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Ph.D. in Social Work

Advance Social Justice Through Research and Education. Our Ph.D. program prepares students to teach and conduct research to address critical social problems and promote social justice and human rights. Our doctoral students are welcomed into a tight-knit community where they receive intensive mentoring and support.

Explore Our Program

Program Overview Faculty Admissions

Why UConn Ph.D.?

Funding through graduate research assistantships

Intensive mentoring by our nationally and internationally recognized faculty

Engage in independent, innovative research projects

Opportunities to teach in our bachelor’s and master’s programs  

When I think of UConn, I think of collegiality, commitment, and caring.”

Maritza Vasquez Reyes Current Student

Knowledge and expertise to change the world

Focused on intensive, community-engaged research, IU’s social work doctoral program prepares graduates for success as scholars, educators, policymakers and advocates. A flexible degree program allows students to enroll in part-time or full-time study. Support from faculty and peers, coupled with competitive financial award packages, makes IU School of Social Work the ideal place to learn, achieve, and contribute.

Welcome to the Doctor of Philosophy program #

The development of leadership in social work is at the core of the Doctoral program at Indiana University School of Social Work. Advanced research and scholarship are woven through a comprehensive program to prepare students for leading roles in areas such as social work education, social welfare, policy analysis and development, administration, social work practice, and advocacy.

The PhD program is built around a flexible interdisciplinary model which includes a carefully integrated series of didactic and experiential learning opportunities.

And, while solidly grounded in the profession of social work, doctoral students may take advantage of the rich learning experiences available in other disciplines throughout the university.

The PhD program develops community-engaged interprofessional leaders, scholars, and educators within an inclusive and supportive environment. Students receive rigorous training and mentorship in diverse theoretical and philosophical perspectives and research methods that promote equity and social justice locally, nationally, and internationally.

The PhD program is nationally and internationally recognized for developing community-engaged, interprofessional scholars and leaders with diverse theoretical and methodological expertise equipped to advance equity and social justice.

Career Possibilities #

Our Ph.D. program prepares students for leading roles in areas such as social work education, social welfare, policy analysis and development, administration, social work practice, and advocacy. While our program stresses research, many of our students continue to practice or teach as well.

• Doctoral graduates in social work are very much in demand for teaching in many of the almost 500 BSW and MSW programs in the country.
• Graduates often continue to pursue professional funded research in a variety settings.
• Consultation is also an area where our graduates thrive!

The PhD Program at Indiana University has more than prepared me for a career of scholarship, research, and leadership in the social work profession. The collegiality of faculty members and fellow students truly enriched my experience. Not only did I earn a degree, but I built relationships for the future.

Matt Moore , PhD Indiana School of School Work

Explore more #

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PhD Program

Join the next generation of social work leaders and scholars..

Welcome to admissions for the PhD in Social Work program in Social Work at Boston University! Building upon BU School of Social Work’s robust commitment to social justice  and empowerment of historically marginalized populations, our doctoral program provides training in the theory, research methods, and values of the social work profession necessary to solve urgent human and societal problems.

Our students’ work  reflects the interdisciplinary nature of our program and individualized course of study. Interested in learning more? Explore our curriculum  and funding package . Ready to apply? Read about the admissions process , familiarize yourself with the deadline , then start your online application !

The application for Fall 2024 entry is now closed. Be sure to check back in September 2024 for our Fall 2025 application cycle.

START YOUR APPLICATION

For further information about the PhD program, request information below or contact   Daniel P. Miller , Director of the PhD Program in Social Work, at [email protected] .

School of Social Work

Meet our ph.d. candidates, the next generation of social work research scholars, educators and leaders..

The VCU School of Social Work is proud to present our four Ph.D. candidates who are on the job market this year, seeking positions for the 2024-25 academic year.

Nicole George, M.S.W., QMHP-C

I hope to expand the field of social work’s understanding of how to support and serve immigrants with multiple intersecting marginalized identities, so that mental health disparities can be disrupted within a population that is exposed to significant levels of acculturative stress.” 

Learn more about Nicole George  

Aaron Kemmerer, M.S.W.

I have used my voice and scholarship to increase visibility of social issues facing transgender people in the U.S. South and beyond.” 

Learn more about Aaron Kemmerer.

Seon Kim, M.S.W.

My research focuses on enhancing the neighborhood environment where older adults reside to contribute to the health and well-being of older adults."

Learn more about Seon Kim.  

Angela Matijczak, B.A.

