University Catalog

Social Work - Graduate Programs

This is an archived copy of the 2023-2024 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.uta.edu/.

Admission Requirements

Please contact the MSW Admissions Office (sswadmissions@uta.edu) to obtain the complete application checklist and information concerning specific application deadlines. Applicants may also visit the MSW Admissions webpage for more information (http://www.uta.edu/ssw/academics/msw/admissions). Students are admitted to the MSW program for Fall or Spring semester with the exception of students that qualify for advanced standing with their undergraduate social work degree. Advanced Standing students can be admitted for a fall, spring or summer semester. The admissions process is the same for all MSW programs, including the Distance Education Cohorts.

*Please note that the School of Social Work’s deadline for application is different from the published deadlines of the Graduate School.

Admission to the Master of Social Work Program

There are two methods for application to the MSW Program:  the Quick Admissions Process, and the Traditional Admissions Process.

Quick Admissions

This process awards the bachelor-level applicant who has earned a 3.0 or better GPA in the last 60 hours of her/his undergraduate degree program a head start by requiring only a two-step process. In step 1, the applicant submits the online Apply Texas Application (applytexas.org). In step 2, the applicant must submit all official transcripts to the Office of Admissions, Records, and Registration. Once all transcripts have been received and evaluated, students whose GPA is 3.0 or better are generally admitted to the Master of Social Work Program.

Advanced Standing students applying for Quick Admission should follow the same process described above and identify themselves as having earned (or will earn by enrollment) the BSW. The BSW degree is verified by the Office of Admissions, Records, and Registration, and included with other application materials. Advanced Standing status is only granted to individuals who have graduated within the past 6 years from a BSW degree program accredited by CSWE with a 3.0 or better GPA in their last 60 hours. The same evaluation criteria are used for applicants seeking admission to the Advanced Standing MSW program. 

Traditional Admissions

In the second admission method, applicants deemed ineligible for Quick Admission to the MSW program (based on the 3.0 GPA requirement) will be considered via the Traditional Admission Process for the traditional program only. Traditional Admission includes, but is not limited to the satisfactory presence of the following six qualifications:

  1. Possession of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university or its equivalent, with a satisfactory GPA of 2.7 or higher.
  2. Submission of three letters of reference indicating professional or academic promise.
  3. Submission of narrative essay of three double-spaced pages or less that responds to the following prompt: Social work practice is often classified as either micro or macro.  Explain what is meant by micro practice and macro practice, and why addressing both micro and macro issues is essential to effective social work practice.  Use three outside sources to support your statement and include complete citations for each.
  4. Submission of GRE test scores.
  5. For applicants whose native language is not English:  Submission of satisfactory scores on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the TOEFL examination.*

*Applicants must submit a score of at least  6.5 on the IELTS, or a minimum TOEFL iBT total score of 79 with sectional scores that meet or exceed the following:

  • 22 for the writing section
  • 21 for the speaking section
  • 20 for the reading section
  • 16 for the listening section

Transfer of Credit

Transfer credits for graduate level social work courses may, at the discretion of the Director of Graduate Programs, be accepted by the School of Social Work from comparable coursework taken and passed with a grade of ‘B’ or better at another Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited program within the last six years. Transfer credits for graduate level course work in related fields may, at the discretion of the Director of Graduate Programs, be accepted by the School of Social Work if comparable to required coursework for the MSW; such courses must have been taken and passed with a grade of ‘B’ or better within the last six years. Students will be expected to provide syllabi for review. 

Financial Aid

Scholarships are awarded annually and administered by the School of Social Work. For information about scholarships available through the School of Social Work, please visit https://www.uta.edu/ssw/student-resources/scholarships.

A limited number of traineeships are available through the Center for Child Welfare's Title IV-E Program.

Graduate Fellowships

Candidates for fellowship awards must have a GPA of 3.0 in their last 60 undergraduate credit hours and in any graduate credit hours, and must be enrolled in a minimum of 6 hours in both long semesters to retain their fellowships.

