Send application materials to:

University of Houston
UH Graduate College of Social Work
Admissions Office
110HA Social Work Building
Houston, TX 77204-4013

A complete application packet is available for download here.

Checklist Items

1.  Online Application

Apply online using the ApplyTexas application.

2.  Application Fee

Submit a non-refundable application fee of $100.00 payable to UH-GCSW. You can pay the fee either on the online application or send in a check or money order with your Ph.D. Program Cover Page.

3.  Ph.D. Program Cover Page

Complete and submit the Ph.D. Program Cover Page.

4.  Official Transcripts

Submit two (2) official transcripts from all of your previous college/university work. Transcripts can either be sent to the GCSW directly from your colleges and universities or submitted with your other application materials in a sealed envelope from the school or university. Unsealed transcripts issued directly to you will not be accepted.  Please let us know on your application all legal names that may appear on any of your transcripts. 

5.  Research Statement

The research statement is a critical component of the admissions application. It is your opportunity to clearly define and articulate your research interests to the Ph.D. Program Admissions Committee. In this statement we would like for you to inform the committee of a specific primary research interest you plan to pursue during your doctoral education. This statement should reflect your aptitude to pursue innovative, creative, and relevant approaches to address contemporary issues within the field of social work.

As you develop your research statement you  may discuss your relevant background, skills, and experiences that have informed your research interests. Additionally, the research statement should include a discussion of your professional aspirations and how pursuing a Ph.D. degree at the University of Houston, Graduate College of Social Work, will help you achieve your goals.

It is critical that your research interests fit well with what our college and faculty can offer so that you may obtain valuable research experience and socialization to academia or other research settings. Therefore it is essential that you identify at least two (2) faculty members at GCSW who can provide you with research and mentoring opportunities. You may visit our faculty directory for a current listing of our faculty members to assist you in determining your research interest.  Please be sure to include these faculty members in your research statement and your rationale for identifying them.

The research statement should be double-spaced and 4-6 pages in length.  

6.  Vita/Resume

7.  Writing Samples

A writing sample is required. It should be double-spaced, and may include one or more of the following, not to exceed 3 samples:

• A publication
• A research paper from the master’s program you attended
• A research proposal or evaluation from the workplace (must be authored or co-authored by you)
• If you do not have any of the above, write a literature review or a research proposal not to exceed 25 pages

8.  Ph.D. Recommendation Letters and Form

Submit a minimum of three (3) but not more than five (5) letters of recommendation from persons who are familiar with your competencies and your potential for doctoral education.  It is recommended that two (2) of the letters be from doctoral-degreed tenure track faculty (i.e., current and/or former graduate level professors from your master’s program).  Each recommendation form must be accompanied with a reference letter.

9.  Official GRE Scores

Submit official scores from the GRE (Graduate Record Exam). Scores should be less than five years old. The University of Houston’s institutional code for the GRE is 6870 and the social work code is 5001. Information about costs and test dates at UH may be obtained from UH Student Service Center (Room 204), (713) 743-5444.

Deadlines      

All materials must be received no later than January 15.  Incomplete applications will not be reviewed by the Ph.D. Admissions Committee. You will be contacted by mail as to the status of your application. You are encouraged to begin the application process early.

myUH

After you submit your application on ApplyTexas, you will receive instructions in the mail for logging onto the University's system at myuh.uh.edu. There you can check the status of your application and update your contact information as needed. Application decisions will be communicated by mail.

International Applicants

Additional materials are required for international applicants. Please refer to the University of Houston's information for International Applicants.

All records and documents submitted to the GCSW become property of the University and may not be returned. The application fee covers part of the cost of handling the application and is therefore non-refundable.