Ph.D. Degree Tracks1
Students who enter the Ph.D. program with a master's degree in social work and follow the program's standard course sequencing should be able to complete their degree in four to five years. Students who enter the program without a master's degree must plan on an additional one to two years to complete the program and must select from among the following:
- Track I: MSW/Ph.D. program for students without a bachelor's degree in social work (students complete the equivalent of the two-year master's program while in the doctoral program)
- Track II: MSW/Ph.D. program for students with a bachelor's degree in social work (students complete the equivalent of the one-year master's program advanced generalist specialization in an area of focus; requires that students have a BSW from a CSWE accredited school of social work)
- Track III: Program for students who do not have a social work degree and who do not want an MSW (requires that students complete MSW generalist foundation courses and a 2-credit internship)
| 1 | These tracks are internal to the program and represent different pathways a student can follow to earn this degree. Track names do not appear in the Graduate School admissions application, and they will not appear on the transcript. |
The doctoral program has four special features: an emphasis is placed on interdisciplinary research and training that seeks to promote optimal functioning in individuals or families across the life course; it stresses that social welfare problems are best understood in individual, family, community, economic, and cultural context; it conceptualizes research as a catalyst for social action and change; and it emphasizes methodological and statistical training and their applications to studying social problems and processes.
About the School of Social Work
The School of Social Work at UW–Madison is consistently ranked among the best schools of social work in the country. Faculty prepare social work professionals at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels. Through the preparation of social work practitioners, scholars and educators, faculty and students explore and seek to understand the nature of social problems, their impact on vulnerable populations, and ways to critically analyze and promote the achievement of a just, equitable, healthy, and productive society.
Social work faculty are noted for their scholarly work in developing a conceptual understanding of social work practice and policy, and in producing research in important social problem areas. For example, faculty took a leadership role in the development of the generalist model of practice now used by most social work programs. Faculty members have made valuable research contributions in the fields of aging, child welfare, developmental disabilities, and family and intergenerational caregiving, as well as in educational attainment and life-course decision-making, end-of-life care for older adults and palliative care, health disparities, homelessness, poverty, social policy, welfare reform, and child support. Drawing on strong faculty, excellent students, and the resources of a world-renowned university in a community rich with social and human service programs, there is much to offer prospective students: individualized, faculty-taught field education for master's students, nationally renowned faculty with a strong interdisciplinary focus, and hands-on research training in a highly individualized program of study for doctoral students.
The school offers unique opportunities for students to receive state-of-the-art professional training through its field education program. Student practice opportunities range from experiences in institutional and community-based settings to working with families and other significant care-givers, with individuals and groups, and in policy and service delivery issues.
Mission. The mission of the School of Social Work is to enhance human well-being and promote social and economic justice for people who are disadvantaged to achieve an equitable, healthy, and productive society. The school aims to:
- Create, advance, strengthen, and integrate interdisciplinary knowledge for students and the profession through research, scholarship, and practice.
- Educate students to become highly-skilled, culturally-competent and ethical practitioners who will provide leadership for the profession of social work within the state of Wisconsin and nationally.
- Promote change at levels ranging from the individual client to national, including empowering communities and populations that are disadvantaged and developing humane service delivery systems.
- Create and disseminate knowledge regarding the prevention and amelioration of social problems.
The School of Social Work is one of five professional schools in the College of Letters & Science. As part of the college, the school maintains relationships with the other social studies and professional schools within the university system through interchange of faculty and students and through joint research and publication endeavors.
Please consult the table below for key information about this degree program’s admissions requirements. The program may have more detailed admissions requirements, which can be found below the table or on the program’s website. Graduate admissions is a two-step process between academic programs and the Graduate School. Applicants must meet the minimum requirements of the Graduate School as well as the program(s). Once you have researched the graduate program(s) you are interested in, apply online. |
| Fall Deadline | December 1 |
| Spring Deadline | The program does not admit in the spring. |
| Summer Deadline | The program does not admit in the summer. |
| GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) | Required. |
| English Proficiency Test | Every applicant whose native language is not English or whose undergraduate instruction was not in English must provide an English proficiency test score and meet the Graduate School minimum requirements (https://grad.wisc.edu/apply/requirements/#english-proficiency). |
| Other Test(s) (e.g., GMAT, MCAT) | n/a |
| Letters of Recommendation Required | 3 |
Online applications are available through the Graduate School Electronic Application. Admission to the Social Welfare PhD program requires an undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale) on the equivalent of the last 60 semester credits. Applicants are required to have completed a statistics course; 30 semester credits of social science courses and Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores taken within five years of application date; if appropriate, english proficiency exam (TOEFL) scores, taken within two years of application date. Applicants must also submit a statement of reasons for graduate study, three letters of recommendation, official transcripts, a writing sample, and a resume or CV. Details about what is expected in the writing sample and statement, information about acceptable letters of recommendation, and other specific details can be found on the PhD Application page of the School of Social Work website.
