About PhD Program,
PhD students at the KU School of Social Welfare graduate with the critical knowledge and skills they need to become innovative stewards of the discipline. They generate and disseminate knowledge as researchers, scholars and educators.
We admit a new social work PhD cohort every other year. Applications for the fall 2024 cohort closed in January 2024. The application for the fall 2026 cohort will open in October 2025.
PhD Program Degree Eligibility with GPA,
The doctoral program requires an enrollment of a minimum of 64 credit hours*, as follows:
- 37 credit hours of required coursework
- 9 credit hours of electives
- An integrative paper
- A comprehensive examination process
- A dissertation
*Effective fall 2024.
The curriculum is designed to provide standard core content for all students and also to give flexibility for students to develop particular expertise in chosen areas of inquiry and research methods.
Required social work doctoral courses provide a common base of knowledge and skills. Electives, the Integrative Paper, and the dissertation allow greater focus and specialization. The cumulative effect of coursework and the Integrative Paper should be to create a clear area of specialization or emphasis. The dissertation involves detailed scholarly investigation within this area. Students are not required to use the same or similar topic and methodology developed in the Integrative Paper for the dissertation. However, doing so is the most efficient way to proceed through the program. The total number of credit hours students complete for the degree is variable based on students’ individual experiences.
- Master’s degree in social work is preferred. Applicants with master’s degrees related to social work and affiliation with social work activities and values are considered.
- Graduate grade-point average of 3.5 or higher is required.
- Undergraduate grade-point average of 3.0 or higher is preferred.
We admit a new PhD cohort every other year. The deadline for the fall 2024 cohort was Jan. 5, 2024. The application is closed.
The application for the fall 2026 cohort will open in October 2025.
PhD Funding Coverage,
enrolled in full-time study, the KU School of Social Welfare will guarantee four years of tuition support for students in the Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) program, as long as the student remains in good standing in the program.
In addition, students may perform duties as a Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) or Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) or a combination of the two, making up a 50% appointment. Students apply for these competitive GRA and GTA opportunities, which will pay a stipend on top of guaranteed tuition. Occasionally, funding may include a higher percentage appointment and/or a fellowship. Many of the GRAs receive funding through one of our research centers or research projects. Students can also apply for competitive fellowships offered outside of KU to support their scholarship.
Research funding opportunities are often available through individual faculty research projects in many areas. Applicants are asked to name their fields of interest to help match student interest with available funding opportunities.
In addition, many of our students take advantage of opportunities to teach as GTAs. These students are carefully mentored and supported to strengthen their teaching approaches and skills.
“KU SSW offers varied research training opportunities with talented researchers backed by solid financial support,” said a recent doctoral graduate.
Application Requirement,
College Education & Transcripts
Resume/Curriculum Vitae
Narrative Statement
Statistics Course Documentation
Online Recommendations
Phone Interview (Recommended)
Non-Native English Speakers
Application Deadline,
Jan 05, 2026
Application Fee,
Domestic: $65
International: $85
