GCSW Ph.D. Admissions Requirements: University of Houston - University of Houston
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Graduate College of Social Work

Prospective Students

Ph.D. Admissions Requirements

Early application is strongly encouraged as the number of new students admitted each year is limited, and the admissions process is competitive. Applications must be accompanied by a non-refundable application fee of $50.00 for domestic applicants and $80.00 for international applicants. Incomplete applications, including those without the required fee, will not be reviewed.

The deadline to submit your Fall 2026 application and all supporting material to the PhD Program is November 1, 2025 for international students and December 15th, 2025 for domestic students. 

To be considered for admission to the Ph.D. Program applicants must:

  1. Hold a master’s degree in social work (MSW) from a CSWE-accredited program OR hold a master’s degree in a related social science discipline from an accredited program. The Doctoral Admissions Committee will evaluate whether M.S.W. foundation prerequisite courses will be required. 
  2. Submit official transcripts, showing degrees awarded and date(s) conferred, from all colleges and universities previously attended are required. 
  3. Have achieved a grade point average of 3.5 or better (A=4.0) in all previous undergraduate and graduate work. Applicants who do not meet the minimum 3.5 GPA requirement but who demonstrate excellence in other areas of the application may be considered. We will calculate your GPA based on your transcripts.
  4. Submit four (4) letters of recommendation from persons who are familiar with your potential for doctoral education. At least two letters must be from academics (i.e., former tenure-track professors, graduate advisor, etc).
  5. Submit a current comprehensive curriculum vita or resume.
  6. Submit a written personal statement that is no more than four (4) double-spaced pages that describes the following:  
    • How your academic and employment histories have led you to pursue a Ph.D. in social work.  
    • Your research interest(s). 
    • Your career/professional goals and how earning a PhD factors into those goals. 
    • Your interest in the Ph.D. program at the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work.  
    • Identify the faculty you wish to work with in order to develop your research interest(s).   
  7. Submit up to two (2) writing samples. Writing samples that are written for an academic audience, co-authored papers where the applicant is either first or second author on a journal manuscript, class papers (e.g., research/conceptual/theoretical), or other materials reflecting your writing quality, conceptual/analytic thinking skills, and other qualities that reflect your academic and research excellence.  
  8. An admissions interview 
  9. International applicants have additional documentation requirements, including submission of possible test scores to demonstrate English language proficiency.  To learn more visit http://www.uh.edu/graduate-school/admissions/international-students/ 

 

 Note: The GRE is NOT REQUIRED for admission into the PhD program.

 

 

 

Note: International applicants. Proficiency in English. Students whose written or spoken English skills appear to be marginal (i.e., they may impede academic success and/or reflect communication problems) may be required to seek instruction outside the college. 

See the UH Graduate School’s information for international applicants, including additional requirements for the English Proficiency Requirement, transcripts, and documents needed for the visa process.

The International Student Admissions Checklist can be found HERE.