

About the College

The University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work (GSSW), established by the Texas Legislature in 1967, provides master's level education for the practice of professional social work. 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.

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 and economic justice. 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 advanced skills for professional practice.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Graduate College of Social Work is to advance social, economic and political justice and to advance knowledge for competent, ethical practice and leadership with diverse populations.

Accreditation

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

The M.S.W. Degree

The GCSW offers a 63 credit hour M.S.W. degree. All students are required to successfully complete a sequenced set of foundation courses prior to beginning their concentration course work. 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 21 months full time, or in four years on a part-time basis.

The Ph.D. Degree

The GCSW also offers the Ph.D. in Social Work. Set in an urban, multicultural environment, the purpose of the GCSW doctoral program is to develop social work researchers, scholars, teachers, and leaders who can facilitate change through rigorous and contextualized analysis of social problems and social work interventions in a manner respectful of the experiences of all affected. Graduates will advance the knowledge base of the profession, promote a scientific basis for social work practice at all levels of intervention, and actively promote global social and economic justice.

Concurrent Degree Programs

Several collaborative degree programs are available that enrich the options and opportunities available to our students. Since admission to two programs is required, interested persons are encouraged to begin the application process early.

M.S.W./Ph.D. Applicants without a master's degree in social work (or with a master's degree in another field) may pursue a program of study that leads to both the M.S.W. and the Ph.D. degrees. Admission to the dual M.S.W.-Ph.D. is very limited. Applicants must submit separate applications and fees to both programs.

M.S.W./M.B.A. The Graduate College of Social Work and the C.T. Bauer College of Business offer a concurrent degree program that enables students to prepare for careers in which knowledge and skills in both social work and business administration are critical. Students in this dual degree program complete the degree requirements for the M.B.A. and the M.S.W. in the Graduate College of Social Work in a shorter time period than if the degrees were pursued separately.

Applicants must be admitted separately to each of the programs and admission to one has no official bearing upon admission to the other. Upon acceptance, enrollment in both the M.S.W. program in the Graduate College of Social Work and the M.B.A. program in the C.T. College of Business should occur within a period of one calendar year.

M.S.W./M.P.H. The Graduate College of Social Work and the University of Texas School of Public Health offer a concurrent degree program that enables students to prepare for careers in which knowledge and skills in both social work and public health are critical. This concurrent program provides students with the opportunity to complete degree requirements for the M.S.W. and the M.P.H. in a shorter time period than if the degrees were pursued separately.

Applicants must be admitted separately to each of the schools and admission to one has no official bearing upon admission to the other. Upon acceptance, enrollment in both the M.S.W. program in the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work and the M.P.H. program in the University of Texas School of Public Health should occur within a period of one calendar year.

M.S.W./J.D. The Graduate College of Social Work and the Law Center at the University of Houston offer a concurrent degree program that prepares students for professional practice in arenas where law and social work intersect and complement each other. Examples include public services, health and mental health care systems, services to children and families, and the political arena. This program enables students to finish both degrees in a shorter time than if they were pursued separately.

Applicants must be admitted separately to each of the degree programs and admission to one has no official bearing on admission to the other. Applicants need to plan ahead so that their LSAT and GRE scores are submitted to meet application deadlines.

Student Organizations

The GCSW Student Association seeks to promote unity among students of the Graduate College of Social Work. In addition to the SA, other student organizations offer opportunities for active involvement in the life of the school and the community. Student organizations include the National Association of Black Social Workers, the Hispanic Student Association, Social Welfare Action Alliance, Gay-Straight Alliance, TIKKUN OLAM (Jewish Student Organization), the Asian Student Organization, the Student Association of Christian Social Workers, AGES (Association of Gerontology Students), and the Women's Forum.