I am committed to conducting research that promotes the mental health and well-being of LGBTQ+ youth and teaching and mentoring students as they enter the social work profession. ”

Learn more about Angela Matijczak.

Dissertation 

Picturing Identity-based discrimination: Immigrant women of African descent’s experiences in social service agencies and mental health outcomes

Research interests

• Immigrant Youth 
• Mental Health and Trauma 
• Community-Based Participatory Research 
• Intersectionality 
• Discrimination

Teaching interests

• Social Work Practice with Individuals, Families, and Groups
• Foundations of Social Work Research

My current line of research  centers on the experiences of immigrant women of African descent within social/human service agencies. I hope to expand the field of social work’s understanding of how to support and serve immigrants with multiple intersecting marginalized identities, so that mental health disparities can be disrupted within a population that is exposed to significant levels of acculturative stress.

Highlighted publications

• Im, H., Swan, L. E., & George, N. (2023). Unraveling Trouble Socializing: The Impact on the Intersection of Trauma, Substance Use, and Mental Disorders in Somali Refugee Youth . International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction , 1-16.
• Im, H., George, N ., & Swan, L. E. (2023). Gendered Health Outcome Among Somali Refugee Youth in Displacement: A Role of Social Support and Religious Belief. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health , 1-10.
• Im, H., George, N. , Swan, L. (2022). Born in displacement: Psychosocial and mental health impacts of country of birth among urban Somali refugee youth . Journal of Immigrant & Refugee Studies .
• Im, H., & George, N. (2021) Impacts of COVID-19 on Refugee Service Provision and Community Support: A Rapid Assessment during the Pandemic . Social Work in Public Health .
• Im, H., & George, N. (2021) “It hurts so much to live for nothing”: Trauma and substance misuse among refugee youth in displacement . International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction .

Selected honors & awards

• Ph.D. graduate research assistantship, VCU School of Social Work, 2020- 2024
• M.S.W. research assistantship, VCU School of Social Work, 2019
• Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, VCU, 2019
• Phi Alpha Honor Society for Social Work, VCU, 2019
• David P. Beverly Memorial Scholarship recipient, VCU, 2019
• Child Welfare Stipend Scholarship recipient, VCU, 2018
• Mel C. Whipple Scholarship Recipient, VCU, 2018
• Johnathan Levin Prize in Education Recipient, Trinity College, 2018

→ Learn more about Nicole George: Full profile | CV | Contact: [email protected]

Housing for transgender and gender expansive Southerners

• Social work in the U.S. South 
• Homelessness and Housing Instability 
• LGBTQIA+ Populations 
• Economic, Gender and Racial Justice 
• Rural Communities 
• Organizational Development 
• Intracommunity Support Structures
• Popular Education
• Feminist and Queer Theory 
• Critical Theory
• Critical Consciousness Raising

Aaron Kemmerer is a doctoral candidate at Virginia Commonwealth University. Since 2016, Aaron has served as a crisis response worker with survivors and unhoused community members at YWCA Richmond. In 2020, he completed training to earn a master’s degree in clinical social work from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Aaron’s doctoral research focuses on transgender people and housing instability in the U.S. South. Since 2010, Aaron has been involved with organizing and community-engaged research, focusing on issues of LGBTQIA+ rights, housing instability and gender-based violence in central Virginia. Aaron is passionate about addressing the practical needs of folks experiencing housing instability. He has used his voice and scholarship to increase visibility of social issues facing transgender people in the U.S. South and beyond.

• Wike, T., Bouchard, L., Kemmerer, A. , & Yabar, M. (2021). Victimization and resilience:  Experiences of rural LGBTQ+ youth across multiple contexts . Journal of Interpersonal Violence . 
• Cage, J., Kemmerer, A. Shockley Mccarthy, K., Pitts, B.E., Strolin-Goltzman, J. & Saleh, M. (2022). Measuring school engagement for youth involved with the child welfare system: a structured review of the literature . Journal of Public Child Welfare .
• Gattis, M.N., Wagaman, M.A. and Kemmerer, A. (2023). Developing Marsha and Marian’s Neighbors: A shared housing intervention to address homelessness among LGBTQ+ and pregnant/parenting youth . Youth 3(1), 335-350.
• Grand Challenges for Social Work Doctoral Award - End Homelessness, 2023

→ Learn more about Aaron Kemmerer: Full profile | CV | Contact: [email protected]

Neighborhood, home- and community-based services, and older adults’ health in Virginia

