phd social work rankings

Best Schools for Social Work

Ranked in 2024, part of Best Health Schools

In an advanced social work curriculum, students will take

In an advanced social work curriculum, students will take courses in social welfare policy, human behavior and ethics, balanced with hands-on experience in clinical settings. These are the top social work programs. Each school's score reflects its average rating on a scale from 1 (marginal) to 5 (outstanding), based on a survey of academics at peer institutions. Read the methodology »

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50 Best Social Work PhD Programs

To help further narrow your search, we have compiled a list of the 50 best programs in the country based on two primary criteria: overall academic reputation (65%) and quality of financial aid provided to students (35%). Programs on this list have a focus on research and teaching and, unless noted, do not focus on advanced clinical practice, as the DSW degree does. Many of the schools listed here also offer joint MSW/PhD programs for those looking for to complete the entirety of their graduate work in one location.

#1  University of Michigan

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U-M’s School of Social Work has been among the country’s best for quite awhile now. Michigan offers a unique joint PhD program for social work students, partnering with five other graduate programs on campus. Students choose from one of U-M’s other well-regarded fields including Anthropology, Economics, Political Science, Psychology, and Sociology. Joint PhD students reflect the populations they serve and address society’s challenging issues through scientifically rigorous social and behavioral research. U-M faculty create a robust interdisciplinary culture and formulate solutions to serious worldwide problems. Together, Joint PhD students mentored by faculty tackle society’s most pressing problems- poverty, homelessness, mental illness, violence towards children and addiction to name a few. U-M faculty empower students to extend their reach, deepen their impact and create real social change.

Like other programs at the top of our ranking, The Joint Program in Social Work and Social Science provides all incoming doctoral students with a multi-year funding package. U-M combines fellowship awards, graduate student research assistant positions, and graduate student instructorships to offer most students five years of full funding, which includes tuition, stipends, and health care. U-M ranks first in research-and-development spending among the nation’s public universities. Its institutes and centers include: The Institute for Social Research; National Poverty Center; Institute for Research on Women and Gender; Curtis Center; Nonprofit and Public Management Center; University of Michigan Substance Abuse Research Center; and the Michigan Institute for Clinical and Health Research.

Program Website Offers combined Masters/PhD? Yes Offers part-time option? No

#2  University of Chicago

The University of Chicago is a magnet for the world’s leading scholars in the social sciences. Its School of Social Service Administration consistently ranks among the best social work institutions in the country. Members of the SSA doctoral program join a select group of students and scholars who advance an interdisciplinary approach to social work and social welfare scholarship. The program is designed to deepen students’ mastery of both social science theory and research methods so that they are prepared to contribute to scholarly knowledge in innovative ways. The PhD in social work opens doors to university-level research and teaching positions and high-level policy research. In the doctoral program, students have the flexibility of designing their own course of study in tandem with related disciplines across the university. SSA students receive the theoretical training needed to become applied social scientists.

Doctoral students receive significant funding to ensure that they are able to immerse themselves in the program. Effective July 1, 2017, all admitted doctoral students are eligible to receive a scholarship that will cover all tuition and fees plus a $25,000 stipend for up to five years. To ensure that incoming students receive the in-depth advising they need to develop a customized program of study, the Doctoral Committee selects an advisor for each student during the admissions process, matching theoretical and substantive interests.  SSA is one of few schools of social work with a full-time career services office. Doctoral students participate in original research alongside faculty advisors in University-affiliated research centers and programs, including: Center for Gender Studies; Center for Health Administration Studies; Center for Human Potential and Public Policy; Center for the Study of Race, Politics & Culture; Chicago Center for Youth Violence Prevention; Human Rights Program; and the Urban Health Initiative.

#3  Washington University (St. Louis, MO)

Another perennially top-ranked program, the Brown School at Washington University offers world-class graduate instruction in social work. The curriculum at the Brown School emphasizes substantive, theoretical and methodological preparation. Vital and groundbreaking research is being conducted at over a dozen Brown School research centers, and students have access to the scholars forging the future of their field. Wash-U’s faculty are top scholars and experts, and students receive the benefit of their mentorship and guidance. The director of the program serves as the primary faculty advisor of all incoming doctoral students. During orientation, students receive a tailored list of additional Brown School faculty who may serve as substantive advisor(s), those who share mutual areas of research interest. At the completion of the first year, students officially select an advisor to mentor them in their chosen area of research.

The Brown School is committed to providing their doctoral students full tuition scholarships, four-year stipends and professional development accounts. Additional funding is possible through research and teaching fellowships as well as other sources of internal and external support. The PhD curriculum includes three units each of required teaching and research practica. These practica typically occur after the first semester in the program and round out the individualized curriculum plan. Teaching practica ensure students are well-trained in substantive content and pedagogy as they prepare for independent teaching at the graduate level. Additional opportunities for research development are available within specific research fellowship programs, faculty laboratories and research centers. The program requires 72 units of credit, 21 of which can be transferred from an MSW program or a graduate degree from an allied field.

Program Website Offers combined Masters/PhD? No Offers part-time option? No

#4  University of Pittsburgh

The University of Pittsburgh has one of the oldest and most well respected social work doctoral programs in the United States. Since its inception, The School of Social Work has conferred the PhD degree on hundreds of graduates who enjoy productive careers in social work research, education, administration, and planning. The program provides students with a supportive educational environment which facilitates their progress towards degree completion. Pitt’s doctoral program is committed to the school’s mission which addresses human dignity, social justice, and social equity for diverse populations. The university awarded its first DSW degrees in 1949. In 1963, the DSW degree was changed to a PhD. The school celebrated the 60th Anniversary of its PhD Program in 2009. Pittsburgh’s program has consistently been regarded among the top 10 social work doctoral programs in the nation.

Accepted candidates are fully funded with tuition and stipend support for four years of study. Tuition support includes health insurance, and the school has a wonderful Social Work Library which is part of the University’s Library System. Doctoral education in Social Work prepares students for leadership roles in social work research, social work education, social policy, planning, and administration. The goal of the program is to provide students with advanced academic training that will allow them to contribute to the knowledge base of the social work profession. The doctoral program is open to applicants who have demonstrated intellectual capacity, critical thinking skills, and potential for research and scholarship. Pitt’s full time program is highly competitive and accepts 6-8 students each year.

#5  Case Western Reserve University

Founded in 1952 as one of the first doctoral programs in social welfare in America, the PhD program at the Mandel School is designed to develop leaders in social work research, policy, and teaching. It is a cornerstone of the school, offering doctoral students the opportunity to engage with world-renowned faculty, cutting-edge research, and a creative curriculum – all within a supportive environment committed to student success. In response to the different needs and interests of our students, the Mandel School offers two formats for professionals electing to pursue a PhD degree in social welfare: the full-time and the part-time format. Course content includes philosophy of science and theory building, theories of human behavior, advanced research design, statistics, measurement and data analysis, qualitative research models and methods, an integrated research seminar, social welfare policy, theory and evidence base of social work practice, and social work education.

Case Western offers full time students a 100% tuition waiver covering all coursework and six hours of dissertation research credits. Doctoral students may also be able to receive additional tuition waivers for dissertation research credits through serving as teaching assistants for doctoral methods courses or for serving as research assistants on faculty members’ funded research projects. Full time students are guaranteed a stipend of $18,000 for each of the first four years of doctoral study. This fellowship provides individualized training in social work research methods with a faculty member closely matched with the student’s research interests. Students can apply for a mentorship in research or in teaching. In response to the different needs and interests of our students, the Mandel School offers two formats for professionals electing to pursue a PhD degree in social welfare: the full-time and the part-time format.

Program Website Offers combined Masters/PhD? No Offers part-time option? Yes

#6  University of Washington (Seattle, WA)

The PhD Program in Social Welfare at Washington prepares students to become leaders in the advancement of knowledge in the profession and relevant interdisciplinary domains. Students acquire both the substantive and methodological competence to contribute theoretical formulations and empirical research that inform effective social work practice and advance scholarship in social welfare for the promotion of social justice.  In addition to being among the top contributors to research and scholarship, the School’s faculty members have developed special depth in prevention research. Faculty research emphasizes prevention and intervention services and encompasses topics related to health/mental health promotion and disparities, aging, child and adolescent services, family-based practice, interpersonal violence, substance abuse, income distribution, and issues related to gender, communities of color (including American Indian and Alaska native health), and gays and lesbians.

We ensure the same level of support to all incoming students, and our admissions decisions are based in part on the number of students for whom we can ensure support during their first 3 years in the program. We work with students to seek sources of funding both within the University and from outside sources. The support typically involves teaching or research assistantships or fellowships for the 9-month regular school year and includes tuition waiver and health benefits in addition to a salary.  The program offers excellent student resources such as access to cutting edge quantitative and qualitative methods training, preparation for teaching and related faculty roles, student travel to professional conferences, a high level of faculty research activity, scholars engaged in cross-cultural research, and excellent computer access and consultation.

#7  Boston College

Boston College School of Social Work is home to a highly productive community of scholars whose research advances the field of social welfare and the practice of social work. This unique curriculum will prepare students to excel as a researcher and teacher in leading academic and social welfare institutions worldwide.  Students develop expertise in: A Substantive Area of Social Work providing the foundation for advanced research; A Social or Behavioral Science with theory and empirical findings of causes, dynamics, and outcomes of social work interventions; Research Methods necessary to effectively advance knowledge in the field; Teaching Methods to pass knowledge and skills to the next generation of scholars and practitioners; Communication Skills to impart the results of your scholarship, through writing and speaking, to the social work community.

All accepted doctoral students receive merit-based financial support. Students at the Boston College School of Social work receive a multi-year full tuition package worth more than $125,000. This fellowship also provides a living stipend. The award in the first year is a $20,000 non-service stipend. In the second and third years, the award is a $20,000 service stipend. In the fourth year, the award is a $20,000 non-service stipend. The curriculum is designed with a blend of quantitative research courses, combined with theory and methods classes plus a required teaching course. Students also gain practical skills by teaching and tutoring in an MSW classroom. The curriculum is designed to prepare students for the available tenure track positions and other professional research careers. The mission of the Boston College School of Social Work Doctoral Program is to prepare scholars committed to the pursuit of knowledge to advance the field of social welfare and social work practice.

#8  University of North Carolina

The Ph.D. Program in social work at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is designed to produce graduates who are capable of building and testing explanatory and practice theory to guide social interventions in social work. It includes thorough training in research methodology and data analysis for addressing both basic and applied research questions. It is not designed to add to clinical or practice skills. Students define a specialized area of study that focuses their assignments and guides their research experiences. It is anticipated that graduates will pursue careers involving scholarly activity and basic and applied research in either academic, research, or policy settings. Through innovative research that improves practice and enhances education, students at UNC search for solutions to the challenges of poverty, mental health, violence, and substance abuse.

The doctoral program of the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill provides significant funding to doctoral students, including up to four years of tuition, health insurance, as well as teaching and research stipends. In addition, all doctoral applicants are considered for university-wide fellowship support. There are several kind of assistantships: Merit Assistantships, which come through the university; research assistantships in which the student works for pay on a grant or contract; and research assistantships and teaching, paid from school or program funds, for example, from endowed funds. Students may receive funding from more than one source. The School has grown to include 27 tenured and tenure-track faculty members – seven of whom are chaired or distinguished professors – and more than 65 clinical and research faculty members. In 2011, social work faculty received more than $12 million in grant funding.

#9  Boston University

Building upon BU School of Social Work’s robust commitment to social justice and empowerment of historically marginalized populations, the doctoral program provides training in the theory, research methods, and values of the social work profession necessary to solve urgent human and societal problems. Students’ work reflects the interdisciplinary nature of the program and individualized course of study. Students develop core competencies that are integral to contemporary social work practice, teaching, and research. The critical linkages between social work and social science research, theory, and practice build upon faculty strengths and expertise, and grow through interdisciplinary collaborations and expertise in areas such as health, mental health, trauma, addictions, child welfare, and aging. The PhD in Social Work program offers an opportunity for students to work with, and learn from, these leaders and to pursue a multi-method and highly individualized course of study.

BU is pleased to offer a generous multi-year funding package of up to five years, which includes tuition, paid stipends, and health care. PhD students are funded through a combination of tuition scholarships, and research and teaching assistantships. While students gain hands-on research and teaching experience, assistantships supported by the School of Social Work are paid as stipends during the eight-month academic year. The core curriculum requires a mixed methods foundation, grounding in social work values and a social justice lens, and training in teaching excellence. Student knowledge is deepened through hands-on teaching-practicum experience, the development of a specialization area, and mentored research training. These integrated experiences provide a rich educational foundation for social work leadership in academic, policy, research, and practice arenas.

#10  University of Pennsylvania

The University of Pennsylvania PhD program in Social Welfare is designed to develop leaders in academia and research to identify both problems and potential solutions. Faculty work hard to foster scholarly energy, collaboration, and creativity. Most graduates go on to faculty posts in Schools of Social Work and Social Welfare. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “employment of social workers is expected to grow by 19 percent from 2012 to 2022, faster than the average for all occupations.” As a growing academic field, multiple job offers are common. In order to apply for a dual degree program (including the MSW/PhD program), applicants must submit two separate applications. Each of these applications must include two sets of supporting documents, including transcripts, personal statements, and 3 letters of recommendation. Applications for each dual degree program will be reviewed independently of each other; it is possible to be admitted into one program and not the other.

The program is designed to be completed in four years. Each student is supported financially by the School of Social Policy & Practice in the form of tuition, fees, individual health insurance, and a nine-month research and teaching stipend for the four years. Graduates also are prepared to assume, as some have, positions in government, international organizations, research firms, and think tanks. The program is structured so that students can earn their PhD in 4 years. Coursework is completed in the first two years. In addition to learning fundamental content and research skills at SP2, PhD students can take courses in virtually any department at Penn. The last two years are dedicated to gaining research and teaching experience while completing the dissertation. The typical student has multiple publications upon graduation and has teaching experience at the master’s level.

#11  University of California (Los Angeles)

The Social Welfare PhD program at the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs provides students with highly structured personalized instruction and mentoring to facilitate entry into careers of research and teaching. The curriculum is interdisciplinary. Students take advantage of the rich learning resources in the Social Welfare Department and other departments within the Luskin School and the larger UCLA campus to develop substantive and methodological knowledge consonant with cutting-edge scholarship in an area of specialization. Areas of specialization include child and family well-being, health and mental health across the lifespan, poverty, and social and economic justice. In recognition of the considerable knowledge and skills required of those contemplating careers in academia, students are encouraged to publish in scholarly journals, present at national conferences, prepare and submit research proposals to external funders, and enter the job market, subsequently, with competitive records of scholarly productivity.