PhD program details are fully described on the PhD Program in Social Welfare page on the School of Social Work website.
Graduate School Resources
Resources to help you afford graduate study might include assistantships, fellowships, traineeships, and financial aid. Further funding information is available from the Graduate School. Be sure to check with your program for individual policies and restrictions related to funding.
Program Resources
Prospective students should see the program website for funding information.
Minimum Graduate School Requirements
Review the Graduate School minimum academic progress and degree requirements, in addition to the program requirements listed below.
Major Requirements
MODE OF INSTRUCTION
| Face to Face | Evening/Weekend | Online | Hybrid | Accelerated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | No | No | No | No |
Mode of Instruction Definitions
Accelerated: Accelerated programs are offered at a fast pace that condenses the time to completion. Students are able to complete a program with minimal disruptions to careers and other commitments. Evening/Weekend: Courses meet on the UW–Madison campus only in evenings and/or on weekends to accommodate typical business schedules. Students have the advantages of face-to-face courses with the flexibility to keep work and other life commitments. Face-to-Face: Courses typically meet during weekdays on the UW-Madison Campus. Hybrid: These programs combine face-to-face and online learning formats. Contact the program for more specific information. Online: These programs are offered 100% online. Some programs may require an on-campus orientation or residency experience, but the courses will be facilitated in an online format. |
CURRICULAR REQUIREMENTS
| Minimum Credit Requirement | 51 credits |
| Minimum Residence Credit Requirement | 32 credits |
| Minimum Graduate Coursework Requirement | All degree coursework must be in graduate-level coursework; courses with the Graduate Level Coursework attribute are identified and searchable in the university's Course Guide (http://my.wisc.edu/CourseGuideRedirect/BrowseByTitle). |
| Overall Graduate GPA Requirement | 3.00 GPA required. |
| Other Grade Requirements | The Graduate School requires an average grade of B or better in all coursework (300 or above, not including research credits) taken as a graduate student unless conditions for probationary status require higher grades. Grades of Incomplete are considered to be unsatisfactory if they are not removed during the next enrolled semester. |
| Assessments and Examinations | Doctoral students are required to take a comprehensive preliminary/oral examination after they have cleared their record of all Incomplete and Progress grades (other than research and thesis). Deposit of the doctoral dissertation in the Graduate School is required. |
| Language Requirements | Contact the program for information on any language requirements. |
| Doctoral Minor/Breadth Requirements | Doctoral Social Welfare students are not required to complete a minor. |
Required COURSES
The first two years of the curriculum emphasize methodological, statistical, theoretical and substantive coursework. A variety of social welfare seminars are offered within the school. Students from several departments are invited to join these seminars creating a rich interdisciplinary training environment. Two foundation social welfare research methods seminars cover the fundamentals of research design and implementation relevant to the design and conduct of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods research. Application of research methods seminars provide practical experience and application of research knowledge and skills (e.g., proposal writing and data analysis). The social policy and applied theory seminars address specific substantive issues (e.g., poverty, child welfare, family policy), as well as core policy analytics and models of the application of social theory to social problems, respectively. The social welfare faculty research seminar (SOC WORK 946 Faculty Research Seminar, fall semester); and two student research seminars (SOC WORK 947 Student Research Seminar, spring semesters) provide opportunity for professional socialization to the field and development of research interests.
The curriculum is designed to require students to take some courses in departments throughout the campus, based on their individualized learning needs. Students take substantive and research courses focusing on topics related to their specialization. A wide selection of courses in world-renowned social and behavioral science departments is available. Students select an approved social science theory course; two statistics courses (C&E SOC/SOC 361 Statistics for Sociologists II –SOC 362 Statistics for Sociologists III or ED PSYCH 760 Statistical Methods Applied to Education I–ED PSYCH 761 Statistical Methods Applied to Education II ); two substantive elective courses; two statistics/methodology elective courses. Years three and four (or five) are dedicated to the preparation and completion of preliminary examinations and dissertation research.
