PhD Program

Our rigorous PhD program prepares researchers, scholars, and educators to advance the field of social welfare and social work practice.

 

Application Open: Sept 1
Deadline: Dec 1

Class Profile

24

PhD students in BCSSW

48%

AHANA Students 
(African-American, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American)

94%

Of our recent grads over the last five years have secured employment as assistant professors, researchers, or post-doctoral fellows within a year of graduation 

6

Countries of citizenship

PhD Curriculum Plans

The fulltime PhD in Social Work program typically takes four years. Each student is assigned a faculty mentor with similar research interests. Students spend two years gaining research skills, then two years conducting independent scholarly research.

30 required credits and 15 elective credits (45 credit hours) required for PhD in Social Work.
Print

The dual degree program is designed for those who do not yet have a Master's of Social Work.

Applicants will be considered for acceptance into the MSW/PhD program in exceptional cases and must possess a master’s degree in a behavioral or social science discipline in addition to considerable work experience.

Well-suited for international graduate students who can acquire an understanding of American social welfare policy and social work practice prior to launching their advanced doctoral studies.

Print

Meet Our Faculty

Accomplished and dedicated faculty members mentor students to understand and address complex social problems.

PhD Candidates and Recent Alumni

Financial Aid

Applicants are fully funded with a doctoral fellowship valued at more than $200,000 over the course of four years. 

Recent Employers

Alberto Hurtado University in Chile

Boston Children’s Hospital 

Brown University 

Harvard University

MIT AgeLab

The Ohio State University 

Umeå University, Sweden (2021)

Universidad Loyola del Pacífico

University of Maryland

University of Pittsburgh

University of Texas at San Antonio

University of Washington

Student Updates