Master of Social Work

Dana S. Smith, PhD, LCSW, MPA - MSW Program Director

Room C345, 713-226-5279

Mission

The Master of Social Work Program at UHD commits to the development of nurturing, compassionate, and skilled social work professionals dedicated to advancing the human condition through solidarity, collaboration, and intellectual curiosity.

Vision

To cultivate a community of compassionate leaders who advance healing, justice, and well-being through transformative social work practice at all levels.
 

Program Goals

1. Foster a collaborative and intellectually rigorous learning environment where graduate students, faculty, and community partners are valued for their diverse strengths, experiences, and leadership potential.
    
2. Promote critical self-reflection and professional use of self, enabling students to align advanced social work practice with professional ethics, and core values of justice and equity.
    
3. Prepare graduates for advanced, anti-oppressive, and trauma-informed practice across micro, mezzo, and macro systems, with a focus on leadership, policy advocacy, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
    
4. Encourage lifelong learning, scholarly inquiry, and engagement with professional communities to drive innovation, social change, and the advancement of human well-being.

Program Outcomes

Graduates who earn an MSW will be able to:

• Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior
• Advance Human Rights and Social, Racial, Economic, and Environmental Justice
• Engage Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ADEI) in Practice
• Engage in Practice-Informed Research and Research-Informed Practice
• Engage in Policy Practice
• Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
• Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
• Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, and Communities
• Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

Admissions Criteria

To be considered, applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution (in any field). If the applicant’s bachelor’s degree is in the field of social work from a CSWE accredited institution, they are eligible to apply for advanced standing.  We will be admitting part-time advanced standing students in the Fall of 2026.

For admitted students who hold a bachelor’s degree in a subject other than social work or for admitted students who are not granted advanced standing status, MSW graduate studies would include both the foundation/generalist courses (60-hour traditional program option) as well as the specialization/advanced generalist courses. We will begin to admit students for the traditional program in Fall of 2027.

Applicants to the 60-hour traditional program must meet the following criteria:

• Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution (in any field).
• Applicants are expected to have a minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA in their undergraduate coursework. However, applicants with a cumulative GPA between 2.5 and 2.74 may still be considered under the holistic review process, provided they demonstrate strong potential through professional experience, community service, or alignment with social work principles.

Applicants to the advanced standing program must meet the following criteria:

• Applicants must hold a bachelor’s of social work degree from a CSWE-accredited institution.
• Applicant must have a minimum 2.75 undergraduate GPA on a 4.0 scale (minimum 3.0 social work GPA on a 4.0 scale)

MSW Admissions Materials

• Personal Statement addressing commitment to social justice, anti-oppressive practice, professional goals, and readiness for graduate study.
• Current Resume highlighting relevant work, volunteer, or advocacy experience.
• Two Letters of Recommendation (preferably one academic and one professional/community-based).
• Official Transcripts from all previously attended institutions.
• No GRE or MAT is required; however, an interview may be required.

MSW Admissions Procedures

1. The MSW Admissions Committee conducts a comprehensive review of each applicant, considering:
   • Academic performance
   • Writing proficiency and clarity of professional goals.
   • Alignment with social work values, including commitment to community engagement, anti-oppressive practice, social justice, and ethical conduct.
   • Positive academic and professional history, including references and interactions with faculty or staff.
   • Lived experiences and service that reflect readiness for advanced social work education.
2. The admissions committee will decide whether to accept the applicant and whether advanced standing status (when appropriate) will be granted.
3. Some applicants may be invited to participate in an interview or provide additional context if needed.
4. Once the application process is completed, a determination letter will be sent via email to inform the applicant of the admissions committee’s decision regarding admittance to the MSW Program and whether advanced standing (when appropriate) has been granted.

The determination letter will include one of the following decisions:

a. Clear Admission: The applicant is fully accepted into the MSW Program.

b. Pending/Hold Status: A decision is deferred pending:

• Completion of current semester coursework.
• Submission of missing documentation.

c. Denied Admission: The applicant is not accepted for the current cycle.