• Paper 1: Home and community-based services and older adults' health outcomes
• Paper 2: Spatial correlation between neighborhood characteristics and HCBS availability in Virginia  
• Paper 3: The multilevel mediation effect of HCBS between neighborhood characteristics and older adults' self-rated health.
• Home- and Community-Based Services
• Health Disparities Among Older Adults
• Neighborhood Effects on Older Adults' Health
• Age-Friendly Communities
• Aging in Place
• Research Methods
• Social Policy

Seon is dedicated to enhancing the well-being and health outcomes of older adults through research in the development of effective home- and community-based services (HCBS). Her dissertation investigates community-level determinants of availability of HCBS and the impact on older adults’ health. Furthermore, she aims to contribute to improving the health and well-being of older adults through age-friendly communities that support them in aging in place. With a deep commitment to improving the lives of older adults, Seon’s work contributes to policy implications for improving neighborhood environment and HCBS.

• Kim, S. , Kim, J. P., Kim, K., & Buckley, T. (2023). Age-friendly Environment and Aging in Place: Finding from Latent Profile Analysis . The International Journal of Aging and Human Development . 2023;0(0). 
• Kim, S. , Cho, S., & Morgan, M. R. (2023, February). Neighborhood and Depressive Symptoms in Older Adults Living in Rural and Urban Regions in South Korea . In Healthcare (Vol. 11, No. 4, p. 476). MDPI. 
• Kim, K., Buckley, T., Burnette, D., Kim, S. , & Cho, S. (2022). Measurement Indicators of Age-Friendly Communities: Findings From the AARP Age-Friendly Community Survey .  The Gerontologist , 62(1), e17-e27.

Hans S. Falck Scholarship (doctoral), VCU School of Social Work, 2023

→ Learn more about Seon Kim: Full profile | CV | Contact: [email protected]

Family rejection and affirmation experiences among racially and ethnically minoritized youth who are transgender and/or gender diverse

Research interests 

• LGBTQ+ Youth and Young Adults
• Family Affirmation
• Family Rejection
• Mental Health
• Human-Animal Interaction

Teaching interests 

• Macro Social Work
• Social Welfare Policy
• Human Development/Human Behavior and the Social Environment

Angela’s current research interests focus on promoting mental health equity among LGBTQ+ youth populations by exploring affirming and non-affirming relationships between LGBTQ+ youth and their family members. They are conducting a qualitative dissertation study, using life history narratives to retrospectively explore family relationships of transgender and gender expansive young adults of color. In their future career, Angela hopes to develop and test intervention models that promote affirmative behavior and attitudes among family members of LGBTQ+ youth and ultimately reduce their exposure to family rejection.

• Matijczak, A. , Corley, N., Vergara, I., Johnson, J., & McDonald, S. E. (in press). 'A ray of light in the chaos': Relationships between companion animals and LGBTQ+ emerging adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. Human-Animal Interactions .
• Matijczak, A. , Tomlinson, C. A., Pham, A., Corona, R., & McDonald, S. E. (2022) Relations Between Interpersonal Microaggressions, Depressive Symptoms, and Pet Attachment in an LGBTQ+ Emerging Adult Sample . Journal of LGBT Youth , 1-22.
• Matijczak, A. , Applebaum, J. W., Kattari, S. K., & McDonald, S. E. (2021). Social Support and Attachment to Pets Moderate the Association Between Sexual and Gender Minority Status and the Likelihood of Delaying or Avoiding COVID-19 Testing . Social Sciences , 10(8), 301.
• McDonald, S. E., Matijczak, A. , Nicotera, N., Applebaum, J. W., Kremer, L., Natoli, G., O’Ryan, R., Booth, L. J., Murphy, J. L., Tomlinson, C. A., & Kattari, S. K. (2021). “He was like, my ride or die”: Sexual and gender minority emerging adults’ perspectives on living with pets during the transition to adulthood . Emerging Adulthood . Advance online publication.
• Robin M. McKinney Dissertation Honor Fund Endowment, 2023
• Hans S. Falck Scholarship, 2023

→ Learn more about Angela Matijczak: Full profile | CV | Contact: [email protected]

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School of Social Work

PhD Program

The LSU School of Social Work believes that doctoral education in social work must involve first and foremost a passionate commitment to learning, and a specific commitment to the pursuit of new knowledge that can improve the lives of our client populations. The PhD in Social Work Program prepares the next generation of social work educators, researchers, administrators, and policy-makers to contribute to the creation of the knowledge base of our profession.