For Students Entering with an MSW
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester 1 | ||
| SOC WORK 949 | Proseminar | 3 |
| SOC WORK 950 | PhD Proseminar | 3 |
| SOC WORK 946 | Faculty Research Seminar | 1 |
| Statistics I | 3 | |
| Spring Semester 1 | ||
| SOC WORK 948 | Proseminar (Topic: Quantitative Methods) | 3 |
| SOC WORK 951 | PhD Proseminar (Topic: Applied Theory Seminar) | 3 |
| SOC WORK 947 | Student Research Seminar | 1 |
| SOC WORK 952 | PhD Proseminar (Topic: Application of Research Methods) | 3 |
| Statistics II | 3 | |
| Fall Semester 2 | ||
| SOC WORK 950 | PhD Proseminar | 3 |
| or SOC WORK 951 | PhD Proseminar | |
| Social Science Theory course | 3 | |
| SOC WORK 949 | Proseminar (Topic: Qualitative Methods) | 3 |
| Statistics/Methods or Substantive Course Elective | 3 | |
| Spring Semester 2 | ||
| SOC WORK 952 | PhD Proseminar (Topic: Research Methods) | 3 |
| Susbstantive Course Elective | 3 | |
| Statistics/Methods Elective | 3 | |
| SOC WORK 947 | Student Research Seminar | 1 |
| Total Credits | 45 | |
MSW/PhD in Social Welfare for Students Without a BSW
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester 1 | ||
| Statistics I | 3 | |
| SOC WORK 605 | The Field of Social Work | 2 |
| SOC WORK 711 | Human Behavior and the Environment | 2 |
| SOC WORK 946 | Faculty Research Seminar | 1 |
| or SOC WORK 951 | PhD Proseminar | |
| SOC WORK 950 | PhD Proseminar | 3 |
| or SOC WORK 951 | PhD Proseminar | |
| Spring Semester 1 | ||
| Statistics II | 3 | |
| Social Science Theory | 3 | |
| SOC WORK 710 | Diversity, Oppression and Social Justice in Social Work | 2 |
| SOC WORK 947 | Student Research Seminar | 1 |
| SOC WORK 948 | Proseminar | 3 |
| SOC WORK 950 | PhD Proseminar | 3 |
| or SOC WORK 951 | PhD Proseminar | |
| Fall Semester 2 | ||
| SOC WORK 400 | Field Practice and Integrative Seminar I | 4 |
| SOC WORK 441 | Generalist Practice with Individuals, Families and Groups | 3 |
| SOC WORK 442 | Generalist Practice with Communities and Organizations | 2 |
| SOC WORK 949 | Proseminar | 3 |
| Spring Semester 2 | ||
| SOC WORK 401 | Field Practice and Integrative Seminar II | 4 |
| SOC WORK 712 | Psychopathology for Social Work Practice in Mental Health | 3 |
| SOC WORK 948 | Proseminar | 3 |
| SOC WORK 952 | PhD Proseminar | 3 |
| SOC WORK 840 | Advanced Macro Practice | 2 |
| Fall Semester 3 | ||
| SOC WORK 800 | Field Practice and Integrative Seminar III 1 | 5 |
| Advanced Practice Course 2 | ||
| MSW Course Elective 1 | ||
| SOC WORK 949 | Proseminar | 3 |
| SOC WORK 950 | PhD Proseminar | 3 |
| or SOC WORK 951 | PhD Proseminar | |
| Spring Semester 4 | ||
| SOC WORK 801 | Field Practice and Integrative Seminar IV | 5 |
| SOC WORK 947 | Student Research Seminar | 1 |
| SOC WORK 952 | PhD Proseminar 2 | 3 |
| Statistics/Methods or Substantive Course Elective | 3 | |
| Statistics/Methods or Substantive Course Elective | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 79 | |
| 1 | May be substituted with a comparable course with permission of the PhD chair. |
| 2 | Taking SOC WORK 952 PhD Proseminar twice is strongly suggested, but not required. |
MSW/PhD in Social Welfare for Students With a BSW
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester 1 | ||
| Statistics I | 3 | |
| SOC WORK 946 | Faculty Research Seminar | 1 |
| SOC WORK 949 | Proseminar | 3 |
| SOC WORK 950 | PhD Proseminar | 3 |
| or SOC WORK 951 | PhD Proseminar | |
| Social Science Theory | 3 | |
| Spring Semester 1 | ||
| Statistics II | 3 | |
