Program Objectives & Outcomes

In the program, you will:

  • Create an individual, fully interdisciplinary program of coursework and scholarship.
  • Benefit from a small-by-design program that facilitates meaningful connections with peers and mentors.
  • Participate in the intellectual exchanges and scholarly collaborations fostered by UB’s many research centers and institutes and community partnerships.
  • Engage with our diverse, dedicated and growing faculty, with particular expertise in trauma, veterans’ issues, aging, social policy, and refugee and immigrant communities.
  • Access diverse research opportunities, facilities and support through the Buffalo Center for Social Research.
  • Receive stable, generous funding through assistantships and scholarship programs.

Program Objectives & Outcomes

In the program, you will:

  • Create an individual, fully interdisciplinary program of coursework and scholarship.
  • Benefit from a small-by-design program that facilitates meaningful connections with peers and mentors.
  • Participate in the intellectual exchanges and scholarly collaborations fostered by UB’s many research centers and institutes and community partnerships.
  • Engage with our diverse, dedicated and growing faculty, with particular expertise in trauma, veterans’ issues, aging, social policy, and refugee and immigrant communities.
  • Access diverse research opportunities, facilities and support through the Buffalo Center for Social Research.
  • Receive stable, generous funding through assistantships and scholarship programs.

Curriculum Overview

  • Credit hours: Minimum of 47
  • Length: Minimum of 4 years (8 semesters)
  • Program start: Fall semester only
  • Prerequisites: Master of Social Work (MSW) degree

Our PhD program is designed for those with an MSW degree. If you do not have an MSW, we offer a dual-degree program leading to the MSW and the PhD in social welfare.

Learn more about the MSW/PhD program
Year Fall Semester
 Spring Semester

Year 1

 

Scholarship Proseminar (1 cr.)
Proseminar
Research Methods
Advanced Analysis

 Scholarship Proseminar (1 cr.)
Proseminar
Advanced Analysis
Elective
Year 2
 Scholarship Proseminar (1 cr.)
Proseminar
Advanced Analysis
Elective
Research Internship (2 cr.)		 Elective
Elective
Elective
Research Internship (2 cr.)
Year 3
 Comprehensive exams
Dissertation		 Comprehensive exams
Dissertation
Year 4
 Dissertation Dissertation
  • Except the social work-based proseminars and research internship, courses may be taken in any sequence and in any department at UB.
  • Unless otherwise noted, all courses are worth three credits.

Funding Your Education

Funding Overview

All accepted PhD students are offered a standard funding package. Additional funding may be available through fellowships.

Year Curriculum Funding
Year 1 Coursework Tuition waiver¹ + Assistantship²
Year 2 Coursework Tuition waiver + Assistantship
Year 3 Comprehensive exams & dissertation Tuition waiver³ + Assistantship
Year 4 Dissertation Self-funded⁴

¹Tuition waiver = full tuition coverage at in-state rate for domestic U.S. students (out-of-state rate for international students) for up to 47 credits.

²Assistantship = 20 hours per week; 12-month appointment; $16,000 per year.

³Tuition waiver in year 3 applicable only if students have not reached the 47 credit limit.

⁴Beginning in year 4 (and/or 47 credits), students must secure their own funding (e.g., working on a faculty research grant, teaching, serving as a field liaison).

Scholarship & Fellowship Opportunities

Presidential and Schomburg Fellowships

Fellowships are available for academically outstanding new PhD in Social Welfare students. These awards come with an assistantship and stipend in addition to tuition. View details on our financial aid resources page. 

Learn More

Watch PhD Info Session Recording
Application Deadlines and FAQs
Faculty Research Interests