phd social work europe

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•  Transdisciplinary Institute of Social Work
•  PhD in Social Work

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PhD in Social Work

Institutes and research.

• One of a kind programme in Switzerland
• Open to students with a master degree in Social Work from a Swiss university of Applied Sciences or a master degree in Social Sciences, Law or Economics from a Swiss university

Information session - PhD Programme in Social Work

Thursday march 21st, 12h-14h.

• Rue A.-L. Breguet 2, room 2.310
• Information and registration : click here

Thursday 30 November 2023

Click here to see the presentation

Presentation

In partnership with the Universities of Applied Sciences and Arts (HES) this programme: 

• Contributes to the interdisciplinary study of social problems, their developments and dynamics. 
• Focuses on affected individuals, families, groups and communities and provides knowledge about their experiences, their constructions of meaning and their ways of dealing with disadvantage and exclusion. 
• Engages in analysis and reflection on social action and creates - through evaluation and systematic intervention research - a scientific basis for evidence-based professional intervention and the development and innovation of social work offerings. 
• Produces knowledge about social work organisations and contextualises them within the landscape of available services and in relation to the social security system. 

Cohort 2023-2024

Cohort 2022-2023

Registration as doctoral candidate in Social Work

• The doctoral candidate contacts ITTS management (Prof. Barbara Waldis) and sends his/her master's transcripts, his/her experience (courses, teaching, research projects, etc.) to be used for possible equivalences for 30 ECTS, a description of the thesis topic (one page maximum) as well as a potential indication of the choice of two thesis co-directors (UniNE + HES).
• He/she obtains a letter from the thesis co-directors confirming that they agree to supervise the thesis.
• The doctoral candidate sends to the Registration Office (Bureau des immatriculations) his/her registration file with the requested documents as mentioned on the page  Registration and Conditions → Doctorate .
• The doctoral candidate commits to signing the doctoral charter with both thesis co-directors. A copy is sent to ITTS management.
• A pedagogical contract is established after discussion with ITTS management. The parties signing the contract are: the dean of the FSE, ITTS management and both thesis co-directors. This pedagogical contract is signed no later than September 1st.

Doctoral programme and course descriptions

Doctoral programme

Course descriptions 2023-2024

• Starting a PhD thesis, entering the PhD process, scientific writing
• Social work research methods: developping a PhD project
• Social work theories: epistemologies, classics and current issues
• Social work theories: decolonizing social work
• Research design in social sciences: a question of coherence
• Qualitative and mixed methods in social work & social sciences
• Quantitative research methodologies in social work & social sciences

Course descriptions 2022-2023

• Starting a PhD, entering the PhD process, scientific writing
• Social work research methods: developing a PhD project
• Research design for social work research
• Quantitative Methods Research for Social Work and Social Sciences (Block 1)
• Quantitative Methods Research for Social Work and Social Sciences (Block 2)

PhD programme at the ITTS

• Flyer PhD Programme ITTS
• General information for PhD students
• PhD admission directive

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Universities of Applied Sciences and Arts (HES)

• Social Work  
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Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin

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School of Social Work and Social Policy

You are here Courses > Postgraduate > Structured PhD programme

Postgraduate Research Programme

Doing a PhD at the School of Social Work and Social Policy

Welcome to Trinity College Dublin and to the School of Social Work and Social Policy. Postgraduate research is both challenging and rewarding. It is a chance to make new discoveries about the world - and about yourself. The outcome of postgraduate research is not just the product (the thesis that is produced); it is also about the process of research training that you undergo. Postgraduate research will equip you with the skills, creativity and rigour that are essential to make a contribution to knowledge. We hope that this learning will enrich your life, enhance your intellectual growth, contribute to scholarship in your field and lead you to further opportunities. 

Why Trinity for Your Doctoral Research?

1. our reputation.

As the oldest university in Ireland, dating from 1592, Trinity has upheld a reputation of tradition and quality in education. Trinity’s excellence in research attracts students, scientists and artists from all over the world.

The doctoral programme of the School of Social Work & Social Policy focuses on educating and training outstanding postgraduate students. Our structured Ph.D. programme has a sustained enrolment of students of high capability, exceptional success in winning scholarships, and a structured approach to advanced research. Over the past five years, some 40 students have graduated with a PhD from our programme. The quality of these theses can be gauged by the significant number of high quality publications stemming from these theses, and by the career trajectories of our PhD graduates.

We will provide you with teaching, supervision and exceptional resources to support your doctoral studies. Working closely with your academic supervisor, you will focus on a specific research project to produce a thesis that represents a significant contribution to knowledge.

Click here to see some of our recent PhD students’ research interests and publications .

2. International Standing

Trinity College Dublin is Ireland’s premier university. We are consistently ranked in the top 100 universities in the world by QS World University Rankings, and in the top 25 oldest universities globally in the Times Higher Education ranking. Our students and staff represent leading talent from all over the world.  

3. Located at the Heart of Dublin

Dublin is a city with a one thousand year history, steeped in heritage and with a genuine spirit of friendliness. In the QS ranking for Best Student Cities, Dublin ranks 32nd in the world overall, and 2nd for Student Mix. Small enough to walk around, yet hosting the European headquarters of companies such as Google, eBay, Microsoft, PayPal, LinkedIn and Facebook, Dublin is an ideal place to study and connect in. Our campus exists right in the heart of this and you can take full advantage of the opportunities that this closeness affords through access to employers and networking events.