| SOC WORK 947 | Student Research Seminar | 1 |
| SOC WORK 948 | Proseminar | 3 |
| SOC WORK 950 | PhD Proseminar | 3 |
| or SOC WORK 951 | PhD Proseminar | |
| SOC WORK 712 | Psychopathology for Social Work Practice in Mental Health 1 | 3 |
| Fall Semester 2 | ||
| SOC WORK 800 | Field Practice and Integrative Seminar III | 5 |
| Advanced Practice Course 2 | 2 | |
| MSW Course Elective 2 | 2 | |
| SOC WORK 949 | Proseminar | 3 |
| SOC WORK 950 | PhD Proseminar | 3 |
| or SOC WORK 951 | PhD Proseminar | |
| Spring Semester 2 | ||
| SOC WORK 801 | Field Practice and Integrative Seminar IV | 5 |
| SOC WORK 840 | Advanced Macro Practice 2 | 2 |
| SOC WORK 947 | Student Research Seminar | 1 |
| SOC WORK 948 | Proseminar | 3 |
| SOC WORK 952 | PhD Proseminar | 3 |
| Fall Semester 3 | ||
| Statistics/Methods or Substantive Course Elective | 3 | |
| Statistics/Methods or Substantive Course Elective | 3 | |
| Spring Semester 3 | ||
| SOC WORK 952 | PhD Proseminar 3 | 3 |
| Total Credits | 64 | |
| 1 | SOC WORK 712 Psychopathology for Social Work Practice in Mental Health may also be taken in the summer before or after Year 1. |
| 2 | May be substituted with a comparable course with permission of the PhD chair. |
| 3 | Taking SOC WORK 952 PhD Proseminar twice is strongly suggested, but not required. |
PhD-only
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester 1 | ||
| Statistics I | 3 | |
| SOC WORK 605 | The Field of Social Work | 2 |
| SOC WORK 711 | Human Behavior and the Environment | 2 |
| SOC WORK 946 | Faculty Research Seminar | 1 |
| SOC WORK 949 | Proseminar | 3 |
| SOC WORK 950 | PhD Proseminar | 3 |
| or SOC WORK 951 | PhD Proseminar | |
| Spring Semester 1 | ||
| Statistics II | 3 | |
| SOC WORK 947 | Student Research Seminar | 1 |
| SOC WORK 948 | Proseminar | 3 |
| SOC WORK 950 | PhD Proseminar | 3 |
| or SOC WORK 951 | PhD Proseminar | |
| SOC WORK 952 | PhD Proseminar | 3 |
| Fall Semester 2 | ||
| Social Science Theory | 3 | |
| SOC WORK 675 | Topics in Contemporary Social Welfare 1 | 2 |
| SOC WORK 949 | Proseminar | 3 |
| SOC WORK 950 | PhD Proseminar | 3 |
| or SOC WORK 951 | PhD Proseminar | |
| Spring Semester 2 | ||
| SOC WORK 947 | Student Research Seminar | 1 |
| SOC WORK 948 | Proseminar | 3 |
| SOC WORK 952 | PhD Proseminar 2 | 3 |
| Statistics/Methods or Substantive Course Elective | 3 | |
| Statistics/Methods or Substantive Course Elective | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 51 | |
| 1 | The 2-credit internship is intended to introduce students to the profession of social work and practice. |
| 2 | Taking SOC WORK 952 PhD Proseminar twice is strongly suggested, but not required. |
Graduate School Policies
The Graduate School’s Academic Policies and Procedures provide essential information regarding general university policies. Program authority to set degree policies beyond the minimum required by the Graduate School lies with the degree program faculty. Policies set by the academic degree program can be found below.
Program-Specific Policies
Prior Coursework
Graduate Work from Other Institutions
Doctoral students may apply credits obtained in other graduate programs toward the PhD program minimum degree requirement and minimum graduate coursework (50%) requirement. Graduate credits from other institutions may not be used to fulfill the minimum graduate residence credit requirement. Coursework earned 10 or more years prior to admission to the PhD program may not be used to satisfy degree credit minimums.
