UTA Senior Betty Noyola has seen firsthand the impact of UT Arlington-educated social workers. When she visited a local adoption agency as part of her coursework, she observed the diplomas hanging on the walls. “Almost all of the case workers had degrees from UTA, and many of them had master’s degrees. That said a lot to me about the School of Social Work.”

Case for Support
Social Work helps build strong communities.  Working in the public, private and nonprofit sectors, social workers contribute to the infrastructure of the community.  Just as good schools, good roads, good medical services, etc. contribute toward community and economic development, a strong social work infastructure that meets the social needs of individuals and families creates a stronger climate for community growth and development.   Social Workers thus build a community's social capital by enhancing the ability of individuals to contribute to social and economic development. 

The return on investment in social work education is a stronger and more vibrant community.  The University of Texas at Arlington School of Social Work is committed to providing students with the skills they need to become proactive, resourceful professionals.  The School of Social Work is the largest in Texas and one of the largest in the Southwest.

Distinction
School of Social Work faculty are dedicated to excellence in teaching while maintaining a high level of academic and professional involvement that includes research, practice and consultation.  Many serve on boards of professional organizations and are actively involved in local, state and national initiatives.  They challenge students to excel in the classroom and to make a difference in the community.

Among the School of Social Work’s distinctions:

• The latest U.S. News and World Report survey ranks the graduate social work program among the top 19 percent in the nation.
• In collaboration with the University of Nuevo Leon in Monterrey, Mexico, the school was the first to offer a social work Ph.D. program in Mexico and is currently the only Bi-National social work program in the U.S.
• In the most recent year, students from eight countries were represented in the Ph.D. program.

The school’s Professional Development Program for social work practitioners and other human service professionals is the largest in the Southwest.

Impact
Students annually provide approximately 150,000 hours of service in nearly 300 social services agencies, hospitals and governmental agencies.  One avenue for service, the school’s Community Services Center, has established numerous community partnerships addressing poverty, homelessness, domestic violence and other issues. The total dollar value contribution to the community each year by social work interns is over $2.9 million dollars.

The UTA School of Social Work has global impact.  In addition to the dual Ph.D. program in Comparative Social Welfare in Mexico and the Professional Development Program, the School also houses the Judith B. Birmingham Center for Child Welfare, the Community Services Center and a Legislative Internship Program.

Currently, the School attracts extramural funding in excess of $2.1 million.

Contacts
Dr. Santos H. Hernández, LMSW-AP, Dean
School of Social Work
211 S. Cooper, Box 19129
Arlington, TX 76019
(817) 272-3181
http://www2.uta.edu/ssw/

Donna Pope
Director of Advancement for Social Work
School of Social Work
211 S. Cooper, Box 19129
Arlington, TX 76019
(817) 272-0924

Karen Mullowney
Director of Development
School of Social Work, School of Nursing
701 S. Nedderman Dr., Rm. 421, Box 19198
Arlington, Texas 76019
(817) 272-0655