The Social Welfare 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;
- it emphasizes methodological and statistical training and their applications to studying social problems and processes.
Ph.D. Degree Tracks1
- Standard PhD Track: Students entering the program with a master's degree in social work will follow the Standard plan of study and should expect to complete their degree in four to five years.
- Joint MSW/PhD Tracks 1&2: The doctoral program does not require a BSW or an MSW for entry. A Joint MSW/PhD is available to applicants wishing to obtain an MSW while completing the PhD in Social Welfare. Students entering the program under the Joint MSW/PhD plan of study and should expect to complete their degree in five to seven years. The Joint MSW/PhD Tracks 1&2 may add require an additional one to two years of coursework to complete the program. Options include:
- Joint MSW/PhD 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.
- Joint MSW/PhD Track II: MSW/Ph.D. program for students with a bachelor's degree in social work. Students complete the equivalent of the one-year advanced generalist master's program. Track ll requires that students have a BSW from a CSWE accredited school of social work.
- PhD Only Track: The PhD-Only option is for students applying to the PhD program without a BSW or MSW, that wish to obtain only the PhD degree. Students complete MSW generalist foundation courses, and a 2-credit internship. Students entering the program under the PhD Only plan of study and should expect to complete their degree in five to six years.
- 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.
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 |
- *
Due to COVID-19, there have been challenges for students attempting to take the GRE. For students applying for Fall 2024, the GRE requirement is optional. Regardless of whether GRE scores are submitted, all applications will be held in equal regard.
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 typically take enough credits aimed at completing the program in a year or two.
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 | 51 credits must be taken at the UW-Madison and either have the graduate attribute, or have approval from the PhD Program Chair. Details can be found in the Graduate School’s Minimum Graduate Coursework (50%) policy (https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1244). |
| Overall Graduate GPA Requirement | 3.00 GPA required. This program follows the Graduate School's policy: https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1203. |
| Other Grade Requirements | Students must pass all courses with a grade of B or better. A student must retake any required course in which a lower grade than B is received, except for the statistics sequence where a grade of BC or C may be offset by a grade of A or AB in another statistics course. |
| Assessments and Examinations | Doctoral students are required to complete 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 | n/a |
| Graduate School Breadth Requirement | Doctoral Social Welfare students are not required to complete a doctoral minor or graduate/professional certificate. |
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. 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 (typically 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. The Program standard is 8 credits minimum per semester, unless approved by the Program Chair 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 | ||
| Statistics I | 3 | |
| SOC WORK 946 | Faculty Research Seminar | 1 |
| SOC WORK 949 | Proseminar | 3 |
| or SOC WORK 948 | Proseminar | |
| 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 |
| Social Science Theory or Elective 1 | 3 | |
| SOC WORK 952 | PhD Proseminar | 3 |
| or SOC WORK/ED PSYCH 945 | Evaluation Research | |
| Fall Semester 2 | ||
| Statistics/Methods or Substantive Course Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Social Science Theory, Statistics/Methods, or Substantive Course Elective 1 | 3 | |
| SOC WORK 948 | Proseminar | 3 |
| or SOC WORK 949 | Proseminar | |
| SOC WORK 951 | PhD Proseminar | 3 |
| or SOC WORK 950 | PhD Proseminar | |
| Spring Semester 2 | ||
| Social Science Theory, Statistics/Methods, or Substantive Course Elective 1 | 3 | |
| SOC WORK 947 | Student Research Seminar | 1 |
| Social Science Theory, Statistics/Methods, or Substantive Course Elective 1 | 3 | |
| SOC WORK 952 | PhD Proseminar 2 | 3 |
| or SOC WORK/ED PSYCH 945 | Evaluation Research | |
| Total Credits | 42 | |
- 1
See Statistics/Methods, Theory, or Substantive Course Electives tab for suggested courses. Consult with PhD Program Chair to determine how course meets program requirements.
