social work research universities

School of Social Work

Ph.d. in social work.

The Ph.D. Program in social work is research oriented and interdisciplinary in nature.

The Ph.D. Program in social work is research-oriented and interdisciplinary in nature. It prepares graduates for leadership positions as academicians and researchers, educators, policymakers, and senior-level administrators. Our program provides a focused and highly personalized student learning process with a knowledgeable and caring faculty. Students are challenged to grow as scholars and encouraged to use their experience as social workers to be exceptional in their scientific inquiry and examination. 

The goal of the Howard University School of Social Work doctoral program is to prepare doctoral graduates for research, the professoriate, and leadership in global and local communities. Graduates are expected to become architects of liberating structures in culturally diverse families and communities. We are dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge through discovery, research, partnerships, innovative process, and other scholarly educational endeavors of the faculty, staff, students, and alumni. Graduates are expected to become architects of liberating structures in culturally diverse families and communities.  

The Black Perspective, the guiding philosophy of the School of Social Work, emphasizes training doctoral scholars to be sensitive to the development of knowledge for social work practice. The Black Perspective is used to guide the formulation and application of research that is responsive to oppressive and discriminatory systems experienced by African Americans and other groups. Additionally, the Black Perspective calls for sensitivity to the experiences of all oppressed and underserved groups and embraces an international dimension with special emphasis on Africa and the Caribbean.  

General Admission Requirements

Applicants will be evaluated holistically: GPA, letters of recommendation, statement of academic interests and professional goals, and an autobiographical statement that foregrounds your research interests. Interviews via Zoom may also be required. 

Students should consult the Howard University Graduate School  (HUGS)  for other requirements not indicated in this document. Official information for admissions requirements can be found  here.   

A completed application should include the following: 

• Master of Social Work (MSW) degree 
• A minimum Graduate GPA of 3.0
• Preferred two years of post-MSW social work experience
• Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate programs attended. 
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score for international students. 
• Current curriculum vitae of your education, professional experiences, scholarly writings/presentations, and community services. 
• Three (3) written letters of recommendation of which at least one graduate professor and one professional supervisor. 
• Essay reflecting (a) your philosophy of social welfare/social work; (b) personal, professional, and educational goals; and (c) research interest. Please include information on how you intend to relate your professional and educational experiences to your future goals, and how you think this program will assist you (3 to 5 double-spaced typewritten pages). 
• Your plans for financial support, as well as how you plan to finance your education. There are a limited amount of funds available through the Graduate School.   
• Please adhere to the deadlines of  FAFSA . Financial Aid is available through the University on the basis of need and academic performance in the form of federally supported student loans, not to exceed the cost of attendance.  
• The School of Social Work offers a limited number of graduate assistantships, partial-tuition scholarships, and tuition grants on the basis of need and academic performance. 
• Other relevant material you would like to submit as evidence of your ability to perform in the program including copies of published papers/sample of academic writing. 

The requests for admission far exceed the number of students who can be accommodated by the Program. The Doctoral Committee does not assess incomplete files. 

You are encouraged to begin the application process early as some of the items, such as transcripts and letters of reference may require additional time. From time to time you should check with the doctoral program office at 202-806-7300 regarding the status of your file. The deadline for applications is January 15.

Ph.D. in Social Work Degree Requirements

An applicant must have a Master's degree from an accredited School of Social Work. 

Candidates must complete 48 semester credit hours of course work, including 3 hours for the dissertation. A cumulative average of B is required for graduation. Additionally, students must earn a grade of B or better in all core courses and special-interest area courses. 

The curriculum of the doctoral program consists of four components: 

Core Curriculum 

Special Interest Area 

Electives, and 

Dissertation 

The core curriculum consists of nine courses. One course in the history and philosophy of social welfare, three theory courses (Individual, Group, Community and Organization), one course in Social Work Education, and four courses in advanced  research methods and statistics. All students are required to take the above-specified courses as the basis for their study in one of the special interest areas. 

Students are expected to take 12 credits in their chosen special interest area. The specific interest area courses are decided upon by the student, his/her academic advisor, and the Director of the Ph.D. Program. These courses may be taken outside of the School of Social Work, in other schools and colleges of Howard University, or in one of the Consortium of Universities in Washington, D.C. 

Six credits of elective courses are required. 

The  qualifying examination   is taken at the end of the first year of study, after completion of 18 credit hours. The examination covers the course content in the first-year core courses. Emphasis is placed on the ability to synthesize knowledge. The student must pass the examination in order to continue in the program. 

The comprehensive examination is taken upon the completion of all the core courses and special interest area courses. Students are admitted to candidacy after passing the comprehensive examination and receiving the recommendation of the doctoral committee. The candidate is required to present and orally defend the proposal for subsequently a completed dissertation. 

A student should file for admission to candidacy on completion of most of the requirements of the Ph.D. Program except for the dissertation. The student should have also satisfied the GSAS writing proficiency requirements and a foreign language examination or an approved substitute. 

Residence Requirements

Students in the Ph.D. Program are required to spend at least four semesters in full-time residence, two of which must be consecutive.

Caution to Prospective Students

The Board of Trustees of Howard University on September 24, 1983, adopted the following policy statement regarding applications for admission: "Applicants seeking admission to Howard University are required to submit accurate and complete credentials, as well as accurate and complete information requested by the University. Applicants who fail to do so shall be denied admission. Enrolled students who as applicants failed to submit accurate and complete credentials or accurate and complete information on their application for admission shall be subject to dismissal when the same is made known, regardless of classification." 

Soleman Abu-Bader, Ph.D. Director, Doctoral Program  Inabel Lindsay Hall  Howard University  601 Howard Place, N.W.  Washington, DC 20059  (202) 806-7300

[email protected]  

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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Best Research Universities for Social Work Degrees 2025

The best social work research universities are those with rich histories of influence, proven through the work produced by the program’s faculty and alumni. Beyond demonstrating scholarly impact in the field, the best social work degree programs maximize your opportunities to interact with outstanding social work faculty.

Key Takeaways

• Leading research universities have extensive networks with healthcare institutions, schools, nonprofit organizations, and community agencies, allowing students to gain practical experience through field placements with a wide range of populations, including children, families, veterans, and individuals experiencing homelessness.
• Top universities offer social work programs with a strong focus on evidence-based practice, providing students access to cutting-edge research in areas such as trauma-informed care, mental health, and community intervention, equipping them with the latest tools to address complex social issues.
• Many of the best social work programs encourage interdisciplinary collaboration with fields like public health, psychology, and law, giving students a holistic understanding of social issues and preparing them for leadership roles in various sectors.

Top 10 Research Universities Social Work Programs in 2025

• University of California, Berkeley +1
• New York University +1
• University of Pennsylvania –2

University of Texas at Austin

University of washington.

• University of Wisconsin–Madison +9

Ohio State University

• George Washington University +1
• University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign +15
• University of Georgia –4

2025 Ranking Update

Our Influence Ranking Engine™ leverages machine learning to track the real-world influence of colleges and universities over time. Below you’ll see which schools gained or lost ground for the 2025 school year.

In 2025, the top ten schools in our ranking of the best research universities for social work showed a substantial amount of movement. The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign gained the most ranking positions as the university expanded its Community Engagement and Social Justice Initiative, providing students with more opportunities for hands-on fieldwork in underserved communities, focusing on issues like poverty, mental health, and family services.

Additionally, UIUC has introduced new interdisciplinary courses that integrate social work with public health, criminal justice, and education, allowing students to address social issues from a broader perspective. The university has also strengthened its partnerships with local and national organizations, offering more internship placements and practicum opportunities for social work students.

A bachelor’s degree in social work is an excellent starting point for a career in counseling, case work, rehabilitation, and numerous other important areas of public health and welfare. As a social work major, you’ll learn about the administration of social services, distribution of resources for social welfare, and public outreach to vulnerable groups. As a social worker, you’ll be working closely with communities, populations, families and individuals who are facing challenge, disadvantage, and crisis. The best schools for social work are those which are regionally accredited, which offer a full array of social work concentrations, and which give you the chance to work with the best and most influential professors and classmates.

Related: How to Major in Social Work

If you think a liberal arts college may be a better fit for you, see our ranking of the best liberal arts colleges for a bachelor’s in social work .

Featured Programs

Ranking: best research universities for social work bachelor’s degree programs, last year’s ranking:, university of central florida, texas a&m university, texas christian university, florida state university, north carolina state university, florida a&m university, florida international university, loyola university chicago, new york university, san diego state university, liberty university, george washington university, university of wisconsin–madison, university of illinois urbana-champaign, university of pennsylvania, miami university, baylor university, university of georgia, fordham university, university of detroit mercy, university of alabama, university of california, berkeley.