4. Individual Focus

5. Resources

Trinity's Library is the largest in Ireland and as a Legal Deposit library receives copies of all material published in the United Kingdom and Ireland. It is a research library of international repute and in addition to its extensive collection of over 6 million printed volumes, provides access to an extensive range of academic databases and other services, pioneering modern methods of resource discovery.

For more information please visit Trinity College Dublin website or come and see us for yourself.

Study Postgraduate

Phd in social work (2024 entry).

Course code

October, January and April

3-4 years full-time; Up to 7 years part-time

Qualification

Centre for Lifelong Learning

University of Warwick

Find out more about this Social Work research PhD.

The PhD in Social Work allows you to select a topic of your choice linked to our expertise within the broad field of social work. Warwick's Centre for Lifelong Learning provides a rich, transdisciplinary academic environment supported by a dedicated team including supervision and personal tutoring.

Course overview

This PhD provides an opportunity to undertake in-depth research linked to our expertise in social work. Our faculty has a range of expertise. We support interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research projects linked to one or more of our main research themes.

Teaching and learning

We provide a pleasant PhD study room and dedicated personal tutor support in addition to the supervisory team. A combined staff and student seminar programme provides a collegiate forum for sharing and discussing current topics and ideas.  

General entry requirements

Minimum requirements.

2:1 undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject or a good Master's level degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject.

English language requirements

You can find out more about our English language requirements Link opens in a new window . This course requires the following:

• IELTS overall score of 7.0, minimum component scores of two at 6.0/6.5 and the rest at 7.0 or above.

International qualifications

We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications.

For more information, please visit the international entry requirements page Link opens in a new window .

Additional requirements

There are no additional entry requirements for this course.

Our research

Research themes can include:

• Social work
• Men/masculinity
• Childbirth/fatherhood
• Health and social work
• Inequalities in health
• Mental Health
• Social work practice
• Social work related legal and policy issues
• Work and practice related to the Mental Health Act 1983 (2007) and the Mental Capacity Act 2005
• International and European approaches and perspectives in mental health practice

Research proposal guidance

Find a supervisor

Please visit our website for a current list of available supervisors and their projects.

Applicants are encouraged to contact their potential supervisor. The most important aspect is the nature of your project and its potential for supervision in our department

You are asked to view your intended supervisor's profile and read their work. Please think about what might make your proposed PhD attractive to your supervisor, and customise the proposal accordingly.

• How does your project relate to your intended supervisor's work?
• How might your project enhance, advance, or develop it?
• Could you take it in a different direction?
• What kind of methods and approaches are likely to appeal to your potential supervisor?

We receive a large number of proposals every year and only have capacity for proposals that are carefully tailored to our specific areas of expertise.

Find a supervisor guidance

Visit our website to explore our PhD routes and areas of expertise. Link opens in a new window

Tuition fees

Tuition fees are payable for each year of your course at the start of the academic year, or at the start of your course, if later. Academic fees cover the cost of tuition, examinations and registration and some student amenities.

Find your research course fees

Fee Status Guidance

The University carries out an initial fee status assessment based on information provided in the application and according to the guidance published by UKCISA. Students are classified as either Home or Overseas Fee status and this can determine the tuition fee and eligibility of certain scholarships and financial support.

If you receive an offer, your fee status will be stated with the tuition fee information. If you believe your fee status has been incorrectly classified you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire (follow the instructions in your offer) and provide the required documentation for this to be reassessed.

The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) provides guidance to UK universities on fees status criteria, you can find the latest guidance on the impact of Brexit on fees and student support on the UKCISA website .

Additional course costs

Please contact your academic department for information about department specific costs, which should be considered in conjunction with the more general costs below, such as:

• Core text books
• Printer credits
• Dissertation binding
• Robe hire for your degree ceremony

Scholarships and bursaries

Scholarships and financial support

Find out about the different funding routes available, including; postgraduate loans, scholarships, fee awards and academic department bursaries.

Living costs

Find out more about the cost of living as a postgraduate student at the University of Warwick.

Centre for Lifelong Learning (CLL)

For more than 30 years, the Centre for Lifelong Learning has been a centre of expertise in the education of lifelong learners in different contexts. It has a focus on enabling adult learners to achieve their personal and professional goals by accessing a Warwick education, irrespective of background.

Our departmental research strategy focuses on four interconnected themes: concepts of lifelong learning; people-focused professions; wellbeing and identity; participation and collaboration. We seek to enthuse staff, students, and the wider community with this vision. More information is available on our website.

Find out more about us by visiting our website. Link opens in a new window

Our Postgraduate Taught courses

• Career Coaching (PGA)
• Career Development and Coaching Studies (MA)
• Career Development and Coaching Studies (PGCert)
• Career Development and Coaching Studies (PGDip)
• Career Development Theories (PGA)
• Career Education, Information and Guidance in HE (MA)
• Career Education, Information and Guidance in HE (PGCert)
• Career Education, Information and Guidance in HE (PGDip)
• Challenges of Careers Work in Higher Education (PGA)
• Coaching (MA)
• Coaching (PGCert)
• Coaching (PGDip)
• Leadership and Team Coaching (PGA)
• Psychotherapy and Counselling (MSc)

Our Postgraduate Research courses

• PhD in Adult Education and Lifelong Learning
• PhD in Social Policy and Social Work
• PhD in Social Work

How to apply

The application process for courses that start in September and October 2024 will open on 2 October 2023.

