Dr. Deborah Cohen

Associate Professor

Build a Statement of Purpose

Generate a tailored SOP for Dr. Deborah Cohen. Improve your application with a focused, well-structured draft.

Biography

Deborah Cohen, PhD, MSW, is a mental health services researcher and policy expert, currently serving as an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Dell Medical School. Additionally, she holds a research appointment with the Steve Hicks School of Social Work at the Texas Institute for Excellence in Mental Health. Dr. Cohen has over ten years of experience as a community mental health administrator and clinician. Her research focuses on understanding and reforming community mental health system policies, programs, and practices. Dr. Cohen has successfully partnered with multiple providers across state systems to examine barriers to effective care delivery, applying innovation and new technologies to improve access, engagement, and outcomes for youth with emerging serious mental illnesses. She is actively involved in reforming Texas's mental health early intervention landscape through the establishment of the Amplify Center, a unique mental health clinic specifically designed for young adults, co-located at Austin Community College’s Eastview campus. Additionally, she serves as a Co-Investigator of the Texas Early Psychosis Intervention Network, which aims to develop models for the effective delivery of coordinated specialty care services for early psychosis in the state. Dr. Cohen is also partnering with community stakeholders to create a research-informed continuum of mental health care for individuals at the intersection of mental health and the criminal justice system. Beyond her academic work, she is an active advocate for disability rights, particularly on behalf of children with disabilities.

Research Interests

Requirements for University of Texas at Austin

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
TOEFL
Listening
Required:25
Reading
Required:25
Writing
Required:25
Speaking
Required:25
Total
Required:100
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution Introductory statistics course (grade C or higher) Volunteer or paid work in social work or related field
Application Checklist
  • Online application
  • Official transcripts
  • Professional resume
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Research methods syllabus (if applicable)
Specialization Notes

Department: Department of Social Work. Note: GRE is not required for the PhD program.