Review of the University of Texas at Austin's PhD in Social Work Program (2023)
Hector IS A STUDENT AT The University of Texas at Austin.
The University of Texas at Austin’s Steve Hicks School of Social Work program is located in Austin, Texas. The school is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
Name: Hector Chaidez Ruacho
Insta: @hector_enrique_ (Hector Chaidez)
Anticipated graduation date: 2027-2028
Tuition: UT graduate tuition chart
What made you choose your PhD program? While I had multiple excellent offers, finding a space where I could belong was essential to choosing UT Austin's Social Work Ph.D. program at the Steve Hicks School. The promise of belonging through the school's inclusivity mission, values, and action plan, the diversity of professors where I could see myself represented, and the diversity in the students recruited by the school.
What are you currently teaching? I currently am on a fellowship; hence I am not required/allowed to teach this year. Having a background as a therapist, I hope that in the future I can teach clinical courses in Spanish, to support in shaping the next generation of Spanish-speaking clinicians.
Tell us about your area of research. My area of research largely entails researching how to improve the quality of mental health care for immigrant, Spanish-speaking families. I plan to learn how to culturally adapt interventions to best serve this community.
What was your favorite place to study on campus? The mural at the Steve Hicks School of Social Work. Walking by it reminds me of the representation of my Mexican heritage and the social justice values in our field.
What is your favorite place to eat on campus? I don't know if I have found a favorite place yet, but I enjoy meeting with my brother and friends for lunch at the Texas Union or the Students Activity Center!
What was the best thing about your academic program? The flexibility in being able to specialize in whatever area we are interested in. We have the choice of choosing electives that will support our research area as well as the opportunity to develop portfolios (e.g., Mexican American and Latina/o Studies, Disability Studies, Aging and Health, and more).
What are you listening to today? I enjoy listening to various podcasts (e.g., La Brega, the Latinx/e in Social Work Podcast, Philosophize This!, A Slight Change of Plans, and more).
Music-wise, I have been listening to some rap in Spanish (e.g., Residente, Ambkor) and coming out of Mexican Independence week, some Mexican folk singers (e.g., Chavela Vargas, Natalia Lafourcade).
What are you currently reading? Besides a never-ending amount of research articles and textbooks for my PhD program, I am also listening to a couple of audiobooks (The Denial of Death by Ernest Becker; For Brown Girls with Sharp Edges and Tender Hearts by Prisca Dorcas Mojica Rodriguez).
Where do you see yourself in three to five years? What are your goals? If everything goes according to plan, I see myself graduating from my PhD program! I plan to find a tenure-track position where I can continue my purpose of contributing to building a better mental health system for all.
Advice to applicants: The name and reputation of an institution should always come second to belonging. Regardless of how amazing a program might be, if you do not see yourself being able to belong, that will massively impact your ability to become the best student, researcher, and version of yourself.
One way to do this is by searching the research you want to do and seeing where that research is being done, as that will tell you that the institution will be embracing of your field of study. Moreover, reach out to possible mentors, and if possible, attend prospective student visit days to get a feel of whether you see yourself belonging there.
For more information: Click here for more information about the PhD program at The University of Texas at Austin.
Thank you, Hector!
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