Financial aid packages are competitive and include full tuition plus stipends in the first two years, as well as university fellowships and paid teaching and research assistantships in years three through five, as needed. Research training, both formal and experiential, is at the core of the program. Flexibility is provided to help students attain in-depth competence in a substantive area of social welfare. Students progress from a common foundation in scholarship and research methods toward a high degree of individualized specialization. This common foundation emphasizes the acquisition of analytic tools needed to understand, appraise and advance knowledge in social welfare. With these analytical tools, the students select a specific area of specialization and develop expertise in that area. Considerable emphasis is placed on the individualized instructional relationship between students and faculty mentors. The learning process involves more than classroom instruction. Students are expected to work closely with faculty in their roles as scholars and researchers.

#12  University of Southern California

The USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work established the first social work doctoral program in the western United States in 1953. Students pursue an in-depth, customized course of study in an atmosphere of careful mentoring and respect for scholarship. The doctoral curriculum is highly interdisciplinary with the intent of producing graduates who are capable of original research and passionate about advancing the profession’s knowledge base. Course work and independent study opportunities within the school and across the university offer intellectual grounding in comparative social science theories, advanced research methods and statistics, global issues, policy analysis and advocacy, and 21st century challenges to practice at the individual, family and group levels. The school gives special emphasis to evidence-based approaches and translational science.

All incoming students accepted and admitted into the program and who remain in good academic standing will receive financial assistance for the first four years, amounting to $200,000. Students also may be eligible for additional fellowships, scholarships, grants, research and teaching assistantships, and loans. Doctoral students regularly collaborate on faculty research projects in addition to pursuing their own funded research. The cornerstone of USC’s success is the dedicated faculty, who take pride in close collaboration with students in research and mentoring, as well as teaching. Faculty help doctoral students develop a portfolio of research and teaching experience that will prepare them fully for the challenges they face as the next generation of scholars and leaders of the profession.

#13  Arizona State University

The purpose of the doctoral program in social work is to train future social work scholars. Graduates are prepared to enter careers in applied research that enhance human well-being, particularly among oppressed and vulnerable populations, and to educate the next generation of social workers. Students pursue their personal intellectual passions guided by an individualized program of study. They are mentored by world-class faculty who collectively rank #1 in disseminating scholarship in premiere social work journals. Examples of recent dissertation topics include: Characteristics of Foster Families and Foster Children that Impact Placement Stability; Migration Aspirations, Religiosity, and Sexual Behavior among Youth: A New Look at Suicidal Ideation in Central Mexico; and Ecological Factors and the Behavioral and Educational Outcomes of African American Students in Special Education.

Contingent upon satisfactory progress in the program, ASU typically offers incoming students five years of financial support. In the first two years when students are focusing on their course work, financial support frequently consists of tuition assistance, health benefits, and a living stipend in exchange for being placed with a faculty member in a 20 hour a week academic training placement. In subsequent years, students have the option of pursuing research with funded faculty and research centers, or obtaining teaching positions in the School of Social Work. Research collaboratives housed within the School of Social Work include: ASU Center for Child Well-Being; Southwest Interdisciplinary Research Center; Center for International Translational Intervention Research; Center for Applied Behavioral Health Policy; and the Office of American Indian Projects, among others.

#14  New York University

The New York University Silver School of Social Work doctoral program is committed to preparing stewards of the discipline for leadership positions at the national and global levels. The program’s specific aim is to competitively position graduates for top-tier academic and research opportunities, such as faculty positions at leading research universities, and to cultivate the next wave of independent investigators, scholars, and social work leaders. NYU Silver immerses its doctoral students in cutting-edge quantitative and qualitative research, providing them with the rigorous methodological, conceptual, and statistical research training critical for next-level success. Silver School doctoral students are paired from day one with a research mentor as part of a personalized mentoring program, helping them develop competencies in core research, scholarship, and teaching areas.

Accepted full-time students are typically awarded the Dean’s Fellowship, which includes full tuition and registration fee waivers, graduate student health insurance, and a competitive stipend. Upon completing coursework, students are responsible for maintaining their matriculation in the program by paying for one credit per semester until their dissertation is successfully defended. NYU Silver’s outstanding faculty are renowned for their expertise in several key research areas, including poverty studies, mental health services research, and children and family research. NYU offers an unparalleled research environment and platform for study. Silver School doctoral students impact and are impacted by the diversity, dynamism, and richness of New York City, while NYU’s Global Network University initiative provides global opportunities to address critical social welfare issues through research and direct service abroad.

#15  Michigan State University

The PhD program in Social Work at MSU is designed to prepare social workers for leadership positions in the profession as: Social work educators; Researchers of social problems and social work intervention methods; Planners, administrators, and evaluators of social service programs; and Policy makers and analysts. It emphasizes the development, analysis, and application of social work knowledge related to professional practice and research in selected settings and to social work education at the undergraduate and graduate levels in order to contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the Social Work profession and the field of social welfare. It is also interdisciplinary in nature, requiring course work in both social work and a particular social science, or across disciplines, while focusing on a selected area of study.

Beginning fall, 2016, the School is pleased to offer five years of guaranteed funding to all qualified incoming students. During the first four years of the program, support will be in the form of an assistantship each year: Graduate assistants work with faculty members on their research projects 20 hours per week during the academic year and receive a tuition waiver, health benefits, and a stipend. There are a variety of teaching opportunities available for doctoral students. In most cases, students are encouraged to consider teaching once they have completed their coursework and comprehensive exam process. The focused area of study, or cognate, is designed by the student and his/her Guidance Committee (a group of faculty chosen by the student that represents social work and the focused cognate area). Courses for the cognate may be taken from any department within the University, with appropriate approval, and are organized around a student’s specific area of scholarly interest.

#16  University of California (Berkeley)

Berkeley Social Welfare’s doctoral program is designed to inspire independence and originality of thought in pursuit of knowledge. Students design and pursue an individualized program of work tailored to their intellectual interests and aligned with specialized research areas of faculty mentors and supervisors from the School of Social Welfare and additional distinguished departments across the Berkeley campus. Doctoral course work includes seminars in research methods, statistics, theory and other related areas. Required courses for doctoral students focus primarily on research methodology. In addition, students enroll in elective courses, seminars, and independent tutorials useful for mastering selected fields of study, preparing for the qualifying examination, and developing competence in research methods. Students are also encouraged to select courses from the rich and varied offerings in other University departments.

A typical funding package for Berkeley Social Welfare doctoral students will usually include a total of four years of financial support, through a combination of payment of tuition and fees; academic student employment as a Graduate Student Researcher (GSR) or Graduate Student Instructor (GSI); and a living expense stipend. A Combined MSW/PhD Program option is also available specifically for individuals who possess a strong interest in and exceptional capacity for research and scholarly work; and who wish to pursue a continuous program of graduate study leading to the MSW and the PhD degrees. Berkeley Social Welfare research areas include: Systems of Care for Children/Families/Elderly; Behavioral Health and Prevention/Intervention; Community, Organizational and Policy Development; Violence and Victimization; Health and Healthcare Disparities; and Race, Class and Gender.

#17  Virginia Commonwealth University

Reflecting the dual mission of Virginia Commonwealth University and the profession of Social Work, the Ph.D. program in Social Work aims to develop scholars, researchers and educators who will, independently and collaboratively, make significant contributions to advancing social justice and human well-being within local, national and international contexts. Current faculty areas of expertise include: Community and organizational partnerships in prevention and intervention research in local, national and international settings; Interdisciplinary research in social, behavioral and health sciences; International collaborative projects (e.g., interpersonal and societal violence and trauma, poverty and inequality, immigrants and refugees in the U.S. and abroad, and population aging and mental health in low-resource settings).

Full-time students who remain in good academic standing receive financial assistance in the form of full tuition remission and a stipend in each of their first four years of study. The doctoral program director and faculty advisers assist students in identifying sources of support for subsequent years, including support for dissertation research. Formal mentorship takes the form of graduate research assistantships and supervised teaching opportunities in the School’s competitive M.S.W. and/or B.S.W. programs. First-year students participate in a proseminar that is led by the Ph.D. program director. The three-fold purpose of the seminar is to: introduce students to the School’s faculty and their programs of research; familiarize students with current major trends and topics in social work and social welfare; and facilitate a working model of on-going peer advising and consultation.

#18  Bryn Mawr College

The country’s first Ph.D. degree in social work was awarded at Bryn Mawr College in 1920. As a social work school within a liberal arts college, the GSSWSR takes interdisciplinary inquiry and teaching seriously, and Ph.D. students are vital members of the Bryn Mawr College teaching community. A distinctive feature of Bryn Mawr’s Ph.D. program is the small size — typically enrolling cohorts of just three or four students per year. That size allows for a close-knit and productive community of scholars. The ratio of Ph.D. students at all stages in the program to tenured and tenure-track faculty is less than 2:1, and class sizes are typically just 6. This model allows for students to engage and learn more deeply, as individuals, as a cohort, and in close collaboration with faculty. At the same time, to support the program’s focus on interdisciplinary social work scholarship within a broader liberal arts tradition, students also have access to a wealth of resources beyond GSSWSR.

All Ph.D. students are funded equally and do not compete for basic financial support during coursework. The school supports all Ph.D. students to engage deeply in doctoral training with full tuition waivers and substantial stipends to offset costs of living. Bryn Mawr discourages competition among students and instead aims to facilitate a collaborative and supportive community of scholars. Faculty have a wide variety of research interests. Two primary areas of focus for research and teaching at GSSWSR are “Health and Mental Health Across the Lifespan” and “Children, Families and Society.” The school’s traditional strengths in clinical practice and social theory and research help to foster a generative community that values innovative conceptualizations that reach across traditional silos to better address the central problems that social work faces as a field.

#19  Ohio State University

The mission of the doctoral program in Social Work at OSU is to nurture the next generation of social work researchers and educators within the translational research framework with the ultimate goal of positively impacting the lives of individuals, families, communities, and society. Hallmarks of the program include: Theory-driven intervention and implementation research; Qualitative and quantitative research methods to understand the individual, family and community contexts of social problems; Mixed methods research to understand the agency and program contexts where interventions are implemented; Pedagogical skills to be effective social work educators; Grant writing skills for research funding; and Publishing and presenting.

The College of Social Work provides a competitive funding package for doctoral students. In the first three years, students are granted a Graduate Associate position with stipend and tuition coverage (for full-time students). In the fourth year through Dissertation, students are granted Graduate Student Lecturer positions. The Graduate School sponsors a number of fellowships for incoming and current graduate students.  Currently, Doctoral faculty are studying: School mental health, school social work, school-family-community partnerships; Community food security and community-based research; Children of immigrant families and social adjustment; Positive youth development and youth sport; Integrative body-mind spirit practices; Educational disparities; and Human trafficking; and Latino gangs.

Program Website Offers combined Masters/PhD? Yes Offers part-time option? Yes

#20  University of Wisconsin (Madison)

The doctoral 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. The program has a strong reputation of academic excellence. Students have a wide selection of courses in world-renowned social and behavioral science departments such as sociology, economics, educational psychology, human development and family studies, the La Follette School of Public Affairs, psychology, women’s studies, population health sciences, and nursing. There are opportunities to collaborate with world-renowned research centers and institutes, such as: Center for the Demography of Health and Aging; Comprehensive Cancer Center; Institute on Aging; and the Institute for Research on Poverty, among others.

The School of Social Work provides highly competitive financial support to new and continuing Ph.D. students. Graduate Assistantship and Fellowship positions include paid tuition, health insurance coverage, and a monthly stipend. Other forms of financial aid include: Teaching Assistantship; Project and Research Assistantships; Fellowship; Scholarships and Awards.  In their programs 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). There are also options to pursue interdisciplinary Ph.D. minors in Aging; Prevention and Intervention Science; and Women’s Studies, among others.

#21  Columbia University (New York)

The Columbia School of Social Work’s Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) program has produced many of the world’s most influential leaders in social work and social welfare scholarship since its inception in 1950. The program is offered by Columbia University’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS) and administered by the School of Social Work. It prepares candidates for careers as researchers, scholars and educators. Doctoral students can choose from three concentrations: Advanced Practice; Social Policy and Policy Analysis; or Social Policy and Administration. Candidates will also take advanced social work courses and a wide range of courses offered in other Columbia professional schools.

While much of the program is highly individualized, all students will be enrolled in approximately two full-time years of course work, plus time for tutorials, research projects, examinations, and dissertation work. All students also conduct an intensive individualized research practicum, or a research assistantship, in conjunction with a current faculty research project. Around 65 students are enrolled in the Ph.D. program. While the majority of students have a master’s in social work, many others have master’s degrees in related disciplines such as economics, education and public policy.The majority of graduates accept positions conducting research and/or teaching in universities and research institutions throughout the world. Other graduates choose to join governmental organizations or think tanks that conduct relevant social policy research and analysis. A few opt to re-enter the social services field in an executive capacity.

#22  University at Buffalo (SUNY)

Founded in 1846 as a private medical college, The State University of New York at Buffalo is a public research university in Buffalo and Amherst, New York. In the school’s doctorate of social work program, students will: Create an individual, fully interdisciplinary program of coursework and scholarship; Benefit from a small-by-design program that facilitates meaningful connections with peers and mentors; Participate in the intellectual exchanges and scholarly collaborations fostered by UB’s many research centers and institutes and community partnerships; Engage with our diverse, dedicated and growing faculty, with particular expertise in trauma, veterans’ issues, aging, social policy, and refugee and immigrant communities; and access diverse research opportunities, facilities and support through the Buffalo Center for Social Research.

PhD students receive generous funding, consisting of three years of tuition waivers, through assistantships and scholarship programs. This interdisciplinary PhD is best for individuals who are seeking careers as researchers and academics. The highly customizable nature of the program allows students to tailor their coursework to their individual research interests. The programs consists of two years of coursework followed by a year of exams and dissertation work plus additional time for more dissertation work. The program also focuses on and prepares students to take action in program and policy arenas at local, national and global levels. A medium-sized professional school within the largest and most comprehensive research university in the State University of New York system, the UB School of Social Work is positioned in a diverse learning community to offer flexible academic programming, meeting the unique interests and career goals of students.

#23  University of Maryland (Baltimore)

The mission of the UMB School of Social Work’s Doctor of Philosophy program is to prepare graduates to conduct interdisciplinary research and become exemplary social work scholars and educators.‌ For the last 10 years, the School’s faculty publishing rate places it in the top 10 schools in the country in terms of the number of articles published in scholarly journals. In a short period of time, the SSW has become the leader in social work education in the state, as well as become known to a national and international audience. In addition to the School’s academic side, there is a community service side: Social Work Community Outreach Service, Promise Heights, Family Connections and the Ruth H. Young Center for Families and Children are all very active in helping with the social work needs in Baltimore and beyond. The SSW has over 80 full-time faculty members including over 40 tenure-tracked positions.

Full-time students are eligible for full-time (20-hour) assistantships which provide a stipend of $19,167 (10-month) or $23,000 (12-month), plus tuition remission for the fall and spring semesters, and health insurance. The School has a number of graduate research assistantships (GRAs) that require either 10 or 20 hours of work per week for a 10 or 12 month academic year. Students are required to take at least one course outside the social work PhD program; students begin taking electives in their second year. Students may select their electives from doctoral-level courses offered in the School of Social Work, the other UMB schools, as well as academic departments on the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) or University of Maryland in College Park (UMCP) campuses (e.g., psychology, sociology, policy sciences). UMB’s full-time students average 4 to 5 years to complete the program.

