The PhD in Social Work offers an interdisciplinary curriculum with emphasis on advanced research methods and statistics. The program requires 47 credit hours excluding dissertation.

Required Coursework

Foundational CoursesCredit hours
Colloquium on Social Work Education and Research2
Theories of Social Work: From Conceptualization to Application3
Three foundational seminars in research methods:
> Research Methods I: Quantitative Methods
> Research Methods in Minoritized Populations
> Research Methods III: Qualitative Methods
9
Two foundational seminars in quantitative data analysis:
> Quantitative Data Analysis I
> Quantitative Data Analysis II
6
Pedagogy in Social Work3
Specialization Area Seminar3
Elective Courses
Research practicum or one advanced research methods course or one advanced statistical methods course3
One advanced research methods course or one advanced
statistical methods course
3
Writing practicum or one elective3
Four additional electives of the student’s choosing12
Total47

Typical Progress for Full-time Students

Year 1
Year 2
Fall
  • 2 Electives
  • Pedagogy in Social Work
Spring
  • Area of Specialization Course (Comp. exam prep)
  • 2 Electives
Summer
  • Elective
Year 3
Year 4
Progress
Rules

More to Explore

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Join Us

We seek candidates with personal and professional readiness to strengthen the field of social work through research, scholarship and a commitment to addressing societal problems.

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Working at the School of Social Work

Find information about working at the School of Social Work as a teaching or research assistant.

Research Institutes

Led by social work faculty, these research institutes advance interdisciplinary, scientifically rigorous social and behavioral research.