PhD Admissions

Application Deadline

The priority deadline for submitting an application is November 1st, and the final deadline is December 1st. These deadlines apply to both domestic and international applicants.

Admission Requirements

The PhD Program is designed for students who have earned a Master’s degree from an accredited school of social work and have post-master’s social work/social welfare practice experience.

Applicants who do not meet these requirements must achieve equivalent credentials specified by the PhD Admission Committee.

Application Process

Submit your application by completing the following at the Graduate School’s website:

1. Graduate School online application
2. $60.00 application fee*
   • Paid online at the time of your application.
3. Official transcripts of all previous academic work. 
   • Scanned versions of official transcripts of all prior undergraduate and graduate coursework must be uploaded with the online application. If you have attended the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, your UT transcripts will already be on file. If you do not upload your transcript(s) with your application, you must have your official transcript(s) mailed directly from the institution(s) to the Graduate Admissions Office. Please keep in mind that doing this will delay the processing of your application.
4. Employment history (resume or vita)
5. Professional Questions answered within the application
   • What draws you to pursuing a PhD in social work, and why is UTK the right fit for you?
   • What are your career goals, and how do you see a PhD helping you achieve them
   • Research-based PhDs most often lead to careers in academic or research-oriented settings. What type of position are you hoping to pursue after graduation — such as a faculty role, a research institution, a policy organization, or another setting? Where do you envision living and working?
   • The PhD is a research-based degree, and at this level, research is the practice of social work. Our College is deeply committed to the values outlined in the NASW Code of Ethics — service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence. How do you see your research interests connecting to and advancing one or more of these values?
6. Personal Statement
   • Please upload a well-edited document of 3–5 pages.
   • Understanding an applicant’s lived experience and the path that has brought them to a research-based doctoral program in social work is an important part of how we evaluate applications. In your personal statement, please address the following:
     • Your background and strengths — Introduce yourself and describe the professional experiences, skills, and qualities that will contribute to your success in a research-based doctoral program.
     • Research experience and interests — Describe any previous exposure to research and share the questions or issues you are most excited to explore as a doctoral student.
     • Your vision for the degree — How do you plan to use a PhD in social work? What doors do you hope it opens?
     • Your five-year career plan — Describe where you see yourself in five years and how the training and experiences gained in this program align with that path.
       
7. Writing Sample

• Uploaded to the application
• Submission suggestions: Papers from the Master’s program, any professional writing including reports, literature reviews, papers you’ve co-authored, case summaries, advocacy letters, opinion papers, etc. (if you submit something that is co-authored, please attach a document explaining your specific contribution to the writing). Note: This document should reflect your writing abilities. It can be uploaded before or after the submission of the application.

1. References
   • Provide the names and email addresses of three (3) references. Three (3) letters of recommendation must be received before your application can be reviewed. Recommendations are an essential part of the admission process. The strongest letters of recommendation come from faculty members. If you don’t have a relationship with a faculty member, please seek recommendations from professionals with higher-level graduate degrees who have supervised or are familiar with your work, such as lawyers or medical professionals. Personal recommendations will not be accepted.
2. International applicants also submit TOEFL scores.
   • International applicants should refer to the Admissions for International Students page on the Graduate School’s web site for additional information.

* We are able to waive the $60 Graduate Admissions application fee for a select number of applicants, including those experiencing financial hardship. For information, please contact Jennifer Scagnelli at [email protected].