We prepare students above all else to conduct empirical research targeted at the pressing needs of our client populations and service systems. Social work practitioners must have the highest quality, up-to-date knowledge to strengthen the evidence base of their work, and it is the job of doctoral-trained social workers to provide this. The major educational outcomes for our doctoral students are:

• To learn about the historical and contemporary contexts of social work research, focusing on the nature of research questions posed and the methods used to address these
• To learn to critically analyze the quality and merits of social work research in a variety of substantive areas
• To produce original research relevant to the field of social work, including the framing of research questions, synthesis of the existing relevant literature, the use of appropriate methods to investigate answers to research questions, and the analysis, synthesis, and interpretation of data
• To translate learning to practice, especially through preparation for teaching beginning social work professionals.

LSU is home to the only independent social work doctoral program in Louisiana. It is an interdisciplinary degree in which students are expected to explore diverse areas and traditions of inquiry and use a variety of research methods, all the while keeping a sharp focus on the need for information to inform social work practice. It is important to note that ours is not an advanced clinical (DSW) program. The course of study in our doctoral program is completely oriented toward mastering the skills needed to design and conduct empirical social work research. Our students work very closely with faculty mentors, oftentimes directly with them on their on-going research. We have a diverse student body that includes students from several foreign countries and we encourage international applications. 

Our faculty is well-equipped to effectively mentor doctoral student research. Major areas of research and scholarship expertise that our current faculty mentors provide our doctoral students include:

• Child welfare/child maltreatment/trauma
• Children's attachments to caregivers
• Substance misuse & interventions across the lifespan
• Juvenile justice
• School social work
• The personal and social circumstances of families receiving government support
• Social capital and poverty
• Vulnerable families
• Minoritized populations and communities
• At-risk youth
• Bullying & victimization
• Gay and lesbian youth
• Gerontology/aging
• Intimate partner violence
• Behavioral health & interventions
• Infant & child mental health
• Experiences of undocumented immigrants/refugees
• Health disparities
• Social welfare and social development
• Disasters and crises
• Changes/trends in family demographics

It is a good time to pursue a doctoral degree in Social Work. The profession increasingly demands evidence-based knowledge and expertise in research and evaluation. Recently, the Group for the Advancement of Doctoral Education in Social Work, a national/international consortium of Social Work PhD Program Directors, completed a national study that found that Social Work Programs at virtually all levels in the U.S. face a tremendous shortage of doctoral-trained academicians in the coming years to fill the ranks of the social work programs in our colleges and universities. We need more social workers who are passionate about pursuing the answers to important questions affecting our client populations and eager to take on the challenges to improving social work practice and the well-being of our clients.

Program Overview

Doctoral studies are characterized by three major phases of work: coursework (completion of a minimum of 39 credit hours of coursework); the General Examination (an intense period of self-guided study and examination directed by a doctoral advisory committee), and the dissertation (the student’s original research, guided by a primary mentor and two other faculty committee members, minimum of 15 credit hours). It is expected that the period of study for the doctoral degree in social work will be three to five years, but not exceeding seven. The minimum total credit hours for the degree is 54.

Admission Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with typical liberal arts, social sciences, introductory statistics, and human biology courses
• An acceptable grade-point average in undergraduate course work (as evaluated by the School of Social Work and the Graduate School)
• A master's degree in social work from a CSWE accredited program or a closely related discipline. Preference will be given to applicants with the MSW. Graduate students without the MSW will be required to enroll in 3 hours of the social work course: SW 7004 Human Diversity & Oppression.  
• A GPA in graduate studies of at least 3.00
• Completion of a graduate introductory statistics course with a grade of “B” or better
• Completion of a graduate introductory research course with a grade of “B” or better
• Other materials as required in the application instructions, inclusive of the applicant's individualized Statement of Purpose: Plan of Doctoral Study

Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores are not a requirement for admission to the PhD in Social Work Program.

How to Apply

Admission to graduate study is a two-step evaluation process: 

• The Office of Graduate Admissions determines eligibility for admission to LSU, and
• the academic department or college determines admissibility to the degree program.