For research courses that start in September and October 2024 the application deadline for students who require a visa to study in the UK is 2 August 2024. This should allow sufficient time to complete the admissions process and to obtain a visa to study in the UK.

How to apply for a postgraduate research course  

After you’ve applied

Find out how we process your application.

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Track your application and update your details.

Admissions statement

See Warwick’s postgraduate admissions policy.

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Postgraduate fairs.

Throughout the year we attend exhibitions and fairs online and in-person around the UK. These events give you the chance to explore our range of postgraduate courses, and find out what it’s like studying at Warwick. You’ll also be able to speak directly with our student recruitment team, who will be able to help answer your questions.

Connect with us

Learn more about Postgraduate study at the University of Warwick.

Page updates

We may have revised the information on this page since publication. See the edits we have made and content history .

Why Warwick

Discover why Warwick is one of the best universities in the UK and renowned globally.

9th in the UK (The Guardian University Guide 2024) Link opens in a new window

67th in the world (QS World University Rankings 2024) Link opens in a new window

6th most targeted university by the UK's top 100 graduate employers Link opens in a new window

(The Graduate Market in 2024, High Fliers Research Ltd. Link opens in a new window )

About the information on this page

This information is applicable for 2024 entry. Given the interval between the publication of courses and enrolment, some of the information may change. It is important to check our website before you apply. Please read our terms and conditions to find out more.

Doctoral Programme in Social Sciences

The doctoral programme offers high-quality doctoral training in the areas of media and communication studies, social and cultural anthropology, social psychology, social and public policy, social work, sociology, social data science and criminology.

50 new doctoral students are admitted each year. We're an international community, and the programme is multilingual: you can complete a degree in either Finnish, Swedish or English.

Want to know more? Visit our profile & activities page to learn more about the key research areas and activities in the programme.

Social Work

PhD Social Work

A PhD in Social Work equips students with the skills and experience to apply social research methods and tools to critically examine some of the most pressing contemporary issues in social work practice, policy and education. Students are encouraged to develop a topic of interest that directly relates to their own practice experiences or is of wider interest and relevance to the delivery of social work services and support to disadvantaged individuals and groups, either in the UK or overseas.

Students will be supported to develop research questions and design a study that enables them to rigorously research their topic of interest and make an original contribution to the knowledge base of social work. Topics may directly explore practice issues or contribute more broadly to social work knowledge, working with specific groups and communities and addressing systems of inequality and social disadvantage. Where appropriate, students are encouraged to work in collaboration with relevant organisations and user and interest groups to ensure their research outputs and key findings can directly inform social work practice and service delivery.

We are a multidisciplinary, research-intensive school which brings together theory, policy and practice. Our research engages with and influences national and international policy. Our policy experts come from a wide variety of backgrounds in social policy research, social work, sociology, gender violence, childhood studies, disability studies, health and social care, history, human geography, economics, psychology, physical activity, nutrition and health sciences, urban studies, and poverty, based within seven specialist research centres.

Supervisors in social work bring diverse interests across child and family social work (for example, looked after children; adoption and fostering; supporting parents with substance misuse or learning disabilities; domestic violence responses and interventions) and adult social care (for example, disabled adults' social care needs; housing and homelessness; mental health social work; social work with older people and carers; inclusive service provision for LGBTQ+ individuals).

The school is an exciting environment for postgraduate studies; we welcome students from the UK and abroad to join our diverse and highly-rated research team. We particularly welcome applications on topics with direct relevance to national and international social work and policy concerns.

World-leading research

The University of Bristol is ranked fifth for research in the UK ( Times Higher Education ).

94% of our research assessed as world-leading or internationally excellent.

Entry requirements

An upper second-class honours degree and a pass at MSc/MA level (or equivalent experience/qualification).

See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.

Read the programme admissions statement for important information on entry requirements, the application process and supporting documents required.

If English is not your first language, you will need to reach the requirements outlined in our  profile level C.

Further information about  English language requirements and profile levels .

Fees and funding

Fees are subject to an annual review. For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.

More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support .

Alumni discount

University of Bristol students and graduates can benefit from a 25% reduction in tuition fees for postgraduate study.  Check your eligibility for an alumni discount.

Funding for 2024/25

The Faculty of Social Sciences and Law has an allocation of 1+3 and +3 ESRC SWDTP scholarships . Applicants may also be interested in applying for funding from the University of Bristol scholarship fund and the alumni PhD scholarship fund.

For details and deadlines of ESRC PhD studentship applications, please visit the SWDTP website .

Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students.

Career prospects

Studying social work will equip you with a wide range of skills across a broad spectrum of interests and fields. The skills in analysis and research you will develop are relevant to vocational or non-vocational work in many different settings.

Previous graduates have gone on to have careers in higher education, policy-related fields, local government, other public sector bodies and third sector organisations. Careers have included those related to health and welfare, social work practice, academic posts, community work, the criminal justice system, management and research consultancy.