#24  University of Kansas

The goal of the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare doctoral program is to prepare students to become leaders nationally and internationally in advancing social work practice and policy through research, teaching and scholarship. Students graduate from the program with the critical knowledge and skills they need to become innovative stewards of the discipline who generate and disseminate knowledge as researchers, scholars and educators. Students work with highly productive, nationally and internationally renowned faculty with expertise in aging, child welfare, child mental health, adult mental health, corrections, juvenile justice, spirituality, diversity and poverty. Students also gain critical methodological, pedagogical and research skills and expertise through funded appointments as graduate research and teaching assistants and high quality doctoral courses.

If enrolled in full-time study, the KU School of Social Welfare will guarantee four years of financial support, as long as student remains in good standing in the program. In most cases, this will consist of a 50 percent appointment as a Graduate Research Assistant (GRA), Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA), or a combination of the two and paid tuition. The curriculum is designed to provide core training in research methodology, theory, policy and teaching pedagogy. In combination with funded appointments, students develop expertise in their chosen areas of inquiry and research methods. Other research and funding opportunities are often available through individual faculty research projects in many areas. Current Ph.D. in social work students report that faculty accessibility and interest in doctoral students is very high and particularly comment the high quality of the faculty-student mentoring relationship.

#25  University of Texas (Arlington)

UT Arlington’s doctoral program in the School of Social Work prepares students for careers in social work research, policy and teaching. Graduates hold faculty positions in colleges and universities across the country and have made important contributions to social work practice, education, research, administration and leadership. Students can attend full-time or part-time. About ten students enter the program each year, coming from a variety of regions, countries, educational, and practice backgrounds. Students are encouraged, upon their entry to the program, to identify an area of interest which they can explore in their course work and assignments. Following a core set of foundational courses, students concentrate in an area of specialization as they move through the program. Students learn in small classes with a diverse, talented and committed faculty. Students work closely with faculty members on research projects which provide them with hands on experience in the various stages of the research process.

The Social Work doctoral program provides full-time incoming doctoral students with a multi-year funding package that should fund much of their graduate career at the University of Texas at Arlington. The school combines fellowship awards, stipends for graduate assistants and graduate teaching assistantships and tuition to offer students three years of funding. Students may also apply for other funding from sources within and outside of the university. Throughout their doctoral studies, students also benefit from a well-developed system of advisement and mentorship. The program offers a variety of supports for career development with regular workshops on professional writing and publication; practice and preparation for job interviews and colloquia presentations of dissertation research. Students also mentor each other in a system of peer mentorship organized by the active Doctoral Student Association.

#26  University of South Carolina

The College of Social Work Doctoral Program at the University of South Carolina prepares social work scholars to advance social well-being and social justice through leadership in transdisciplinary community-engaged research and education. In the Ph.D. program, students immediately begin advancing social well-being and social justice through scholarship. The program’s dynamic approach to doctoral education prepares students for transdisciplinary community-engaged research and education. The school merges social justice with community-engaged research that cuts across disciplines. Students are directly involved in research, technical assistance, and training within the school’s various research and advocacy centers. And many faculty and students are involved in collaborative research with other colleges, departments, and universities.

The school offers graduate and research assistantships to Full-time and Advanced Standing students. Assistantships are competitive and a limited number are awarded. Assistantships are awarded based on the applicant’s academic achievement and merit. Care is taken to arrange connections with one or more faculty members who share interests. Faculty members are currently conducting social work research on: food security, youth and college sports, robotics and the elderly, religious congregations, kidney dialysis, refugee resettlement, community violence, interprofessional education, parenting children with autism, Buddhism and social work, and social entrepreneurship as well as research in more familiar social work settings such as child welfare, mental health, the military, criminal justice, and schools.

#27  University of Denver

Founded in 1968, GSSW’s PhD program is among the oldest social work doctoral programs in the nation. Doctoral students are encouraged to develop a solid understanding of the theories, social interventions and policies that guide research in their substantive area. The doctoral curriculum includes advanced content in theory, policy and research methodology. In consultation with faculty advisers, students develop a plan of study that includes required core courses and elective courses in their chosen substantive area of inquiry. Coursework for a full-time doctoral student is usually completed in two academic years. Before beginning the dissertation, students must successfully complete a comprehensive examination that demonstrates knowledge of theory, research and policy.

Most students are admitted to the program with a very competitive funding package that typically provides three years of financial support. A two-year graduate assistantship includes a living stipend, 100% tuition waiver and a health care subsidy. Students must have an applied research experience while enrolled in the program. This experience is generally obtained through a University of Denver graduate research assistantship or as a research assistant on a funded research project. Factors that set UD’s program apart: Excellent mentorship; Emphasis on collaboration; Strong foundation in theory; Strong commitment to social justice; Community-based research; Strong commitment to producing excellent teachers; Valuing different methodologies.

#28  University of Alabama

University of Alabama’s Social Work PhD program prepares leaders in social work scholarship, research, and teaching. The curriculum addresses theory, research methods, and the critical evaluation of social work policies and practice. Students in the PhD program benefit from small class sizes, a supportive learning environment and excellent resources. Located less than hour from the Birmingham metro area and surrounded by rural counties, UA’s School of Social Work is the destination for research focusing on: Disparities in health, services, and social policies; Economic and social barriers; Services to military families; Aging and end of life; and matters of racial and social justice. The mission of the University of Alabama’s social work PhD program is to prepare social work scholars who develop and disseminate knowledge.

Students receive three-years of funding, which includes tuition, health insurance, and a stipend. Some financial aid is also available from the School of Social Work, including the Ben Avis Orcutt and the Leslie J. Shellhase endowed scholarships, which are administered by the PhD program. Financial aid commonly takes the form of graduate teaching, research assistantships, special grants or fellowships. Earning a PhD in social work from UA prepares students to solve important social problems with research and to teach future social workers. Students gain knowledge in: Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods; Statistics; Practice Theory; Social Welfare History and Policy; and Social Work Education. Faculty research areas include: Aging and End of Life; Child Maltreatment and Child Welfare; Health and Mental Health; International Social Work; and Social Welfare Policy.

#29  University of Minnesota

Established in 1946, UMN’s social work doctoral program is one of the oldest in the United States, and develops a mentoring partnership between nationally prominent faculty and students to promote knowledge and skills in theory development and community-based research. Graduates include internationally recognized scholars in diverse areas of study. Alumni go on to faculty and academic leadership roles in schools of social work around the world, as well as agency and program directors, and high-level servants in federal, state, and local government agencies. Faculty at UMN are highly productive. Students can collaborate with faculty and research and training centers to conduct, write, and publish research in child welfare, aging, adult mental health, violence prevention, and social services development and delivery.

The majority of students receive a three-year funding package which covers tuition, health insurance, and a stipend. Many students also secure dissertation fellowships, and the school helps many students secure assistantships for funding into their fourth and fifth years. Teaching and professional development is an emphasis of the program. Students gain skills in teaching and curriculum development. Graduates go on to faculty positions in universities and colleges. The school provides doctoral colloquia focusing both on current research and professional and career development. The school has a uniquely diverse student body. Graduate students come from Minnesota, across the nation, and from around the world, giving the learning and research experience depth and breadth in lived experiences and perspectives.

Program Website Offers combined Masters/PhD? On a limited basis Offers part-time option? No

#30  Indiana University (IUPUI)

Located in downtown Indianapolis on the campus of IUPUI, the doctoral program in Social Work from Indiana University graduates interprofessional scholars, educators, and leaders with cutting-edge theoretical and methodological expertise who advance social justice in a changing global landscape. Their mission is to prepare research-oriented scholars and innovative educators and leaders imbued with the knowledge, values, and skills necessary to advance health, well-being, and social and economic justice in a diverse world.  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.

Tuition is waived for full-time doctoral students on Research Assistantships or Fellowships. University Fellowships grant students $22,500, plus $1,000 travel allowance, full tuition, and health insurance.  Primary areas of faculty research expertise include: mental health, racial and cultural diversity, gerontology, family and children services, juvenile corrections, and housing & health care. All Ph.D. students complete an External Minor in a department or school other than the School of Social Work. This enables students to tie their research interests to another academic discipline (e.g., African American Studies, Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Women’s Studies, etc.) and professional schools (e.g., Education, Public and Environmental Affairs, Medicine, Philanthropy, Nursing).

#31  University of Texas (Austin)

The PhD program in the Steve Hicks School of Social Work at The University of Texas at Austin prepares its graduates for successful academic careers as social work educators and researchers. The school’s unique setting provides the best in learning and living environments. Students have the advantages of a smaller learning community within a large, world-class, research-one university located in a city known for its vitality, music, creativity and laid-back style. The curriculum is practical to the skills that students need for future job prospects within academia. The curriculum includes course work, research and teaching experiences, an opportunity to master individualized content and original research, and chances to publish in leading journals.

The primary sources of financial support for PhD students are graduate teaching and research assistantships, graduate fellowships administered by the university, and financial aid administered by the Office of Student Financial Services. Faculty and staff provide career advice and specific coaching to develop interviewing skills and a competitive CV and portfolio for the academic job market. While in the program, students are personally mentored by world-renowned and interdisciplinary faculty. Working within any of UT Austin’s research institutes, students have numerous opportunities to develop research competencies while solving the critical social problems of the day. Finally, students gain teaching competencies through assistantships and opportunities to teach their own classes.

#32  University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign)

The PhD program in Social Work at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign equips students with tangible skills to use rigorous scientific methods to develop and disseminate knowledge, teach the next generation of social workers, and serve their communities. Grounded in social work values and related theories, the program’s social-justice oriented students are prepared for leadership roles in conducting high impact interdisciplinary work, educating students, and meeting the changing needs of a global social work landscape. PhD students conduct research and analyze policies on issues of importance to society, and will be prepared for university-level teaching and for social work research upon graduation. The School works closely with PhD graduates in pursuing job opportunities.

The School of Social Work has a competitive financial aid program which results in several of our students receiving some type of aid that does not have to be repaid. Included in the possibilities are grants, assistantships, fellowships, stipends, tuition waivers, and endowed awards. Financial aid is available on the basis of academic merit and experience and not financial need. Graduate Assistantship positions are for first year students only and include an in-state base rate tuition waiver, general fee waiver, and monthly stipend. Students typically work 10 or 20 hours per week while holding an assistantship position. Each entering doctoral student is assigned a faculty as her/his academic advisor. The assignment of a student’s advisor is based on the focus interests of the student and those of a faculty member.

#33  University of Tennessee

The goal of the doctoral program at UT Knoxville is to train researchers and teachers who can work in a variety of settings to develop and disseminate knowledge about interventions, programs, and policies that will be used by professional social workers. Students who go through the PhD program will receive extensive training in research methods and statistics and will critically examine issues relevant to social work practice at both the micro and macro levels. Students also gain extensive experience in effective college teaching, including online teaching and best practices for the use of technology in the classroom. Working closely with a faculty mentor, students will become thoroughly familiar with the professional literature in their selected area and will conduct empirical research that will contribute to the knowledge base of social work.

The PhD program faculty are dedicated to producing outstanding social work scholars and educators. The program is closely linked with the Center for Behavioral Health Research, a renowned and well-established center for social work research excellence (and a part of the College of Social Work). The Center works with faculty and PhD students on research in such areas as the structure and coordination of services, aggressive and antisocial youth, child welfare, and measurement and assessment. PhD students have multiple opportunities to publish research papers, make presentations at national conferences, and develop their skills as social work educators. Many graduates are now on the faculty of social work programs around the country and abroad. The school also has graduates working in such settings as psychiatric hospitals and state agencies.

#34  Rutgers University (New Brunswick)

The Ph.D. program in Social Work at Rutgers prepares students to assume positions of leadership in the field of social welfare. Graduates contribute to the knowledge base of social work and related fields as faculty, researchers, policy analysts, and executive administrators. The program aims to maximize student choice with regard to dissertation research studies. Students work with their advisors to assemble elective courses, research internships, and mentored research projects that will build a coherent body of knowledge and expertise in the student’s chosen area of interest. The distribution of PhD courses includes required, restricted choice electives, and free elective courses.

The Doctoral Program offers a range of possible funding packages to accepted students in need of financial aid. These may include full or partial tuition remission or other financial support. Qualified students may also be eligible for Graduate Assistantships which include full tuition and a stipend. Rutgers University provides merit-based financial aid to many of its doctoral students. Applicants to the PhD program in social work may qualify for teaching and research assistantships, or school-specific awards or tuition waivers. Students have the opportunity to choose from a range of courses in top ranked departments within the Graduate School.  Research Internships may be completed at university research institutes or with social work or social science faculty. Cross-registration may be arranged with Princeton University, New Brunswick Theological Seminary, or Robert Wood Johnson Medical Center.

#35  University at Albany (SUNY)

The doctoral program in Social Work at Albany is nationally renowned for studies on aging, children and families, diversity and minority health disparities, addictions, and mental health. Graduates and current students include leaders in state government, research institutes, and community-based agencies in the U.S. and around the world. The School’s faculty are nationally recognized, year in and year out, for their scholarship and productivity. The School’s unique location in New York’s Capital Region — the seat of government for one of America’s largest states — provides opportunities for policy and practice pilot programs that often inform services and laws. Recent studies have consistently ranked Albany among the top five schools in the country on measures of faculty productivity in research and scholarship.

Ph.D. students in social work collaborate with faculty of international reputation while conducting research in the areas that intrigue them most — anything from developmental disabilities to homeless GLBT youth. After graduation, they are in great demand as faculty, researchers, practice leaders, and initiators of social welfare policy, as well as in other capacities.  The curriculum is designed to accomplish three objectives: To enable students to acquire a core of advanced knowledge of social work practice theory, social policy, research methods, and statistics; To permit students to obtain specialized knowledge in areas of their own choosing; and to facilitate the contribution of students to knowledge-building and education in social work and social welfare.

#36  University of Houston

The GCSW at UH is committed to preparing the next generation of social work scholars for faculty appointments in schools of social work or for high level positions in research. As students progress through the doctoral program, they identify, develop and pursue an area of research that prepares them to contribute to scholarship and advance the knowledge base of social work. The curriculum is oriented towards evidence-based social work (EBSW) so that students are trained to generate and use valid research evidence to inform the decisions social workers make at all levels of practice and policy. By training students in EBSW, we increase the capacity of the profession to build interdisciplinary partnerships in both research and practice. The GCSW provides the kind of personal attention that enables students to succeed in their doctoral education.