Final admission to the University is subject to approval by the Office of Graduate Admissions. Prospective applicants to the PhD in Social Work program must submit the following documents:

• official transcripts
• a completed Application for Admission to the PhD in Social Work Program
• a completed Statement of Purpose: Plan of Doctoral Study
• a resume/CV
• three (3) letters of reference, one of which is academic
• two (2) scholarly professional writing samples that best illustrate your capacity for analytic and critical thinking

The Graduate School provides fellowships to social work doctoral students who meet specific eligibility requirements: Huel D. Perkins Doctoral Diversity Fellowships, Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) Fellowships, and some external fellowships. If you would like to be considered for a Graduate School Fellowship, please review the eligibility requirements to ensure you have included all required application materials in your packet. The Graduate School fellowship application deadline is November 1 . For all other (non-fellowship) applications, the deadline is February 1. Applications received by February 1 will receive priority in admissions decisions. Applications received after February 1 will be considered on a space-available basis.

LSU Graduate School: Application Checklist LSU Graduate School: Complete your Application LSU Graduate School: Information for International Applicants

Human Development & Family Science CONCENTRATION

  PhD Student Handbook

Catherine Lemieux PhD Program Director 3222 Huey P. Long Field House 225-578-1018

EMAIL Dr. Lemieux

PhD Program In Social Welfare

• Standard PhD
• Joint MSW/PhD
• Financial Support

Welcome to the PhD Program in Social Welfare

The PhD program in Social Welfare strives to develop scholars, leaders, and social work educators who will advance knowledge about social work, social welfare policy, and intervention strategies from a behavioral and social science perspective to improve the quality of life of individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations. Our program has a strong reputation of academic excellence, ranking in the top 20 Best Schools of Social Work .

Our students work with award-winning research centers and institutes, such as the Institute for Research on Poverty, Institute on Aging, Waisman Center, School of Medicine and Public Health, and more. Our students choose from a wide selection of courses in world-renowned social and behavioral science departments including; Sociology, Economics, Educational Psychology, Human Development and Family Studies, the La Follette School of Public Affairs, Psychology, Gender Studies, Population Health, Nursing, and more.

The PhD program provides an interdisciplinary plan of study in basic and applied social research. In the program, doctoral students build and integrate knowledge in:

• a substantive or social problem area (e.g., child welfare, aging, developmental disabilities, end-of-life care, health, mental health, poverty);
• social science theory (e.g., theories of the life course, economic theory, psychopathology, organizational theory, stress process theories);
• research designs and statistical methodologies (e.g., program evaluation, policy analysis, longitudinal analysis).

The PhD program offers degree options for students entering the program with and without a Master of Social Work (MSW).  For more information, please visit program track tabs.

Why Choose a Social Welfare PhD at UW-Madison?

The UW-Madison Sandra Rosenbaum School of Social Work is known for its:

• National Reputation of Excellence
• Faculty Research
• Highly Recruited Graduates
• Strong Faculty Mentoring Model
• Individualized Programs of Study
• Substantial Financial Support
• Rigorous Interdisciplinary Research Training
• Vibrant Graduate Student Community
• Opportunities to collaborate with world-renowned research centers and institutes
• Options to pursue interdisciplinary PhD minors in Aging; Prevention and Intervention Science; and Women’s Studies, among others

Standard Track, for those with an MSW

Students entering the PhD program with an MSW will follow the Standard plan of study.  Visit The Guide to see the current plan of study for Standard track students (scroll to the bottom of the page)

Course Descriptions

View  descriptions of the required PhD courses  offered by the Sandra Rosenbaum School of Social Work. Syllabi are also available for the current and past terms.

Application Process

Like all PhD Program applicants, Standard track applicants are required to have completed a statistics course and 30-semester credits of social science courses prior to acceptance  into the PhD program. Prospective students interested in the Standard track  must apply to and be accepted by the PhD Program using the PhD application.  

See the  PhD Application Page  for admissions information and   requirements .     

Learn more about the Social Welfare PhD Program by visiting our FAQ page:  https://socwork.wisc.edu/faq-phd/

Joint MSW/PhD Track, for those wishing to obtain an MSW

Applications for the Joint MSW/PhD Track are currently paused.  For the Fall 2024 admissions cycle, open September 6th-December 1, 2023, we will NOT accept PhD applications for the Joint MSW/PhD Track.  We welcome applicants without an MSW to learn more about the PhD-Only Track.

Applicants interested in being considered for the MSW Program if they are NOT admitted to the PhD Program should apply to BOTH the PhD Program under the PhD-Only track, and the MSW Full-time program, by selecting Social Welfare PhD AND Social Work MSW-Full Time MSW under the Program Select tab of the Graduate School Admission Application.  Applicants that do not select MSW in the Admissions Application will ONLY be considered for the PhD Program.  