- 2
Students may opt to take SOC WORK 952 PhD Proseminar twice and can count it once as a Statistics or Methods elective. Students may choose to take SOC WORK/ED PSYCH 945 Evaluation Research as a methods elective requirement.
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 |
| SOC WORK 950 | PhD Proseminar | 3 |
| or SOC WORK 951 | PhD Proseminar | |
| SOC WORK 948 | Proseminar | 3 |
| or SOC WORK 949 | Proseminar | |
| Spring Semester 1 | ||
| Statistics II | 3 | |
| Social Science Theory, Statistics/Methods, or Substantive Course Elective 3 | 3 | |
| SOC WORK 710 | Diversity, Oppression and Social Justice in Social Work | 2 |
| SOC WORK 947 | Student Research Seminar | 1 |
| SOC WORK/ED PSYCH 945 | Evaluation Research | 3 |
| or SOC WORK 952 | 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 |
| or SOC WORK 948 | Proseminar | |
| Spring Semester 2 | ||
| SOC WORK 401 | Field Practice and Integrative Seminar II | 4 |
| SOC WORK 612 | Psychopathology in Generalist Social Work Practice 4 | 2 |
| SOC WORK 952 | PhD Proseminar | 3 |
| or SOC WORK/ED PSYCH 945 | Evaluation Research | |
| SOC WORK 840 | Advanced Macro Practice 1 | 2 |
| Fall Semester 3 | ||
| SOC WORK 800 | Field Practice and Integrative Seminar III 1 | 5 |
| MSW Advanced Practice Course (i.e., SOC WORK 741, 821, 835, or 873) | 2 | |
| MSW Advanced Practice Elective 1 | 2 | |
| SOC WORK 949 | Proseminar | 3 |
| or SOC WORK 948 | Proseminar | |
| SOC WORK 950 | PhD Proseminar | 3 |
| or SOC WORK 951 | PhD Proseminar | |
| Spring Semester 3 | ||
| SOC WORK 801 | Field Practice and Integrative Seminar IV | 5 |
| SOC WORK 947 | Student Research Seminar | 1 |
| SOC WORK 952 | PhD Proseminar 2 | 3 |
| or SOC WORK/ED PSYCH 945 | Evaluation Research | |
| Social Science Theory, Statistics/Methods, or Substantive Course Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Social Science Theory, Statistics/Methods, or Substantive Course Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 79 | |
- 1
See PhD Chair for suggested MSW Elective courses.
- 2
Students may opt to take SOC WORK 952 PhD Proseminar twice and can count it once as a Statistics or Methods elective. Students may choose to take SOC WORK/ED PSYCH 945 Evaluation Research as a methods elective requirement.
- 3
See Statistics/Methods, Theory, or Substantive Course Electives tab for suggested courses. Consult with PhD Program Chair to determine how course meets program requirements.
- 4
SOC WORK 612 Psychopathology in Generalist Social Work Practice may also be taken in the summer before or after Year 2.
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 |
| or SOC WORK 948 | Proseminar | |
| SOC WORK 950 | PhD Proseminar | 3 |
| or SOC WORK 951 | PhD Proseminar | |
| Social ScienceTheory, Statistics/Methods, or Substantive Course Elective 4 | 3 | |
| Spring Semester 1 | ||
| Statistics II | 3 | |
| SOC WORK 947 | Student Research Seminar | 1 |
| Social Science Theory, Statistics/Methods, or Substantive Course Elective 4 | 3 | |
| Social Science Theory, Statistics/Methods, or Substantive Course Elective 4 | 3 | |
| SOC WORK 612 | Psychopathology in Generalist Social Work Practice 1 | 2 |
| Fall Semester 2 | ||
| SOC WORK 800 | Field Practice and Integrative Seminar III | 5 |
| MSW Advanced Practice Course (i.e., SOC WORK 741, 821, 835, or 873) | 2 | |
| MSW Advanced Practice Elective 2 | 2 | |
| SOC WORK 949 | Proseminar | 3 |
| or SOC WORK 948 | Proseminar | |
| 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 |
| SOC WORK 947 | Student Research Seminar | 1 |
| SOC WORK 952 | PhD Proseminar 3 | 3 |
| or SOC WORK/ED PSYCH 945 | Evaluation Research | |
| Social Science Theory, Statistics/Methods, or Substantive Course Elective 4 | 3 | |
| Fall Semester 3 | ||
| Social Science Theory, Statistics/Methods, or Substantive Course Elective 4 | 3 | |
| Statistics/Methods or Substantive Course Elective 4 | 3 | |
| Spring Semester 3 | ||
| Social Science Theory, Statistics/Methods, or Substantive Course Elective 4 | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 63 | |
- 1
SOC WORK 612 Psychopathology in Generalist Social Work Practice may also be taken in the summer before or after Year 1.