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• #1 Best Colleges in California 2024
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• #2 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
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• #5 Best Research Universities for Anthropology Degrees
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• #6 Best Research Universities for Physics Degrees
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• #2 The Best Traditional MBA Programs Ranked for Students in 2024
• #3 Best Schools in the World for Earning an MBA Degree Ranked for 2024

Tuition + fees

Student body

Career Outlook for Social Work degree at University of California, Berkeley

University of California, Berkeley’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• Earth Sciences
• Computer Science
• Mathematics
• Anthropology
• Engineering
• Communications

Most Influential Alumni

• Daniel Kahneman
• John Kenneth Galbraith
• Timothy Leary
• Shing-Tung Yau
• Ken Thompson
• Niklaus Wirth
• Douglas Engelbart
• Theodosius Dobzhansky
• Betty Friedan
• George Dantzig
• Octavio Paz
• Gary Snyder

UC Berkeley Social Work Major:

• BA in Social Welfare
• #10 50 Best Colleges and Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2025
• #16 Best Universities in the World 2025
• #23 50 Best Research Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2024
• #2 Best Grad Schools in New York 2025
• #2 Best Research Universities in New York 2025
• #2 Best Colleges in New York 2024
• #2 Best Private Colleges in New York 2024
• #3 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
• #3 Best Research Universities for Nursing Degrees
• #3 Best Research Universities for Education Degrees
• #4 Best Research Universities for Business Degrees 2025
• #5 Best Research Universities for Communications Degrees 2025
• #8 Best Research Universities for English Degrees
• #9 Best Research Universities for Biology Degrees 2025
• #10 Best Research Universities for Economics Degrees 2025
• #10 Best Research Universities for Philosophy Degrees 2025
• #10 Best Research Universities for Psychology Degrees 2025
• #14 Best Research Universities for Sociology Degrees
• #15 Best Research Universities for Anthropology Degrees
• #15 Best Research Universities for History Degrees
• #15 Best Research Universities for Political Science Degrees
• #15 Best Research Universities for Religious Studies Degrees
• #15 Best Research Universities for Math Degrees
• #18 Best Research Universities for Computer Science Degrees
• #23 Best Research Universities for Engineering Degrees
• #23 Best Research Universities for Physics Degrees
• #1 Best Online Master's in Management 2025
• #1 Top 10 Best Online Communications PhD Degree Programs (Doctorates)
• #1 20 Best Online Master's of Speech Pathology Degree Programs
• #1 Best Online Master's Programs in New York 2024
• #1 Best Online Master's Programs 2024
• #1 Top 5 Best Online English PhD Degree Programs (Doctorates)
• #2 Fastest Online Master's Degrees Ranked for Students in 2025
• #2 Top 3 Best Online Economics PhD Degree Programs (Doctorates) 2025
• #3 Best Online History Doctorate Degree Programs (PhDs) 2025
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• #3 Top 10 Best Online Counseling PhD Degree Programs (Doctorates)
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• #1 Fastest Accelerated Online Master's of Counseling Degree Programs 2024
• #1 Fastest Accelerated Online PhDs in Education Degree Programs 2024
• #4 Top 20 Best Business Schools for MBAs Ranked for Students 2025
• #10 The Best Traditional MBA Programs Ranked for Students in 2024

Median SAT/ACT

Career Outlook for Social Work degree at New York University

New York University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Social Work

• Erich Fromm
• Robert Mueller
• Martha Nussbaum
• John Archibald Wheeler
• Glenn Greenwald
• Howard Zinn
• Eric Kandel
• Lewis Mumford
• Alvin Toffler
• Louis Nirenberg

NYU Social Work Major:

• BS in Social Work
• #12 Best Universities in the US Ranked for Prospective Students in 2025
• #12 50 Best Graduate Schools Ranked for Prospective Students in 2025
• #12 50 Best Colleges and Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2025
• #18 Best Universities in the World 2025
• #1 Best Grad Schools in Pennsylvania 2025
• #1 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
• #1 Best Research Universities in Pennsylvania 2025
• #1 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania 2024
• #1 Best Colleges in Pennsylvania 2024
• #4 Best Research Universities for Nursing Degrees
• #5 Best Colleges and Universities for Psychology Degrees 2025
• #6 Best Research Universities for Business Degrees 2025
• #7 Best Research Universities for Anthropology Degrees
• #7 Best Research Universities for Communications Degrees 2025
• #8 Best Research Universities for History Degrees
• #8 Best Research Universities for Engineering Degrees
• #9 Best Research Universities for Sociology Degrees
• #9 Best Research Universities for Chemistry Degrees
• #10 Best Research Universities for Political Science Degrees
• #11 Best Research Universities for English Degrees
• #11 Best Research Universities for Religious Studies Degrees
• #11 Best Research Universities for Physics Degrees
• #11 Best Research Universities for Biology Degrees 2025
• #12 Best Research Universities for Economics Degrees 2025
• #12 Best Research Universities for Philosophy Degrees 2025
• #12 Best Research Universities for Psychology Degrees 2025
• #12 Best Research Universities for Computer Science Degrees
• #12 Best Research Universities for Math Degrees
• #15 Best Research Universities for Earth Sciences Degrees
• #1 Top 50 Best No GRE Online PhD Degree Programs (Doctorates)
• #1 Top 15 Most Affordable Online Social Work PhDs (Doctorates)
• #1 Most Affordable Online Criminology Doctorate Programs (PhDs) 2025
• #2 Best Online PhD of Computer Science Degree Programs (Doctorates) 2025
• #3 Most Affordable Online Computer Science PhDs (Doctorates) 2025
• #3 Guide to Free Online Courses for MBA Students in 2024
• #3 Fastest Accelerated Online Computer Science Doctorates (PhDs)
• #6 Top 20 Best Business Schools for MBAs Ranked for Students 2025
• #9 The Best Traditional MBA Programs Ranked for Students in 2024
• #10 Best Schools in the World for Earning an MBA Degree Ranked for 2024
• #10 The Fastest Traditional MBA Degree Programs Ranked for 2024

Career Outlook for Social Work degree at University of Pennsylvania

University of Pennsylvania’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• Noam Chomsky
• Hilary Putnam
• Martin Seligman
• James McKeen Cattell
• John Backus
• Lawrence Lessig
• Eric S. Raymond
• Paul R. Ehrlich
• J. Presper Eckert

University of Pennsylvania Social Work Major:

• BA Social Work
• #18 Best Universities in the US Ranked for Prospective Students in 2025
• #18 50 Best Graduate Schools Ranked for Prospective Students in 2025
• #1 Best Public Colleges in Texas 2024
• #1 Most Affordable Colleges in Texas 2025
• #1 Best Research Universities in Texas 2024
• #1 Best Colleges in Texas 2024
• #8 Best Research Universities for Nursing Degrees
• #9 Best Research Universities for Business Degrees 2025
• #10 Best Research Universities for Communications Degrees 2025
• #17 Best Research Universities for Philosophy Degrees 2025
• #17 Best Research Universities for Psychology Degrees 2025
• #17 Best Research Universities for Physics Degrees
• #18 Best Research Universities for Earth Sciences Degrees
• #19 Best Research Universities for Chemistry Degrees
• #20 Best Research Universities for English Degrees
• #20 Best Research Universities for Engineering Degrees
• #21 Best Research Universities for Computer Science Degrees
• #21 Best Research Universities for Math Degrees
• #24 Best Research Universities for History Degrees
• #25 Best Research Universities for Anthropology Degrees
• #1 Best Online Master's Programs in Texas 2024
• #1 Top 20 Best Online MBA Programs that Can Be Completed in One Year 2025
• #2 Top 8 Best Online Applied Behavioral Analysis PhDs (Doctorates)
• #3 Best Online Master’s in Engineering Management
• #3 Best Online Master’s in Engineering 2025
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• #8 Top 20 Best Business Schools for MBAs Ranked for Students 2025
• #18 The Best Traditional MBA Programs Ranked for Students in 2024

Career Outlook for Social Work degree at University of Texas at Austin

University of Texas at Austin’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• Walter Cronkite
• Bill Moyers
• Edsger W. Dijkstra
• Robert Rauschenberg
• Bruce Sterling
• C. Wright Mills
• Neil deGrasse Tyson
• Steven Best
• J. M. Coetzee
• Robert Taylor
• Abhay Ashtekar

UT Austin Social Work Major:

• #7 Top Schools that Offer Free Master's Degrees Online
• #7 Best Value Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2024
• #19 Best Universities in the US Ranked for Prospective Students in 2025
• #19 50 Best Graduate Schools Ranked for Prospective Students in 2025
• #1 Best Grad Schools in Washington 2025
• #1 Best Public Colleges in Washington 2024
• #1 Best Research Universities in Washington 2024
• #1 Most Affordable Colleges in Washington 2024
• #1 Best Colleges in Washington 2024
• #2 Best Research Universities for Criminal Justice Degrees
• #9 Best Research Universities for Nursing Degrees
• #10 Best Research Universities for Business Degrees 2025
• #11 Best Research Universities for Communications Degrees 2025
• #16 Best Research Universities for Education Degrees
• #17 Best Research Universities for Biology Degrees 2025
• #19 Best Research Universities for Earth Sciences Degrees
• #19 Best Research Universities for Computer Science Degrees
• #22 Best Research Universities for Physics Degrees
• #23 Best Research Universities for Math Degrees
• #24 Best Research Universities for Sociology Degrees
• #1 5 Inexpensive Online Master's Programs in Library Science
• #1 Best Online Master's Programs in Washington 2025
• #1 20 Fastest Accelerated Online English Doctorates (PhDs) 2024
• #1 Top 8 Best Online Applied Behavioral Analysis PhDs (Doctorates)
• #1 Best Online Colleges in Washington 2024
• #1 Most Affordable Online Applied Behavioral Analysis PhD Programs
• #2 Best Online MBA Degree Programs No GRE Required Ranked for 2025
• #5 Best Online MBA Programs in Washington
• #8 Guide to Free Online Courses for MBA Students in 2024
• #10 Most Affordable Early Childhood Education Bachelor's (Online, On-Campus)
• #9 Top 20 Best Business Schools for MBAs Ranked for Students 2025
• #13 The Best Traditional MBA Programs Ranked for Students in 2024

Career Outlook for Social Work degree at University of Washington

University of Washington’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• Criminal Justice
• George Stigler
• Frank Herbert
• Jerry Pournelle
• Robert Mundell
• Michael Hardt
• Harold Hotelling
• Minoru Yamasaki
• Lyle Campbell
• Dave Cutler
• Steven Holl

University of Washington Social Work Major:

• BA Social Welfare
• #23 Best Universities in the US Ranked for Prospective Students in 2025
• #23 50 Best Graduate Schools Ranked for Prospective Students in 2025
• #1 Best Research Universities in Wisconsin 2025
• #1 Best Grad Schools in Wisconsin 2024
• #1 Best Public Colleges in Wisconsin 2024
• #1 Most Affordable Colleges in Wisconsin 2025
• #1 Best Colleges in Wisconsin 2024
• #10 Best Research Universities for Nursing Degrees
• #1 Best Online Master's Programs in Wisconsin 2024
• #1 Best Online Colleges in Wisconsin 2024
• #2 Top 18 Most Affordable No GRE Online PhD Degree Programs 2025
• #2 20 Fastest Accelerated Online English Doctorates (PhDs) 2024
• #2 20 Best Online Master's of Speech Pathology Degree Programs
• #5 Best Online Sociology PhD Degree Programs (Doctorates) 2025
• #6 Best Online MBA Programs in Wisconsin
• #15 The Best Traditional MBA Programs Ranked for Students in 2024