Research Assistantships and Teaching Fellowships/Instructional Assistantships  are awarded to Ph.D. students on a competitive basis.  Through their teaching and advisement, the GCSW faculty share their knowledge and social work values with students. By emphasizing scholarship and research, GCSW faculty help students engage in critical thinking and intellectual discovery. Houston is the fourth largest city in the United States with many diverse, multicultural populations. The Texas Medical Center, located in the heart of Houston, is one of the largest medical complexes in the world. As such, the greater Houston area offers doctoral students a vast array of opportunities for research activities. The program offers small classes, individualized studies with faculty members, training workshops, research internships and a doctoral publication that is managed by the doctoral students.

#37  University of Connecticut

UConn’s Social Work PhD program prepares scholars and researchers to serve as faculty members in higher education and as leaders in human service organizations and research centers. The curriculum offered reflects the powerful role research plays in relation to applied social work practice and knowledge building. Nine core courses provide students with competency in advanced research methods and statistics, and social science theories. Doctoral students are expected to attain mastery of critical thinking and logic of inquiry skills focused on specific social work research methods, statistical analysis, social welfare history and philosophy, social policy analysis, theories of human behavior and social environment, and social work practice theories. The PhD program curriculum is comprised of: Core curriculum; Dissertation preparation; and Electives.

Several characteristics distinguish UConn’s program: A proven record of equipping students with the necessary knowledge base and research skills to develop their own research in their area of interest; Courses and advising are provided by outstanding scholars, researchers and leaders in the profession; A community of supportive mentors, distinguished faculty, and peers; Opportunities to teach in the MSW program and participate in the Teaching Preparation Program, including Teaching Seminars; and opportunities to serve as Research Assistants on faculty-led research; The School is an academic unit of UConn which is ranked among the top 20 public universities nationally and the highest ranked in New England; Graduates serve as faculty members in Schools of Social Work across the country and as researchers and leaders in public and private agencies.

#38  University of Illinois Chicago

The mission of the UIC Jane Addams College of Social Work is to educate professional social workers, develop knowledge, and provide leadership in the development and implementation of policies and services on behalf of the poor, the oppressed, racial and ethnic minorities, and other at-risk urban populations. Consistent with this mission and Jane Addams’ Hull House tradition, the PhD Program in Social Work responds to the urgent demand for more effective human services, the need for changes in social policy and the growth in social work education at all levels. The program is designed to support the development of scholars of social and economic justice, providing students with the knowledge and skills for advancing social work treatment theory and research and for development and direction of social welfare programs.

Students fund their education in a number of ways including: University-based Fellowships; JACSW-based Research Assistantships; Faculty-grant-based Research Assistantships; Teaching Assistantships; and Tuition Waivers. The program provides for two broad research tracks: social planning, policy and administration, and social work practice scholarship within which a more specialized area of individualized study is selected. Most graduates of the program either teach in colleges and universities or hold positions as agency executives. Smaller numbers are working in research positions, with a very few in direct practice. Current research includes: Systems and communities support of youth within the juvenile justice system; domestic minor sex trafficking in Chicago; and the well-being of African American males and their families, among many others.

#39  Saint Louis University

The Ph.D. in social work program at SLU provides a solid foundation for an academic career or as a social work research scientist in practice or policy settings. The program has a strong interdisciplinary and methodological orientation. SLU’s School of Social Work’s interactive teaching methods integrate community-based practice with classroom activities and discussions. Small class sizes facilitate an atmosphere of intellectual dialogue that fosters relationships between students and faculty. SLU’s Ph.D. in social work requires 72 credit hours and offers rigorous methodological and interdisciplinary training for social workers and related professionals.

New and continuing students are eligible for merit-based scholarships. Newly accepted master’s or doctoral students and students in the first year of a program are eligible to apply for the Diversity, Dissertation and Presidential university-funded fellowships. Students are also able to apply for a full or partial graduate assistantship with the School of Social Work. Building on the foundations of required coursework, students develop an individualized plan of study that will meet their intellectual and professional requirements. These concentrations consist mainly of elected coursework and participation in mentored research. Students also complete a dissertation project corresponding with their educational and professional goals.

#40  Portland State University

The Ph.D. Program in Social Work at Portland State admitted its first cohort in 1992, and since then doctoral graduates have been hired into tenure-track academic positions in universities across the country. Many conduct research as principal investigators on major research projects, and others hold leadership roles in diverse communities and at social service organizations. All coursework is built through a focused social justice lens. The program teaches students to recognize and interrupt the expression or perpetuation of privilege, discrimination, inequality, and structural systems of oppression. The program is rigorous, relevant, and responsive to the future of social work education and scholarship and continues its focus on the promotion of social and economic justice for the improvement of communities.

The Ph.D. Program guides students to build mentor/mentee relationships with doctoral faculty throughout the various phases of study, and to build collegial relationships among fellow students. All graduates will learn how to promote justice and equity through critically informed research, teaching, and action. The School’s commitment to cutting edge research is at the heart of the program. It is all about turning research into action for the people and communities students serve. Doctoral students work with senior researchers at PSU’s three nationally recognized research centers: the Regional Research Institute for Human Services; the Center for Improvement of Child and Family Services; and the Center for Interdisciplinary Mentoring Research.

#41  University of Missouri

The University of Missouri School of Social Work PhD program is nationally distinct in its interdisciplinary emphasis, theory-driven research, community-based collaborative research, and student-faculty collaborative research. The program’s purpose is to produce researchers who investigate social problems and disseminate research knowledge, as well as to produce high quality social work educators. It also prepares graduates with the highest level of knowledge and skills needed to inform policy making, program development and evaluation, and research on clinical practice issues. The School is also a member of the St. Louis Group for Excellence in Social Work Research and Education, an elite group of research oriented schools of social work. The goal of the PhD program is to prepare students for excellence and leadership in social work research and teaching.

A number of scholarships are available to qualified students based on private philanthropy of donors who have established endowments in support of the School. One of the strengths of the program is that students have opportunities for collaborative research and teaching with other disciplines across campus, such as family and community medicine, health sciences, nursing, public health, women’s and gender studies, interdisciplinary research centers, and others. Frequently, such collaboration makes an important contribution to student success in the program. Doctoral faculty are dedicated to producing outstanding researchers and educators. They encourage students to publish papers in refereed journals, make presentations at regional and national conferences, and have teaching opportunities while in the program.

#42  University of Utah

Utah’s PhD Program in Social Work balances theory-driven research based on strong methodological and analytic skills. Graduates are prepared to be productive researchers and skilled teachers in prominent schools of social work, and the school offers competitive support for qualifying students. Designed for students to obtain their degree in three to five academic years, the first part of the program consists of core doctoral coursework, including epistemology, statistics, systematic reviews, and qualitative and quantitative methods, as well as substantive elective classes, followed by independent research culminating in the dissertation process. Coursework in the interdisciplinary program promotes strong critical and inter-professional thinking, and integrative, evidence-based approaches to social problems, drawing from a solid social science theory base.

Research and teaching assistantship opportunities are available at the College of Social Work. PhD students find that working in the Social Research Institute, Goodwill Initiatives on Aging, Center on Mindfulness and Integrative Health Intervention Development (C-MIIND) or the Utah Criminal Justice Center offers critical career and scholarship enhancement. These institutes sponsor grant-funded research and demonstration projects regarding such issues as child welfare practice and cross-system reforms, juvenile and criminal justice reforms, aging, mental health, the challenges faced by welfare families, substance involved families, and services for persons with disabilities. Students learn foundational skills of research and scholarship while specializing in individualized areas of substantive interest. Doctoral students at the University of Utah collaborate extensively with their faculty mentors to graduate with a balanced portfolio that demonstrates excellence in both teaching and research publication.

#43  Fordham University (New York)

Fordham University’s PhD in Social Work program empowers students to be leaders of change in education, research and organizations. Their accredited integrated curriculum allows students to focus on social work practice or policy and implementation, while also concentrating on a specific field such as gerontology, children and family services, and health or mental health. From the campus at Lincoln Center, the unparalleled diversity of the New York metropolitan area offers unique opportunities for students to collaborate with faculty in research, training, and educational projects while earning their PhD in Social Work. Students must identify an area of study in which to specialize – social policy or social work practice. Each area of specialization consists of courses focusing on the specialization in social policy or social work practice after foundation courses are completed.

Up to two Rogler Doctoral Fellowships will be available during the each academic year. This two-year, pre-dissertation social work fellowship is available for students in need of scholarships who plan to examine Latino/Hispanic-related topics in their dissertation. The fellowship provides a stipend to support student’s progress in the program. Hallmarks of the program include: Specializations in practice or policy development and implementation; Focus on areas of concentration in gerontology, children and families, and mental health; Close collaboration with a faculty of skilled educators and researchers; Flexible scheduling and student-centered plans of study—including part-time and full-time—to fit students’ needs; and opportunities to teach in the MSW program.

#44  Simmons College

The Ph.D. in social work is designed for experienced practitioners to develop applied scientific methodological skills and to improve the health and wellbeing of individuals and populations. The Ph.D. program prepares students to become talented and effective educators. They receive formal training in the pedagogy of adult learning — in the classroom and through a teaching practicum — and are offered opportunities to teach with our seasoned professors. There is substantial interest in combining education in social work with education in public health. Faculty and staff at the Simmons School of Social Work (SSW) and faculty at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health will collaborate with interested students to facilitate such an opportunity.

Interdisciplinary Social Work/Public Health Training Opportunity with the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and the Simmons College School of Social Work provides highly qualified M.S.W. and Ph.D. students with the opportunity to combine the applied clinical expertise of a social work degree with comprehensive scientific public health training. Graduates of each of these degree programs enter the workforce with advanced skills to address health and mental health needs of diverse populations. Career paths include program and policy development, administration, and evaluation in international and domestic organizations. Potential employers include NGOs, departments of health, humanitarian agencies, advocacy coalitions, hospitals, and health-care organizations.

#45  University of Kentucky

The Ph.D. program in social work at Kentucky is designed to develop highly-skilled research scholars who will make meaningful contributions to the advancement of scientific knowledge. Through small group seminars and hands-on collaboration with nationally and internationally renowned scholars, students are immersed in the important and challenging work of advancing the profession’s knowledge base. The program provides graduates the knowledge and skills to become successful social work scholars and educators. Faculty members are affiliated with such prominent UK centers as: The Training Resource Center; Center on Drug and Alcohol Research; and the Center on Trauma and Children. Students work with faculty mentors within the college and university in such areas as health and mental health, substance abuse, international social work, social work education, child welfare, criminal justice, military social work, gerontology, suicidology, macro-level interventions, and others.

A fellowship (stipend plus tuition and health insurance) is funded in part by Bill Beaven of Eidetik, Inc. Applicants for this competitive fellowship with an interest in developmental disabilities or aging will be given special consideration. The doctoral curriculum provides students with the skills to critically analyze the state of the art in social work knowledge, to develop theory-informed research questions, and to design and implement scientific procedures to find answers to advance the knowledge base. Students also hone their skills as educators through a mentored teaching experience across their course of study. Students work with faculty from Education, Public Health, Family Science, and others. There is a strong emphasis on students acquiring the research competencies needed to conduct research and publish their scholarship. At the same time, students learn how to become top-notch educators through teaching assistantships, teaching practica, and a course in teaching.

#46  University of Georgia

The University of Georgia School of Social Work Ph.D. Program, founded in 1990, has a two-fold primary emphasis: producing scholars who have the capacity to work interdisciplinarily through an epistemologically diverse, research-intensive program of study; and preparing tomorrow’s social work educators through instruction in sound pedagogical practice and opportunities for mentored experiential learning. The University of Georgia is committed to a vigorous public service tradition — a tradition the Ph.D. program upholds by recruitment of a diverse student body; focus on community-engaged scholarship informed by cultural humility to address persistent and emerging inequities through socially just research, with implications for practice, policy, and education; and the development of leadership skills for careers in academic, public, and private settings.

Students admitted as prospective candidates in full time study are generally offered graduate assistantship funding. Recipients are selected through a competitive process, and assistantships are awarded only to the University’s most qualified individuals to aid them in their pursuit of study or research. UGA offers: An emphasis on community-engaged scholarship; A sustained commitment to social justice; A diverse student body; Excellent financial support in the form of research and teaching assistantships; Opportunities for interdisciplinary scholarship within a robust program of study; A rich and nurturing research environment; Nationally and internationally recognized faculty with innovative and expansive areas of expertise; Opportunities to participate in faculty driven and independent research and publish in top tier refereed journals; and Multiple graduate certificate opportunities, including gerontology, women’s studies, qualitative studies, quantitative methods, and nonprofit leadership.

#47  Smith College

Smith’s Ph.D. program prepares advanced clinical scholars and practitioners to contribute to knowledge about clinical social work theory and practice. Students are trained to be leaders in education, research and scholarship, as well as clinical supervisors, consultants and advanced practitioners. Ph.D. students take specialized courses in teaching philosophy and methods to help them prepare for academic careers. The program also encourages all doctoral students not already employed in social work education to engage in some form of clinical teaching—in the classroom, in an agency, as a supervisor or as a consultant—as part of the course of study. Typically students take on this work during the second internship or the final summer of on-campus study, and they are mentored by an adviser or by individual faculty members.

All students and applicants are invited to submit an application for financial aid to the School. Need-based financial aid for Ph.D. students is extremely limited and awarded to the most needy doctoral students. The Ph.D. program invites students to: Prepare to contribute to the development and dissemination of knowledge about clinical social work practice; Learn to design and undertake research and scholarship on clinical practice; Advance their capacity for critical thinking in relation to the knowledge, values and skills relevant to the practice of clinical social work and research on clinical practice; Refine and further develop their clinical skills in order to achieve and conceptualize an advanced level of clinical and research competence; and hone leadership skills that will help students promote the social work profession’s commitment to social justice and to serving diverse, vulnerable and oppressed populations.

#48  Wayne State University

For over 75 years, the School of Social Work at Wayne State University has been recognized nationally as a leader in producing highly competent practitioners as well as for developing innovative models in social work practice and social work education. Building on this rich tradition, the purpose of the Ph.D. and certificate programs are to prepare social work scholars equipped to engage in research on contemporary urban issues and problems for the advancement of social work practice and social welfare policy. Our students are preparing to assume leadership positions as social work educators, researchers, and agency administrators. At the time of admission, all students select from two concentrations: Policy and Practice, or Clinical Scholarship, both of which require intensive courses in research and theory. Policy and practice students complete courses in a cognate that include coursework outside of the School of Social Work. Clinical scholarship students complete advanced coursework in clinical theory and advanced practice.

To encourage talented students to continue their education at Wayne State’s School of Social Work, the school offers scholarships and financial aid. Private scholarships, loans, grants, fellowships and other forms of financial aid are available on a limited basis to students enrolled in the School of Social Work. In addition to electing a concentration, students may also choose to elect a dual title degree in Infant Mental Health or Gerontology. The School also provides an interdisciplinary degree program in Social Work and Anthropology (SWAN). The first two years of graduate study for full-time students are focused on core coursework in statistics, research methods, and social work theory at the Micro, Mezzo, and Macro levels. These courses provide a foundation for PhD-level knowledge and skills, and are assessed through qualifying exams in these core curricular areas.