Meet our supervisors

The following list shows potential supervisors for this programme. Visit their profiles for details of their research and expertise.

Research groups

The school houses seven specialist research centres:

• Centre for Exercise, Nutrition and Health Sciences Staff in the Centre for Exercise, Nutrition and Health Sciences conduct research focusing on physical activity and nutrition, and their associations with health across the lifespan. The primary areas of focus include biomedical, psychosocial and socio-environmental aspects of physical activity, sedentary behaviour and nutrition.
• Children and Families Research Centre This centre is a hub for research and training in child welfare, family policy, social work and young people's relationships. Our members have backgrounds in social policy, social work, psychology and sociology. We have strong national and international links with child welfare academics, policy makers, practitioners and service users.
• Centre for Gender and Violence Research The centre is a leading site for the study of gender-based violence. Members have a long history of researching violence against women and gender-based violence in different contexts. This includes theoretical and empirical studies and evaluations of policy and practice locally, nationally and internationally. Our research covers victims/survivors, perpetrators, children, agency approaches and international comparisons using a gendered analysis.
• Centre for Research in Health and Social Care This centre focuses on both applied and theoretical research into key health issues at national and international level. There are currently around 30 staff and postgraduate students working across a wide spectrum of research areas: inter-professional and inter-agency work, evidence-based care, health inequality, mental health and health issues relating to ageing, children and gender.
• Centre for the Study of Poverty and Social Justice (including the Townsend Centre for International Poverty Research ) The centre was formed in 1998 to provide a more integrative perspective on existing scholarships in criminal justice, socio-legal studies, poverty and social exclusion. Our members come from a wide range of disciplines and have expertise in a number of policy areas, with particular strengths in data analysis and social statistics. We aim to promote a supportive arena for critical national and international analysis and research into monitoring the nature and extent of poverty, social exclusion and injustice.
• Centre for Urban and Public Policy Research Research at the Centre for Urban and Public Policy Research is concerned with governance, housing, citizenship, globalisation and the transformation of social and economic life in cities. Centre members come from the disciplines of economics, social policy, history, geography, social economics and social work. We combine interests in theoretical approaches to social and urban theory with practical involvement in current issues of policy in the UK and across the world. Our staff members have active research links with institutions in east and south-east Asia, the European Union and Europe, particularly the Balkan countries. This results in work with a strong international and comparative dimension, which we see as one of our key strengths.
• Norah Fry Research Centre The Norah Fry Research Centre is a leading international centre specialising in research with and for disabled adults, children and their families. The centre is known for its work to include people with learning disabilities in the research process, as well as the development of accessible, easy-to-understand information and the dissemination of research findings in multiple formats to different audiences.

How to apply

Apply today via our online application system. For further information, please see the guidance for how to apply on our webpages.

We welcome applications at any time of year; early application is advised.

For China Scholarship Commission funding, the programme application deadline is 4 December 2023. For SWDTP (South West Doctoral Training Partnership) funding, the programme application deadline is 4 December 2023. For University of Bristol studentship funding, the programme application deadline is 19 February 2024.

Senior Postgraduate Admissions Administrator

Faculty of Social Sciences and Law

School for Policy Studies

Explore more

Find out about the bristol doctoral college.

Best Universities for Social Work in Europe

Updated: February 29, 2024

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

Below is a list of best universities in Europe ranked based on their research performance in Social Work. A graph of 158K citations received by 13.3K academic papers made by 100 universities in Europe 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 York