Career Outlook for Social Work degree at University of Wisconsin–Madison

University of Wisconsin–Madison’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• Frank Lloyd Wright
• Carl Rogers
• Edward Witten
• John Bardeen
• Charles Lindbergh
• Abraham Maslow
• Joshua Lederberg
• Warren Weaver
• Jayaprakash Narayan

UW Social Work Majors:

• BA/BS in Social Welfare
• Bachelor in Social Work
• #15 50 Best Public Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2025
• #1 Most Affordable Colleges in Ohio 2025
• #1 Best Grad Schools in Ohio 2024
• #1 Best Public Colleges in Ohio 2024
• #1 Best Research Universities in Ohio 2024
• #1 Best Colleges in Ohio 2024
• #14 Best Research Universities for Nursing Degrees
• #18 Best Research Universities for Business Degrees 2025
• #20 Best Research Universities for Education Degrees
• #1 Best Online MBA Programs in Ohio
• #1 Best Online Master's Programs in Ohio 2024
• #5 Best Online MBA Degree Programs No GRE Required Ranked for 2025
• #6 Best Online PhD of Computer Science Degree Programs (Doctorates) 2025
• #9 Guide to Free Online Courses for MBA Students in 2024
• #2 Fastest Accelerated Online Master's of Nursing Degree Programs 2024
• #3 Best Online PhD of Nursing (DNP) Degree Programs Ranked for 2024

Career Outlook for Social Work degree at Ohio State University

Ohio State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• Harlan Ellison
• Roy Lichtenstein
• Kenneth Burke
• William Alfred Fowler
• Dawon Kahng
• James Thurber
• Walter Mischel
• Karl E. Weick
• Charles F. Hockett

OSU Social Work Major:

• #2 Best Grad Schools in DC 2025
• #2 Best Colleges in DC 2024
• #6 Best Research Universities for Criminal Justice Degrees
• #15 Best Research Universities for Nursing Degrees
• #18 Best Research Universities for Communications Degrees 2025
• #19 Best Research Universities for Business Degrees 2025
• #1 Top 8 Fastest Accelerated Online Psychology Doctorates (PhDs)
• #1 Best Online MBA Programs in DC
• #2 Best Research Universities with Online Doctorates (PhDs) 2025
• #2 Best Online Master's Programs in DC 2024
• #2 Most Unusual Doctoral Degrees You Can Earn Online (PhDs)
• #3 Top 18 Most Affordable No GRE Online PhD Degree Programs 2025
• #3 Top 10 Best Online Master's of Public Relations Ranked 2024
• #6 Best Online MBA Degree Programs for 2024 with No GMAT Required
• #10 Top 50 Best No GRE Online PhD Degree Programs (Doctorates)
• #7 Best Online PhD of Nursing (DNP) Degree Programs Ranked for 2024

Career Outlook for Social Work degree at George Washington University

George Washington University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• Political Science
• J. Edgar Hoover
• L. Ron Hubbard
• Bob Woodward
• Allen Dulles
• George Armitage Miller
• Juan Guaidó
• Roger Stone
• James E. Webb
• Michael D. Griffin
• Lester Frank Ward
• Brian Williams

GWU Social Work Major:

• BA in Human Services & Social Justice
• #18 50 Best Public Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2025
• #1 Cheapest Colleges in Illinois Ranked for Students in 2025
• #1 Best Public Colleges in Illinois 2024
• #3 Best Colleges in Illinois 2025
• #3 Best Research Universities in Illinois 2025
• #3 Best Grad Schools Illinois 2025
• #1 Best Online MBA Programs in Illinois
• #2 11 Fastest Accelerated Online Master’s of Computer Science 2025
• #2 Top 10 Best Online Master's of Public Relations Ranked 2024
• #2 Online Colleges That Start Anytime and the Benefits of a Self-Paced Education
• #3 Top 20 Most Affordable Online Doctorate of Education (PhDs) 2025
• #4 Top 18 Most Affordable No GRE Online PhD Degree Programs 2025
• #4 Best Online MBA Degree Programs for 2024 with No GMAT Required
• #7 Top 20 Best Online MBA Programs that Can Be Completed in One Year 2025

Career Outlook for Social Work degree at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• Paul Halmos
• Eugenio Calabi
• Richard Hamming
• James Tobin
• Roger Ebert
• Jerome Lettvin
• Irving Azoff
• Temple Grandin
• Hamilton O. Smith
• Brendan Eich

UIUC Social Work Major:

• Bachelor of Social Work
• #2 Best Public Colleges in Georgia 2024
• #3 Best Colleges in Georgia 2024
• #7 Best Research Universities for Criminal Justice Degrees
• #19 Best Research Universities for Education Degrees
• #23 Best Research Universities for Communications Degrees 2025
• #1 Best Online Doctorate of Educational Psychology (PhDs) 2025
• #1 Best Online Bachelor’s of Education Degree Programs for 2024
• #1 Best Online Master’s in Education
• #2 Best Online Doctorate in Education Degree Programs Ranked for Students
• #2 Best Online Colleges in Georgia 2024
• #2 Best Online Master's in Organizational Leadership
• #2 Best Online Master's Programs in Georgia 2024
• #3 20 Best Online Master's of Speech Pathology Degree Programs
• #4 Top 15 Most Affordable Online Economics PhD Programs (Doctorates) 2025
• #4 10 Best Online Master's of Music Education Degree Programs
• #4 Most Affordable Online Sociology Doctorate Programs (PhDs) 2025
• #5 Best Online Master’s in Communications
• #6 Fastest Online Doctoral Degree Programs Ranked for Students in 2025
• #6 Best Online Clinical Nutrition PhD Degree Programs (Doctorates) 2025
• #7 Fastest Online Bachelor's Degrees Ranked for 2025
• #22 Best Online Master's Programs 2024

Career Outlook for Social Work degree at University of Georgia

University of Georgia’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• Michael Tomasello
• Eugene Thacker
• Alfred Blalock
• Bjørn Lomborg
• T. Colin Campbell
• Martin Luther King III
• Andy Roddick
• Alexander H. Stephens
• William S. Cleveland
• Janet Murray
• Robert Ulanowicz

UGA Social Work Major:

University of georgia’s online degrees, degree concentrations.

• Special Education
• Required Credits : 120
• Completion Time : None Reported
• Format : Online
• #3 Best Grad Schools in Florida 2024
• #3 Best Research Universities in Florida 2025
• #3 Best Colleges in Florida 2024
• #4 Best Research Universities for Criminal Justice Degrees
• #1 Best Online Master’s in Information Technology 2025
• #1 Best Online Bachelor's in Criminal Justice
• #1 Best Online Master’s in Counseling
• #2 Fastest Accelerated Online Master's of Information Technology 2025
• #2 Best Online Bachelor's in Computer Science Degree Programs
• #2 Best Online Colleges in Florida 2024
• #3 Best Online MBA Programs in Florida
• #3 Best Online Master's in Art Education and Art Administration
• #3 Most Unusual Doctoral Degrees You Can Earn Online (PhDs)
• #3 Best Online Master's Programs in Florida 2024
• #3 Most Affordable Online Criminology Doctorate Programs (PhDs) 2025
• #4 Top 20 Best Online Accredited Doctorate Degree Programs (PhDs) 2025
• #4 20 Best Online Master's of Speech Pathology Degree Programs
• #4 Best Online Doctorate in Education Degree Programs Ranked for Students
• #4 Best Online Master's in Social Work MSW
• #5 Best Research Universities with Online Doctorates (PhDs) 2025
• #5 Best Online Master's in Criminal Justice 2025
• #6 Best Online Master’s in Communications
• #8 Fastest Online Doctoral Degree Programs Ranked for Students in 2025
• #9 Best Online Master’s in Engineering 2025
• #10 Fastest Online Bachelor's Degrees Ranked for 2025
• #12 The Best Online MBA Degree Programs in 2025 Ranked for Students
• #12 Top 50 Best No GRE Online PhD Degree Programs (Doctorates)
• #17 Best Online Master's in Management 2025
• #20 Best Online Master's Programs 2024
• #6 Most Affordable Master's in Counseling Degree Programs Ranked for 2025

Career Outlook for Social Work degree at Florida State University

Florida State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• Hunter S. Thompson
• Robert Costanza
• Ronald Numbers
• Mark S. Wrighton
• Sylvia Earle
• Michael Berenbaum
• Jim A. Kuypers
• Neil Druckmann
• Norman Thagard
• Barry Jenkins
• Deion Sanders
• Richard W. Rahn

FSU Social Work Major:

Florida state university’s online degrees.

• Required Credits : 60
• #2 Best Colleges in Texas 2024
• #21 Best Research Universities for Nursing Degrees
• #1 Top 10 Most Affordable English PhD Programs (Doctorates) 2024
• #2 Best Online Master's Programs in Texas 2024
• #2 Best Online Master’s in Educational Administration
• #3 Best Online Colleges in Texas 2024
• #5 20 Fastest Accelerated Online English Doctorates (PhDs) 2024
• #6 Best Online Master's in Criminal Justice 2025
• #11 Fastest Online Bachelor's Degrees Ranked for 2025
• #11 Best RN to BSN Online
• #13 Top 50 Best No GRE Online PhD Degree Programs (Doctorates)
• #18 Best Online Master's in Management 2025

Career Outlook for Social Work degree at Texas A&M University

Texas A&M University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• Frank Malina
• Gilbert Shelton
• Henry Cisneros
• Richard Steadman
• Kenneth Womack
• Elaine Ingham
• Forrest Mims
• Adrian Smith
• H. W. Brands
• Lihong V. Wang

TA&M Social Work Major:

Texas a&m university’s online degrees.