See the  PhD Application Page  for  admissions information ,  requirements , and  instructions for applying .     

PhD-Only Track, for those that do not wish to obtain an MSW

We do not require a BSW or an MSW for entry into the doctoral program.  The PhD-Only option is for students applying to the PhD program without a BSW or MSW, that wish to obtain only the PhD degree. The first two years of study are comprised of 42 credits in required coursework following the Standard track sequence in addition to 6 credits of MSW coursework: two courses from the Professional Foundation sequence of the MSW program, and a social work internship.  These requirements provide doctoral students without a social work degree an understanding of the basic knowledge, values, and skill base of the social work profession.

See The Guide for this track’s suggested plan of study (scroll to the bottom of the page).

Note: Although an MSW is not universally required for faculty hires across schools of social work, the MSW is required to teach social work practice courses. In addition, the Council on Social Work Education requires educators to have at least two years of post-BSW or post-MSW social work degree practice experience to teach practice courses.

Like all PhD Program applicants, PhD-Only t rack applicants are required to have completed a statistics course and 30-semester credits of social science courses prior to acceptance  into the PhD program. Prospective students interested in the PhD-Only op tion must apply to and be accepted by the PhD Program using the PhD application.  

For Fall 2024, applicants interested in being considered for the MSW Program if they are not admitted to the PhD Program should apply to both the PhD Program under the PhD-Only track, and the MSW Full-time program, by selecting Social Welfare PhD AND Social Work MSW-Full Time MSW under the Program Select tab of the Graduate School Admission Application.

Applicants that do not select MSW in the Admissions Application will ONLY be considered for the PhD Program under then PhD-Only Track.

See the  PhD Application Page  for admissions information and requirements.    

Graduate Assistantships

Social Welfare PhD students are generally guaranteed a minimum funding package consisting of a 33.4%, 9-month appointment for a minimum of five years, if they are in good academic standing, make satisfactory progress in their coursework, perform acceptably in their appointed position, and remain in residence.  However, many appointments or combinations of appointments go above the minimum guarantee of 33.4% , and may include summer appointments. 

Typically, students do not receive funding after their 5th year in the program, though some exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis depending on funding availability and the fit between a student’s skills and faculty/departmental needs with regards to TA, PA, RA, and teaching appointments. Refer to the Graduate School Explorer data tools, available at grad.wisc.edu (click “Data” in the upper right), for historical information on how the Program’s students have been funded. Or, click here: https://grad.wisc.edu/data/graduate-student-funding-data/

Graduate assistantships appointed at 33.3% or higher (>13 hours/week) provide multiple benefits:

• monthly stipend;
• remission *  of both resident and non-resident tuition (students will still need to pay  segregated fees , roughly $726/semester); and
• eligibility for health insurance ( health insurance options  for a  reasonable premium are among the country’s best group health insurance plans)

Appointment Types

• Teaching Assistantships (TA): Instructional positions that could include lecturing, grading papers, supervising laboratories, leading discussion sections, or developing course curriculum
• Project Assistantships (PA): Project-related assignments such as coordinating programs, organizing events, analyzing data, or supporting student services
• Research Assistantships (RA): Research under the guidance of a faculty member
• Lecturer, Student Assistant (LSA): Instructional position leading a course in place of faculty or instructional academic staff

For more details on TA, RA, and PA, positions, including stipend levels, please visit: https://grad.wisc.edu/funding/graduate-assistantships/

Support Funding

Support is available for current PhD students seeking conference, dissertation research activities (e.g., data collection costs, participant incentives, transcription), or emergency funding. Examples of conferences that we have supported students attending in the past includes SSWR, APPAM, SRCD, APHA, GSA, Gatlinburg Conference, WAIMH, and more.

As part of our admissions process, the PhD Committee considers all incoming students for available awards, including;

• Graduate Research Scholar fellowships (also called GRS or AOF)
• IRIS Area and International Studies Awards for Incoming Graduate Students
• Kemper Knapp Fellowship
• Lois Palmer Shimpa Memorial Scholarship

In the spring, the PhD Committee awards current students PhD Scholarships and Awards including;

• Alfred Kadushin Dissertation Research Award
• Arthur P. Miles School of Social Work Scholarship
• DEI Leadership Award
• Exceptional Service Award
• Irving Piliavin Award
• Doctoral Research Paper Award
• Dorothy M. Pearson Graduate Fellowship
• Sheldon D. Rose Memorial Scholarship
• Teaching Excellence Award

The UW- Madison International Student Services (ISS) Office offers information on scholarships and grants for International graduate students, as well as educational loan options.  See more here: ISS:  https://iss.wisc.edu/funding-scholarships/

Additionally, we recommend applying for outside awards and funding.  The Wisconsin Scholarship Hub, or WISH, is a great place to start the graduate scholarship search.  Visit the site here:  https://wisc.academicworks.com/

See the  PhD Application Page  for admissions information and requirements.

