MSW/PhD Dual Degree Program
Parker Hall, South Campus, home to the PhD student lab
Evaluating social issues, affecting policy and improving practice -- it's how social researchers help to grow social knowledge. Our MSW/PhD program prepares ambitious social justice advocates for a career in conducting meaningful and impactful research.
Course of Study Options
We offer two program tracks:
- The Advanced Standing track for students with a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW).
- The Traditional track for students without a BSW.
You will first earn a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree in a program rooted in evidence-based practice and trauma-informed and human rights perspectives before moving on to the advanced analysis and research opportunities of the PhD program.
The curriculum shown below is effective for all students matriculating Fall 2020 and later.
Advanced Standing Track
Curriculum Overview
This option is only for students that have a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree. View additional advanced standing prerequisites on our apply page.
First Year
Summer Semester
Fall Semester
SW 542 Perspectives on Trauma and Human Rights
SW 552 Field Instruction III, 4 credits
SW 555 Field Seminar (0.5 credit)
Advanced Interventions (Choose one)
SW 663 Social Work Scholarship (1 cr)
Research Methods
Spring Semester
SW 553 Field Instruction IV
SW 555 Field Seminar (0.5 credit)
Advanced Topics (Choose two)
Proseminar
Advanced Analysis
Second Year
Fall Semester
SW 663 Social Work Scholarship (1 cr)
SW 690 Research Internship
Proseminar
Advanced Analysis
Electives (choose two)
Spring Semester
SW 663 Social Work Scholarship (1 cr)
SW 690 Research Internship
Proseminar
Advanced Analysis
Elective
Elective
Third Year
Fall and Spring Semesters
Fourth Year (and beyond)
Fall and Spring Semesters
Funding Overview
All accepted MSW/PhD students are offered a competitive standard funding package. Additional funding may be available through fellowships.
All Advanced Standing MSW/PhD students are guarunteed a graduate assistantship for two years, beginning in year two. Assistantships are 10-month appointments, 20 hours per week with a base stipend of $20,000 per year.
Starting in the first year students also receive full tuition coverage for up to 50 credits. This typically covers the required courses for three years. (The first summer semester of advanced standing MSW courses is self-funded.)
If students continue past three years (and/or 50 credits), students must secure their own funding (e.g., working on a faculty research grant, teaching, serving as a field liaison).
| Period | Curriculum | Funding |
|---|---|---|
| Summer Advanced Standing Courses | MSW courses | Self-Funded |
| Year 1 | MSW & PhD courses | Tuition Waiver |
| Year 2 | PhD Courses | Tuition Waiver + Assistantship |
| Year 3 | Comprehensive Exams & Dissertation | Tuition Waiver + Assistantship |
| Year 4+ | Dissertation | Self-funded |
Fellowship Opportunity
Schomburg Fellowships are available for academically outstanding new MSW/PhD in Social Welfare students. These awards come with a substantial stipend. MSW/PhD students will be considered for these at the time of admission.
Traditional Track
Curriculum Overview
First Year
Fall Semester
SW 500 Social Welfare History and Policy
SW 505 Theories of Human Behavior and Development
SW 510 Scientific Methods in Social Work
SW 520 Interventions I
SW 550 Field Instruction I
SW 555 Field Seminar (0.5 credit)
Spring Semester
SW 503 Diversity and Oppression
SW 506 Theories of Organizational Behavior and Development
SW 514 Evaluation in Social Work
SW 521 Interventions II
SW 551 Field Instruction II (4 credits)
SW 555 Field Seminar (0.5 credit)
Second Year
Fall Semester
SW 542 Perspectives on Trauma and Human Rights
SW 552 Field Instruction III, 4 credits
SW 555 Field Seminar (0.5 credit)
Advanced Interventions (Choose one)
SW 663 Social Work Scholarship (1 cr)
Research Methods
Spring Semester
SW 553 Field Instruction IV
SW 555 Field Seminar (0.5 credit)
Advanced Topics (Choose two)
Proseminar
Advanced Analysis
Third Year
Fall Semester
SW 663 Social Work Scholarship (1 cr)
SW 690 Research Internship
Proseminar
Advanced Analysis
Elective
Spring Semester
SW 663 Social Work Scholarship (1 cr)
SW 690 Research Internship
Proseminar
Advanced Analysis
Elective
Fourth Year
fall and Spring Semesters
Fifth Year (and beyond)
Fall and Spring Semesters
Funding Overview
All accepted MSW/PhD students are offered a competitive standard funding package. Additional funding may be available through fellowships.
All MSW/PhD students are guarunteed a graduate assistantship for two years, beginning in year three. Assistantships are 10-month appointments, 20 hours per week with a base stipend of $20,000 per year.
Starting in year two students also receive full tuition coverage for up to 50 credits. This typically covers the required courses for three years. (The first year of the program is self-funded.)
If students continue past four years (and/or 50 credits), students must secure their own funding (e.g., working on a faculty research grant, teaching, serving as a field liaison).
| Period | Curriculum | Funding |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | MSW courses | Self-funded |
| Year 2 | MSW & PhD courses | Tuition waiver |
| Year 3 | PhD courses | Tuition waiver + Assistantship |
| Year 4 | Comprehensive exams & dissertation | Tuition waiver + Assistantship |
| Year 5+ | Dissertation | Self-funded |
Fellowship Opportunity
Schomburg Fellowships are available for academically outstanding new MSW/PhD in Social Welfare students. These awards come with a substantial stipend. MSW/PhD students will be considered for these at the time of admission.
Learn More
Request MSW/PhD Information Session Recording
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