• Required Credits : 32
• #5 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
• #7 Best Private Colleges in New York 2024
• #9 Best Research Universities in New York 2025
• #9 Best Colleges in New York 2024
• #10 Best Grad Schools in New York 2025
• #22 Best Research Universities for Business Degrees 2025
• #23 Best Research Universities for Education Degrees
• #24 Best Research Universities for Communications Degrees 2025
• #2 Best Online Christian Colleges and Universities for Master's Degrees
• #5 Best Online Master's in Marketing and Advertising
• #6 Best Online Master's in Special Education 2025
• #6 Best Online Master's Programs in New York 2024
• #7 Best Online Master’s in Communications
• #7 Best Online Master’s in Finance
• #9 Best Online MBA Degree Programs No GRE Required Ranked for 2025
• #9 Fastest Online Doctoral Degree Programs Ranked for Students in 2025
• #9 Best Online Doctorate in Education Degree Programs Ranked for Students
• #9 Best Online Master's in Social Work MSW
• #13 Best Online Master's Programs 2024
• #20 Best Online Master's in Management 2025

Career Outlook for Social Work degree at Fordham University

Fordham University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• Religious Studies
• Don DeLillo
• Francis Spellman
• Peter Kreeft
• Mary Higgins Clark
• Owen Flanagan
• Carl Mitcham
• Peter Boghossian
• David Copperfield
• John Sexton
• Daniel Berrigan
• Chris Cuomo

Fordham University Social Work Major:

• BA in Social Work
• #1 Best Research Universities in Alabama 2024
• #1 Best Public Colleges in Alabama 2024
• #11 Best Research Universities for Criminal Justice Degrees
• #22 Best Research Universities for Nursing Degrees
• #1 Best Online Bachelor's in Human Development Degree Programs for 2024
• #1 Best Online Bachelor’s in Marketing and Advertising Degree Programs for 2024
• #1 Best Online MBA Programs in Alabama
• #1 Best Online Colleges in Alabama 2024
• #1 Best Online Master’s in Educational Administration
• #1 Best Online Master's Programs in Alabama 2024
• #2 Best Online Bachelor's in Accounting 2025
• #2 Best Online Master's in Hospitality and Tourism Degree Programs 2025
• #2 Top 10 Best Online Communications PhD Degree Programs (Doctorates)
• #2 Best Online Master’s in Health Science 2025
• #2 Best Online Master's in Kinesiology Degree Programs
• #2 Best Online Master’s in Counseling
• #2 Best Online Bachelor’s in Child Development Degree Programs for 2024
• #2 Best Online Bachelor's in Hospitality and Tourism Degree Programs for 2024
• #3 Best Online Bachelor's in Interdisciplinary Studies Degree Programs for 2024
• #3 Best Online Master's in Organizational Leadership
• #4 Best Online Bachelor’s of Early Childhood Education Degree Programs for 2025
• #4 Best Online Bachelor's in Public Health Degree Programs for Students
• #5 Top 20 Best Online Accredited Doctorate Degree Programs (PhDs) 2025
• #6 Best Online Bachelor’s in Business Administration Degree Programs
• #6 Best Research Universities with Online Doctorates (PhDs) 2025
• #6 Best Online Doctorate in Education Degree Programs Ranked for Students
• #6 Best Online Master's in Marketing and Advertising
• #7 The Best Online Colleges Ranked for Students in 2025
• #7 Best Online Master's in Special Education 2025
• #8 Best Online Master’s in Communications
• #8 Best Online Bachelor's in Criminal Justice
• #8 Best Online Master's in Nursing MSN
• #11 Best Online Master's in Social Work MSW
• #11 Best Online Master’s in Engineering 2025
• #13 Top 20 Best Online MBA Programs that Can Be Completed in One Year 2025
• #15 Top 50 Best No GRE Online PhD Degree Programs (Doctorates)
• #21 Best Online Master's in Management 2025
• #21 Best Online Master's Programs 2024
• #11 Best Online PhD of Nursing (DNP) Degree Programs Ranked for 2024

Career Outlook for Social Work degree at University of Alabama

University of Alabama’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• Edward O. Wilson
• Bernie Madoff
• Nathan Jacobson
• John Ridley Stroop
• George W. Snedecor
• Mohammad Ataul Karim

University of Alabama Social Work Major:

University of alabama’s online degrees.

• Consumer Affairs
• Family Financial Planning and Counseling
• Required Credits : 25/ 125
• Required Credits : 128
• Format : None Reported
• General Business
• #3 Best Colleges in North Carolina 2025
• #4 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
• #1 Best Online Colleges in North Carolina 2024
• #2 Best Online Master's in Biology
• #3 Best Online Master's Programs in North Carolina 2024
• #4 Best Online Master's in Agriculture and Agribusiness Degree Programs
• #4 Most Unusual Doctoral Degrees You Can Earn Online (PhDs)
• #4 Best Online Master's in Sports Management 2025
• #5 Fastest Online Associate Degrees Ranked for 2024
• #5 Best Online Master's in Computer Science Degree Programs
• #8 Best Online MBA Programs in North Carolina
• #8 Best Online Master’s in Counseling
• #9 Best Online Master's Degrees in Accounting 2025
• #10 Best Online Doctorate in Education Degree Programs Ranked for Students
• #10 Best Online Master’s in Education
• #13 Fastest Online Bachelor's Degrees Ranked for 2025
• #16 The Best Online MBA Degree Programs in 2025 Ranked for Students
• #17 Best Online Master’s in Engineering 2025
• #21 Best Online MBA Degree Programs for 2024 with No GMAT Required

Career Outlook for Social Work degree at North Carolina State University

North Carolina State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• Munir Ahmad Khan
• Hugh Shelton
• Shree K. Nayar
• Tomoko Ohta
• Christina Koch
• Raymond T. Odierno
• Angie Jones
• Russell Wilson
• John Edwards
• Gregory Washington
• J. Turner Whitted
• Robert Bryant

NCSU Social Work Major:

North carolina state university’s online degrees.

• Required Credits : 12
• #2 Best Christian Colleges in Texas 2024
• #3 Best Private Colleges in Texas 2024
• #6 Best Research Universities in Texas 2024
• #6 Best Colleges in Texas 2024
• #1 Best Online MBA Programs in Texas
• #2 11 Fastest Accelerated Online Master's of Speech Pathology
• #2 Best Online Doctorate in Organizational Leadership Degree Programs
• #3 Best Online Christian Colleges and Universities for Master's Degrees
• #5 Top 7 Best Online Social Work PhDs (DSW Programs) 2024
• #5 Best Online MBA in Marketing Degree Programs Ranked for Students in 2024
• #6 Best Online Master's in Cybersecurity 2025
• #6 Best Online Master's Programs in Texas 2024
• #7 Top 20 Best Online Accredited Doctorate Degree Programs (PhDs) 2025
• #7 Top 20 Most Affordable Online Doctorate of Education (PhDs) 2025
• #7 20 Best Online Master's of Speech Pathology Degree Programs
• #8 Best Research Universities with Online Doctorates (PhDs) 2025
• #8 Best Online Master's in Marketing and Advertising
• #11 Fastest Online Doctoral Degree Programs Ranked for Students in 2025
• #13 Best Online Master’s in Communications
• #16 Top 20 Best Online MBA Programs that Can Be Completed in One Year 2025
• #16 Best Online Master's in Social Work MSW
• #16 Best Online MBA Degree Programs for 2024 with No GMAT Required
• #18 The Best Online MBA Degree Programs in 2025 Ranked for Students
• #18 Top 50 Best No GRE Online PhD Degree Programs (Doctorates)
• #5 Fastest Accelerated Online Bachelor's of Nursing Degree Programs 2024
• #12 Best Online PhD of Nursing (DNP) Degree Programs Ranked for 2024

Career Outlook for Social Work degree at Baylor University

Baylor University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• Dallas Willard
• Miguel A. De La Torre
• Norman Shumway
• Gary W. Keller
• Jeff Dunham
• Benjamin Ladner
• Peter A. McCullough
• James R. Heath
• Steven C. Currall
• H. Bentley Glass

Baylor University Social Work Major:

• #4 Best Research Universities in Ohio 2024
• #5 Best Colleges in Ohio 2024
• #13 Best Research Universities for Criminal Justice Degrees
• #1 Best Online Master's in Biology
• #2 Best Online Colleges in Ohio 2024
• #19 Best Online Master's Programs in Ohio 2024

Career Outlook for Social Work degree at Miami University

Miami University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• Bernardine Dohrn
• Whitelaw Reid
• Norman Steenrod
• John Shaw Billings
• Ray Birdwhistell
• Robert M. French
• Benjamin W. Lee
• Karl E. Case
• Ben Roethlisberger
• Hugh Bradner

Miami University Social Work Major:

• #4 Best Private Colleges in Illinois 2024
• #6 Best Colleges in Illinois 2025
• #6 Best Research Universities in Illinois 2025
• #6 Best Grad Schools Illinois 2025
• #12 Best Colleges and Universities for Psychology Degrees 2025
• #1 Best Online Master's Programs in Illinois 2024
• #2 The Best Online Christian Colleges and Universities for Bachelor's Degrees
• #2 Best Online Master's in Healthcare Administration
• #2 Best Online Colleges in Illinois 2024
• #3 Best Online Master’s in Information Technology 2025
• #3 Best Online Bachelor's in Law and Legal Studies Degree Programs for 2025
• #3 Best Accredited Online Juris Doctorate (JD) Law Programs
• #4 Best Online Christian Colleges and Universities for Master's Degrees
• #4 Best Online Bachelor's in Psychology Degree Programs for Students 2025
• #5 Fastest Accelerated Online Master's of Information Technology 2025
• #5 Best Online Master's in Nursing MSN
• #7 Best Online Bachelor’s in Information Technology Degree Programs for 2024
• #8 Best Online Master's in Social Work MSW
• #9 Top 20 Best Online Accredited Doctorate Degree Programs (PhDs) 2025
• #9 Best Online Bachelor’s of Communications Degree Programs for 2025
• #9 Fastest Online Associate Degrees Ranked for 2024
• #10 Best Research Universities with Online Doctorates (PhDs) 2025
• #13 The Best Online Colleges Ranked for Students in 2025

Career Outlook for Social Work degree at Loyola University Chicago

Loyola University Chicago’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• Marsha M. Linehan
• Norman Geisler
• Sandra Cisneros
• Levi Bryant
• Stuart Dybek
• Alphonso Lingis
• Shalanda Young
• Joseph Fitzmyer
• Wilton Daniel Gregory
• Fabian Udekwu
• Bob Newhart
• John Hardon

LUC Social Work Major:

Loyola university chicago’s online degrees.

