Social Work, PhD
Discover how to address complex social challenges through rigorous scholarship. You integrate social work values with advanced research methods and develop the expertise needed to lead research and education initiatives.
Quick facts
Locations
Credits
Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
International students (F1), this program is not eligible for the STEM-OPT extension.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Social Work degree description
ASU ranks No. 20 for best graduate social work programs by U.S. News & World Report, 2024.
The purpose of the Doctor of Philosophy program in social work is to train you to be a social work scholar --- social work professionals engaged in research, teaching and service.
Supplementary to the coursework, this doctoral program offers you opportunities to be actively involved in both research and teaching. You benefit from close mentorship of the committed faculty and regular partnerships with many internal research centers and offices. You also have valuable opportunities to develop a teaching portfolio, positioning you to succeed in academic careers.
Why study social work at ASU?
In this social work doctoral program, you explore social challenges through a lens that reflects unique communities and dynamics. You work within a mentorship-driven research environment at the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions, one of the largest social work programs in the country, where faculty guide you through use-inspired scholarship designed to produce practical impact.
You gain rigorous pedagogical training alongside your research preparation. Through teaching opportunities and portfolio development, you can position yourself for success in academic careers while contributing to the advancement of social work scholarship.
Additional details
You have opportunities to connect with peers and professional networks through organizations such as the American Indian Social Work Student Association, Compassion for Her, Macro Social Work Student Network and Phi Alpha Honor Society. Campus-specific groups include the Social Work Student Organization on the Downtown Phoenix campus. These groups provide community, professional development and advocacy opportunities throughout your doctoral studies.
Curriculum
This graduate degree includes courses focused on a specialized topic, so you can advance your skills for further professional opportunities. Explore all courses below:
84 credit hours, a written comprehensive exam, a prospectus and a dissertation
Required Social Work Courses (12 credit hours) Research Methods and Statistics (12 credit hours) Directed Electives (33 credit hours) Theory (3 credit hours) Research (12 credit hours) Culminating Experience (12 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Information The doctoral program requires students to take a minimum of 36 course credit hours beyond the Master of Social Work, in addition to the required 24 credit hours of research and dissertation; 84 credit hours are required beyond the bachelor's degree. Students may need to take additional coursework to achieve the competency requirements set by the program or by their graduate supervisory committees. Students develop their plan of study in consultation with the graduate supervisory committee. Required social work courses must be 700 level and approved by the doctoral program committee. Students should see the academic unit for approved course lists and other requirements for research methods and statistics courses, electives and theory coursework. Once the student has completed the 36 minimum course credit hours, they are required to register for 12 credit hours of SWG 792 Research before the defense of the prospectus, and 12 hours of SWG 799 Dissertation after the prospectus defense. The student must be registered for at least one credit hour during the semester, including summer, when they do their dissertation proposal defense. At least one of the dissertation hours must be taken in the semester during which the student expects to defend the dissertation.
SWG 792 Research (12)
SWG 799 Dissertation (12)
When approved by the student's supervisory committee and the Graduate College, this program allows 30 credit hours from a previously awarded master's degree to be used for this program. The number of credit hours required for directed electives depends on approval of the number of blanket hours from a previously awarded master's degree.
What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- Students will develop an individual teaching philosophy for social work education.
- Students will apply knowledge of research methods to an area of social work scholarship.
- Students will develop a research proposal in an original area of social work scholarship.
Students will develop an individual teaching philosophy for social work education.Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
U.S. applicants (opens in new window) | International applicants (opens in new window) | English proficiency (opens in new window)
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions. Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in social work or a closely related field from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program. All applicants must submit: Additional Application Information Admission to the doctoral program in the School of Social Work is based on the following criteria: Though an MSW degree is preferred, exceptions may be made for students with a Bachelor of Social Work from an accredited school of social work and a master's degree in a related field, and for students from countries without accreditation. Applicants have the option of submitting a sample of their written work. Examples include a refereed journal article, a class paper and a professional report (such as one might write in an agency setting). The writing sample should illustrate the applicant's ability to succeed in the doctoral program. Guidelines for writing the statement can be found at the program website. All required admission materials are submitted directly to ASU Admission Services. Students should contact the School of Social Work at 602-496-0800 with any questions about the application process. Students should see the program website for application deadlines.
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.
Application deadlines
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 12/15 | Final* |
*A final deadline means that all applications and application materials must be received by Admission Services by the deadline date. Applications that are incomplete may not be considered after the final deadline. Applications that are submitted past the final deadline may not be considered.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimateCareer opportunities
Careers this social work degree prepares you for
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.
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
School of Social Work
|
UCENT 800
sswphd@asu.edu
602-496-0800
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.
