Welcome to the Ph.D. Program at the University of Houston, Graduate College of Social Work (GCSW)!

The GCSW is committed to preparing the next generation of social work researchers, scholars, educators, and leaders who will gain faculty appointments in social work programs or research positions in research centers or institutes. Students in our program have the opportunity to identify, develop, and pursue an area of research that prepares them to contribute to professional scholarship, build interdisciplinary partnerships, and advance the knowledge base of the profession. Our curriculum is evidence-based with a strong focus on and commitment to social justice.  

The GCSW provides the kind of personal attention that enables students to succeed in their doctoral education. We offer small classes, individualized study with faculty members, training workshops, and research internships. Our students publish in peer-reviewed journals, present at national and international conferences, and assist with grant preparation. Unique to the GCSW is a doctoral journal that is managed by our doctoral students.

Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, with a population that is ethnically diverse and multicultural. The Texas Medical Center, located in the heart of Houston, is one of the largest medical complexes in the world. As such, the greater Houston area offers doctoral students a vast and unique array of opportunities for research projects. Through teaching and mentoring, the GCSW faculty share their knowledge, expertise, and social work values with students. By emphasizing scholarship and research, GCSW faculty help students engage in critical thinking, intellectual discovery, and professional development.

We welcome your interest in our doctoral program.