Program Overview
The Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work program at the University of Kansas prepares students to become leaders in advancing social work practice and policy through teaching, research, and scholarship. This PhD in social work program is designed to give students the skills they need to become innovative stewards of the social work discipline. The PhD in social work is a full-time, on-campus program.
KU’s social work PhD program prepares graduates to think creatively and critically about social work practice and social policy. The PhD in social work equips students with advanced quantitative and qualitative research skills. Coursework emphasizes social work history and philosophy, advanced research methods, social welfare policy analysis, academic writing, and social work teaching.
Social work PhD students develop doctoral-level research skills through an integrative paper and a research dissertation. Students will develop an area of specialization or emphasis in particular research methods and topics for inquiry that are relevant to the field’s professional mission and values.
Students in the PhD in social work program at KU build research and academic skills through structured seminar courses focused on publishing, academic writing, and preparing for the job market. Courses are delivered in person and with a student-centered educational approach. The original research dissertation is designed to demonstrate a student’s ability to conduct independent research. The dissertation is an empirical, historical, or conceptual analysis of the student’s selected research topic, and typically takes 1.5 years to complete.
The PhD in social work program is home to world-renowned faculty and researchers, and strives to connect PhD students to research and teaching that makes a difference in lives every day. Social work PhD students have opportunities to participate in and develop innovative research, working closely with faculty and research staff on funded projects, publications, and conference presentations.
Graduates go on to tenure-track faculty roles and research positions in universities, hospitals, and government agencies. With a PhD in social work, graduates are ready to contribute to the knowledge base of the social work profession and educate future social workers.
Learn more about KU
Graduate
For more information about the program, visit the program page below.
Social Work, Ph.D.KU School of Social Welfare
The Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work is part of the School of Social Welfare, where we educate, train and support qualified, compassionate social workers.Doctor of Social Work Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the doctorate in social work program will be able to:
- Create and share high-quality research on social work practice and social policy
- Teach social work students in higher education settings
- Develop and apply a critical perspective when considering human problems, strengths, and strategies for change and transformation
- Build relationships in the doctoral student community and the international network of social work educators and scholars
- Demonstrate professional accountability, integrity and ethical practice in research and in teaching students
What Careers are Possible with a Doctor of Social Work?
Graduates of KU’s PhD in social work are prepared for advanced leadership roles that influence practice, policy, and education. According to Lightcast labor market data, professionals with advanced social work training are competitive for senior-level positions across sectors.
- PhD in social work jobs include roles as college professors, university administrators, social science researchers, clinical directors, and nonprofit executives
- Salary ranges vary by role and sector, with leadership positions commonly earning between $80,000 and $105,000
- Employment settings include universities, healthcare systems, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and community-based service providers
Graduates pursuing a social work PhD often benefit from creative thinking about social work practice and social policy, enhanced quantitative and qualitative research skills, and experience with advanced, focused research.
Tuition and Financial Aid
KU offers affordable tuition rates and a variety of financial aid options, including scholarships, fellowships, and employer tuition reimbursement. Learn more at the KU Financial Aid & Scholarships Office.
Learn more about funding for social work PhD students at the KU School of Social Welfare.
Admission Requirements
To apply to the PhD in social work program at KU, applicants must meet these requirements and submit material as directed:
- 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 GPA of 3.5 or higher is required.
- Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher is preferred.
- Two years of social work or related practice is preferred; ideally, two years of post-master’s professional social work experience is preferred.
- Personal statement of scholarly and research interests in social work practice and why the candidate wishes to pursue their PhD at KU
- Three letters of reference
- Official transcripts from each college attended
- Completion of a basic statistics course within the past two years with a grade of B or higher. If the applicant has not completed this requirement, they must include a written statement showing how it will be met before entering the program, or indicate they plan to apply for a waiver of this requirement based on extensive research experience
- Students whose native language is not English must follow the policy for English Proficiency Requirements for Admission to Graduate Study
Student Life and Learning Experience
The PhD in social work program uses a student-centered educational approach. Students start the program in a small cohort and connect with the KU School of Social Welfare community through research events, committee involvement, and community-building activities.
Key features of the learning experience include:
- Doctoral Seminars: First-year PhD students attend seminar courses led by the faculty program director, on topics including transitioning from practitioner to scholar, developing research questions, and conducting interdisciplinary research.
- Research Opportunities: In addition to research coursework, many PhD students work closely as graduate research assistants with faculty and research staff, working on impactful projects in areas including child and family well-being, behavioral health, and social justice.
- Teaching Development: Doctoral students develop teaching skills through a course on teaching philosophy and methods, graduate teaching assistant positions, and faculty-led teaching workshops.
- Student Support: PhD students have access to academic, writing, and research support services, including a professional writing consultant, a student support coordinator, and dedicated academic advising.
- Faculty Mentorship: The PhD in Social Work program offers support to students through a multi-mentor model that includes a faculty guide, a GRA supervisor, and an academic advisor to track program milestones.
Doctor of Social Work Sample Courses
The social work PhD at KU includes core courses that prepare students to advance social work practice and policy through research, teaching, and scholarship. PhD students complete required and elective courses, an integrative paper, a comprehensive exam process, and a research dissertation. Sample courses include:
- History and Philosophy of Social Work
- Theory for Social Work Research
- Teaching Social Work: Philosophy and Methods
- Research Design and Methods
The social work PhD dissertation is designed to demonstrate an ability to conduct independent research. Developing and defending a social work PhD dissertation typically takes 1.5 years to complete. For more details, please visit the KU Catalog.
Doctor of Social Work Frequently Asked Questions
When should I apply?
KU typically admits new PhD in social work students every other year. The PhD admissions application opens in October and closes in January. Check the Social Welfare PhD application page for upcoming deadlines.
What kind of jobs can I get with a PhD in social work?
Our students graduate from the social work PhD program with the skills needed for careers as researchers, scholars, and educators. Career paths include tenure-track professor positions and advanced-level research careers.
How long will the PhD in social work program take?
Students can complete KU’s PhD in social work in four or five years of full-time study. The length of the program varies by student, depending on the time needed to complete the PhD dissertation.