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Welcome from the PhD Program Director

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 scholars for faculty appointments in schools of social work 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 has a strong focus on and commitment to social justice and anti-racism. 

The GCSW provides the kind of personal attention that enables students to succeed in their doctoral education. We offer small classes, individualized studies with faculty members, training workshops, research internships, and a doctoral journal that is managed by our doctoral students. Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States with many diverse, multicultural populations. 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 array of opportunities for research activities. Through their teaching and advisement, the GCSW faculty share their knowledge and social work values with students. By emphasizing scholarship and research, GCSW faculty help students engage in critical thinking and intellectual discovery. We welcome your interest in our doctoral program.

Sincerely,

Samira Ali, Ph.D., LMSW

Associate Professor and Associate Dean for Doctoral Education