- 2
See PhD Chair for suggested MSW Elective courses.
- 3
Students may opt to take SOC WORK 952 PhD Proseminar twice and can count it once as a Statistics or Methods elective. Students may choose to take SOC WORK/ED PSYCH 945 Evaluation Research as a methods elective requirement.
- 4
See Statistics/Methods, Theory, or Substantive Course Electives tab for suggested courses. Consult with PhD Program Chair to determine how course meets program requirements.
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 |
| or SOC WORK 948 | Proseminar | |
| 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 950 | PhD Proseminar | 3 |
| or SOC WORK 951 | PhD Proseminar | |
| Social Science Theory, Statistics/Methods, or Substantive Course Elective 3 | 3 | |
| SOC WORK 952 | PhD Proseminar 2 | 3 |
| or SOC WORK/ED PSYCH 945 | Evaluation Research | |
| Fall Semester 2 | ||
| Social Science Theory 3 | 3 | |
| SOC WORK 675 | Topics in Contemporary Social Welfare (Social Work Internship) 1 | 2 |
| SOC WORK 949 | Proseminar | 3 |
| or SOC WORK 948 | Proseminar | |
| 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 (or Elective) | 3 |
| SOC WORK 952 | PhD Proseminar 2 | 3 |
| or SOC WORK/ED PSYCH 945 | Evaluation Research | |
| Statistics/Methods or Substantive Course Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Statistics/Methods or Substantive Course Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 51 | |
- 1
The 2-credit internship is intended to introduce students to the profession of social work and practice.
- 2
Students may opt to take SOC WORK 952 PhD Proseminar twice and can count it once as a Statistics or Methods elective. Students may choose to take SOC WORK/ED PSYCH 945 Evaluation Research as a methods elective requirement.
- 3
See Statistics/Methods, Theory, or Substantive Course Electives tab for suggested courses. Consult with PhD Program Chair to determine how course meets program requirements.
Statistics/Methods, Theory, or Substantive Course Electives
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CNSR SCI 930 | Seminar in Family Economic Policy | 3 |
| COUN PSY 960 | Research Methods in Counseling Psychology, II | 3 |
| CSCS 501 | Special Topics | 3 |
| CSCS 801 | Special Topics in Civil Society and Community Research | 3 |
| CURRIC/COUN PSY/ED POL/ED PSYCH/ELPA/RP & SE 789 | Qualitative Research Methods in Education: Field Methods II | 3 |
| ED PSYCH/COUN PSY/RP & SE 737 | Seminar in History and Systems of Psychology | 3 |
| ED PSYCH 760 | Statistical Methods Applied to Education I | 3 |
| ED PSYCH 761 | Statistical Methods Applied to Education II | 3 |
| ED PSYCH 762 | Introduction to the Design of Educational Experiments | 3 |
| ED PSYCH 763 | Regression Models in Education | 3 |
| ED PSYCH 771 | Test Construction | 3 |
| ED PSYCH 845 | Psychopharmacological Treatments for Children and Adolescents | 3 |
| ED PSYCH 946 | Advanced Assessment and Intervention Techniques | 3 |
| ED PSYCH 960 | Structural Equation Modeling | 3 |
| ED PSYCH 963 | Design & Analysis of Quasi-Experiments for Causal Inference | 3 |
| ED PSYCH 964 | Hierarchical Linear Modeling | 3 |
| ELPA/ED POL/PUB AFFR 765 | Issues in Educational Policy Analysis | 3 |
| ELPA/ED PSYCH 827 | Surveys and Other Quantitative Data Collection Strategies | 3 |