UW–Madison Undergraduate
Doctoral students cannot use credits obtained as undergraduate students toward the PhD program requirements.
UW–Madison University Special
With program approval, doctoral students may apply up to 15 credits numbered 300 and above obtained as UW–Madison University Special students toward the PhD program minimum graduate residence credit requirement and the minimum graduate degree credit requirement. That coursework may not be applied to the minimum graduate coursework (50%) requirement unless taken at the 700 level or above. Coursework earned 10 or more years prior to admission to the PhD program may not be used to satisfy degree credit minimums.
ProbatioN
The Graduate School regularly reviews the record of any student who earned grades of BC, C, D, F, or Incomplete in a graduate course (300 or above), or grade of U in research credits. This review could result in academic probation with a hold on future enrollment or in being suspended from the Graduate School.
ADVISOR / COMMITTEE
Every graduate student is required to have an advisor. An advisor is a faculty member, or sometimes a committee, from the major department responsible for providing advice regarding graduate studies. An advisor generally serves as the thesis advisor. In many cases, an advisor is assigned to incoming students. Students can be suspended from the Graduate School if they do not have an advisor.
To ensure that students are making satisfactory progress toward a degree, the Graduate School expects them to meet with their advisor on a regular basis.
A committee often accomplishes advising for the students in the early stages of their studies.
CREDITS PER TERM ALLOWED
15 credits
Time Constraints
Doctoral degree students who have been absent for ten or more consecutive years lose all credits that they have earned before their absence. Individual programs may count the coursework students completed prior to their absence for meeting program requirements; that coursework may not count toward Graduate School credit requirements.
A candidate for a doctoral degree who fails to take the final oral examination and deposit the dissertation within five years after passing the preliminary examination may by require to take another preliminary examination and to be admitted to candidacy a second time.
Grievances and Appeals
These resources may be helpful in addressing your concerns:
- Bias or Hate Reporting
- Graduate Assistantship Policies and Procedures
- Hostile and Intimidating Behavior Policies and Procedures
- Dean of Students Office (for all students to seek grievance assistance and support)
- Employee Assistance (for personal counseling and workplace consultation around communication and conflict involving graduate assistants and other employees, post-doctoral students, faculty and staff)
- Employee Disability Resource Office (for qualified employees or applicants with disabilities to have equal employment opportunities)
- Graduate School (for informal advice at any level of review and for official appeals of program/departmental or school/college grievance decisions)
- Office of Compliance (for class harassment and discrimination, including sexual harassment and sexual violence)
- Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards (for conflicts involving students)
- Ombuds Office for Faculty and Staff (for employed graduate students and post-docs, as well as faculty and staff)
- Title IX (for concerns about discrimination)
Students should contact the department chair or program director with questions about grievances.
Other
A Joint MSW/PhD option is available for students without an MSW. Students with another master's degree may choose the Joint or PhD only option.
Graduate School Resources
Take advantage of the Graduate School's professional development resources to build skills, thrive academically, and launch your career.
- Demonstrate understanding of social welfare problems, theories, policies, and programs.
- Conceptualize and analyze approaches to improving social welfare problems, theories, policies, and programs.
- Apply advanced quantitative and/or qualitative methodology for social welfare scholarship.
- Develop knowledge and skills to teach and/or present social welfare-related material in professional contexts .
- Demonstrate professional and ethical conduct.
- Create research, scholarship, or programing that enhances social welfare.
Professors: Lawrence M. Berger, MSW, Ph.D.; Marah H. Curtis, MSW, Ph.D.; Betty J. Kramer, MSSW, Ph.D.; Katherine Magnuson, Ph.D.; Daniel R. Meyer, MSW, Ph.D.; Stephanie A. Robert, MSW, Ph.D. (School director); Tracy Schroepfer, MSW, Ph.D., Kristen Slack, A.M., Ph.D.
Associate Professors: Tally Moses, MSW, Ph.D.
Assistant Professors: Lauren Bishop, Ph.D.; Pajarita Charles, MPA, MSW, Ph.D.; Lara Gerassi, MSW, Ph.D.; Jooyoung Kong, MSW, Ph.D.; Jessica Pac, Ph.D.; Alejandra Ros Pilarz, Ph.D.; Tova Walsh, MSW, Ph.D.; Yang Sao Xiong, Ph.D.