#49  Hunter College (CUNY)

The Ph.D. Program in Social Welfare is guided by the past achievements and future aspirations of the human services professions. On one hand, the program remains committed to social work’s historic role in developing effective change strategies at the individual, agency, community, national, and international levels. On the other hand, the program strives to produce scholars who are expert in using research to answer leading edge, practice-relevant questions of the future. As a result, graduates successfully compete for academic positions in public and private universities and occupy influential positions in social service agencies and foundations. The program does not privilege any particular research methodology or approach. Instead, the school offer courses in both quantitative and qualitative methods and analysis and encourage students to deepen their research skills through elective courses in advanced and mixed methods.

Faculty members are experts in a wide range of social problem areas such as child welfare, aging, public education, entitlement services, criminal justice, health care, and mental health. Faculty and students are fully engaged in the policy and practice issues of the day, and student scholarship explores social welfare concerns that emerge from their own experiences in the field. Within this shared devotion to enquiry and social problem solving, the faculty is committed to mentoring students in all aspects of the craft of social research. Learning Goals include: Broad and Specialized Knowledge in the Discipline; Oral and Written Communication Skills, Other Skills, and Experience Appropriate to the Discipline; Professional Ethics; and A Substantial and Original Contribution to Their Field.

#50  Adelphi University

The Adelphi University School of Social Work Ph.D. program expands students’ capacities to conceptualize, develop, evaluate and disseminate knowledge of the problems that impact the human condition—and strategies designed to change those conditions. In becoming social work scholars, students must develop a critical and sophisticated understanding of the historical, global, national and community forces that shape contemporary human experience and social work practice. The Adelphi doctorate in Social Work curriculum is grounded in an evolving knowledge base, and fosters the critical thinking that will prepare students for leadership in the development of knowledge for all levels of social work practice.

The program’s classes are small and supportive, whether they’re taught in a traditional classroom setting or online. The curriculum is challenging, but the schedule is not — faculty teach at multiple locations in convenient formats. Faculty members are engaged social work scholars with extensive teaching experience. They’re also recognized leaders in their respective fields. The program offers students a part-time and full-time option. In the part-time option, students take two courses per semester on one afternoon and evening a week for eight semesters. Students who have completed the first two years of study with a minimum grade point average of 3.3 are eligible to take qualifying examinations based on their first two years (eight courses and 24 credits) of course work. If they pass all four examinations, they may proceed with the remaining eight courses and development of a proposal for their dissertations.

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Social Work Graduate Programs in America

1-25 of 310 results

University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy & Practice

Philadelphia, PA •

University of Pennsylvania •

Graduate School

• • Rating 3.89 out of 5   9 reviews

Master's Student: The school offers so many resources for their students. My cohort is really small, which pairs big campus amenities with a closer student professor relationship. ... Read 9 reviews

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University of Pennsylvania ,

Graduate School ,

PHILADELPHIA, PA ,

9 Niche users give it an average review of 3.9 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says The school offers so many resources for their students. My cohort is really small, which pairs big campus amenities with a closer student professor relationship. .

Read 9 reviews.

Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis

St. Louis, MO •

Washington University in St. Louis •

• • Rating 3.59 out of 5   17 reviews

Master's Student: In my opinion, the foundation courses are quite repetitive and redundant. However, the faculty really knows their stuff and I am finding the concentration courses much more engaging! ... Read 17 reviews

Washington University in St. Louis ,

ST. LOUIS, MO ,

17 Niche users give it an average review of 3.6 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says In my opinion, the foundation courses are quite repetitive and redundant. However, the faculty really knows their stuff and I am finding the concentration courses much more engaging! .

Read 17 reviews.

Social Sciences Division - University of Chicago

Chicago, IL •

University of Chicago •

• • Rating 3.75 out of 5   4 reviews

Master's Student: The University of Chicago offers many clubs you can attend. Do to COIVD most of the clubs meet online and some in person one day out of the week. There's boxing, archery, fencing, and one of my personal favorites ju-jutsu, just to name a few. These sports are completive but they also have clubs that are just for fun and any body of any skill level can join. There is also this amazing climbing wall in the recreation center but we are not allowed to climb it at the moment because of COVID restrictions. It's also convent to be surrounded by hospitals (Rush and UIC). I got hurt while I was at school, I broke my arm, and I did not have to call on anyone to take me to the hospital, I could just walk. The food is okay and you get to chose from a good selection of things. The rooms where a nice size and most of the students were so friendly it was easy to make friends. ... Read 4 reviews

University of Chicago ,

CHICAGO, IL ,

4 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says The University of Chicago offers many clubs you can attend. Do to COIVD most of the clubs meet online and some in person one day out of the week. There's boxing, archery, fencing, and one of my... .

Read 4 reviews.

Clarke University

Graduate School •

DUBUQUE, IA

• • Rating 4.75 out of 5   4

Walla Walla University

COLLEGE PLACE, WA

• • Rating 4.36 out of 5   14

University of Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH, PA

• • Rating 4.43 out of 5   74

Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work

Los Angeles, CA •

University of Southern California •

• • Rating 4.56 out of 5   25 reviews

Master's Student: I was disappointed to see that many scholarship programs funded by the school weren't available for my specific department regarding my field hours I would be completing in my 2nd year. I'm worried since I work full time and am the main financial provider for my family, but I am really excited about getting experience in my community! I have loved going to campus and meeting new people, especially since they live near LA, and they also want to make new friends to attend football games etc. I got involved in the Latinx Caucus of Social Work, this has given me the opportunity to start connecting more in my community and other students to feel welcomed and involved as well. I will be planning events on campus and outreaching to local non-university related members to increase education and be a resource. I have to explore more but it's not far from home so I love that :) ... Read 25 reviews

University of Southern California ,

LOS ANGELES, CA ,

25 Niche users give it an average review of 4.6 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says I was disappointed to see that many scholarship programs funded by the school weren't available for my specific department regarding my field hours I would be completing in my 2nd year. I'm worried... .

Read 25 reviews.

University of Michigan School of Social Work

Ann Arbor, MI •

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor •

• • Rating 4.17 out of 5   12 reviews

Master's Student: The MSW program is so accessible and helpful. There is always someone available to help you on your entire journey. And there is the accelerated program option, which I am participating in. It allows you to graduate in as little at 16 months. ... Read 12 reviews

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor ,

ANN ARBOR, MI ,

12 Niche users give it an average review of 4.2 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says The MSW program is so accessible and helpful. There is always someone available to help you on your entire journey. And there is the accelerated program option, which I am participating in. It allows... .

Read 12 reviews.

Luskin School of Public Affairs

University of California - Los Angeles •

• • Rating 3.33 out of 5   3 reviews

Master's Student: I really love this program. The field education gives students a great glimpse into the field while being heavily supported by faculty and instructors. Faculty here really is amazing, as are the students and their passions. ... Read 3 reviews

University of California - Los Angeles ,

3 Niche users give it an average review of 3.3 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says I really love this program. The field education gives students a great glimpse into the field while being heavily supported by faculty and instructors. Faculty here really is amazing, as are the... .

Read 3 reviews.

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UC Berkeley School of Social Welfare

Berkeley, CA •

University of California - Berkeley •

• • Rating 4 out of 5   2 reviews

Master's Student: The academics at UC Berkeley's MSW program was excellent. I was sufficiently challenged and educated and I truly believe that I left the program well prepared to succeed in the social work field. I have observed that I have a similar knowledge base to that of my peers in my recent work environments. I find myself well equipped to operationalize my learning and adapt to new situations in my field. If I were to recommend the UC Berkeley MSW program, it would be for the rigorous academic experience incoming students will receive. ... Read 2 reviews

University of California - Berkeley ,

BERKELEY, CA ,

2 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says The academics at UC Berkeley's MSW program was excellent. I was sufficiently challenged and educated and I truly believe that I left the program well prepared to succeed in the social work field. I... .

Read 2 reviews.

School of Social Work - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC •

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill •

• • Rating 5 out of 5   3 reviews

Master's Student: I am in their online Master of Public Administration (MPA) program pursuing a concentration in nonprofit management. I love how applicable the curriculum is, how even though it's online, the work feels diverse and engaging, and most of the professors are very knowledgeable, kind, helpful, and make the classes fun and applicable to the real world. The class sizes are small, so I'm getting to know other students and still have some sense of community despite not being on campus. My advisors and other faculty have always gone the extra mile to answer my questions and make sure I am having a worthwhile experience. So far, I cannot speak highly enough of this program. It's been a great fit for me and the flexibility to go at my own pace is so helpful as I also work full-time and have other commitments and responsibilities. ... Read 3 reviews

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ,

CHAPEL HILL, NC ,

3 Niche users give it an average review of 5 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says I am in their online Master of Public Administration (MPA) program pursuing a concentration in nonprofit management. I love how applicable the curriculum is, how even though it's online, the work... .

Silver School of Social Work

New York, NY •

New York University •

• • Rating 4.4 out of 5   10 reviews

Alum: Completing the Extended program at NYU Silver School of Social Work was an exceptional experience that provided me with valuable learning opportunities. The program had a strong emphasis on social inclusion and clinical social work development, which helped me grow both academically and personally. I felt a sense of belonging to a supportive community throughout my time in the program, and this made it an enriching educational experience. I would highly recommend this program to anyone looking for a fulfilling and rewarding educational journey. Overall, the program exceeded my expectations and has equipped me with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in my career. ... Read 10 reviews

New York University ,

NEW YORK, NY ,

10 Niche users give it an average review of 4.4 stars.

Featured Review: Alum says Completing the Extended program at NYU Silver School of Social Work was an exceptional experience that provided me with valuable learning opportunities. The program had a strong emphasis on social... .

Read 10 reviews.

Boston College School of Social Work

Chestnut Hill, MA •

Boston College •

Master's Student: The School of Social Work fosters a welcoming place where students can further develop their academic interests as well as actively prepare us for the workforce as culturally humble social workers. ... Read 2 reviews

Boston College ,

CHESTNUT HILL, MA ,

Featured Review: Master's Student says The School of Social Work fosters a welcoming place where students can further develop their academic interests as well as actively prepare us for the workforce as culturally humble social workers. .

Steve Hicks School of Social Work

Austin, TX •

University of Texas - Austin •

University of Texas - Austin ,

AUSTIN, TX ,

School of Social Work - Boston University

Boston, MA •

Boston University •

• • Rating 4.23 out of 5   22 reviews

Alum: I completed an off campus master of social work program. It was incredible. I would recommend it for graduate students who may be working full time, need flexibility, and unable to make it to Boston. ... Read 22 reviews

Boston University ,

BOSTON, MA ,

22 Niche users give it an average review of 4.2 stars.

Featured Review: Alum says I completed an off campus master of social work program. It was incredible. I would recommend it for graduate students who may be working full time, need flexibility, and unable to make it to Boston. .

Read 22 reviews.

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Smith College

Northampton, MA •

• • Rating 4.27 out of 5   11 reviews

Master's Student: Smith College not only offers a full time student stipend ($21,000/year) and tuition waiver (valued ~ $35,000) for the Biological Sciences department, but you are able to pull from resources within a neighboring R1 institution: University of Massachusetts Amherst. Research experiences vary based on the selected advisor, but Smith maintains a cutting-edge genomics facility and nearly limitless resources as a well-endowed college. Faculty maintain impressive accolades and are easily reachable, as a leader in my lab, I've learned about lab management, lab training, grant writing, and the nuances behind lab operations. I've worked collaboratively with researchers at UMass and felt that my experience at Smith has been one of growth. I feel confidently in my abilities and that I am a very desirable candidate in the biotech industry after receiving my MS degree. ... Read 11 reviews

NORTHAMPTON, MA ,

11 Niche users give it an average review of 4.3 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says Smith College not only offers a full time student stipend ($21,000/year) and tuition waiver (valued ~ $35,000) for the Biological Sciences department, but you are able to pull from resources within a... .

Read 11 reviews.

School of Social Work - UW-Madison

Madison, WI •

University of Wisconsin •

Master's Student: I got accepted to the accelerated Master of Social Work program. The accelerated program allows you to complete the program in one year. I start this fall and am excited to get started! ... Read 9 reviews

University of Wisconsin ,

MADISON, WI ,

Featured Review: Master's Student says I got accepted to the accelerated Master of Social Work program. The accelerated program allows you to complete the program in one year. I start this fall and am excited to get started! .

University of Illinois School of Social Work

Urbana, IL •

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign •

• • Rating 4 out of 5   3 reviews

Master's Student: The professors are knowledgeable about their subjects and as they work in the field and teach they are all e to offer additional insights and understanding to the material. If you are a student working in a related field while taking classes the subject matter can often be applied to your job right away. ... Read 3 reviews

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign ,

URBANA, IL ,

3 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says The professors are knowledgeable about their subjects and as they work in the field and teach they are all e to offer additional insights and understanding to the material. If you are a student... .

University of Georgia School of Social Work

Athens, GA •

University of Georgia •

• • Rating 4 out of 5   8 reviews

Master's Student: The coursework was/is engaging and extremely useful. There is a requirement to complete two practicums that allowed you (me) to hone in skills that were/are relevant to the social work field. The progression of coursework allowed me to build upon my skills with each class. My challenge has always been statistics, however, my then professor assisted me in understanding, so I made a 'B'. ... Read 8 reviews

University of Georgia ,

ATHENS, GA ,

8 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says The coursework was/is engaging and extremely useful. There is a requirement to complete two practicums that allowed you (me) to hone in skills that were/are relevant to the social work field. The... .

Read 8 reviews.

Bryn Mawr College Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research

Bryn Mawr, PA •

Bryn Mawr College •

• • Rating 4.8 out of 5   5 reviews

Master's Student: The best part of my experience so far has been the atmosphere. Everyone is extremely welcoming and always asks how I am doing. I have yet to have a bad experience with any of my professors and fellow classmates. ... Read 5 reviews

Bryn Mawr College ,

BRYN MAWR, PA ,

5 Niche users give it an average review of 4.8 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says The best part of my experience so far has been the atmosphere. Everyone is extremely welcoming and always asks how I am doing. I have yet to have a bad experience with any of my professors and fellow... .

Read 5 reviews.

BYU College of Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Provo, UT •

Brigham Young University •

• • Rating 5 out of 5   2 reviews

Master's Student: I will be starting the EMPA program at Brigham Young University this fall, and have been so impressed with the communications I have received as a new grad student. BYU's faculty have been professional, welcoming, and enthusiastic, which has inspired an excitement in me to begin studying. ... Read 2 reviews

Brigham Young University ,

PROVO, UT ,

2 Niche users give it an average review of 5 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says I will be starting the EMPA program at Brigham Young University this fall, and have been so impressed with the communications I have received as a new grad student. BYU's faculty have been... .

Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences

Cleveland, OH •

Case Western Reserve University •

Master's Student: it is a great school, very supportive and lives up to its reputation. the classes are small and engaging and the students are helpful. faculty is great as well. i really enjoy the classes i am taking and have learned a lot. i really enjoy going to this school! ... Read 3 reviews

Case Western Reserve University ,

CLEVELAND, OH ,

Featured Review: Master's Student says it is a great school, very supportive and lives up to its reputation. the classes are small and engaging and the students are helpful. faculty is great as well. i really enjoy the classes i am taking... .

Tulane University School of Social Work

New Orleans, LA •

Tulane University •

• • Rating 4.56 out of 5   9 reviews

Master's Student: The program has been great so far. The professors are helpful and understanding of each student's learning capabilities. They have been very professional throughout my matriculation. However, the program as a whole is very rigid. They are not understanding of outside commitments and expect you to be nothing other than a student. While this attitude might be acceptable as an undergrad professor, it is not as a graduate one because of the demographic of students who are being taught. Many of us are parents, full-time workers, among other things. While school is very important it is certainly not the only thing in our lives. ... Read 9 reviews

Tulane University ,

NEW ORLEANS, LA ,

9 Niche users give it an average review of 4.6 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says The program has been great so far. The professors are helpful and understanding of each student's learning capabilities. They have been very professional throughout my matriculation. However, the... .

College of Education and Human Development - University of Minnesota Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN •

University of Minnesota Twin Cities •

• • Rating 4.33 out of 5   3 reviews

Alum: This is a well-known school for education. They are on top of the latest research and development in the field and share this knowledge with their students. The school has its own lab school for early childhood development where students are able to observe child behavior, learn hands-on how to connect and make meaningful relationships with children, and how to conduct basic research. ... Read 3 reviews

University of Minnesota Twin Cities ,

MINNEAPOLIS, MN ,

3 Niche users give it an average review of 4.3 stars.

Featured Review: Alum says This is a well-known school for education. They are on top of the latest research and development in the field and share this knowledge with their students. The school has its own lab school for... .

University of Washington School of Social Work

Seattle, WA •

University of Washington •

• • Rating 2 out of 5   1 review

University of Washington ,

SEATTLE, WA ,

1 Niche users give it an average review of 2 stars.

Read 1 reviews.

The Ohio State University College of Social Work

Columbus, OH •

The Ohio State University •

• • Rating 3.57 out of 5   7 reviews

Master's Student: I completed my undergraduate degree and loved the campus. Because of that, I wanted to come back to OSU for graduate school. I still love being on campus but I am not there often as I take my courses online now. ... Read 7 reviews

The Ohio State University ,

COLUMBUS, OH ,

7 Niche users give it an average review of 3.6 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says I completed my undergraduate degree and loved the campus. Because of that, I wanted to come back to OSU for graduate school. I still love being on campus but I am not there often as I take my courses... .

Read 7 reviews.

College of Humanities and Social Sciences - NC State University

Raleigh, NC •

North Carolina State University •

• • Rating 5 out of 5   1 review

Graduate Student: NC State's MSW program will prepare you to handle a wide variety of social work careers. The professors are amazing and teach students how to engage in various social justice activities on multiple levels. This grad program was an excellent career decision. ... Read 1 review

North Carolina State University ,

RALEIGH, NC ,

1 Niche users give it an average review of 5 stars.

Featured Review: Graduate Student says NC State's MSW program will prepare you to handle a wide variety of social work careers. The professors are amazing and teach students how to engage in various social justice activities on multiple... .

University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work

Pittsburgh, PA •

University of Pittsburgh •

• • Rating 3.9 out of 5   10 reviews

Alum: Let me put it this way - I spent at least the first year of grad school crying about the realities of oppression I was learning about. My social work education changed my life, and I do attribute that to the academic rigor at Pitt. ... Read 10 reviews

University of Pittsburgh ,

PITTSBURGH, PA ,

10 Niche users give it an average review of 3.9 stars.

Featured Review: Alum says Let me put it this way - I spent at least the first year of grad school crying about the realities of oppression I was learning about. My social work education changed my life, and I do attribute... .

College of Health and Social Sciences - San Francisco State University

San Francisco State University •

SAN FRANCISCO, CA

• • Rating 4 out of 5   1

University of Texas - Rio Grande Valley

EDINBURG, TX

• • Rating 4.6 out of 5   117

San Francisco State University

• • Rating 4.21 out of 5   53

Showing results 1 through 25 of 310

Master of Social Work

Do you enjoy helping people improve their lives and solve stressful problems? Do you want a job where you can make a difference every day? If so, a career as a social worker may be right for you.

Social workers help communities in need by helping vulnerable people overcome complicated health, financial, psychological, and social issues. They work in a variety of settings, including government agencies, hospitals, nursing homes, and schools.

Some social workers start working in the field immediately after graduating from college with a bachelor of social work (BSW) or a related degree. However, a master's in social work (MSW) can boost your income and open up new career opportunities.

What Is a Master of Social Work?

A master of social work is an advanced degree that prepares students for administrative and clinical practice jobs in social work. You can expect to develop strong research skills, gain clinical experience, and learn advanced social work theories.

Generally, graduate students who pursue an MSW should expect the program to take two years — or four semesters — of coursework. However, some schools offer an accelerated one-year program for incoming students who already hold a BSW.

If you have a bachelor’s degree in a different field, such as English or psychology, you're still eligible for two-year MSW programs. The degree will provide you with a strong foundation in social work as well as more advanced knowledge.

Selecting a Specialization

Hundreds of colleges and universities offer graduate programs in social work. Many MSW programs allow students to specialize in particular areas of social work, depending on factors like available electives and faculty expertise.

Specialties include child and family social work, clinical social work, criminal justice social work, domestic abuse and trauma, geriatric social work, and substance abuse counseling. If you’re interested in working with particular groups or in specific settings, search for programs that align with your personal career goals.

Not sure what you want to specialize in yet? In advanced generalist MSW programs, you can gain a variety of skills that will allow you to succeed in any social work job.

Challenges in Master of Social Work Programs

Graduate degrees are more difficult and time-consuming than undergraduate programs. No matter the degree and school you choose, you can expect to spend long hours learning advanced theories, studying, and writing research papers. However, an MSW can pose unique emotional and mental challenges.

For instance, as an MSW student, you may:

• Encounter disturbing or upsetting course materials
• Experience burnout
• Work with people facing extreme difficulties, like homelessness and substance abuse

Despite these obstacles, an MSW can lead to a meaningful career that gives you a chance to make a tangible difference in your community.

Applying to Graduate Programs in Social Work

If you’ve decided to pursue an MSW, the next step is to apply to graduate schools . Although each program has individual application requirements, you can expect to submit materials such as:

• An application fee
• Letters of recommendation
• A personal statement
• Undergraduate transcripts

By pursuing a master's in social work, you'll be well on your way to developing advanced social work knowledge and launching a career that will have a positive impact.

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2024 Best Social Work Doctor's Degree Schools

College Factual looked at 74 colleges and universities when compiling its 2024 Best Social Work Doctor's Degree Schools ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 680 doctor's degrees in social work to qualified students.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Our Methodology

• Best Doctor’s Degree Schools List

Choosing a Great Social Work School for Your Doctor's Degree

A Great Overall School

The overall quality of a doctor's degree school is important to ensure a quality education, not just how well they do in a particular major. To make it into this list a school must rank well in our overall Best Colleges for a Doctor's Degree ranking. This ranking considered factors such as graduation rates, overall graduate earnings and other educational resources to identify great colleges and universities.

Early-Career Earnings

One measure we use to determine the quality of a school is to look at the average salary of doctorate graduates during the early years of their career. This is because one of the main reasons people pursue their doctor's degree is to enable themselves to find better-paying positions.

Other Factors We Consider

In addition to the above, you should consider some of the following factors:

• Major Focus - How many resources a school devotes to social work students as compared to other majors.
• Major Demand - How many other social work students want to attend this school to pursue a doctor's degree.
• Educational Resources - The amount of money and other resources allocated to students while they are pursuing their degree. These resources include such things as number of students per instructor and education expenditures per student.
• Student Debt - How easy is it for social work to pay back their student loans after receiving their doctor's degree.
• Accreditation - Whether a school is regionally accredited and/or accredited by a recognized social work related body.

Our complete ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best schools for social work students working on their doctor's degree.

One Size Does Not Fit All

The social work school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we've developed a number of major-specific rankings , including this list of the Best Social Work Doctor's Degree Schools.

Best Schools for Doctorate Students to Study Social Work in the United States

Learn about the top ranked colleges and universities for social work students seeking a a doctor's degree. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

11 Top Schools for a Doctorate in Social Work

University of Southern California is a good option for students pursuing a doctor's degree in social work. USC is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Los Angeles. More information about a doctorate in social work from University of Southern California

University of California - Berkeley is one of the best schools in the United States for getting a doctor's degree in social work. UC Berkeley is a fairly large public university located in the city of Berkeley. More information about a doctorate in social work from University of California - Berkeley

New York University is a wonderful option for students interested in a doctor's degree in social work. Located in the large city of New York, NYU is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population.

Doctorate recipients from the social work major at New York University earn $15,789 more than the average college graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

It is hard to beat University of Chicago if you wish to pursue a doctor's degree in social work. Located in the large city of Chicago, UChicago is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. More information about a doctorate in social work from University of Chicago

Located in the city of Philadelphia, UPenn is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population.

Doctorate recipients from the social work degree program at University of Pennsylvania get $8,298 above the average graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.

Located in the large suburb of Saint Louis, WUSTL is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. More information about a doctorate in social work from Washington University in St Louis

Located in the city of Seattle, UW Seattle is a public university with a very large student population. More information about a doctorate in social work from University of Washington - Seattle Campus

Yeshiva is a medium-sized private not-for-profit university located in the city of New York. More information about a doctorate in social work from Yeshiva University

UK is a very large public university located in the large city of Lexington. More information about a doctorate in social work from University of Kentucky

Located in the city of Los Angeles, UCLA is a public university with a fairly large student population. More information about a doctorate in social work from University of California - Los Angeles

Tulane is a large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of New Orleans. More information about a doctorate in social work from Tulane University of Louisiana

Additional Noteworthy Schools

Here are some additional great schools for Social Work students that almost earned our Best Social Work Doctor's Degree Schools award.

Social Work by Region

View the Best Social Work Doctor's Degree Schools for a specific region near you.

Other Rankings

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• The bars on the spread charts above show the distribution of the schools on this list +/- one standard deviation from the mean.
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• CENTERS & INSTITUTES

UNC School of Social Work ranked No. 4 best graduate school for social work in the nation 

Posted on April 9, 2024

Tied for No. 2 public, No. 4 overall, UNC School of Social Work is recognized alongside a score of Carolina programs ranked Top 10 in the nation in their respective categories by the magazine.  

Months after being ranked fourth in national research and development (R&D) expenditures among R1 higher education institutions, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Social Work earned another No. 4 ranking today.  

The School of Social Work moved up three spots in the latest U.S. News & World Report “Best Graduate Schools” rankings , rising to a tie for fourth in the nation among the 319 surveyed social work schools accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the Council on Social Work Education.  

The School ranked No. 1 among schools of social work across the Southeast and tied for second nationally among public universities. 

Dean Ramona Denby-Brinson said being ranked second among all public university social work programs was especially meaningful due to the school’s responsibility to serve local, national and global communities. 

“Our new national ranking is exciting news,” Denby-Brinson said. “Among many measures of success, the ranking recognizes the tremendous contributions of our faculty and staff. Our MSW (Master of Social Work) program is preparing practitioners, researchers and advocates who improve life for thousands of people each day. We are honored to be recognized by our peers for the excellence displayed by our faculty in all they do.” 

Executive Vice Provost Amy Locklear Hertel, a clinical assistant professor at the School, said “The UNC School of Social Work is a true asset on campus, to our state, and the globe. By drawing our attention to pressing issues of our most vulnerable populations, to developing strong communities and systems, to informing policy as well as practice, the UNC School of Social Work is preparing social service practitioners and researchers to fully ‘advance equity, transform systems, and improves lives’ — just as the School’s mission states.” 

She went on to say, “It is an honor to be a clinical faculty member in the School.” 

Since arriving at the School as dean in August 2021, Denby-Brinson worked closely with faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community partners to establish a strategic plan that helped to elevate the graduate programs, modernize the curriculum, and increase student enrollment by providing access and flexible degree offerings while using advanced learning modalities and proven pedagogical tools.  

“Our graduates are prepared to work with individuals, families and communities to solve complex problems,” Denby-Brinson said. “The practice approaches that we teach derive from the impactful research produced by our faculty. We have a strong faculty, and they are tackling entrenched issues and devising real world solutions.” 

“I’m delighted to hear this news, and to note that the School has consistently ranked in the Top 10 since 1997,” said Dean Emeritus Jack Richman.

The latest rankings were compiled based on peer assessments from administrators, deans and faculty of accredited degree programs and are compiled on a scale of one (marginal) to five (outstanding). The surveys were sent in fall 2023 and early 2024. 

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UNC School of Social Work ranked fourth in national research expenditures

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Social Work researchers helped the school secure a top four placement in the latest NSF HERD Survey.

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GSSW is listed among nation’s top graduate programs in latest U.S. News ranking

U.S. News & World Report has ranked the University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work (GSSW) 11th among the nation’s social work graduate schools. The school was previously ranked 17th. 

“We are humbled and honored to be recognized among the nation’s best social work graduate programs,” says Morris Endowed Dean and Professor Amanda Moore McBride . “Still, we know that the true value of our school is in the impact we make in the world — in the work of our graduates who are transforming lives as social workers, in the deep community impact of our research and scholarship, in our collective efforts to advance equity and justice.” 

Social work graduate schools are included in the 2023 U.S. News Best Health Schools rankings, which are based solely on the results of peer assessment surveys sent to deans, other administrators, and faculty at accredited degree programs or schools (298 social work programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the Council on Social Work Education). 

GSSW enrolls nearly 1,500 MSW students in its Denver Campus , Western Colorado , Four Corners , and online MSW@Denver programs. The school also offers a social work doctoral program , several dual-degree master’s programs , and a variety of continuing education options. Across all programs, GSSW focuses on preparing students to lead social change as social workers. 

A focus on community, justice and “science for action” is at the heart of the school’s research enterprise as well. Federal funds comprise 63% of GSSW’s $11.5 million in annual research expenditures, and the school accounts for 30% of the University’s total research expenditures. The University was recently designated a Research 1 (R1) institution . GSSW also counts several American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare Fellows among its faculty: Winn Professor for Children and Youth Kimberly Bender , Winn Professor Emeritus Jeffrey Jenson , Professor Lena Lundgren , and Dean Emeritus James Herbert Williams . 

“An unwavering commitment to social and racial justice is at the heart of everything we do here,” McBride says. “Our faculty and staff work tirelessly and creatively to maintain that focus and respond to real-world community needs throughout the GSSW educational experience, our research and scholarship, and our operations.” 

Learn more about how a GSSW degree will prepare you to lead social change as a social worker.