The PhD Program in Social Welfare at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is proud to announce our current job market candidates. Please do not hesitate to contact us if we can be of further assistance in your faculty recruitment.

Please visit the PhD Students and Alumni on the Job Market page.

PhD Program Warrant Request Form

Use this form to request your MSW (Joint MSW/PhD), Prelim, or PhD Warrant

GSTS Advisement Report

Phd program handbook (guidelines).

The PhD Program in Social Welfare Guidelines have been developed by the Sandra Rosenbaum School of Social Work, and cover the policies and expectations of our PhD Program, in accordance with the UW-Madison Graduate School Academic Policies and Procedures.

These guidelines are updated annually. Each doctoral student is expected to adhere to the policies and expectations in the Guidelines applicable to their year of entry into the program.

Guidelines are available for the past several years:

• PhD Program Guidelines 2023-24
• PhD Program Guidelines 2022-23
• PhD Program Guidelines 2021-22
• PhD Program Guidelines 2020-21
• PhD Program Guidelines 2019-20
• PhD Program Guidelines 2018-19
• PhD Program Guidelines 2017-18

Welcome to the SSW

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Spartan Alert

M.s.w. and ph.d. programs in social work.

The Departments of Social Work at   NCA&T  and UNC Greensboro  jointly offer two graduate programs in social work:

• Masters of Social Work (M.S.W.)  
• Doctorate in Social Work (Ph.D.)  

Students are  immersed in our rich tradition of multiculturalism, social justice, and community-engaged scholarship. This unique relationship between our two universities produces social workers, scholars, activists, and researchers.

Master of Social work

The Master in Social Work (M.S.W.) represents a unique collaboration between NC A&T and UNC Greensboro . The program curriculum prepares you for multicultural clinical practice.

This innovative program flows from a multicultural history and models collaboration between the two universities.

Doctor of Philosophy in Social work

The Ph.D. in Social Work is built on the cornerstones of diversity, multicultural responsiveness, and community engagement.

It is offered by two richly historic universities in North Carolina. One a Historically Black College, NC A&T , and the other, the historical women’s college, now UNC Greensboro .

Our students are full members of both Universities

• Take classes on both campuses.
• Are taught by faculty from both schools.
• Have library and parking privileges on both campuses.
• Study at each campus and have access to the full range of instructional and research support available at both universities.
• Are granted a degree jointly by both universities – diplomas have the seals of both schools.

Our Programs at a Glance

Quincy Dinnerson, Ph.D

kjpoole@ uncg [email protected]

Graduate Director

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Spartan Alert

Social work, ph.d..

This program is no longer accepting new students as of Fall 2024. Please explore UNCG’s other academic programs .

Grounded in two richly historic universities, one a Historically Black College and/or University (NC A&T) and the other the historical women’s college of the University of North Carolina system (UNC Greensboro), the Joint Ph.D. (J.Ph.D.) program is built on the cornerstones of diversity, multicultural responsiveness, and community engagement. Students in the program will receive the benefits and privileges of being enrolled on both campuses and the degree will include the seals and official signatures from both universities.

The J.Ph.D. curriculum encourages students to explore several aspects of research including quantitative, qualitative, and community-engaged approaches. Additionally, students are encouraged to use electives to explore other areas of specialization in a particular area. Using the teacher/scholar model, the J.Ph.D. program encourages students to prepare for careers in academia and as leaders in the community.

Program Distinctions

• NC A&T played a prominent role in the Civil Rights Movement. In the turbulence of 1960, four freshmen sat down at a segregated lunch counter in Greensboro. Their actions inspired a national sit-in movement. Our history has influenced a program culture that supports the social work profession’s commitment to ethical practice and social justice. 
• The program is part of a unique collaboration between a minority serving institution (UNC Greensboro) and a Historically Black College and/or University, NC A&T, which is the first of its kind in the United States. 
• In the last five years, the Departments have received over $5 million in external funding, which has been used to support students by alleviating debt, as well as meet the needs of the most vulnerable people in and around our surrounding communities.
• UNCG, jointly with NC A&T, is ranked #77 nationally and #3 in North Carolina for Best Schools for Social Work by the U.S. News & World Report.

