About PhD Program,
For more than two decades, our doctoral program has prepared students to become independent researchers and to train the next generation of social work practitioners.
Through rigorous training in different methodologies, our students acquire a range of research skills and develop the capacity for original scholarship. After two years of coursework, students pursue their own interests as they complete their dissertations.
The program is open only to full-time students.
PhD Program Degree Eligibility with GPA
Applicants must have:
- A master’s degree with a grade point average of 3.0 or better.
- An MSW from a school of social work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education is preferred.
- A bachelor’s degree with a grade point average of 3.0 or better.
- Two years of post-MSW practice experience is preferred.
The GRE requirement is waived for applications.
Students complete a total of 56 graduate credits. Eleven core courses in social work provide students with competency in:
- Advanced research methods
- Social science theories
- Social welfare history
- Policy analysis
- Theories of teaching and learning
Students also complete two electives and 15 credits of dissertation research.
A sequence of required courses is illustrated below. The sequence will vary depending on your year of enrollment. Students complete 20 credits in their first year and 18 credits during the second year, including 6 credits of electives. Students will also take one course in the Fall semester of their third year.
Following completion of coursework and defense of the dissertation proposal, students must complete a minimum of 15 credits of dissertation research as they engage in their independent dissertation research.
PhD Funding Coverage,
The Ph.D. program offers four years of funding through Graduate Assistantships, which engage students in research or teaching and provide stipends, health insurance, and tuition.
Application Requirement,
- Threeletters of recommendation. These should come from academic sources, research mentors, or professional colleagues/supervisors and assess your academic aptitude, personal attributes, and capacity to successfully engage in doctoral education.
- A compelling personal statementof approximately six pages that describes your professional background, research interests and career goals after earning a Ph.D.
- A writing samplethat reflects your writing and research skills, aptitude to synthesize literature and other sources of information, analytic ability, and capacity for critical thinking. Examples include a class paper, policy brief, published article, grant application, or newly prepared writing sample.
- An updated resume.
- Transcriptsfrom all academic institutions attended.
- International applicants must also provide Proof of English Proficiency.
Application Deadline,
Dec 15, 2024
Application Fee,
A non-refundable $75 application fee is required at the time your online application is submitted.