• #4 Best Online Master's in Hospitality and Tourism Degree Programs 2025
• #4 Best Online Master's Programs in California 2025
• #6 Best Online Master's in Public Administration Degree Programs
• #6 Best Online Master’s in Counseling
• #9 Best Online Bachelor’s in Business Administration Degree Programs
• #13 Best Online Bachelor's in Criminal Justice

Career Outlook for Social Work degree at San Diego State University

San Diego State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• Arthur Jensen
• Vernor Vinge
• John Baldessari
• Julia Robinson
• Gregory Peck
• Jacques Gauthier
• Constance Reid
• Norman E. Brinker
• Marshall Faulk

SDSU Social Work Major:

San diego state university’s online degrees.

• Required Credits : 49-55
• Required Credits : 51-60
• #5 Best Colleges in Florida 2024
• #6 Best Grad Schools in Florida 2024
• #16 Best Research Universities for Criminal Justice Degrees
• #1 Best Online Bachelor’s in Public Administration Degree Programs for 2025
• #1 Top 20 Most Affordable Online PhD of Nursing (DNP) Programs
• #1 Most Affordable Early Childhood Education Bachelor's (Online, On-Campus)
• #1 Best Online Bachelor's of Finance Degree Programs for 2024
• #2 Best Online Bachelor’s of Gender Studies Degree Programs for 2025
• #2 Best Online Bachelor’s in Marketing and Advertising Degree Programs for 2024
• #2 Best Online Bachelor's in Religious Studies Degree Programs for 2024
• #2 Top 5 Best Online Criminal Justice Doctorates (PhDs) 2024
• #2 Best Online Master’s in Forensics Degree Programs
• #2 Most Affordable Online PhDs in Psychology Ranked for 2025
• #3 Best Online Bachelor’s of History Degree Programs Ranked for 2025
• #3 Best Online Bachelor's in Sports Management Degree Programs for 2025
• #3 Most Affordable Online Master's of Music Education Programs 2025
• #3 Top 15 Most Affordable Online Information Technology PhD Programs
• #3 Best Online Bachelor’s of Electrical and Computer Engineering Degree Programs for 2024
• #4 Best Online Degrees for a Career in Teaching Ranked 2024
• #4 Best Online Master’s in Health Science 2025
• #4 Best Online MBA Programs in Florida
• #4 Best Online Colleges in Florida 2024
• #4 Best Online Bachelor’s in Information Technology Degree Programs for 2024
• #4 Most Affordable Online Criminal Justice PhDs (Doctorates) 2025
• #5 Top 20 Most Affordable Online Business Administration Doctorates 2025
• #5 Best Online Master's Programs in Florida 2024
• #5 Best Online Bachelor's in Hospitality and Tourism Degree Programs for 2024
• #6 Best Online Master's in Hospitality and Tourism Degree Programs 2025
• #6 Best Online Bachelor's in Organizational Leadership Degree Programs
• #6 Best Online Bachelor's in Sociology Degree Programs Ranked for 2025
• #6 Best Online Master's in Art Education and Art Administration
• #6 Best Online Bachelor's in Computer Science Degree Programs
• #6 Most Affordable Online Criminology Doctorate Programs (PhDs) 2025
• #7 The Most Affordable Online Clinical Nutrition Doctorate Degree Programs (PhDs) 2024
• #7 Best Online Master's in Public Administration Degree Programs
• #7 Best Online Bachelor's in Psychology Degree Programs for Students 2025
• #8 Best Online Master’s in Health Informatics 2025
• #8 Best Online Bachelor’s of Early Childhood Education Degree Programs for 2025
• #8 Best Online Bachelor's in Interdisciplinary Studies Degree Programs for 2024
• #9 10 Best Online Master's of Music Education Degree Programs
• #9 Best Online Bachelor's in Criminal Justice
• #9 Best Online Master’s in Human Resources
• #10 Best Online Master's in Cybersecurity 2025
• #11 Best Online Bachelor’s of Communications Degree Programs for 2025
• #11 Best Online Master's in Criminal Justice 2025
• #12 Best Online Master’s in Engineering Management
• #13 Top 20 Best Online Accredited Doctorate Degree Programs (PhDs) 2025
• #13 Best Online Bachelor’s in Business Administration Degree Programs
• #13 Best Research Universities with Online Doctorates (PhDs) 2025
• #14 Best Online Master's in Special Education 2025
• #14 Best Online Master's in Marketing and Advertising
• #15 The Best Online Colleges Ranked for Students in 2025
• #17 Best Online Master’s in Communications
• #25 Top 50 Best No GRE Online PhD Degree Programs (Doctorates)
• #13 Best Online PhD of Nursing (DNP) Degree Programs Ranked for 2024

Career Outlook for Social Work degree at Florida International University

Florida International University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• Carmen Reinhart
• Andy García
• Mike Lowell
• Richard Blanco
• Ileana Ros-Lehtinen
• James F. O'Brien
• Christopher Ferguson
• Carlos Arroyo
• Norma M. Riccucci
• Irma Becerra Fernandez
• Dale Schilly

FIU Social Work Major:

• BS Social Work

Florida International University’s Online Degrees

• Beverage Management
• Culinary Management
• Event Management
• Hotel/Lodging Management
• Restaurant/Food Service Management
• Travel And Tourism Management
• Parks Management
• Recreation And Sport Management
• Required Credits : 39
• #5 Best Public Colleges in Florida 2025
• #5 Most Affordable Colleges in Florida 2025
• #6 Best Research Universities in Florida 2025
• #6 Best Colleges in Florida 2024
• #12 Best Research Universities for Criminal Justice Degrees
• #1 Best Online Master’s in Forensics Degree Programs
• #3 Best Online Bachelor's in Anthropology 2025
• #3 11 Fastest Accelerated Online Master's of Speech Pathology
• #3 Best Online Colleges in Florida 2024
• #4 Best Online Bachelor’s of History Degree Programs Ranked for 2025
• #4 Best Online Bachelor's of English Degree Programs for 2024
• #4 Best Online Bachelor's in Law and Legal Studies Degree Programs for 2025
• #4 Best Online Bachelor's in Religious Studies Degree Programs for 2024
• #4 Best Online Master's Programs in Florida 2024
• #4 Best Online Bachelor's in Hospitality and Tourism Degree Programs for 2024
• #5 Top 20 Most Affordable Online Bachelor's of Nursing Degree Programs
• #5 10 Fastest Accelerated Online Master's of English Programs 2025
• #5 Best Online Bachelor's in Criminal Justice
• #5 Top 20 Most Affordable Online Master's of Nursing Programs 2025
• #5 Best Online Master's in English
• #5 Most Affordable Online Criminal Justice PhDs (Doctorates) 2025
• #6 Best Online Master’s in Emergency Management 2025
• #6 Top 20 Easiest Online Degrees from Accredited Schools in 2024
• #6 Best Online Master's in Nursing MSN
• #6 Best Online Bachelor's in Interdisciplinary Studies Degree Programs for 2024
• #7 Best Online Master's in Hospitality and Tourism Degree Programs 2025
• #7 Best Online Bachelor's in Sociology Degree Programs Ranked for 2025
• #7 Top 10 Most Affordable English PhD Programs (Doctorates) 2024
• #7 Best Online Master's in Art Education and Art Administration
• #8 Best Online Bachelor's in Psychology Degree Programs for Students 2025
• #9 Best Online Master’s in Health Informatics 2025
• #9 Best Online Master’s in Engineering Management
• #9 Best Online Master's in Public Administration Degree Programs
• #12 Best Online Bachelor’s of Communications Degree Programs for 2025
• #12 Best Online Master's in Criminal Justice 2025
• #15 Top 20 Best Online Accredited Doctorate Degree Programs (PhDs) 2025
• #16 The Best Online Colleges Ranked for Students in 2025
• #18 Best Online Master’s in Education
• #20 Best Online Master's in Social Work MSW
• #21 Best Online Master’s in Communications
• #22 Best Online Master’s in Engineering 2025
• #6 Fastest Accelerated Online Bachelor's of Nursing Degree Programs 2024
• #8 Fastest Accelerated Online Master's of Nursing Degree Programs 2024
• #14 Best Online PhD of Nursing (DNP) Degree Programs Ranked for 2024

Career Outlook for Social Work degree at University of Central Florida

University of Central Florida’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• Lisa Anthony
• Glenn Hubbard
• Mihaela Cardei
• Mark O'Mara
• Richard L. Daft
• Colleen M. Fitzpatrick
• Sajal K. Das
• Kenneth Stanley
• Asante Samuel
• Matt Prater
• Isabel Escobar
• Tabetha S. Boyajian

UCF Social Work Major:

University of central florida’s online degrees.

