Welcome, and thank you for your interest in The University of Texas at Arlington School of Social Work. I am honored to serve as interim dean of a School that is advancing meaningful change through research, student success, philanthropy, and community engagement while preparing the next generation of social work leaders.
For nearly 60 years, the UTA School of Social Work has educated and developed leaders and scholars. Today, that legacy continues through more than 13,000 alumni who are making a difference in government agencies, nonprofit organizations, military settings, private practice, higher education, and social work programs around the world. Together, these milestones reflect the School’s continued growth as a research-intensive, student-centered institution serving Texas communities and the broader social work profession.
This School of Social Work remains one of the nation’s leading research institutions, with faculty publishing more than 200 peer-reviewed articles annually and placing UTA among the top 3% of 319 social work programs nationwide for research output. Our award-winning faculty are nationally and internationally recognized scholars, evidence-based clinical practitioners, and practitioner-scholars whose work addresses pressing needs in areas such as child welfare, behavioral health, suicide prevention and awareness, and substance use and addiction recovery.
This momentum is reflected not only in our scholarship, but also in the ways we support students across every level of social work education.
Student success also continues to reach new heights. Our Master of Social Work program has achieved record enrollment, making it the third-largest MSW program in the nation, with students learning in person and online across the country. In the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings, the School ranks among the top 13% of graduate social work programs.
The School recently launched a fully online Doctor of Social Work program, creating a new pathway for experienced practitioners to advance their careers as educators, leaders, and advanced social work practitioners. Our Bachelor of Social Work program continues to grow as it helps meet the demands of the profession, and our PhD in Social Work program continues its worldwide reputation for producing top scholars.
Through the Compassionate Assistance for Relieving Emergencies (CARE) Fund and transformational philanthropic support such as the Serena Simmons Connelly Memorial Endowed Graduate Fellowship, we are expanding opportunities and helping students remain on track to complete their degrees.
Community engagement remains a cornerstone of our mission. Each year, more than 400 community agencies partner with the School to provide internship opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students across Texas and the nation. These partnerships strengthen our communities, enrich student learning and extend the impact of social work practice where it is needed most.
As interim dean, I am proud to return to the UTA School of Social Work, a vibrant academic community renowned for teaching excellence, research impact, student support and community partnership.
I invite you to learn more about the UTA School of Social Work and to join us as we advance our mission to improve lives, strengthen communities and prepare leaders for the future of the profession.
Sincerely,
Goutham M. Menon, PhD, MA, MBA
Interim Dean and Professor
School of Social Work
The University of Texas at Arlington