Prospective PhD Students

The PhD in Social Work and Social Welfare is designed for students who already have their Master of Social Work (MSW) degree and are looking for a career focused on social justice, equity, and rigorous research.  This program provides a transdisciplinary approach to identifying and studying societal problems for the purpose of proposing and developing solutions.  The focus on societal interventions and solving problems is core to the new PhD in Social Work and Social Welfare at the University of Michigan.

The program will accept 5 students and place a few on the waitlist to yield a cohort size of approximately 5 each academic year.

The best thing you can do is begin planning early to submit a complete and high-quality application. This means doing research about faculty in the School of Social Work, identifying faculty you are interested in working with, and thinking about how their interests line up with yours. You should take the time to reach out to them by email and tell them something about yourself and why you are interested in working with them. Also, if you are an international student, prepare well for the TOEFL test and leave yourself enough time for a retest if you feel you have not done your very best.

We expect Social Work and Social Welfare PhD program graduates to experience success on the job market given the high ranking of the School of Social Work and its highly respected faculty body.

No. Unlike the Joint Program, to apply and be accepted into the Social Work and Social Welfare program you must already have your MSW degree.

Yes, you are eligible for the funding package described here. You are not eligible for certain fellowships and scholarships offered at the University of Michigan, or for training grants supported by the federal government.

Admitted students are assigned a faculty advisor. Faculty advisor assignments are determined based on availability, research fit, and the student’s preference as indicated on the application.

No. You must be registered as a full-time student studying on campus to receive our funding package. Students are expected to devote full time to their studies and are supported financially to enable them to do that.

You can submit unofficial transcripts from degree granting institutions as part of your application. However, official transcripts will be required if an offer of admission is made. Admission is contingent upon receipt of official transcripts. Failure to submit could result in revocation of admission offer.

Yes. However, you will need to prepare separate applications and apply separately to each program. If you apply to both, as part of the application process you will be asked to select your preference if accepted into both. Your selection will be used to inform admissions decisions.