UTA launches Doctor of Social Work degree
The University of Texas at Arlington School of Social Work has launched a new online Doctor of Social Work program, with its first cohort scheduled to begin in fall 2026.
The three-year, part-time program is designed for experienced social work professionals seeking advanced training in leadership and teaching. Delivered fully online, it combines asynchronous coursework with virtual discussion sessions, faculty mentorship and collaborative projects.
The Doctor of Social Work (DSW) curriculum was developed to help professionals advance their expertise while preparing for leadership and educational roles in social work and related fields. Faculty members recently refined the program to strengthen its academic rigor and practical relevance.
"The program has been thoughtfully refined to ensure courses are engaging, rigorous and aligned with the evolving needs of the profession," said Karen Magruder, DSW program director. "Key enhancements include integrating self-care content throughout the curriculum, adding a course focused on the scholarship of teaching and learning and expanding the capstone process to support student success."
According to Magruder, the program is intended to help address workforce needs by preparing experienced practitioners to serve as educators, mentors and organizational leaders.
"By strengthening both teaching and leadership capacity, the program contributes to a more prepared and responsive workforce that can better serve communities and address complex challenges," she said.
Course enrollment will be capped at 15 students to encourage interaction and individualized instruction. The program will also incorporate emerging instructional approaches and technology tools, including applications of artificial intelligence.
The inaugural cohort will begin in fall 2026. Future cohorts will begin during the spring and summer terms.
For more information about the program and admissions requirements, visit the School of Social Work website.
Written by Thomas Johns, School of Social Work
About The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA)
The University of Texas at Arlington is a growing public research university in the heart of Dallas-Fort Worth. With a student body of over 42,700, UTA is the second-largest institution in the University of Texas System, offering more than 180 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Recognized as a Carnegie R-1 university, UTA stands among the nation’s top 5% of institutions for research activity. UTA and its 300,000 alumni generate an annual economic impact of $28.8 billion for the state. The University has received the Innovation and Economic Prosperity designation from the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities and has earned recognition for its focus on student access and success, considered key drivers to economic growth and social progress for North Texas and beyond.