Degree Requirements

The MSW curriculum provides students with a generalist perspective in the foundation curriculum and allows students to specialize in one of five practice areas through the advanced curriculum.   Students must complete required foundation courses prior to taking most advanced courses. Students in the advanced curriculum select a concentration area:  Direct Practice or Community and Administrative Practice.  Direct Practice students also select a specialty within their concentration: Children and Families, Health, Aging, or Mental Health and Substance Abuse. 

The program leading to the degree of Master of Social Work degree requires the completion of 61 semester hours of graduate work including class and field instruction, as well as thesis or integrative seminar (non-thesis option).

In addition to the general graduate admission requirements of the University, each graduate student in the social work program must:

  1. maintain at least a B (3.0) overall GPA in all coursework;
  2. demonstrate suitability for professional social work practice; and,
  3. demonstrate knowledge of and adherence to the Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers and the Code of Conduct published by the Texas State Board of Social Work Examiners.

 The Professional Standards Committee will monitor and examine potential violations of ethical violations or lack of professional behavior.

Advanced Standing

An applicant meeting all regular admissions requirements who has graduated from an accredited undergraduate program in social work within the previous six years will be considered for advanced standing status in the graduate program provided the student graduated with a GPA of 3.0 or better in their last 60 hours of coursework. Foundation coursework will be waived for students who are granted advanced standing status.

Credit Hour Waivers

An applicant meeting all regular admissions requirements who has completed graduate coursework at an accredited master’s program in social work within the previous six years may be able to receive credit hour waivers for comparable courses, provided that the grades in those courses are B or better. Students may receive course waivers for more than 23 credit hours, but only 23 hours may be applied to the 61-hour MSW degree.  Waivers will be granted on a case-by-case basis contingent upon evaluation of transcripts, syllabi, and any other required supporting information. 

Certificates in Leadership

Students pursuing an MSW in the Direct Practice concentration may elect to add a Certificate in Leadership. There are four Leadership Certificates available: Administrative, Community, Organizational, and Policy Leadership. These 9-hour certificates prepares students with knowledge in the respective area of social work macro practice that will enhance their ability to assume leadership positions in social service agencies. 

Dual Degree Programs 

Students in social work may participate in dual degree programs whereby they can earn a Master of Social Work and another Master's in an area of their choosing including:

  1. City and Regional Planning,
  2. Public Administration,
  3. Urban Affairs,
  4. Criminology and Criminal Justice, 
  5. Sociology, 
  6. Business Administration,
  7. Public Health, or
  8. Master of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies with Higher Education Emphasis

By participating in a dual degree program, students can apply some semester hours jointly to meet the requirements of both degrees, thus reducing the total number of hours which would be required to earn both degrees separately. The number of hours which may be jointly applied ranges from 6 to 18 hours, subject to the approval of the Academic Advisors or Graduate Advisors from both programs.

To participate in the dual degree program, students must apply separately to each program and must submit a separate Program of Work for each degree. Those interested in a dual degree program should consult the appropriate Graduate Advisor(s) for further information on course requirements though dual degree overview documents are available on the School of Social Work's Dual Degrees webpage.

MSW Programs - Distance Education Programs

UT Arlington Fort Worth Center MSW Cohort Program

The UT Arlington School of Social Work offers an MSW Degree with a Concentration in Direct Practice that includes a specialization in Children and Families with a Certificate in Administration through our Fort Worth Center location. This program prepares students to work directly with families and children while also acquiring knowledge in administration that will enhance their ability to assume leadership and administrative positions in social service agencies.

Classes will be offered twice each week in the evening (scheduling may be subject to change during the summer semester as well as the intersessions). The program of work for the degree is scheduled to be completed in 2 years. A new cohort of students will be admitted to the MSW program at the UTA Fort Worth Center every fall.

Students applying to this program must meet all regular admissions requirements. The application process is the same as for students applying to the traditional MSW program.