For Social Work

2. King's College London

3. University of Nottingham

4. Queen's University Belfast

5. University of Birmingham

6. University of Bristol

7. University of Manchester

8. University of Edinburgh

9. University of East Anglia

10. University of Sheffield

11. Brunel University London

12. University College London

13. University of Huddersfield

14. Ulster University

15. Stockholm University

16. Cardiff University

17. University of Bedfordshire

18. University of Southampton

19. Lancaster University

20. University of Sussex

21. University of Bradford

22. University of Dundee

23. Durham University

24. Ghent University

25. University of Salford

26. University of Plymouth

27. University of Stirling

28. Lund University

29. University of Warwick

30. University of Kent

31. University of Hull

32. University of Leicester

33. Manchester Metropolitan University

34. Anglia Ruskin University

35. University of Gothenburg

36. Aarhus University

37. University of Tampere

38. Royal Holloway, University of London

39. University of Central Lancashire

40. London School of Economics and Political Science

41. University of Glasgow

42. University of Exeter

43. Trinity College Dublin, University of Dublin

44. University of Bath

45. Bangor University

46. University of Eastern Finland

47. Bournemouth University

48. Swansea University

49. Goldsmiths, University of London

50. University College Dublin

51. University of Jyvaskyla

52. University of Helsinki

53. London Metropolitan University

54. National University of Ireland, Galway

55. University of Leeds

56. Northumbria University

57. University of Oxford

58. Umea University

59. University of Wales

60. University of Hertfordshire

61. University of Amsterdam

62. Linkoping University

63. University of the West of England

64. University of London

65. Keele University

66. University of Strathclyde

67. London South Bank University

68. University of Liverpool

69. Coventry University

70. University of Lincoln

71. University of Wolverhampton

72. University College Cork

73. Loughborough University

74. University of Copenhagen

75. Malmo University

76. Orebro University

77. Nottingham Trent University

78. Leeds Beckett University

79. University of East London

80. Aalborg University

81. Utrecht University

82. Liverpool John Moores University

83. Staffordshire University

84. University of Brighton

85. Newcastle University

86. Teesside University

87. Linnaeus University

88. Karolinska Institute

89. University of Ljubljana

90. Free University Amsterdam

91. Erasmus University Rotterdam

92. Kingston University

93. University of Bielefeld

94. Mid Sweden University

95. Catholic University of Leuven

96. Norwegian University of Science and Technology

97. Glasgow Caledonian University

98. Free University of Bozen

99. Liverpool Hope University

100. Sheffield Hallam University

Psychology subfields in Europe

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• Search »
• social work

Postgraduate Courses in Social Work in Europe - 413 Courses

• Refine your search:
• Child protection
• Rehabilitation
• Residential care
• Social problems
• Social work management

Bangor University School of Social Sciences

• Social Work MA

Bangor University School of Sport, Health and Exercise Sciences

• Exercise Rehabilitation MSc Postgraduate Diploma - PgDip

University of Bath Social and Policy Sciences

• Social Work Masters in Research (MRes)

University of Birmingham School of Social Policy

• Advanced Child Protection Studies MSc Postgraduate Certificate - PgCert Postgraduate Diploma - PgDip
• Doctor of Social Work Professional Doctorate
• Social Research (Social Work and Professional Practice) MA Postgraduate Diploma - PgDip
• Social Work and Social Care Doctoral Programme MPhil (Res)

University of Birmingham School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences

• Spinal Pain Master of Research - MRes

Bournemouth University Department of Social Sciences and Social Work

Bournemouth University Faculty of Health and Social Sciences

• MRes - Health & Social Sciences Master of Research - MRes
• PhD - Faculty of Health & Social Sciences Doctor of Philosophy - PhD

University of Bradford School of Biomedical and Electronics Engineering

• Advanced Biomedical Engineering Master of Science - MSc (PG)

University of Brighton School of Humanities and Social Science

• Approved Mental Health Practice PGDip Postgraduate Diploma - PgDip
• Professional Social Work Practice MSc
• Social Work MSc MSc Postgraduate Diploma - PgDip

Canterbury Christ Church University School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work

Canterbury Christ Church University School of Psychology and Life Sciences and Faculty of Science, Engineering and Social Sciences

• Sports Therapy & Rehabilitation MSc

Cardiff University School of Social Sciences

University of chichester social work and social care.

• Advanced Professional Practice MA
• Social Policy (including Social Work, Social Care and Early Childhood Studies) Doctor of Philosophy - PhD Master of Philosophy - MPhil

Coventry University School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health

• Advanced Adult Social Work Postgraduate Certificate - PgCert
• Advanced Child and Family Social Work Postgraduate Certificate - PgCert

Coventry University School of Psychological, Social and Behavioural Sciences

De montfort university health and life sciences.

University of Derby Health, Social and Community Work

University College Dublin UCD School of Medicine

• Child Protection Professional Certificate

University College Dublin UCD School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science

• Advanced Physiotherapy Studies GradDip Graduate Certificate MSc

University College Dublin UCD School of Social Policy, Social Work and Social Justice

• Advanced Disability Studies Professional Certificate
• Disability GradDip
• Equality Studies GradDip MSc
• Gender Studies GradDip MA
• Gender, Sexuality & Culture MA
• Identity, Sexual Mortality & Trauma Professional Certificate
• Race, Migration & Decolonial Studies GradDip
• Social Justice Professional Certificate
• Social Policy Higher Diploma
• Social Work Professional Master of Education
• Social Work, Welfare & Justice MSocSc
• Women and Substance Use Professional Certificate

Durham University Sociology

• Social Research Methods MA
• Social Work Master of Social Work - MSW

University of East Anglia UEA Interdisciplinary Institute for the Humanities

• Gender Studies MA

University of East Anglia UEA School of Psychology

• Social Science Research Methods Master of Research - MRes

University of East London Royal Docks School of Business and Law

• Post Qualifying Professional Practice MA

University of East London School of Psychology

• Autism Spectrum Conditions and Learning Postgraduate Certificate - PgCert

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2744 Study programs

Study Social Work in Germany: 5 Universities with 5 English Degree Programs

All important info for international students in germany (2024/2025).

Social Work is a compassionate field dedicated to improving individual and community well-being. It addresses complex social issues such as poverty, addiction, and mental health, offering support and advocacy to those in need. Students learn about human behavior, social welfare policy, and ethical practices in social work. The curriculum includes case management, counseling techniques, and crisis intervention strategies. Through fieldwork, students gain practical experience in diverse settings like schools, hospitals, and community organizations. Graduates pursue careers as licensed social workers, case managers, or mental health counselors, playing a crucial role in fostering resilience and empowerment among vulnerable populations.

Study Programs in English

Universities

Universities in International Rankings

€ 0 (2 programs for EU citizens/Non-EU)

€ 4,880 per semester (1 program for EU citizens/Non-EU)

Winter Semester

between May 31 and April 15

Summer Semester

between and

Tuition Fees

3 english degree programs for social work in germany.

Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg Sankt Augustin / Rheinbach

Corporate social responsibility & non-governmental organisations management (mba).

Friedensau Adventist University Möckern

International social work (isw).

Alice Salomon University of Applied Sciences Berlin Berlin

Social work as a human rights profession.

Application Deadlines

Winter Semester 2024/2025

Summer Semester 2025

Winter Semester 2025/2026

Open Programs

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Application process, 2 english degree programs for social work in germany.

Fachhochschule Erfurt Erfurt

International social work.

Technical University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt (THWS) Würzburg

International social work with refugees and migrants.

TOEFL Scores

Cambridge Levels

5.5 (2 programs )

72 (2 programs )

B2 First (FCE) (2 programs )

6.5 (1 program )

90 (1 program )

C1 Advanced (CAE) (2 programs )

3-6 semesters

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List of all German Universities offering English-taught Study Programs in Social Work

Alice Salomon University of Applied Sciences Berlin

Program Fees: € 1,250 - € 2,640

M.A. (Master of Arts)

Fachhochschule Erfurt

Program Fees: € 0

Friedensau Adventist University

Program Fees: € 2,671

B.A. (Bachelor of Arts)

Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg

Program Fees: € 4,880

MBA (Master of Business Administration)

Technical University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt (THWS)

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Master of Social Work Social Work

Social work, at a glance.

• Transfer up to 6 credits
• All courses are available online
• Select on-site and hybrid courses available
• $350 per credit hour (Europe & Downrange)

See our Tuition Rates page for details.

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Prepare yourself for professional social work in your community, as you learn the benefits of empowering individuals and affecting social change..

The Master of Social Work (MSW) prepares social work practitioners for advanced, direct practice with individuals, families, groups, and organizations. The program is designed to help you achieve your maximum potential with a dynamic curriculum of generalist and specialized courses. Offered by Salisbury University and administered by UMGC Europe, the Master of Social Work program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

The goal of this comprehensive program is to provide you with the knowledge, skill-sets, and values necessary to propel you into the private or public sectors of social work. Through a combination of hands-on practice in the community and theoretical study in the classroom, you will gain the knowledge required to enter the social work field. 

If you are interested in a bachelor's degree, you can major in social work and earn a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW) through the UMGC Europe partnership program.

Please note:  This program is only available to students located in Belgium, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, and the United Kingdom. For assistance or further details, please contact  [email protected]  or CIV +49-(0)631-5600-1737.

The degree program requires 62 credit hours, with 50 credits of classroom work and 12 credits of supervised field practicum. The regular program length for full time students is generally 12 sessions. 

• Traditional Program
• Advanced Standing Curriculum
• More Information

Total Credits Required: 62

• Required Core Courses: 30
• Required Specialization Courses: 29
• Elective Courses: 3

Generalist Practice

• Social Welfare Policy Practice: Analyst and Advocate (3 Credits, SOWK 607)
• Theoretical Analysis of Behavior: Diversity, Human Development and Inequities Across the Life Course (3 Credits, SOWK 610)
• Foundations of Research-Based Social Work Practice (3 Credits, SOWK 616)
• Application of Research-Informed Social Work Research II (3 Credits, SOWK 617)
• Social Work Practice I: Engagement, Assessment and Planning (3 Credits, SOWK 620)
• Social Work Practice II: Intervention, Evaluation and Termination (3 Credits, SOWK 622)
• Social Work Practice III (3 Credits, SOWK 623)
• Theoretical Analysis II: Structural Oppression, Collective Trauma and Marginalized Populations (3 Credits, SOWK 630)
• Field Instruction I (3 Credits, SOWK 640)
• Field Instruction II (3 Credits, SOWK 645)

Specialized Practice

• Ethical Foundation of Social Work (2 Credits, SOWK 602)
• Clinical Assessment in Social Work (3 Credits, SOWK 652)
• Psychopathology (3 Credits, SOWK 654)
• Evaluation of Social Work Practice (3 Credits, SOWK 655)
• Clinical Practice with Individuals and Couples (3 Credits, SOWK 656)
• Clinical Practice with Family and Groups (3 Credits, SOWK 658)
• Supervision and Administration (3 Credits, SOWK 663)
• Clinical Practice Field Placement II (3 Credits, SOWK 669)
• Anti-Racist Social Work Practice in Action (3 Credits, SOWK 691)

Elective Courses

• Substance Abuse Assessment and Intervention (3 Credits, SOWK 653)   or  Treatment of Trauma (3 Credits, SOWK 604) or  Child Welfare (3 Credits, SOWK 677)

Electives Courses

• Substance Abuse Assessment and Intervention (3 Credits, SOWK 653) or Child Welfare (3 Credits, SOWK 677)
• Advanced Standing

If you have completed a bachelor's degree in social work from an accredited undergraduate social work program, you may be eligible for the MSW advanced standing program. Advanced standing is a 32 credit program, rather than 62 credit program.

Applicants for advanced standing must meet additional requirements, including having graduated from an undergraduate social work program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education within the last three years. However, applicants with two years of human service work who graduated within the last five years with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work degree will be considered. Applicants for advanced standing must have earned a minimum 3.0 grade point average on the last 120 credits that appear on their bachelor's degree transcript, as well as a 3.2 on the last 60 graded upper-division credits (including all social work courses). Students without an accredited undergraduate degree in social work are admitted to the regular 62 credit program that may be completed in 10 sessions.