• Creative Writing
• Technical Communication
• #4 Best Online Colleges in Texas 2024
• #8 Best Online Christian Colleges and Universities for Master's Degrees
• #11 Best Online Master's Programs in Texas 2024
• #14 Best Online Master's in Criminal Justice 2025
• #17 Fastest Online Bachelor's Degrees Ranked for 2025
• #17 Top 20 Best Online Accredited Doctorate Degree Programs (PhDs) 2025
• #18 Best Research Universities with Online Doctorates (PhDs) 2025
• #21 Best Online Master's in Nursing MSN
• #15 Best Online PhD of Nursing (DNP) Degree Programs Ranked for 2024

Career Outlook for Social Work degree at Texas Christian University

Texas Christian University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• Cleanth Brooks
• John Walvoord
• Joe B. Wyatt
• JoAnne Yates
• LaDainian Tomlinson
• Dave Hickey
• Paul W. Schroeder
• Bill Curtis
• Swanee Hunt
• Dale Martin
• Luke Wilson

TCU Social Work Major:

Texas christian university’s online degrees.

• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
• Required Credits : 66
• #1 Best Christian Colleges in Virginia 2025
• #4 Best Private Colleges in Virginia 2025
• #8 Best Research Universities in Virginia 2025
• #8 Best Grad Schools in Virginia 2024
• #9 Best Colleges in Virginia 2024
• #19 Best Research Universities for Criminal Justice Degrees
• #1 Best Online Bachelor's in Christian Counseling Degree Programs 2025
• #1 Best Online Bachelor's in Math Degree Programs Ranked for 2025
• #1 Best Online Associate Degree Programs That Can Be Completed in 1 Year
• #1 Top 10 Best Online Counseling PhD Degree Programs (Doctorates)
• #1 Best Online Associate in Economics
• #1 Best Online Associate Degrees in Virginia 2024
• #1 Best Online Colleges in Virginia 2024
• #1 Best Online Associate in Philosophy
• #1 Best Online Bachelor’s of Christian Ministry Degree Programs for 2025
• #1 Best Online Bachelor's in Music Degree Programs Ranked for 2024
• #1 Best Online Associate in Education
• #1 Best Online Associate in Mathematics 2025
• #1 Top 10 Best Online Bachelor's of Nursing (BSN) Programs 2025
• #2 10 Fastest Accelerated Online Bachelor's of English
• #2 Accelerated Online Business Administration PhD Programs (Doctorates) 2025
• #2 Best Online Bachelor’s in Biblical Studies
• #2 Best Online Master’s in Biblical Studies 2025
• #2 Best Online Bachelor’s in Public Administration Degree Programs for 2025
• #2 Best Online Associate in Biblical Studies
• #2 How To Get an Online Master’s Degree in Biblical Studies
• #2 Best Online Associate in Early Childhood Education
• #2 10 Best Online Bachelor's of Forensic Psychology Programs
• #2 Top 10 Best Online Master's of Psychology Degree Programs 2024
• #2 Best Online Master's in Theology 2025
• #2 Best Online Bachelor’s of Graphic Arts Degree Programs for 2025
• #2 15 Fastest Accelerated Online Master's of Psychology Programs
• #2 Fastest Accelerated Online Bachelor's of Information Technology
• #3 Top 10 Fastest Accelerated Online PhD in Criminal Justice (Doctorates)
• #3 Best Online Degrees for a Career in Teaching Ranked 2024
• #3 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in Virginia
• #3 Best Online Associate in Paralegal Studies
• #3 Fastest Accelerated Online Healthcare Administration Masters 2025
• #3 Top 5 Best Online Criminal Justice Doctorates (PhDs) 2024
• #3 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in the District Of Columbia
• #3 Fastest Accelerated Online Bachelor's of Cybersecurity
• #4 Best Online Doctorate of Educational Psychology (PhDs) 2025
• #4 Best Online Bachelor’s of Homeland Security Degree Programs for 2025
• #4 Top 16 Most Affordable Online Counseling PhDs (Doctorates)
• #4 Best Online MBA Programs in Virginia
• #4 Best Online Associate in Accounting
• #4 Best Online Doctorate in Organizational Leadership Degree Programs
• #4 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in Illinois
• #4 Top 15 Most Affordable Online Information Technology PhD Programs
• #4 Most Affordable Online PhD Programs Ranked for Students in 2024
• #4 Most Affordable Online PhDs in Psychology Ranked for 2025
• #4 Best Online Associate in Psychology
• #4 Best Online Bachelor’s of Elementary Education Degree Programs for 2025
• #5 The Best Online Christian Colleges and Universities for Bachelor's Degrees
• #5 Top 20 Easiest Online Degrees from Accredited Schools in 2024
• #5 Fastest Accelerated Online Doctorate of Information Technology
• #6 Best Online Master's Programs in Virginia 2025
• #6 Best Online Bachelor's in Sports Management Degree Programs for 2025
• #6 Top 8 Fastest Accelerated Online Psychology Doctorates (PhDs)
• #6 Best Online Bachelor's of English Degree Programs for 2024
• #6 10 Fastest Accelerated Online Master's of Accounting Programs 2025
• #6 Most Affordable Online Criminal Justice PhDs (Doctorates) 2025
• #6 Best Online Bachelor's in Strategic Communications Degree Programs
• #7 Top 15 Fastest Accelerated Online Counseling Doctorates (PhDs)
• #7 Best Online Bachelor's in Law and Legal Studies Degree Programs for 2025
• #7 Top 20 Most Affordable Online Business Administration Doctorates 2025
• #7 Most Unusual Doctoral Degrees You Can Earn Online (PhDs)
• #7 Most Affordable Online Criminology Doctorate Programs (PhDs) 2025
• #7 Most Affordable Online Applied Behavioral Analysis PhD Programs
• #7 Online Colleges That Start Anytime and the Benefits of a Self-Paced Education
• #8 Best Online Bachelor’s of History Degree Programs Ranked for 2025
• #8 Best Online Master's in Project Management 2025
• #8 Top 20 Most Affordable Online Bachelor's of Cybersecurity 2025
• #8 Top 10 Best Online Communications PhD Degree Programs (Doctorates)
• #8 Best Online Associate in History Degrees
• #9 Best Online Bachelor's in Social Work Degree Programs Ranked for 2025
• #9 Best Online Bachelor’s of Early Childhood Education Degree Programs for 2025
• #9 Best Online Bachelor’s of Data Science and Analytics Degree Programs for 2024
• #9 Best Online Associate's in Physics
• #9 Best Online Bachelor’s of Education Degree Programs for 2024
• #9 Best Online Associate in Business Administration
• #9 Best Online Master's in Biology
• #10 Best Online Bachelor’s of Data Science and Analytics Degree Programs for 2024
• #10 Top 20 Most Affordable Online Master's of Nursing Programs 2025
• #10 Best Online Bachelor's in Network Administration Degree Programs for 2024
• #10 Best Online Bachelor's in Interdisciplinary Studies Degree Programs for 2024
• #11 Top 18 Most Affordable No GRE Online PhD Degree Programs 2025
• #11 20 Fastest Accelerated Online English Doctorates (PhDs) 2024
• #11 Best Online Doctorate in Business Administration Degree Programs
• #11 Best Online Bachelor's of Finance Degree Programs for 2024
• #12 Best Online Master's in Sports Management 2025
• #14 Best Online Bachelor's in Accounting 2025
• #14 Top 15 Most Affordable Online Economics PhD Programs (Doctorates) 2025
• #14 Best Online Bachelor's of Healthcare Administration Degree Programs for 2024
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Career Outlook for Social Work degree at Liberty University

Liberty University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• Ravi Zacharias
• Susan Wise Bauer
• Michael R. Licona
• Robert H. Smith
• Michael Tait
• Jerry Falwell Jr.

LU Social Work Major:

Liberty university’s online degrees.

• Automotive Dealership Management
• Communication
• Data Analytics
• Digital Marketing And Advertising
• Entrepreneurship
• Financial Planning
• Green And Sustainable Management
• Healthcare Management
• Human Resource Management
• International Business
• Marketing Analytics
• Marketing: Sales Management And Professional Selling
• Project Management
• Public Administration
• Real Estate
• Strategic Marketing Management
• Conference And Event Management
• Sports Administration
• Sports Communication And Public Relations
• Sports Outreach
• Sports Venue Management
• Accounting Information Systems
• Data Networking
• Information Assurance
• Application And Database Development
• Data Networking And Security
• Gaming Design
• Web And Mobile Programming
• Required Credits : 121
• Business Administration And Management
• Corrections And Human Services
• Crime Scene Investigation
• Criminal Psychology
• Homeland Security
• Juvenile Justice
• Strategic Intelligence
• National Security
• Politics And Policy
• Public Policy
• Middle Grades English
• Middle Grades Mathematics
• Middle Grades Science
• Middle Grades Social Science
• Social Science
• International Security
• Professional
• Apologetics
• Biblical And Theological Studies
• Christian Counseling
• Christian Ministries
• Global Studies
• Required Credits : 127
• Addictions And Recovery
• Online Crisis
• Development Psychology
• Life Coaching
• Military Resilience
• #8 Best Research Universities in Florida 2025
• #9 Best Grad Schools in Florida 2024
• #10 Best Colleges in Florida 2024
• #25 Best Research Universities for Criminal Justice Degrees
• #1 HBCU MBA Programs Online
• #3 Best HBCU Online Programs
• #7 Best Online MBA Programs in Florida
• #8 Best Online Master's Programs in Florida 2024

Career Outlook for Social Work degree at Florida A&M University

Florida A&M University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• Ibram X. Kendi
• Andre Dawson
• James H. Ammons
• Althea Gibson
• LaSalle D. Leffall Jr.
• Cannonball Adderley
• Marquis Grissom
• Alcee Hastings
• Frederick S. Humphries
• Asegun Henry

FAMU Social Work Major:

• #8 Best Colleges in Michigan 2024
• #9 Best Research Universities in Michigan 2025
• #9 Best Grad Schools in Michigan 2024
• #7 Best Online Master's in Economics 2025
• #9 Best Online MBA Programs in Michigan
• #10 Best Online Master's Programs in Michigan 2025
• #10 Best Online Christian Colleges and Universities for Master's Degrees
• #19 Best Online Master’s in Finance

Career Outlook for Social Work degree at University of Detroit Mercy

University of Detroit Mercy’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

• Joyce Carol Oates
• George Noory
• Gary Habermas
• Robert Kearns
• John A. Saliba
• Jerome Horwitz
• Robert Axtell
• Dick Vitale
• Andreas Blass
• Michael J. Padilla
• Frank Murphy
• Carl E. Misch

University of Detroit Mercy Social Work Major

Career outlook for students with social work degree, degree level: bachelor's.