MSW Program Options

The MSW program offers many different degree plans to meet the diverse needs of graduate students.  Students may elect to enter a cohort degree program, in which they will take courses with the same group of peers each semester.  Cohort degree programs are offered fully online, fully face to face, and in a hybrid format.  The MSW Online Program offers full-time and part-time online cohorts that start in the Fall and Spring semesters.  All classes in the MSW Online Program are online, though students are required to complete field practicums, which is the only face to face requirement.  For students who need more flexibility from semester to semester, a non-cohort degree plan is available, which allows students to select their courses each semester in accordance with their needs and interests, and with the guidance of an MSW Academic Advisor.

UT Arlington / Lubbock Christian University Cooperative MSW Program

The UT Arlington School of Social Work in conjunction with LCU offers an Advanced Standing MSW Degree with a Concentration in Direct Practice that includes a specialization in Children and Families.

This program is designed the needs of students in the Lubbock area. Students applying to this program can expect to complete the required courses both on the LCU campus and online through UT Arlington.

Students applying to this program must meet all regular admissions requirements. An applicant meeting all regular admissions requirements who has graduated from an accredited undergraduate program in social work and meets the Advanced Standing criteria will be eligible for this program. 

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission to the Ph.D. program, an applicant must have:

  • A Master's Degree:
    • Master's Degree in Social Work
    • Applicants who do not have a Master's Degree in Social Work are expected to have work or volunteer experience in human services and complete an introductory social work course and diversity course prior to beginning the program.
  • Transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work documenting:
    • ​Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 minimum, on the last 60 hours as calculated by the Office of Admissions, Records, and Registration
    • Masters GPA of 3.4 minimum as calculated by the Office of Admissions, Records, and Registration.
  • A Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score that evidences an ability to do satisfactory graduate work.
  • Curriculum Vitae which outlines (1) work and volunteer experiences in human services; (2) participation in professional organizations and conferences; and (3) publications, if applicable.
  • Statement of academic goals consistent with the goals of the Social Work PhD Program goals.
  • Professional writing sample that provides evidence of the applicant's writing skills and critical thinking skills.
  • Three letters of recommendation, preferably from persons holding Ph.D. degrees, addressing applicant's skills in the areas of analytical thinking and writing skills.
  • If English is not the applicant's first language, a minimum TOEFL iBT total score of 90 with a writing sectional score of at least  23 must be submitted.
  • An interview will be conducted with applicants meeting the basic admission criteria above.

An application for admission, transcripts of previous academic work and Graduate Record Examination  scores must be submitted to Graduate Admissions. An additional separate application and supporting materials must be sent to the Graduate Advisor, Ph.D. in Social Work Program.

PhD Degree Requirements

The program leading to the degree Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work covers nine semesters (three years) of full-time study and requires the completion of 48 semester hours of graduate work including coursework, a qualifying examination, a comprehensive specialty examination and a dissertation. Students and their faculty supervisory committee together develop a plan of study geared to the students’ interests. Included in this plan are a set of required and elective courses in which students pursue their specialized interests.

  1. 18 hours of Core coursework.
  2. The core coursework qualifying examination must be satisfactorily completed before progressing in the program.
  3. Six hours of Research Practicum.
  4. Six hours electives selected from relevant graduate courses offered outside the School of Social Work.
  5. Upon completion of 36 hours of required or elective coursework, the specialty comprehensive examination is taken prior to application for candidacy and registration for dissertation.
  6. Three hours of dissertation tutorial taken upon successful completion of comprehensive specialty examination.
  7. Nine total hours of dissertation must be taken for a student to graduate.

Successful completion of both the core qualifying examination and the comprehensive specialty examination in the area of study to advance the student to candidacy at which time he or she devotes time to the completion of the dissertation. The last step before the degree is awarded is the successful final defense of the dissertation.

Doctoral students must demonstrate knowledge of and adherence to the Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers and the Code of Ethics as currently published by the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners.

 PhD Part-Time Program

A PhD Social Work part-time program is forthcoming.