When applying for advanced standing, you must submit the following material in addition to the usual application requirements:

• Transcripts documenting eligibility for advanced standing.
• Recommendation from the field liaison and field instructor.
• A detailed evaluation of your field instruction experience and performance by the agency supervisor or an evaluation of your employment performance. You may submit evaluations of field performance conducted at the end of each undergraduate term.

To be admitted to the MSW program, you must also complete the  additional admission requirements .

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Additional Program Information

• Program Admission Requirements
• Provisional Admission
• Transfer Applicants
• About our Partner Institution: Salisbury University

Students seeking admission to the MSW program must demonstrate that they:

• Hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
• Have completed a broad liberal arts background with a minimum of 24 credit hours, including at least one course in sociology, psychology, and statistics. These undergraduate requirements may be taken at any accredited college or university, including community colleges. All prerequisites for admission must be completed prior to admission, except statistics, which must be completed by the end of the first semester in the program. All offers of admission are conditional upon the successful completion of the undergraduate coursework.
• Have earned a minimum of a 3.0 grade point average on the last 120 graded credits that appear on their bachelor's degree transcript, as well as a 3.0 grade point average on the last 60 graded upper-division credits.
• Have submitted transcripts of any completed graduate courses.
• Submit three professional letters of recommendation, usually from persons such as professors, employers, supervisors, professional colleagues, and community associates. Applicants who have been employed in a social service agency should request a recommendation from a recent employer or supervisor. You should provide a recommendation from a faculty advisor or instructor.

To be admitted to the MSW program, you must also complete the  additional admission requirements .

Provisional admission to the MSW program may be granted if you have a GPA of 2.5 to 2.99 (2.8 to 2.99 for advanced standing applicants) on the last 120 graded credits that appear on your bachelor's degree transcript and have an otherwise strong application. Provisionally admitted applicants must complete one semester of graduate courses (at least two courses) with a GPA of 3.0.

Under certain circumstances, you may receive a maximum of 29 credits for work completed not more than five years prior to first registration from a CSWE-accredited graduate school of social work and for which a grade of at least a B was received. No course, including any transfer course, may be counted toward a degree if it was completed more than seven full calendar years prior to the date of graduation.

You must complete a minimum of 32 credits in the Salisbury University Department of Social Work to be eligible for the MSW.

If you are currently or were previously enrolled in another accredited master's level social work degree program and are seeking admission as a transfer student, you are required to submit the following additional materials:

• A brief written statement describing the reasons why you are requesting a transfer.
• A copy of practicum/field work evaluations, if applicable.
• One of the three letters of recommendation must be from a faculty member or field supervisor affiliated with the program.

Students from non-MSW programs may receive a maximum of six transfer credits for courses in which he/she has earned a grade of B or above. Each course will be individually assessed for program equivalency. Credits used as part of a previous master's degree will not transfer. Official determination of allowable credit for work completed elsewhere will be made at the time of admission.

If you are registered in the program and want to take a course at another university and transfer credit toward the Salisbury University Department of Social Work MSW (i.e., a summer course), you must receive approval from the chair of the Department of Social Work.

Salisbury University , a member of the University System of Maryland, is an accredited university of national distinction. Home to more than 8,700 students from across the U.S. and around the world, Salisbury University has a reputation for excellence in public higher education. SU continuously ranks among the nation’s top colleges and values according to  The Princeton Review, U.S. News & World Report, Kiplinger’s, Money, Forbes,  and others.

Located on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, this four-year university has 55 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. SU prides itself on being an institution where individual talents are celebrated while big ideas are encouraged and nurtured.

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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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28 Master Degrees in Social Work in Europe for 2024

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Master Degrees in Social Work

Social work is a career field that focuses on providing help and support to those in need. After completing a program or course, professional social workers may have the education necessary to develop community programs, provide counseling and legal support for families, or advocate for children’s rights during divorce and custody cases.

In all, there are over 4000 Higher Education Institutions in Europe offering a wide range of courses at Bachelor, Masters and Doctorate level. With more and more of these organizations offering English as the language of education for at least some of their degree programs, universities in Europe are now of higher quality than ever before. Universities in Europe offer a friendly welcome to foreign students and to give a course of knowledge that meets their profession needs in today’s global demand.

A masters is earned after students complete an undergraduate degree program. To obtain a masters, you usually need to complete 12 to 18 college courses that often involve completing comprehensive tests and/or a thesis.

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School of social work honors change makers at 2024 homecoming.

April 29, 2024

In a vibrant celebration of innovation, advocacy, and compassionate service, the University of Maryland School of Social Work celebrated its distinguished alumni at the annual Alumni Association Awards Ceremony during the school’s 2024 Homecoming on March 8. The event showcased an impressive assembly of social work professionals whose transformative efforts are reshaping communities and healing lives.

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MSMU Social Work students advocate for social welfare bills at NASW-Legislative Lobby Days

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Six students from the Department of Social Work at Mount Saint Mary's recently made their mark at the National Association of Social Workers Legislative Lobby Days. Held over two days, this event serves as a pivotal platform for educating over 1,200 students and professionals on crucial legislation impacting clients and the social work field.

