PhD in Social Work
Advance Knowledge. Shape the Future.
Our program fosters a deep understanding and appreciation of the scientific method and prepares graduates for careers as social work researchers, educators, and leaders. Students must have an MSW/MSSW degree to pursue our PhD program.
Why Earn a PhD in Social Work at UT?
- Full Funding Package: All admitted students receive four years of support, including a graduate research assistantship, tuition waiver, stipend, and health insurance.
- Research Excellence: Gain advanced training in research methods, statistics, theory, and grant writing while working alongside faculty conducting nationally recognized research.
- Teaching Preparation: Develop strong pedagogical skills to become an effective and inspiring educator.
- Flexible Electives: Tailor your studies with nine credit hours of electives in related social and behavioral sciences.
- Career Impact: Graduate prepared for careers in academia, policy research, nonprofit leadership, and advanced social work scholarship.
Your Future with a PhD
University faculty and advanced
research positions
Policy analysis and advocacy
organizations
Leadership roles in nonprofits, government, and think tanks
As a PhD student at the College of Social Work, I value our commitment to community-centered approaches that uplift marginalized voices. For me, social work is about empowering underrepresented communities and promoting lasting change by meeting people where they are and working collaboratively to build pathways to a more just and inclusive future.
Eliza GalvezPhD Canidate
Guided by Ethical Principles
The PhD program is designed with the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics in mind. We pride ourselves on a curriculum updated with the standard’s latest guidelines on self-care, cultural competence, and a commitment to the profession’s mission and core values.
Funding
All admitted PhD students will receive a graduate research assistantship (GRA) which comes with a minimum stipend of $35K per year for 12 months for four years to help offset the costs of studying full time. This also includes graduate student health insurance and a tuition waiver, although students are responsible for some fees and the costs of textbooks. Students are paired to do research with one or two research mentors and will work with those mentors on research for 20 hours a week as part of the GRA while also taking classes. We have many faculty engaged in exciting research, so it is likely that you will be able to find mentors here who can help you gain research experience in your areas of interest.