• Location: The U.S. (Private Schools)
• Avg. Starting Salary*: $33,985
• Avg. Salary after 4 Years*: $43,439
• * denotes ‘annually’

Career Salaries

Average Career Salaries

Promising Job Markets

Top Industries

Go to all Research Universities for Social Work programs

The Best Social Work Schools in Your State

Learn more about social work.

If you want to know more about social work, then check out our related content:

• Learn how to major in social work
• Think about your next step and what you can do with a master’s degree in religious studies

College of Education and Human Development

School of Social Work

PhD in Social Work

Established in 1946, our 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. The research productivity of our faculty was ranked 20th out of 76 U.S. social work doctoral programs in a recent study 

Our 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. 

Learn about the PhD program in social work at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

Scholarship, research, and teaching which contribute to the knowledge base of social work and foster a just, nurturing, inclusive society.

Program Highlights

• Highly productive faculty. Collaborate with our faculty and research and training centers to conduct, write, and publish research in child welfare, aging, mental health, violence prevention, health disparities, social welfare policy, international social work, work with immigrants and refugees, and other social work related research areas.
• Generous funding for PhD students. The majority of our students receive a four-year funding package that covers tuition, health insurance, and a stipend. Many students also secure dissertation fellowships, and we help students secure assistantships for funding for their fifth year.
• Teaching and professional development. Gain skills in teaching and curriculum development. We provide doctoral colloquia focusing both on current research and professional and career development.
• Diverse student body. Our 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.
• Structured research mentoring experiences. Our PhD program relies heavily on a mentoring model, and PhD students work closely with faculty members throughout the program. Mentoring is seen as a vital part of the teaching and learning process within the doctoral program. 

Fall 2024 Applications

Notice: Application deadline is December 1st, 2024!

To learn more about the application process, consider attending a one-hour information session:

Thursday, August 8th - 1:00pm

Wednesday, September 18th - 6:00pm

Tuesday, October 15th - 1:00pm

Thursday, November 14th - 1:00pm

Questions about applying? You can schedule a one-on-one appointment with Director of Admissions, Larissa Lavrov .

Program Outline

Students take two years of coursework both inside and outside the School of Social Work, including required courses in research methods, statistics, theory, history, policy and teaching, as well as supporting program courses from across the university. Students typically complete their preliminary examinations and defend their dissertation proposal, and then complete their dissertation in their fourth or fifth year.

Careers of Social Work PhD Graduates

This is a selected list of institutions where recent University of Minnesota School of Social Work graduates have found positions:

Research Universities

• State University of New York at Buffalo
• Tulane University
• University of Arkansas
• University of Kansas
• University of Memphis
• University of Texas
• University of Utah
• Virginia Commonwealth University

Teaching Universities

• Augsburg University
• California State University - Chico
• Colorado State University - Pueblo
• Providence College
• Radford University 
• University of Wisconsin - Green Bay

Institutes and Foundations

• Institute on Community Integration, University of Minnesota
• Health Partners Research Foundation
• Minnesota Minority Education Partnership

Applied/Administrative Positions

• Children’s Defense Fund
• Minnesota Department of Human Services
• NASW-MN  

International Universities

• National University Taiwan
• Tel Aviv University
• Self-Directed Services for the Long-Term Supports of Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis
• Social Work, Intractable Conflict and Professionalism: A Case Study of Jewish-Israeli Social Work Practice
• Omayeletumbulo [wisdom sayings] as a Pathway to School Engagement for Young Mothers in Rural Namibia
• County Exemption from Social Work Licensure in Minnesota: Understanding the Past and Present to Affect the Future
• Animal-Assisted Interactions for College Student Mental Health and a Conceptual Model of Practice
• Environmental Effects on Cognitive Health in Older Adults: Insights for Long-Term Care Services
• “This is how we show up for our relatives”: Understanding How Indigenous Relative Caregivers Embody Traditional Kinship to Resist the Colonial Child Welfare System
• Perceived Discrimination and Depressive Symptom Trajectories of Middle-aged and Older Adults with Chronic Diseases
• Student Stories of Resilience After Campus Sexual Assault
• How do Contextual Factors and Family Support Influence Disclosure of Child Sexual Abuse During Forensic Interviews and Service Outcomes in Child Protection Cases?
• Moral Injury Among Professionals in K-12 Education: A Mixed Methods Inquiry
• Making Sense of Poverty in Child Welfare: A Grounded Theory Informed Study of Public and Tribal Child Welfare Workers' Poverty Constructions, Perceptions of Causes, and Praxis
• Neighborhood Social Capital and the Health and Health Risk Behavior of Adolescent Immigrants and Non-Immigrants

Sampling of PhD Student Publications

Our PhD students routinely co-author with faculty and other researchers at the School of Social Work and across campus. Nearly all PhD students graduate with multiple peer reviewed articles, multiple presentations at national/international research conferences, and teaching experience as the instructor of record of undergraduate or graduate courses. The following is just a sampling of the recent peer-reviewed articles published by our students, either as sole author or in collaboration with others.

Carlson , W. C. (2023). Implementation challenges of T visa eligibility for human trafficking survivors: a role for social work. Social Work , 68(3), 222-229.

Flangan, S. , Sterman, J., & Merighi, J. R., Batty, R. (2023). Bridging the gap – How interprofessional collaboration can support family-centered emergency preparedness: An exploratory qualitative study. BMC Public Health, 23(1):777.

Haight, W. L., Suleiman , J. , Flanagan , S. K. , Park, S. , Soltani, L. J. , Carlson, W. C. , Otis , J. R. , & Turck, K. S. (2023). Reflections on social work education during the COVID-19 pandemic: Experiences of faculty members and lessons moving forward. Qualitative Social Work , 22(5), 938-955.

Samimi, C., Jefferson, N., Flanagan , S. , & Anyon, Y. (2023). Intersections of disproportion: A critical quantitative examination of dis/ability and gender in Black students’ school discipline outcomes. The Urban Review , 1-20.

Soffer-Elnekave , R. , Haight, W., Nashandi , N. J. , Cho, M., Suleiman , J. , & Park , S. (2023). Re-orienting narratives of moral injury towards positive development: The experiences of emerging adults with child welfare histories. Children and Youth Services Review , 149, 106922.

Soria, K. M., Horgos , B. , & Shenouda, J. D. (2023). Disparities in college students’ financial hardships during the Covid-19 pandemic. Journal of Student Affairs Research and Practice , 60(1), 31-48.

Toft, J., Lightfoot, E., Calhoun, M ., Choy-Brown, M., Merighi, J. R., Renner, L. M., Soffer-Elnekave, R. , Mendel, J., & Marsalis, S. (2023). Effects of neoliberalism on social work practice in the United States: A scoping review. Social Work Research , 47(2), 99-110. 

Renner, L. M., Driessen, M. C. , & Lewis-Dmello, A. (2022). An evaluation of a parent group for survivors of intimate partner violence. Journal of Family Violence , 37(2), 247-259.

Soria K., Horgos B ., Roberts B.J. (2022). The COVID‐19 pandemic and students’ mental health. New Directions for Student Services, 176, 37-45. 

Lee, M. H., Hong, S., & Merighi, J. R. (2021). The effect of fatalism on mammography use in Korean American women. Health Education & Behavior , 49(4), 740−749.

Lightfoot, E., Yun, H. , Moone, R., Otis, J ., Suleiman, K., Turck, K ., & Kutzler, C. (2021). Changes to family caregiving of older adults and adults with disabilities during COVID-19. Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine , 7, 1-8.

Mervis, J. E., Fischer, J ., Cooper, S. E., Deckert, A. C., Lysaker, P. H., MacDonald III, A. W., & Meyer-Kalos, P. (2021). Introspective accuracy for substance use across a year of treatment for first episode psychosis. Schizophrenia Research: Cognition , 26, 100200.

Renner, L. M., Hartley, C. C., & Driessen, M. C. (2021). Provider, caretaker, nurturer, hero: Perceptions of parenting changes among women who experienced intimate partner violence. Journal of Child and Family Studies , 30(9), 2191-2203.

Soria, K., & Horgos, B. (2021). Factors associated with college students’ mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of College Student Development, 62(2), 107-113. 

An, S., Lee, H. Y., Choi, Y. J., & Yoon, Y. J. (2020). Literacy of breast cancer and screening guideline in an immigrant group: importance of health accessibility. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health , 22, 563-570.

Lightfoot, E., Zheng, M ., & DeZelar, S . (2021). Substantiation of child maltreatment among parents with disabilities in the United States. Journal of Public Child Welfare , 15(5), 583-596.

Renner, L. M., Driessen, M. C. , & Lewis-Dmello, A. (2020). A pilot study evaluation of a parent group for survivors of intimate partner violence. Journal of Family Violence , 35, 203-215.

Cho, M. , Haight. W., Choi, W. S., Hong, S. H., & Piescher, K. (2019). A prospective, longitudinal study of risk factors for early onset of delinquency among maltreated youth.Children and Youth Services Review, 102, 222-230.

Choi, Y. J., Lee, H. Y., An, S., Yoon, Y. J. , & Oh, J. (2019). Predictors of cervical cancer screening awareness and literacy among Korean-American women. Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, 7(1), 1–9.

Driessen, M. C. (2019). Campus sexual assault policies: A feminist policy analysis framework. Affilia, 35(3) 1-16. doi:10.1177/0886109919878273

Driessen, M. C. (2019). Campus sexual assault & student activism, 1970-1990. Qualitative Social Work, 19(3), 1-16. doi:10.1177/1473325019828805

Emery, C. R., Wu, S., Eremina, T., Yoon, Y. J. , Kim, S., & Yang, H. (2019). Does informal social control deter child abuse? A comparative study of Koreans and Russians. International journal on child maltreatment: research, policy and practice, 2(2), 37–54.

