About PhD Program,
Our students develop core competencies that are integral to contemporary social work practice, teaching, and research. The critical linkages between social work and social science research, theory, and practice build upon our faculty strengths and expertise, and grow through interdisciplinary collaborations and expertise in areas such as health, mental health, trauma, addictions, child welfare, and aging. The PhD in Social Work program offers an opportunity for students to work with, and learn from, these leaders and to pursue a multi-method and highly individualized course of study.
The core curriculum requires a mixed methods foundation, grounding in social work values and a social justice lens, and training in teaching excellence. Student knowledge is deepened through hands-on teaching-practicum experience, the development of a specialization area, and mentored research training. These integrated experiences provide a rich educational foundation for social work leadership in academic, policy, research, and practice arenas.
PhD Program Degree Eligibility with GPA
The PhD in Social Work program is a 63-credit plan with coursework to be completed in four semesters (two years). Specifically, we require a minimum of 27 credit hours in research methods courses, which includes quantitative and qualitative approaches, 12 credit hours in a specialization, 16 credit hours in core social work courses, and 8 credit hours in teaching methods and training.
The program is a full-time program designed to be completed within five years.
Upon successful completion of the qualifying exam, a student is accepted to PhD candidacy. Once in PhD candidacy, a student will have three years to complete the dissertation requirements successfully.
At the end of coursework (after the fourth semester), students take the qualifying exam. With an understanding of social justice reflected in core social work values, the qualifying exam assesses a student’s ability to conduct independent research in preparation for the dissertation. Accordingly, the exam focuses on three areas of expertise, including core social work knowledge and theory, research methodologies, and a student’s area of specialization
PhD Funding Coverage,
We are pleased to offer a generous multi-year funding package of up to five years, which includes tuition, paid stipends, and health care.
PhD students are funded through a combination of tuition scholarships, and research and teaching assistantships. While students gain hands-on research and teaching experience, assistantships supported by the School of Social Work are paid as stipends during the eight-month academic year.
Throughout the doctoral program, additional funding is available to our students who present at professional conferences, are engaged in research as part of their coursework, incur dissertation-related expenses, and enter the job market.
PhD students are also encouraged to apply for additional sources of funding from within and outside Boston University. Previously, students in our program have received competitive pre-doctoral fellowships from organizations such as the Doris Duke Foundation and the Council on Social Work Education.
Students may also fill out a FAFSA and apply for federal aid through the Office of Financial Aid.
Application Requirement,
The following required materials are submitted online with your completed application.
- $95 non-refundable application fee paid by credit card to electronically submit your application
- Personal statement
- Writing sample
- Current résumé or CV
- Three recommendations
- Transcripts
- Study Abroad
- Foreign Transcripts
- Standardized Test Scores Are No Longer Required
Note: All applicants must have either an MSW or a related master’s degree in order to apply to this program.
Application Deadline,
Dec 20, 2024
Application Fee,
- $95 non-refundable application feepaid by credit card to electronically submit your application
