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.
Our curriculum statement articulates our commitment to the promotion of social justice, the protection of human rights and the necessity of addressing structural oppression and inequities in power and resources.
Program Overview [5:23]
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 dual-degree program reduces the total time and credits compared to completing each degree separately. While there is a reduction in total credit hours for the dual degree program, you must meet all other requirements for both degree programs.
We offer two MSW/PhD program tracks: Traditional and Advanced Standing.
Both course of study options are full-time and on-campus only and incorporate our signature trauma-informed and human rights perspectives.
Traditional MSW/PhD Program
- For students with a bachelor's degree in any undergraduate major
- 900 total practicum hours (420 hour foundation practicum + 480 hour advanced year practicum)
- Full time (5+ years) and on campus only
This curriculum is effective fall 2025. If you started your MSW program prior to fall 2025, please follow the curriculum listed in the Student Handbook for the year in which you began your program.
As of fall 2025, field education is now known as practicum education in the School of Social Work. However, you may still see references to “field education” in course titles, documents and other dated web content.
First Year
Fall Semester
SW 500 Social Welfare History
SW 505 Theories of Human Behavior and Development
SW 510 Introduction to Social Work Research and Evaluation
SW 520 Interventions I
SW 550 Field Instruction I
SW 555 Field Seminar (0.5 credit)
Spring Semester
SW 502 Social Welfare Policy
SW 503 Diversity and Oppression
SW 506 Theories of Organizational Behavior and Development
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
Advanced Interventions
SW 663 Social Work Scholarship (1 cr)
Proseminar
Spring Semester
SW 553 Field Instruction IV
Advanced Topics
Advanced Topics
MSW Elective
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
| 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 |
All accepted MSW/PhD students are offered a competitive standard funding package. Additional funding may be available through fellowships.
All MSW/PhD students are guaranteed a graduate assistantship for two years, beginning in year three. Assistantships are 10-month appointments, 20 hours per week with a base stipend of $23,000 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 practicum liaison).
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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