About the Doctoral Degree Program in Social Work
Highlights:
- 46 credit hours, excluding dissertation
- Strong research focus
- Emphasis on research related to practice and policy
- Opportunities to teach in the School of Social Work
- Collaboration with faculty in a variety of research areas
The University of Texas at Austin offers a rich environment for doctoral studies in social work. Students have an opportunity to become involved in ongoing applied research and training projects across a wide range of areas. The School's own Center for Social Work Research is a leader in program evaluation research and the development of new technologies in human service provision. Through this research, the School of Social Work has created close ties with local and state service organizations and the larger community, thus facilitating student research opportunities.
The School of Social Work itself offers a wealth of opportunities for graduate students to develop their research skills. Each year a number of colloquia, conferences, and symposia sponsored by the School of Social Work offer graduate students forums for the presentation of their own work and an informal setting within which to discuss their work with other researchers from the School and elsewhere. Graduate students are also encouraged to participate in regional and national conferences. The University makes travel support available for social work doctoral students presenting at their first conferences.
After completing the program of work and passing qualifying exams on social work research and theory, students apply for candidacy, and, once approved for candidacy, carry out their dissertation research.
Students who devote themselves full-time to the doctoral program should be able to complete all class requirements and the qualifying examinations within two academic years. Initial work on the dissertation research proposal usually begins by the end of the second year, but students are encouraged to consider their topics as early as possible. Subsequent semesters are devoted to dissertation research, followed by a final oral examination in defense of the dissertation.
Students considering a Ph.D. in social work from The University of Texas at Austin are encouraged to contact the School. For information about the program call Jim Schwab, Ph.D., Program Coordinator at (512) 471-9816. For application and admission materials call (512) 232-7352 or (877) 875-7352.