phd social work uta

School of Social Work

• Academic Programs
• Student Resources
• Office of Research
• News & Events
• Faculty & Staff
• Request Info

Doctor of Social Work

What makes uta’s doctor of social work program more competitive than others, when will applications open.

Keep checking back to our admissions page  or sign up for our interest list  to be notified as soon as applications open.

Are international applicants welcomed?

Can i take on-campus courses if i want to, do i ever have to come to campus, do i have to be a licensed social worker, do i have to be online at a certain time each week for class, is a phd or a dsw better for becoming a professor.

It depends! A PhD is a research doctorate, while a DSW is a practice doctorate. While a PhD prepares graduates to be competitive for tenure-earning positions at high research productivity universities, the DSW is also a common pathway to becoming a professor. DSWs are often hired as:

• Adjunct faculty (part time)
• Full-time faculty with titles such as Clinical Professor, Professor of Practice, Professor of Instruction, Instructor, or Lecturer
• Tenure-earning/tenured faculty roles at universities with fewer research demands

We encourage you to speak further with a recruiter [link] to explore which degree best fits your career goals.

What is a teaching practicum?

When is the first cohort starting.

UTA’s DSW program is currently awaiting the final stages of approval, and we are excited to start as soon as possible. The first cohort is expected to launch in Fall 2025 or Spring 2026, pending the timing of those final approvals.

What core expertise and skills will I gain?

The program is designed to foster an equitable and inclusive learning environment which produces scholar-practitioners who are equipped to:

• Use and critically evaluate research and engage in scientific inquiry
• Develop and maintain substantive expertise in one or more areas of social work practice
• Advance practice through leadership and innovative approaches, particularly in the field of social work education
• Develop and disseminate practice-relevant research-informed knowledge through a variety of channels

Are there electives or concentration area tracks?

What are financial aid opportunities for dsw students.

We are proud to be among the most affordable DSW programs in the nation. For an estimate of program costs, please use the UTA Tuition Estimator .

The University of Texas at Arlington offers affordable in-state tuition rates for students across Texas. Online out-of-state students may enroll under the Non- Resident Online Distance Education Program (NRODE).  In the NRODE program your tuition is lowered to about as much as an in-state student, allowing many students to save up to 50% in tuition. Scholarships are available and Texas resident may also be eligible for state grants.

What is a capstone?

Capstone projects vary between DSW programs. At UTA, our capstone is designed to prepare you as an advanced scholar-practitioner who can effectively synthesize and contribute to the literature and translate research into impactful practices. The capstone process begins with a comprehensive capstone proposal, following by:

Capstone I: Systematic Literature Review

• Guides students through the process of conducting a comprehensive and systematic review of the existing literature on a specific social work topic of the student’s choosing. The course focuses on data extraction, evaluating sources, synthesizing findings, and identifying research gaps. Students will produce a complete systematic literature review manuscript.

Capstone II: Applied Project

• Focuses on the execution of an advanced, practice-based project that addresses a real-world social work issue in a clinical, leadership, or social work education setting. Students will apply research findings and theories from their Capstone I work to develop and implement a significant project within their practice setting. By the end, students will present their applied project in an online showcase, demonstrating mastery as a scholar-practitioner.

What career opportunities are available for a DSW graduate?

DSW graduates use the degree to advance in their current field or seek new opportunities. We are seeing an increase in the demand for social workers with the skills, knowledge, and professional credentials necessary to take on leadership roles. The UTA School of Social Work Doctor of Social Work program prepares students to answer the call and creates leaders who will help people and communities thrive. While those with DSW degrees leverage their expertise in a variety of settings, from clinical practice to community organizing, our program focuses on preparing students to teach and take on educational leadership roles.

What is the difference between PhD and DSW Programs?

Is this program accredited.

Currently, the Council for Social Work Education (CSWE) does not offer accreditation to any doctoral programs. UTA’s School of Social Work has two CSWE accredited programs, our Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work programs. Currently, CSWE only accredits these two types of programs in the United States. CSWE does provide recommended competencies and guidelines, which we follow as closely as possible. The UTA DSW program is well-positioned to pursue accreditation if and when CSWE begins offering DSW level accreditation.

• Curriculum Overview
• Honors Degree Program
• BSW Admissions
• BSW Student Program Manual
• Academic Program Forms
• BSW Weekly Updates
• Undergraduate Student Leadership Program
• BSW Major Requirements
• BSW Program on Arlington Campus
• BSW Online Program
• BSW Classes at UTA Fort Worth
• BSSUT Online Program
• BSSUT Weekly Updates
• BSSUT Admissions
• Diversity Studies
• Social Justice and Social Welfare
• Substance Use Treatment
• MSW Student Program Manual
• MSW Admissions
• MSW Program Online for Non-Texas Residents
• MSW Specialty Areas
• Direct Practice in Aging
• Direct Practice with Children & Families
• Direct Practice in Health
• Direct Practice in Mental Health & Substance Misuse
• Community and Administrative Practice
• Dual Master's Degree Options
• Graduate Student Leadership Program
• MSW Weekly Updates
• Graduate Certificates
• Administrative Leadership Certificate
• Community Leadership Certificate
• Military Social Work Graduate Certificate
• Military, Family, and Veteran Care Graduate Certificate
• Organizational Leadership Certificate
• Policy Leadership Certificate
• PhD Admissions
• Current Students
• PhD Students on the Job Market
• Recent PhD Graduates
• DSW Overview
• DSW Curriculum
• DSW Admissions
• DSW Interest Form

Address School of Social Work Box 19129 501 W. Mitchell Street Arlington, TX 76019-0129

Phone (Local): 817-272-3181 | (Toll Free): 866-272-3181 Fax : 817-272-5229

The School of Social Work Admissions office is located in Suite 203 in the Social Work and Smart Hospital Building (501 W. Mitchell Street, Arlington, TX 76019).

Follow us on social media

• Administrative Resources
• Faculty Academic & Student Affairs Resources
• Parking Pass Request
• Request Information
• Conference Room/Classroom Reservation
• Special Event Request