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Doctorate in Social Work Degrees: Search the Best DSW Programs for You

Are you a licensed social worker interested in advancing your career in administration, policy advocacy, advanced clinical practice, or college-level teaching? Earning a doctorate in social work may be the right move for you.

Explore these rankings to help you choose the right Ph.D. or DSW program for your personal and professional needs. Our degree guide explains what to look for when comparing different doctoral programs in social work, and what you can do with your degree after graduation.

Key Factors for Selecting a Doctorate in Social Work Program

What should you look for when choosing the best Ph.D. or DSW program for you? Before enrolling in any program, investigate several options, noting the program’s academic reputation, curriculum requirements and available specializations, and faculty areas of expertise.

Accreditation

Consider social work programs offered by schools with regional accreditation from an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. While the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) currently only accredits BSW and MSW programs, the CSWE’s Commission on Accreditation has begun a DSW pilot accreditation program.

Specializations

If you want to work in a particular area of social work, look for DSW or Ph.D. programs that offer specializations or concentration paths that align with your interests and career goals.

Faculty Research Areas

The best colleges and universities hire faculty with strong research reputations who bring their expertise into the classroom. When comparing doctoral programs, check out faculty profiles to find out about their research interests and publications.

Featured Online Social Work Degrees

The best doctorate in social work programs.

Our rankings of the best schools for doctoral degrees make it easier for you to see how one program differs from another. You can compare curriculum, learning formats, costs, and other factors that matter most to you.

We use a data-driven methodology to determine the best bachelor’s in social work programs based on four primary factors: academic quality, overall cost, reputation, and accessibility.

University of California-Los Angeles

For over a century, the University of California-Los Angeles has garnered a reputation for academic excellence. UCLA boasts 16 Nobel Laureates, 15 MacArthur Fellows, 11 National Medal of Science winners, and two Pulitzer Prize winners among its faculty.

The Ph.D. in social welfare, offered by the Luskin School of Public Affairs, integrates personalized instruction and applied research with an interdisciplinary focus. Coursework includes nursing, public health, psychology, and sociology. Most applicants hold an MSW degree, but the program accepts students with a master’s in related fields, such as public policy or sociology.

Full-time students enroll in 12 units each quarter, completing two years of coursework prior to their dissertation research. Students can complete the program in four years.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Established in 1795, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is the oldest public university in the nation. The university enrolls over 35,000 students in 95 bachelor’s, 104 master’s, and 65 doctoral degrees.

The Ph.D. in social work, organized around the theme of social intervention, comprises nine core courses, a professional development seminar, a teaching seminar/practicum, a dissertation seminar, and additional electives. Students must complete 45 credits prior to beginning their doctoral dissertation.

Applicants for the doctorate in social work need an MSW from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education and two years of work experience in human services. A master’s in a related field may also be considered.

University of California-Berkeley

One of the most prestigious public universities in the nation, the University of California-Berkeley , offers over 10,000 undergraduate and graduate courses through over 300 degree programs.

Berkeley’s top-ranked Ph.D. in social welfare admits students who have completed a master’s in social work or social welfare, or a comparable degree in a related field. The doctorate takes a minimum of three years to complete, including two years of full-time coursework and one year for the dissertation.

The social welfare Ph.D. provides doctoral students with a generous financial package that includes tuition, health insurance, and an allowance for living expenses, funded jointly through fellowships and salary as a graduate student instructor or researcher.

Florida State University

Based in Florida’s capital city of Tallahassee, Florida State University administers close to 300 undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs, including a doctorate in social work.

FSU’s Ph.D. in social work emphasizes hands-on training in research and teaching. The curriculum comprises core methods and theory courses, specialized social work research methods courses, statistics courses, and cognates taken outside of the social work department related to the student’s areas of interest. Students typically complete the program in 4-5 years.

Admission requirements include an MSW from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, a minimum 3.0 GPA, and GRE scores taken within the previous five years.

University of Chicago

The University of Chicago in Hyde Park ranks among the top U.S. and global research institutions. The Crown Family School, one of the nation’s first schools of social work, has played a seminal role defining the profession.

The Ph.D. in social work requires a minimum of 15 courses, including one on the history of social work, five on statistics and research methods, and nine additional courses that include three taken in other departments. Students take 4-5 years to complete their degree.

Admission to the Ph.D. program is highly selective. Of the approximately 100 applications received annually, the program admits only eight students. Enrollees receive a substantial financial aid package that includes a stipend, health insurance, tuition, and fees.

University of Georgia

Established over 235 years ago in Athens, Georgia, the University of Georgia is the state’s oldest institution of higher education.

The 60-credit Ph.D. in social work provides students with an interdisciplinary curriculum and certificate opportunities in gerontology, women’s studies, qualitative studies, quantitative methods, and nonprofit management and leadership. The program supports students with four years of financial assistance through teaching and research assistantships.

The Ph.D. program admits MSW-holders who have at least two years of post-MSW professional experience, an overall 3.0 undergraduate GPA, and a 3.5 MSW GPA. Applicants must submit GRE scores from within the last five years.

University of Washington-Seattle Campus

Consistently ranked among the top U.S. public universities, the University of Washington-Seattle Campus receives more federal research funding than any other public university. The campus hosts a student population of close to 30,000.

The Ph.D. in social welfare focuses on prevention/intervention research that addresses topics in health/mental health, promotion and disparities, aging, child and adolescent services, family-based practice, interpersonal violence, substance abuse, income distribution, and issues related to gender, communities of color and other underrepresented groups. An optional statistics track provides students with advanced quantitative training relevant to their areas of specialization.

The program offers four years of financial support, including teaching or research assistantships or fellowships, tuition, and health benefits.

The University of Texas at Austin

Established in 1883, the University of Texas at Austin has grown into a leading research university. As the main campus for the University of Texas system, UT Austin supports 52,000 students and 3,000 teaching faculty across 18 colleges and schools.

The Ph.D. in social work offers an interdisciplinary approach to the field with an emphasis on advanced research methodology and statistics. Minimum requirements for admission include an MSW from a Council on Social Work Education-accredited or related field and extensive experience in human services. Applicants must have a 3.0 GPA or above in upper-division undergraduate courses and in any completed graduate work.

University of South Florida

A relatively young university founded in 1956, Tampa Bay’s University of South Florida enrolls over 50,000 students across 13 colleges.

Based in the College of Behavioral and Community Sciences, the Ph.D. in social work emphasizes five topic areas that reflect the strengths of the college and the forecasted direction of the profession. These five areas cover societal change and innovation, global issues, health, behavioral health, and leadership and business.

Admission is typically limited to individuals who hold an MSW from a Council on Social Work Education-accredited program or international equivalent, with an overall 3.5 GPA. Applicants without an MSW may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Florida International University

Florida International University is a public research university in Miami, offering bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees to over 56,000 students. The university emphasizes research as a major component in its mission.

The Ph.D. in social welfare boasts one of the fastest completion rates and highest retention rates among U.S. social work doctoral programs. Students typically complete the program in as little as three years.

Admission to the program is selective. Requirements include an MSW from a Council on Social Work Education-accredited school of social work or a master’s in a closely related field, at least a 3.0 undergraduate GPA and a 3.5 graduate GPA, and GRE scores. Preference is given to applicants with prior social work experience.

Advantages of Earning a Doctorate in Social Work

If you are already working as a licensed social worker, you may wonder why you should invest the time and money into earning a doctorate in social work. Today, the need for highly trained social workers in advanced practice and leadership roles has never been greater, and earning a Ph.D. or DSW comes with many advantages.

Salary Potential

A doctoral degree expands your career opportunities in administrative roles, with salaries significantly higher than master’s-level positions. According to a report from the National Association of Social Workers , DSWs earn $20-$25,000 more than MSWs.

Opportunities in Academia

The increased enrollment in social work programs has resulted in the need for more social work educators to train the next generation of professionals. Most college-level teaching positions in social work require a doctorate. Postsecondary social work teachers employed at colleges, universities, or professional schools earn an annual average salary of over $78,000 a year.

Increased Credibility

As the most advanced practice-focused degree in the field, a doctorate provides you with a high level of expertise and the credibility to address complex social work issues, formulate social policy, and bring about social change. A doctorate in social work establishes you as a “thought leader” and critical thinker with the insight and skills to make significant contributions to the field.

How to Apply to a Doctorate in Social Work Program

Required application materials for DSW or Ph.D. programs vary by institution. Most often, schools request official transcripts, 2-3 letters of recommendation from teachers and supervisors, and a current resume. Be prepared to submit a personal essay outlining why you are seeking the degree, what you hope to accomplish with it, and why you have chosen to apply to this program.

Admission requirements also vary by program. In general, applicants must hold a master’s in social work from a CSWE-accredited program and at least two years of post-MSW practice experience. Some programs may admit individuals who have earned a graduate degree in a related field, such as counseling or psychology.

The best DSW programs look for candidates with strong undergraduate academic records, requiring a minimum 3.0 GPA. A growing number of programs no longer require GRE scores for admission.

What Can I Do with a Doctorate Degree in Social Work?

A doctorate provides a respected credential to advance in clinical practice and to move into leadership positions. Doctorate-level graduates find employment in social service agencies, educational organizations, nonprofits, and governmental agencies. This degree can prepare graduates to take on administrative and managerial roles at the macro level; developing and implementing organizational policy; and supervising, teaching, and guiding clinical practitioners.

Employment prospects in social work remain strong. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 9% increase in social work positions between 2021 and 2031, exceeding the national average for all occupations.

When considering whether to pursue a DSW, keep in mind that educational attainment impacts salaries in almost all professions. According to a 2021 BLS report , doctoral degree-holders make $400 a week more than individuals with only a bachelor’s degree. Social workers with a DSW can expect to earn the highest salaries in the field.

Your Next Career Path: Is a Doctorate in Social Work Right for Me?

Earning a DSW or Ph.D. in social work can lead to significant professional advancement, but keep in mind that the expanded career opportunities and higher salaries also come with increased responsibilities. When choosing a DSW program, evaluate how the curriculum can help you acquire the skills needed to achieve your professional goals.

Does the program offer specializations and electives that reflect your interests? Does it prepare you to move into a leadership role in your organization or conduct research that informs policy change? Will you get the training needed to teach, supervise, and mentor the next generation of social work practitioners?

Besides the academic preparation you receive in a doctoral program, you must develop the needed “soft skills” to take on these new roles and obligations, such as perseverance, perceptiveness, and listening skills.

Frequently Asked Questions About Doctorate in Social Work Programs

What is the difference between a dsw and phd.

The DSW focuses on advanced training for clinical practice, leadership, and applied research for policy advocacy and professional practice. The Ph.D. emphasizes theoretical and methodological perspectives and research to build knowledge in the field.

How long does it take to get a DSW?

Earning your doctorate in social work takes 3-5 years, depending on whether you enroll full or part time. Some programs offer accelerated two-year options.

Can you complete DSW or Ph.D. in social work online?

Yes, though students enrolled in an online DSW or Ph.D. will need to attend local fieldwork. See our roundup of online Ph.D. in social work programs to learn more.

Where do DSW graduates work?

DSW graduates pursue careers as social work administrators, community or social service managers, policy analysts, educators, and nonprofit directors. They work in a variety of settings, including social service agencies, healthcare facilities, schools, and government offices.

Note: The ranking list and school descriptions on this page were created and reviewed independently by our Rankings Team.

Take the next step toward your future in social work.

Explore schools offering programs and courses tailored to your interests, and start your learning journey today.

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News & events, uw school of social work ranked no. 2 in the nation.

Seattle, WA – The UW School of Social Work ranked No. 2 in the nation, according to the 2023 Best Graduate Schools report released today by U.S. News & World Report. This is the highest ranking the School has received since the initiation of this prestigious national survey.

“I am thrilled for the faculty, students and staff whose commitment to social justice and leadership in innovative social work education and systems change have long distinguished the UW School of Social Work, commented Dean Edwina (Eddie) Uehara, “and I am very grateful to our national peers on whose assessments our ranking is based.”

To determine the current rankings, U.S. News & World Report surveyed 298 social work programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the Council on Social Work Education. The rankings are based solely on peer assessment surveys sent to deans, other administrators, or faculty at accredited degree programs. Respondents rated the academic quality of programs on a scale of 1 (marginal) to 5 (outstanding). The School received a score of 4.3, resulting in a three-way tie for the No. 2 spot, along with the University of Chicago and Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. The University of Michigan is the only school that scored higher, with a 4.5 rating

Best Universities for Social Work in the World

Updated: February 29, 2024

• Art & Design
• Computer Science
• Engineering
• Environmental Science
• Liberal Arts & Social Sciences
• Mathematics

Below is a list of best universities in the World ranked based on their research performance in Social Work. A graph of 597K citations received by 50.1K academic papers made by 389 universities in the World was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.

We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.

1. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

For Social Work

2. University of Toronto

3. University of California - Berkeley

4. University of Georgia

5. Arizona State University - Tempe

6. CUNY Hunter College

7. Virginia Commonwealth University

8. Florida State University

9. University of Southern California

10. Columbia University

11. University of Maryland, Baltimore

12. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

13. University of Texas at Austin

14. New York University

15. University of Washington - Seattle

16. University of Chicago

17. University of York

18. University of Calgary

19. SUNY at Albany

20. Fordham University

21. University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign

22. University of Kansas

23. King's College London

24. University of Queensland

25. University of Tennessee - Knoxville

26. University of Nottingham

27. Queen's University Belfast

28. University of Birmingham

29. Rutgers University - New Brunswick

30. University of Bristol

31. La Trobe University

32. University of Pennsylvania

33. University of Manchester

34. Tel Aviv University

35. University of Auckland

36. University of Denver

37. University of Edinburgh

38. Hong Kong Polytechnic University

39. Ohio State University

40. Yeshiva University

41. University of California - Los Angeles

42. Hebrew University of Jerusalem

43. University of Pittsburgh

44. University of East Anglia

45. University of Haifa

46. University of Sheffield

47. University of Illinois at Chicago

48. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

49. Boston College

50. University of Texas at Arlington

51. University of Houston

52. University of British Columbia

53. Brunel University London

54. Smith College

55. University College London

56. University of Kentucky

57. Deakin University

58. Monash University

59. University of Huddersfield

60. University of Connecticut

61. Boston University

62. Case Western Reserve University

63. Griffith University

64. Ulster University

65. Stockholm University

66. University of Iowa

67. Catholic University of America

68. Washington University in St Louis

69. Cardiff University

70. University of Bedfordshire

71. University at Buffalo

72. University of Southampton

73. Providence College

74. Lancaster University

75. University of Utah

76. Loyola University Chicago

77. University of South Carolina - Columbia

78. University of Melbourne

79. Bar-Ilan University

80. University of Alabama

81. Michigan State University

82. University of Wisconsin - Madison

83. Adelphi University

84. University of Sussex

85. Rhode Island College

86. University of Newcastle

87. University of Bradford

88. Portland State University

89. Saint Louis University

90. University of Sydney

91. Charles Sturt University

92. University of Dundee

93. University of Missouri - Columbia

94. McMaster University

95. Wayne State University

96. Chinese University of Hong Kong

97. Massey University

98. Durham University

99. Bryn Mawr College

100. Ghent University

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Best Master of Social Work Programs

Genevieve Carlton

Contributing Writer

Learn about our editorial process .

