Social Work (Ph.D.)

Social Work (Ph.D.) | Graduate

Earn your Ph.D. in Social Work from a top 12–ranked school of social work. We prepare students to transform systems and policies, drive structural change, and empower individuals, families, and communities to meet their needs and interact with resource systems while deepening scholarly inquiry about the experiences of underserved groups globally.

• Degree Classification: Graduate
• Related Degrees: Ph.D.

Application for Admission 

• Online GradCAS application
• Statement of purpose/ Statement of academic interest (3-5 pages double-spaced (Guidance here)
• Critical writing sample (i.e., published paper, thesis, or research paper)
• GRE scores not required
• Official transcripts sent to GradCAS
• 3 letters of recommendation
• Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from an accredited university (at least a 3.0 GPA) or the international equivalent
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae (2 years of post-MSW social work experience preferred)
• Autobiographical statement (500-750 words) (Guidance here)

GRE Required?

• No

GRE Preferred Minimums

• GRE Verbal Reasoning: N/A
• GRE Quantitative Reasoning: N/A
• GRE Analytical Writing: N/A

GPA Required Minimums

• Overall GPA minimum: 3.0
• Undergrad GPA minimum: 3.0

Reference Requirements

Evaluator type accepted:

• Professor (Required)
• Supervisor/Manager (Required)

Evaluator type not accepted:

• Clergy
• Friend
• Family Member
• Coworker
• Other

Personal Statement Guidance

Statement of purpose/statement of academic interest should highlight why you wish to pursue a career in social work and address the following:

• Your philosophy and your understanding of the social welfare/social work profession
• Your personal, professional, and educational goals as well as your research interests
• Any life experience with social work research and practice (you may highlight interest in a specific group or population)
• How will obtaining your Ph.D. in Social Work enhance you in your current position and/or future career or better prepare you to serve people as a professional social worker, researcher, or instructor?