Gibson, P., Haight, W., Cho, M., Nashandi, N. J., & Yoon, Y. J. (2019). A mixed methods study of Black Girls' vulnerability to out-of-school suspensions: The intersection of race and gender. Children and Youth Services Review, 102, 169–176.

Haight, W., Waubanascum, C., Glesener, D. , Day, P., Bussey, B., & Nichols, K. (2019). The Center for Regional and Tribal Child Welfare Studies: Reducing disparities through Indigenous social work education. Children and Youth Services Review, 100, 156-166.

Kiesel, L, DeZelar, S. & Lightfoot, E. (2019). Equity in social work employment in the United States: Opportunity and challenges for social workers with disabilities. Disability & Society.

Kivnick, H. Q., Driessen, M. C., Santavasy, C. , Wardwell, C., & Davis, L. D. (2019). “Who’s Been Putting Socks in My Drawer?” Narrative case study of an elder role model. The Gerontologist, 1-10. doi:10.1093/geront/gnz114

Lee, H.Y., Beltran, R.M. , Kwon, M., Kim, G.N., Lee, D.K. (2019). Racial disparities in cervical cancer screening: Implications for relieving cervical cancer burden in Asian American Pacific Islander women. Cancer Nursing: An International Journal for Cancer Care.

Lightfoot, E. & DeZelar, S . (2019). Social work with parents with disabilities: Historical interactions and contemporary innovations. Social Work Review, 2, 1-10.

Lightfoot, E., Franklin, C., & Beltran, R . (2019). Preparing for the academic job market: A guide for social work doctoral students and their mentors. Journal of Social Work Education.

Newman, T., Okamoto, K. , Kimiecik, C., Sohns, E., Burns, M., & Magier, E. (2019). The role of social workers in sport: Shared values and opportunities for interprofessional collaborations. Journal of Sport Psychology in Action, 10(3), 160-173.

Renner, L. M., & Driessen, M . C. (2019). Siblings who are exposed to child maltreatment: Practices reported by county children's services supervisors. Journal of Public Child Welfare, 13(5), 491-511. doi:10.1080/15548732.2018.1514350

An, S., Choi, Y. J., Lee, H. Y., Yoon, Y. J. , & Platt, M. (2018). Predictors of breast cancer screening among Korean American women: Is having an annual checkup critical? Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 19(5), 1281–1286.

Bayless, S. D., Jenson, J. M., Richmond, M. K., Pampel, F. C., Cook, M., & Calhoun, M. (2018). Effects of an afterschool early literacy intervention on the reading skills of children in public housing communities. Child & Youth Care Forum, 47, 537-561.

DeZelar, S. , & Lightfoot, E. (2018). Use of parental disability as a removal reason for children in foster care in the US. Children and Youth Services Review, 86, 128-134.

Fink, A. (2018). Bigger data, less wisdom: The need for more inclusive collective intelligence in social service provision. AI & Society, 33, 61-70.

Haight, W., Waubanascum, C., Glesener, D. , & Marsalis, S. (2018). A scoping study of Indigenous child welfare: The long emergency and preparations for the next seven generations. Children and Youth Services Review, 93, 397-410.

Jenson, J. M., Veeh, C., Anyon, Y., St. Mary, J., Calhoun, M. , Tejada, J., & Lechuga-Peña, S. (2018). Effects of an afterschool program on the academic outcomes of children and youth residing in public housing neighborhoods: A quasi-experimental study. Children and Youth Services Review, 88, 211-217.

Kiesel, L., DeZelar, S. & Lightfoot, E. (2018). Challenges, barriers and opportunities: Social workers with disabilities and experiences in field education. Journal of Social Work Education. 54(4), 696-708.

Lee, H. Y., Choi, Y. J., Yoon, Y. J. , & Oh, J. (2018). HPV literacy: The role of English proficiency in Korean American immigrant women. Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, 22(3), E64–E70.

Lightfoot, E. & LaLiberte, T. & Cho, M. (2018). Parental supports for parents with disabilities: The role of informal supports.Child Welfare, 96(4), 89-110.

Merighi, J. R., Zheng, M. , & Browne, T. (2018). Nephrology social workers' caseloads and hourly wages in 2014 and 2017: Findings from the National Kidney Foundation Council of Nephrology Social Workers Professional Practice Survey. Journal of Nephrology Social Work, 42(1), 31−59.

St. Mary, J., Calhoun, M. , Tejada, J., & Jenson, J. M. (2018). Perceptions of academic achievement and educational opportunities among Black and African American youth. Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal, 35(5), 499-509.

Haight, W., Sugrue, E., Calhoun, M. , & Black, J. (2017). “Basically, I look at it like combat”: Reflections on moral injury by parents involved with child protection services. Children and Youth Services Review, 82, 477-489.

Haight, W., Sugrue, E., Calhoun, M. , & Black, J. (2017). Everyday coping with moral injury: The perspectives of professionals and parents involved with child protection services. Children and Youth Services Review, 82, 108-121.

Haight, W., Sugrue, E., Calhoun, M. (2017). Moral injury among child protection professionals: Implications for the ethical treatment and retention of workers. Children and Youth Services Review, 82, 27-41.

Hewitt, A., Stancliffe, R., Hall-Lande, J., Nord, D., Pettingell, S., Hamre, K. , Hallas-Muchow L. (2017). Characteristics of adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder who use residential services and supports through adult developmental disability services in the United States. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Horn, T. L. , Piescher, K., Shannon, P. J., Hong, S., & Benton, A. (2017). Experiences of Somali and Oromo youth in the child protection system. Children and Youth Services Review.

Kayama, M., Haight, W., Ku, M. L. M., Cho, M. , & Lee, H. Y. (2017). East Asian and U.S. educators' reflections on how stigmatization affects their relationships with parents whose children have disabilities: Challenges and solutions. Children and Youth Services Review, 73, 128-144.

Khuu, B. P. , Lee, H. Y. (2017). Health literacy and associated factors among Hmong American immigrants. Journal of Community Health, 1-8.

Kim, Y.S., Lee, H.Y., Lee, M.H., Simms, T. , & Park, B.H., (2017). Mental health literacy in Korean older adults: A cross-sectional survey. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing. doi: 10.1111/jpm.12395

Lightfoot, E. & LaLiberte, T. & Cho, M. (2017). A case record review of termination of parental rights cases involving parents with a disability. Children and Youth Services Review, 79, 399-407.

Sugrue, E. & Lightfoot, E. (2017). Preschool Policymaking by Stealth: Application of an Alternative Framework for the Policy Process. Journal of Policy Practice. DOI: 10.1080/15588742.2016.1266982

Carlson, J., Nguyen, H. , and Reinardy, J. (2016). Social justice and the capabilities approach: Seeking a global print for EPAS. Journal of Social Work Education, 52, Issue 3.

Haight, W., Bidwell, L., Choi, W. S., & Cho, M. (2016). An evaluation of the Crossover Youth Practice Model (CYPM): Recidivism outcomes for maltreated youth involved in the juvenile justice system. Children and Youth Services Review, 65, 78-85.

Haight, W., Kayama, M., Ku, M. L., Cho, M. , & Lee, H. Y. (2016). Perspectives of elementary school educators in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and the US on disability, stigmatization and children's developing self Part 1: Defining the problem in cultural context. Children and Youth Services Review, 70, 214-228.

Haight, W., Sugrue, E., Calhoun, M. , & Black, J. (2016). A scoping study of moral injury: Identifying directions for social work research. Child and Youth Services Review, 70, 190-200.

Hoffman, S. J., Robertson, C. L., Shannon, P. J., Cook, T.L. , Letts, J., & Mathiason, M. A. (2016). Physical Correlates of Torture Exposure in Karen Refugees. Journal of Loss and Trauma, 1-15.

Kayama, M., Haight, W., Ku, M. L. M., Cho, M. , & Lee, H. Y. (2016). Perspectives of elementary school educators in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and the US on disability, stigmatization and children's developing self Part 2: Solutions. Children and Youth Services Review, 70, 403-418.

Khuu, B. P. , Lee, H.Y., Zhou, A.Q., Shin, J. & Lee, R.M., (2016) Healthcare providers’ perspectives on parental health literacy and child health outcomes among Southeast Asian American immigrants and refugees, Children and Youth Services Review, 67 (2016) 220–229. doi: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2016.06.006

Lightfoot, E., Blevins, J. , Lum, T. & Dube, A. (2016). Cultural health assets of Somali and Oromo immigrants in the United States: Findings from a community-based participatory research project. Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, 27(1), 252-260.

Lightfoot, E. & DeZelar, S. (2016). The experiences and outcomes of children in foster care who were removed because of a parental disability. Children and Youth Services Review, 62, 22–28.

Lightfoot, E., Nienow, M., Moua, K., Colburn, G. , & Petri, A. (2016). Insights on professional identification and licensure from community practice social workers. Journal of Community Practice, 24 (2), 123-146. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10705422.2016.1165328

McCleary, J., Shannon, P. J., Cook, T. (2016) Connecting refugees to substance use treatment: A qualitative study. Social Work and Public Health, 31(1), 1-. 10.1080/19371918.2015.1087906.

Shannon, P.J., Vinson, G.A., Cook, T.L. , Lennon, E. (2016). Characteristics of successful and unsuccessful mental health referrals of refugees. Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, 43(4), 555-568. doi:10.1007/s10488-015-0639-8

Simms, T. (2016). Statutory compensation for the wrongly imprisoned. Social Work, 61, 155-162. doi: 10.1093/sw/sww003

Yang, H., Yoon, Y. J. , Jeong, B., & Emery, C. R. (2016). The effects of parental abuse and aggression on mobile phone dependency: Focused on the moderated mediation effect of youth activity. Youth Facilities and Environment, 14(2), 5–15.