Updated April 17, 2024

TheBestSchools.org is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

Are you ready to discover your college program?

What Social Workers Do

Social workers help vulnerable populations access community resources, counsel couples on relationship issues, or support children dealing with bullying at school. The type of social work they do depends on their specialization. Social workers may also diagnose and treat disorders. Many social work jobs require a master of social work (MSW) and professional licensure.

Graduates with an MSW can work as clinical social workers, marriage and family therapists, mental health counselors, and community service managers. They can also pursue careers as social policy advocates, social welfare researchers, and social program administrators.

See the top master of social work schools and programs offered today.

Featured Online MSW Programs

The best master of social work programs (msw).

The school and/or program descriptions below were drafted using natural language generation technology and have been edited for clarity and accuracy. The data is primarily sourced from government databases such as IPEDS – see sources section for more details.

We use trusted sources like Peterson's Data and the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools. TheBestSchools.org is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site. from our partners appear among these rankings and are indicated as such.

#1 Best Master of Social Work Programs

Tennessee State University

• Nashville, TN
• Online + Campus

From its campus in Nashville, Tennessee State University administers a top-ranked master of social work. The program builds specialized skills for advanced practice, preparing graduates for leadership positions and increased salary potential. Master's degree-holders can also pursue new career opportunities.

The program offers a foundation curriculum that explores advanced social work methodologies and research. The program's advanced generalist practice concentration builds on foundational knowledge to prepare students to provide direct and indirect services. Applicants without a social work background may need to complete prerequisites.

Online enrollees participate in local internship programs at approved locations. On-campus learners can access common facilities and services like the library and gymnasium. Graduate students expand their professional connections by attending virtual networking events.

Tennessee State University at a Glance:

Type of School: Public, 4-year or above

Admission Rate: Data not available

Total Online Master's Programs: 6

Program Name: Master of Social Work

Graduate Tuition In State: $9,276

Graduate Tuition Out of State: $19,752

#2 Best Master of Social Work Programs

Texas A&M University-Commerce

• Commerce, TX

Texas A&M University-Commerce enrolls master's students in its top-ranked master of social work program. The program appeals to social workers who want to strengthen their skills and prepare for leadership responsibilities. A master's degree helps graduates advance in their current field or pursue a new career path.

The master's curriculum emphasizes current social work research. Learners specialize their training by choosing electives and concentrations. Applicants who majored in social work or a related field typically meet the admission requirements.

Online enrollees participate in local internships at approved locations. On-campus students can access the library and gym as well as other amenities and facilities. The program encourages professional development activities, including networking events, so that graduate students can expand their professional connections.

Texas A&M University-Commerce at a Glance:

Admission Rate: 60%

Total Online Master's Programs: 8

Graduate Tuition In State: $3,630

Graduate Tuition Out of State: $10,992

#3 Best Master of Social Work Programs

Stephen F. Austin State University

• Nacogdoches, TX

Stephen F. Austin State University, located in Nacogdoches, Texas, offers a master of social work - specialized practice. The program emphasizes flexibility with full-time and part-time enrollment options. The curriculum prepares enrollees for clinical work and decision-making responsibilities. Master's degree-holders can advance in their current field or pursue new opportunities.

The master's curriculum consists of generalist practice and specialized practice instruction. The specialized practice focuses on advanced generalist work in rural settings. Applicants without a degree in social work or a related field may need to meet prerequisite requirements.

Online enrollees complete internship requirements at approved sites in their own community. On-campus learners can access common facilities and services offered at most universities, such as the library and gym. Graduate students expand their professional network through internships and online events.

Stephen F. Austin State University at a Glance:

Admission Rate: 76%

Total Online Master's Programs: 15

Program Name: Master of social work - specialized practice

Graduate Tuition In State: $5,262

Graduate Tuition Out of State: $13,524

#4 Best Master of Social Work Programs

Boise State University

The master of social work program at Boise State University offers both regular standing and advanced standing programs. Students can complete the program online or on campus. 

Enrollees learn how to work with individuals and families. Students learn clinical, policy, and organizational skills. Applicants without an accredited BSW will need to complete the regular MSW program.

Online enrollees meet any in-person requirements, such as internships, at approved sites in their local area. On-campus learners can enjoy the common amenities and facilities available at most institutions, such as the library or gym. Graduate students grow their professional connections through internships and virtual networking events.

Boise State University at a Glance:

Admission Rate: 77%

Total Online Master's Programs: 11

Program Name: Master of social work

Graduate Tuition In State: $7,110

Graduate Tuition Out of State: $24,030

#5 Best Master of Social Work Programs

Tulane University of Louisiana

• New Orleans, LA

Located in New Orleans, Tulane University of Louisiana offers an on-campus and online master of social work. The program focuses on the integration of clinical and community-based practice. Enrollees learn how to provide services to people in their own environments.   

The master's curriculum covers theoretical and practical approaches to address the needs of individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations. The program includes simulations, team projects, and problem-based learning. Students with an accredited BSW may receive advanced standing to complete the degree sooner. 

Online enrollees participate in local internships at approved locations. Students can access field education at more than 100 agencies in New Orleans and 300 around the country. Participants receive comprehensive support services from a distinguished college.

Tulane University of Louisiana at a Glance:

Type of School: Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above

Admission Rate: 11%

Total Online Master's Programs: 10

Graduate Tuition In State: $59,090

Graduate Tuition Out of State: $59,090

Master of Social Work Programs Ranking Guidelines

We based the following rankings on academic quality, curricula, faculty strength, internship opportunities, facilities, school awards, rankings, and reputation.

Our Methodology

Here at TheBestSchools.org, we take the trust and welfare of our readers very seriously. When making our school and program rankings, our top priority is ensuring that our readers get accurate, unbiased information that can help them make informed decisions about online education. That's why we've developed a rigorous ranking methodology that keeps the needs of our readers front and center.

Our proprietary, multi-criteria ranking algorithm analyzes key data indicators — as collected by the federal government — for each school or program. What data we use depends on the focus of each specific ranking, but in all cases, our ranking methodology is impartial: Schools  cannot buy better rankings  at TBS.

While specific criteria under consideration can vary by ranking, there are a few data points that we value most highly. They are affordability, academic quality, and online enrollment. Below, we break down our algorithm to help you understand what you're getting when you use one of our rankings.

• Affordability
• Online Enrollment

Data Sources

The data used in TBS rankings comes primarily from the federal government, and much of it is provided by the schools themselves. We aggregate and analyze this data to build our rankings.

The  Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System  (IPEDS) is our primary source. Its data comes from annual surveys conducted by the U.S. Department of Education's  National Center for Education Statistics  (NCES). Every college, university, or technical school with access to federal financial aid must participate in these surveys, which include questions about enrollment, graduation rates, finances, and faculty qualifications. This is publicly available data, which you can access yourself through the  College Navigator .

Additionally, because we value a personal touch and the professional experience of our staff and Academic Advisory Board, we vet all results and adjust rankings as necessary based on our collected knowledge of schools and degree programs. Depending on the ranking, we may obtain additional input from  AcademicInfluence.com , subject matter experts, prior TBS ranking lists, or other sources we deem relevant to a particular ranking.

Breakdown of Our Rankings Methodology

About our ranking factors.

Here at TBS, we value what you value: quality education, affordability, and the accessibility of online education. These factors guide all of our program rankings.

Each of these factors are further broken down into weighted subfactors. For example, retention rates are weighted more heavily than availability of program options because they are a better indicator of student success.

We chose the following factors for our rankings because of their influence on learning experiences and graduate outcomes. However, students should always balance our rankings against their personal priorities. For instance, a learner who needs a fully online program may prioritize online flexibility more than our rankings do. Our rankings are designed to help you make a decision — not to make a decision for you.

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Academics - 75%

Affordability - 15%, online enrollment - 10%.

In all our school rankings and recommendations, we work for objectivity and balance. We carefully research and compile each ranking list, and as stated in our advertising disclosure, we do NOT permit financial incentives to influence rankings. Our articles never promote or disregard a school for financial gain.

If you have questions about our ranking methodology, please feel free to connect with our staff through  contact page .

We thank you for your readership and trust.

MSW Program Overview

"An MSW degree program trains students about social work practice, social welfare research, and social work theory."

An MSW degree trains students about social work practice, social welfare research, and social work theory. Learners study counseling approaches, cognitive treatment methods, clinical assessment, and social welfare planning. Students also complete fieldwork requirements to gain hands-on experience in a social work setting.

Many social work programs offer concentrations that allow students to tailor their degree to their goals and interests. Common concentrations include:

• Child and family social work
• School social work
• Healthcare social work
• Community and social systems
• Social policy
• Social work administration

Students typically complete an MSW program in two years of full-time study, but some programs take less time to complete. For example, incoming students with a bachelor of social work (BSW) may be able to graduate from an MSW program in as little as one year.

How Long Does It Take to Get an Online Master of Social Work?

During an online MSW program , students typically complete online courses and in-person field work at an approved site in their community. Some online programs incorporate set meeting times to encourage collaboration, while others operate without set log-in times.

The flexibility of online school allows students to balance their studies with their personal and professional life. Online learning also lets students attend top programs across the country without relocating.

Accreditation for Social Work Degree Programs

Students must attend an MSW program that holds programmatic accreditation to meet social work licensure requirements. Many employers only hire candidates with an accredited degree. The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredits MSW programs. The council reviews MSW programs based on their curricula, field experience requirements, and faculty qualifications. Programs must undergo regular reviews to maintain their accreditation status.

MSW Advanced Standing Students

Students with a BSW degree from a CSWE-accredited program may receive advanced standing in an MSW program. Advanced standing status typically allows students to bypass some foundational coursework, expediting graduation by as much as one year.

MSW Programs Practicum

MSW programs incorporate field work requirements to teach students the practical skills necessary for social work jobs . A practicum represents a core component of social work training and helps meet social work licensure requirements. During a social work practicum, students strengthen their clinical skills through community-based placements. Graduate students observe practitioners and complete hands-on training under supervision.

The number of required practicum hours varies by program. Most programs require at least 600 hours of field education. This field work often includes specialized training in the student's focus area.

Types of Social Workers

There are three major types of social workers : macro, direct services, and clinical social workers. Clinical social workers may be licensed or unlicensed.

Macro Social Workers

Macro social workers work with communities, large groups of people, major institutions, and cities. Depending on their position, these social workers may advocate for large-scale social policy change, lobby to change healthcare laws, or organize state-wide activist groups. They may also engage in research or work as managers or administrators for community programs.

Licensed Clinical Social Workers

Licensed clinical social workers evaluate, diagnose, and treat mental, behavioral, and emotional disorders. They may provide individual, group, or family therapy. They work in settings such as hospitals, community mental health centers, rehabilitation facilities, and private practice. Clinical social workers often collaborate with professionals like psychiatrists, psychologists, and advanced practice psychiatric nurses.

The job title for social workers with a clinical social work license varies by state. States may use titles such as licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), licensed independent social worker, or licensed independent clinical social worker.

Clinical Social Workers Without a License

These social workers are authorized to practice clinical social work under the supervision of an LCSW. They must earn licensure to practice independently.

Direct Service Social Workers

Direct service social workers connect individuals with relevant resources and services. They may also provide limited counseling services, but they cannot provide psychotherapy. Depending on their role, these professionals may perform intake screenings, refer clients to relevant services, provide mediation services, and work in case management.

Jobs in Social Work

Graduates with an MSW degree can pursue careers in several social work fields , such as mental health counselor, social service manager, and marriage and family therapist. The section below covers several common careers for MSW graduates.

Marriage and Family Therapists

Marriage and family therapists help individuals, couples, and families manage relationship problems through therapy. They encourage clients to discuss their emotions, help people adjust to life changes and modify behaviors, and guide clients through decision-making processes. Marriage and family therapists also connect clients with relevant resources and services.

These professionals need a master's degree and a license to practice. A master's in social work, psychology, marriage and family therapy, or a related field typically meets licensure requirements.

Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists

Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists offer social services to law offenders to help them make progress toward rehabilitation. They create rehabilitation plans, connect clients with resources, and maintain case files on clients. Most probation officers and correctional treatment specialists hold a bachelor's degree in a field like social work or criminal justice. Candidates with a master's degree may qualify for advanced opportunities.

Social and Community Service Managers

Social and community service managers oversee social service programs and community organizations. They manage program staff, analyze data to determine a program's effectiveness, suggest improvements to programs, and increase program awareness through outreach activities. They also oversee budgets and may write proposals for funding.

Most social and community service managers hold at least a bachelor's degree in a field like social work, public administration, or business administration plus several years of work experience. Some employers prefer or require a master's degree in social work.

Social Workers

Social workers help clients overcome short-term and long-term challenges. They help clients adjust to life changes, connect clients with community resources, and respond to crisis situations. Social workers may specialize in an area such as school social work, healthcare social work, or child and family social work.

Clinical social workers diagnose and treat behavioral, mental, and emotional disorders. They provide therapy, create treatment plans, and coordinate with other healthcare professionals. Clinical social workers must hold a master's degree in social work and a license to practice.

Substance Use, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors

Substance use, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors help clients manage substance use, mental health, and behavioral disorders. They meet with clients to evaluate their needs, create customized treatment plans, and work with clients on behavior modification techniques.

Most substance use and behavioral disorder counselors need a bachelor's degree, while mental health counselors generally need a master's degree to practice.

How Much Do Social Workers Make?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median social worker salary exceeds $55,000 per year. However, social work salaries depend on factors like a worker's location, degree, and industry. For example, the typical salary for a professional who holds a master of social work exceeds that of a professional with a bachelor's degree. Similarly, clinical social workers generally earn higher salaries than nonclinical social workers.

As with other fields, social workers often see an increase in their earning potential after gaining experience, earning an advanced degree, and/or learning specialized skills.

Master of Social Work FAQs

What is an msw degree.

An MSW is a social work degree that stands for "master of social work". In most states, licensed social workers are required to have an MSW.

What does a master of social work do?

An MSW qualifies graduates for positions as a licensed clinical social workers , therapists, and counselors. These professionals help vulnerable populations and provide assistance to adults, children, families and couples who need guidance and access to resources.

Is a master's in social work worth it?

An MSW can lead to a fulfilling career as a social worker , therapist, or counselor. However, the average salary for a social worker with an MSW is over $56,500, which is under the national average for all occupations.

What is the difference between a master of social worker and an MA in social work?

There is no major difference between an MSW and an MA in social work. However, students should make sure their degree is conferred by a program that is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

How much can you make with a master of social work?

The average pay for a social worker with an MSW ranges between $48,000-$65,000. Factors that can influence earning potential include education, years of experience, geographic location, and employer.

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