The Social Work and Social Welfare PhD program is highly selective, and applicants are required to have earned a B.A. or BSW and must already have a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree. This requirement ensures that students have the necessary expertise to understand the context critical for developing high quality social work research. Only the most highly qualified students who have demonstrated interest in and aptitude for social work are admitted.
All applications to the Social Work and Social Welfare PhD program are reviewed by the Program Committee. Program Committee members examine prospective students’ academic record, including academic achievement in undergraduate and master’s programs. The minimum GPA from previous coursework for admitted applicants will be determined by the Program Committee and will be no lower than any prevailing Rackham rules. Three letters of reference will also be required. In addition, particular attention will be given to the applicant’s statement of purpose and information on previous experiences to assess the applicant’s interest in, and understanding of, an interdisciplinary approach to researching and solving social problems. Co- curricular experiences that provide insight into the student’s interests and aptitudes may include undergraduate or master’s level research in social work, engagement in social work practice, advocacy for underrepresented groups (i.e., social justice issues), teaching assistantships, and peer mentoring and student leadership positions. In addition, the student must demonstrate good fit with social work faculty, social work values, and program goals.
A student that is a good fit will:
These instructions are meant as a guide for your application process. Please read all instructions carefully before starting the application process. Applicants are responsible for ensuring the submission of a complete application.
* Please do not contact the Doctoral Office to check the status of your application. All applicants will receive an email regarding the status of their application from a representative of the Social Work PhD Office once the deadline has passed. Any information regarding the status of your application will be from this office only. All applicants will be given an opportunity to send in any materials that may be missing within a reasonable amount of time before the review process begins.
Please read the instructions carefully before completing the application forms.
The Statement of Purpose is part of your Rackham online application. It is perhaps the single most important item in your application. It is important for you to help your readers understand how your interests are relevant to the professional and intellectual commitments of social work, with specific attention to solving complex social problems. Your essay must demonstrate an understanding of the social work profession.
We recommend that you prepare this statement as a separate document and upload it into your application. This statement should not exceed five double-spaced typewritten pages, using a font no smaller than 10 points. It should give clear information on:
This should be a concise (one to two page), well-written statement about how your personal background and life experiences, including social, cultural, familial, educational, or other opportunities or challenges, motivated your decision to pursue a graduate degree at the University of Michigan. This is not an Academic Statement of Purpose, but a discussion of the personal journey that has led to your decision to seek a graduate degree.
Three letters of reference are required for a complete application. Where possible, at least two of the letters should be from university faculty or advisors who can assess your potential for doctoral studies in a research-oriented program. If you have been employed in social work or a related field in the past two years, at least one letter should be from a supervisor familiar with your work. Letters without the form are acceptable but should provide similar information. All letters of recommendation should be submitted using the online form found within the Rackham application.
If more than three letters are submitted, there is no guarantee all letters will be read.
Upload a scanned copy of the unofficial transcript: Please upload unofficial transcripts only from institutions where a degree or certificate was earned or is being earned to your online application. Upload your transcripts/academic records for each institution you listed. Review Transcript/Academic Record upload requirements.
Transcript Submission Tips:
Applicants must submit a current curriculum vita (CV) or résumé, listing relevant employment and volunteer experience, academic honors, financial awards, research experience, publications, presentations, theses, other major papers, honor society and other memberships, and other relevant activities and experience.
Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency. Language test scores are valid two years from the test date. The official scores must be received from the testing agency no later than the graduate program application deadline.
General English Proficiency Score Ranges:
NOTE: Applicants who have earned a degree from an institution where the language of instruction is English and/or within a country where that native language is English are exempt from this requirement. Please contact the Doctoral Office if you wish to receive confirmation of your exemption.
Applicants MUST submit a writing sample (e.g. senior thesis, term paper, research report, grant application, peer-reviewed publication). The writing sample should be NO MORE THAN 30 PAGES, UNBOUND. It should provide evidence of writing ability, creative and critical thinking, and potential for independent research.
University of Michigan
School of Social Work
1080 South University Avenue
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1106