Accompanied by associate professors Amanda Romero, EdD, and Michelle Melendres, EdD, the students traveled to Sacramento to advocate for a range of social welfare issues and policies.

Romero, who is also the chair of the Department, emphasizes the significance of policy advocacy in shaping social work practice. "Policy informs practice in social work," she affirms. "Through initiatives like this, our students witness firsthand the profound impact policy advocacy can have on our daily lives. It's a direct pathway to effecting positive change in California."

This year marked the third participation of Mount Saint Mary's Department of Social Work in the conference. The agenda was comprehensive: on day one, participants delved into the lobbying process directly from the professionals who researched and authored the bills in which they advocated for, gearing up for their legislative appointments. Day two saw students engaging directly with legislators at the California State Capitol, putting their advocacy skills into action.

Evelyn Barba ’26, one of the students involved, reflects on the experience with enthusiasm. "As aspiring social workers, our goal is to drive policy through social action," she shares. “This experience will continue to be significant in my academic journey because I got to experience lobbying, engage with individuals, gain practical experience, and be exposed to many diverse populations. I have gained a broader understanding and perspective and look forward to doing this again.”

For Sarah Zepeda ‘25, the experience reaffirmed her career choice: "The highlight of this experience was being able to advocate for myself and my future clients. This opportunity has reassured me that I picked the right career path."

“During the NAWS-CA Legislative Lobby Days, I had the opportunity to explore what macro-level social work is and work together with my colleagues to lobby on bills that we believe align with our mission and values,” says Siouxsie Luna ’24. 

Their advocacy efforts focused on a variety of bills crucial to the welfare of Californians:

• AB 2250 (Weber-D): Social Determinants of Health This bill aimed to ensure insurance plans cover Primary Care Physicians (PCPs) in consultation with social workers to screen patients for socioeconomic and cultural stressors in assessing their mental health needs.
• AB 1970 (Jackson-D): Black Mental Health Navigator Certification This bill sought to create a certification program to identify culturally sensitive mental health resources in the African-American community.
• AB 1810 (Bryan/Bonta-D): Incarcerated Persons Menstrual Products Advocating for the provision of menstrual products to incarcerated individuals without the need for prior request.
• AB 1799 (Jackson-D): Annual State of Public Health in California This bill aimed to include the impact of racism in the annual California State of Mental Health Report.
• SB 26 (Umberg-D): CARE Scholarship Program Advocating for the creation of a scholarship fund for mental health providers, including social workers, in exchange for a commitment to work in a county behavioral health agency for three years.
• SB 953 (Menjivar-D): Medi-Cal Menstrual Products Seeking to add menstrual products to the mandatory Medi-Cal formulary list.

Through initiatives like the National Association of Social Workers Legislative Lobby Days, Mount Saint Mary's Department of Social Work continues to empower students to become advocates for change, equipping them with the skills and passion needed to effect real-world impact in their communities.

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Grad Student Wins National Science Foundation Fellowship

Shanequewa Love, a doctoral student at Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy, has been awarded the highly selective National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship to support her work looking at the relationship between Black mothers and the child welfare system.

Read the list of NSF fellows.

“The child welfare system is a critical area where the government has historically and presently overstepped, and we must understand the implications of this,” she wrote in her proposal. “I am particularly interested in how the over-policing of Black communities by child welfare authorities shapes political behavior.”

Love’s work and concern over the child welfare system began before her arrival at Northwestern. A Compton, Calif. native, she worked as a mentor and residential counselor for foster children at the Los Angeles Youth Network (now called Youth Emerging Stronger).

Her journey back to higher education began after a conversation with one of her mentees. Her young charge said, “every day you come into work telling us to go to school and motivating us to want to do better, but you aren’t going to school,’” Love recalled. “It was that conversation–– along with a close friend who I consider an older sister–– that made me consider going back.”

At age 27, as a first-generation college student, Love attended Cerritos Community College before transferring to Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, where she majored in African American Studies. There she was part of the McNair Scholars Program which prepares undergraduate students for future graduate work.

During her undergraduate study, Love received several scholarships and fellowships. In 2021, she attended the Ralph Bunche Summer Institute Program at Duke University, an intensive five-week program to introduce underrepresented students to doctoral scholarship in the field of political science.

Though Love was still uncertain about going to graduate school, several mentors, including Stefan Bradley, now the Charles Hamilton Houston 1915 Professor of Black and History at Amherst College, simply told her “You can do this.”

And while school never seemed to be the answer to her concerns for her community, she found a home at the School of Education and Social Policy.

With overlapping interests in policy, sociology, humanities, and political science, she felt the interdisciplinary approach of the Human Development and Social Policy program would let her mix fields and work with the community she cares about.

“This prestigious award is a public signal of what many of us already know: Shanequewa is an amazing scholar and person and well-deserving of this award,” said Love’s advisor, Tabitha Bonilla, a political scientist and associate professor of human development and social policy at the School of Education and Social Policy. “Her work will model how to do interdisciplinary research and have an incredible impact on how we understand child welfare policy.”

Love added: “My research is a piece of a puzzle, and the National Science Foundation grant allows me to add other pieces and build it out. The fellowship allows me to feel heard and seen and provides the encouragement to continue this necessary and important work.”