The Student Experience

• Suggested Course of Study for Full-time students
• Suggested Course of Study for Part-time students
• In the fall and spring semesters, both full-time and part-time students will be in two classes together to promote a collaborative and cohesive cohort.
• Following the completion of coursework, students must pass written and oral comprehensive exams and write and defend the dissertation proposal. At that point, the student is considered All But Dissertation (ABD) and will write and defend the dissertation while being enrolled in dissertation hours, which is part of the requirement to complete the degree.

After Graduation

Students are well-prepared to pursue academic careers in social work as well as careers in research and leadership areas related to social work, including social and environmental justice.

Program Details

Degree Type: Doctoral

College/School: School of Health and Human Sciences

Program Type: Majors & Concentrations

Class Type: In Person

Learn More About

Similar Degree Offerings

• Social Work, M.S.W.
• Social Work, B.S.W.

Jay Poole PhD Graduate Program Director [email protected]

The Joint Programs in Social Work Social Work at UNCG

Quick Links

• Joint Master of Social Work
• Master's Licensure in School Social Work
• Gerontology, Accelerated M.S.
• Gerontology Programs

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Phd program, phd program in social welfare.

The UW School of Social Work doctoral program stands out among advanced social welfare programs by offering an array of academic resources available at one of the nation’s premier research universities. Transdisciplinary opportunities and faculty mentorship enrich the learning experience and help to shape a viable career path in social justice teaching, research or public service. It’s one of the key reasons our graduates find work in highly regarded social work programs throughout the country.

Is a doctoral education in your future? Find answers to some of your questions at  FAQ About the PhD Program .

For more information about the application process, refer to Apply to PhD .

About the PhD Program

Read program director Roberto Orellana's vision for delivering a world-class advanced degree in social welfare.

PhD Degree Requirements

Find out what you need to know about required and elective courses as well as additional course expectations.

Application & Deadlines

The application cycle for 2024 will open in late August.

The application requirements for the PhD program consist of:

• Completion of the required forms in the online application.
• Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate work, to be uploaded into the online application portal. If degree work is incomplete at the time of application, applicants should mail transcripts showing the completed work later, followed by a final transcript when all grades and the award of the degree are recorded.
• A current curriculum vitae or résumé.
• Applicants whose first language is not English or who have not earned a degree from an institution where the language of instruction is not exclusively English must also submit scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)  or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam. The School code for these tests is 2506. See below for more details. The program will accept Duolingo English test scores if the applicant received a combined undergraduate and graduate education of four years where the official language of instruction of the institution was English for all course work.
• The online application payment with your credit card, or enclose a non-refundable application fee of $75.00 (USD) in the form of a check or money order made payable to New York University-Social Work.
• The completed application form and all supporting materials for Fall 2024 must be received no later than 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time on December 1, 2023  in order for your application to be considered.
• Applicants should retain a copy of their completed application form and statement of research interest for their records.

Official transcripts and non-electronic application fees should be mailed to:

New York University Silver School of Social Work Admissions & Enrollment Services Office 1 Washington Square North New York, NY 10003-6654

International Students

Applicants to the PhD program whose records are not in English must submit their academic records with an official English translation. All applicants with international credentials are required to include a professional evaluation of their degree(s) to determine if they are equivalent to the US bachelor’s degree and master's degree. We accept international credentials evaluated by the companies listed. We do not require the evaluation to be “Course-by-Course” to determine if it is equivalent to the US bachelor’s degree. Applicants with such credentials should file their applications well in advance of the term for which they are applying.

Every applicant whose first language is not English or who has not earned a degree from an institution where the language of instruction is not exclusively English must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). If you are not taking the Internet-based TOEFL, please make sure to also take the Test of Spoken English (TSE) and the Test of Written English (TWE), and to submit scores from all tests. TOEFL scores are valid for two years from the test date. Scores more than two years old are not accepted. Information about this examination may be obtained by writing to TOEFL Services, P.O. Box 6151, Princeton, NJ 08541-6151, USA, by email , or by visiting the TOEFL website . Applicants must request that their examination score be sent to the NYU Silver School of Social Work. The school test code is 2506.