| ELPA 940 | Special Topics Seminar in Educational Leadership | 3 |
| GEN&WS/C&E SOC/SOC 904 | Sociological Perspectives on Gender | 3 |
| GEN&WS/POLI SCI 933 | Feminist Political Theory | 3 |
| HDFS 766 | Current Topics in Human Development and Family Studies | 3 |
| HDFS 818 | Attachment Theory and Relationships Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| HDFS 865 | Family Theory I (Survey) | 3 |
| HDFS 869 | Advanced Seminar in Family Stress and Coping | 3 |
| HDFS/ED PSYCH/NURSING/SOC WORK 880 | Prevention Science | 3 |
| HIST SCI/MED HIST 919 | Graduate Studies in Medical History | 3 |
| INTER-HE 793 | Research Methods | 3 |
| NURSING 818 | Patient-centered Research | 3 |
| NURSING 772 | Leadership and Organizational Decision-Making in Health Care | 3 |
| POP HLTH/B M I 651 | Advanced Regression Methods for Population Health | 3 |
| POP HLTH 709 | Translational and Outcomes Research in Health and Health Care | 3 |
| POP HLTH 795 | Principles of Population Health Sciences | 3 |
| POP HLTH 796 | Introduction to Health Services Research | 3 |
| POP HLTH/SOC 797 | Introduction to Epidemiology | 3 |
| PUB AFFR 819 | Advanced Statistical Methods for Public Policy Analysis | 3 |
| PUB AFFR/POLI SCI 871 | Public Program Evaluation | 3 |
| PUB AFFR 880 | Microeconomic Policy Analysis | 3 |
| PUB AFFR 888 | Comparative and National Social Policy | 3 |
| PUB AFFR 974 | Topics in Public Affairs | 3 |
| RP & SE 560 | Psychosocial Aspects of Chronic Illness and Disability | 3 |
| SOC/C&E SOC 361 | Statistics for Sociologists II | 4 |
| SOC 362 | Statistics for Sociologists III | 4 |
| SOC 351 | Introduction to Survey Methods for Social Research | 3-4 |
| SOC/C&E SOC/URB R PL 617 | Community Development | 3 |
| SOC 751 | Survey Methods for Social Research | 3 |
| SOC 752 | Measurement and Questionnaires for Survey Research | 3 |
| SOC 901 | Seminar: Topics in Current Sociology | 3 |
| SOC 952 | Seminar-Mathematical and Statistical Applications in Sociology | 3 |
| SOC/ED POL 955 | Seminar-Qualitative Methodology | 3 |
| SOC/C&E SOC 971 | Seminar-Topics in Demography and Ecology | 3 |
| URB R PL 844 | Housing and Public Policy | 3 |
| COUN PSY/ED PSYCH/HDFS 726 | Ethnic and Racial Diversity in Social Development | 3 |
| NURSING 715 | Evaluation of Health Informatics Solutions | 3 |
| SOC 632 | Sociology of Organizations | 3-4 |
| ED PSYCH 721 | Adolescent Development | 3 |
| ED PSYCH/HDFS 725 | Theory and Issues in Human Development | 3 |
| ED PSYCH 965 | Applied Bayesian Statistics for Education Research | 3 |
| CSCS 811 | Community-Based Research: Theory and Practice | 3 |
| HDFS 872 | Bridging the Gap Between Research and Action | 3 |
| URB R PL/ECON/PUB AFFR 734 | Regional Economic Problem Analysis | 3 |
| URB R PL 512 | Gentrification and Urban Restructuring | 3 |
| ELPA 860 | Organizational Theory and Behavior in Education | 3 |
| POP HLTH 876 | Measuring Health Outcomes | 3 |
| GEN&WS 720 | Special Topics in Gender and Women's Studies | 1-3 |
| GEN&WS 800 | Research Methods in Gender & Women's Studies | 3 |
| GEN&WS/ANTHRO 920 | Anthropology of Gender | 3 |
| ANTHRO 909 | Research Methods and Research Design in Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
| GEN&WS/HIST SCI 537 | Childbirth in the United States | 3 |
| LEGAL ST/GEN&WS/SOC 425 | Crime, Gender and Justice | 3 |
