Joint PhD Program

Admitted students are assigned an advisor in SW and also in their Social Science. Faculty match is determined based on availability as well as the student preference. Faculty research interests by discipline are listed here:

Graduates are required to complete the MSW degree, and can become licensed. Social Work and Clinical Psychology graduates are not eligible for clinical psychology license due to the research based nature of the PhD program. Please reach out to the Department of Psychology for verification.

Due to the research nature of our program, typically graduates would not be qualified for licensure, but for specific information, please refer to the Department of Psychology at [email protected].

Your PhD degree would be one degree, listed as an Interdisciplinary PhD in Social Work and ________.

The purpose of this document is to provide the applicant to the University of Michigan’s Joint PhD Program in Social Work and Social Science tips for writing a strong application. This document also provides some insight into the priorities of the program: a commitment to training social work scholars who have a deep knowledge of social justice issues and the social work profession, and who are committed to serving vulnerable populations with a passion for improving/changing conditions through intervention research. 

The purpose of this document is to provide the applicant to the University of Michigan’s Joint PhD Program in Social Work and Social Science tips for writing a strong application. This document also provides some insight into the priorities of the program: a commitment to training social work scholars who have a deep knowledge of social justice issues and the social work profession, and who are committed to serving vulnerable populations with a passion for improving/changing conditions through intervention research. 

Gradcare is offered to all students approved for summer funding. It will be paid from the total fellowship amount and the stipend will be less the cost of the health care coverage.

Students can apply for funding through the School of Social Work, which will be awarded on an as-needed basis with available funds. Students can opt for tuition only funding, or ask for their Gradcare to be covered as well. Additional forms of summer funding include the Social Work-Social Science Research Partnership Program, and the Social Work Summer Research Partnership Program. Each of these latter programs offers funding matches when a student finds support through a faculty member in either social work, or their social science.

Besides what is in each student's personal debit account, students will also be able to apply to the Joint Doctoral Program for conference travel to CSWE and SSWR. The funds distributed on a yearly basis, and are Sex Education in Schools: Exploring Youth Perspectives, Implicit Messages, and Unexamined Implicationsusually first come-first served. Priority is given to those that are presenting, on the job market, or have never been to a conference.

The personal debit account can be used by each student needing to be recouped for expenses related to research, courses, travel to conferences, dissertation costs, etc. It will not be available to be used for emergencies, and funds cannot be given in advance. The money does not have to be paid back by the student.

The Reimbursement and Certification form needs to be completed and turned in along with the personal debit form.