| S&A PHM 702 | Mixed Methods for Health Sciences: Purpose, Design and Approach | 2 |
| ED PSYCH/HDFS/NURSING/SOC WORK 881 | Capstone Seminar in Prevention Science | 1 |
| CSCS 812 | Mixed-Methods in Community-Based Research | 3 |
| HDFS 663 | Developmental and Family Assessment | 3 |
| GEOG/URB R PL 505 | Urban Spatial Patterns and Theories | 3 |
| ED PSYCH 773 | Factor Analysis, Multidimensional Scaling and Cluster Analysis | 3 |
| NURSING 802 | Ethics and the Responsible Conduct of Research | 1 |
| NURSING 702 | Health Promotion and Disease Prevention in Diverse Communities | 3 |
| NURSING 807 | Grounded Theory Research | 3 |
| NURSING 805 | Measurement in Health Research | 3 |
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.
Major-Specific Policies
Prior Coursework
Graduate Work from Other Institutions
No coursework from other institutions may be applied toward the minimum graduate coursework requirement, the minimum graduate degree credit requirement, or the minimum PhD program requirement except in rare circumstances that require approval from the PhD Program Chair. Coursework earned more than 5 years prior to admission to the PhD program may not be used to satisfy degree credit minimums.
UW–Madison Undergraduate
Doctoral students may apply up to 6 credits with the graduate attribute, obtained as UW-Madison undergraduate students, toward the PhD program statistics or methods requirements, with approval from the PhD Program Chair. Coursework earned more than 5 years prior to admission to the PhD program may not be used to satisfy degree credit minimums.
UW–Madison University Special
Doctoral students may petition to apply up to 12 credits with the graduate attribute, obtained as a UW–Madison University Special student or as a UW-Madison graduate student in another graduate program, toward the PhD program minimum degree requirement and the minimum graduate degree credit requirement. Courses without the graduate attribute, taken as a UW-Madison University Special student or a UW-Madison graduate student in another graduate program, must be approved by the PhD Program Chair. Coursework earned more than 5 years prior to admission to the PhD program may not be used to satisfy degree credit minimums.
ProbatioN
This program follows the Graduate School's Probation policy.
ADVISOR / COMMITTEE
This program follows the Graduate School’s Advisor policy and the Graduate School’s Committees policy.
CREDITS PER TERM ALLOWED
15 credits
Time limits
Coursework earned more than 5 years prior to admission to the PhD program may not be used to satisfy degree credit minimums.
This program otherwise follows the Graduate School's Time Limits policy.
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. They may also contact the L&S Academic Divisional Associate Deans, the L&S Associate Dean for Teaching and Learning Administration, or the L&S Director of Human Resources.
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.; Katherine Magnuson, Ph.D.; Stephanie A. Robert, MSW, Ph.D. (School director); Tracy Schroepfer, MSW, Ph.D., Kristen Slack, A.M., Ph.D.
Associate Professors: Lauren Bishop, MSW, Ph.D.; Tally Moses, MSW, Ph.D.; Marci Ybarra, MSW, Ph.D.
Assistant Professors: Pajarita Charles, MPA, MSW, Ph.D.; Lara Gerassi, MSW, Ph.D.; LB Klein, MSW, Ph.D.; Jooyoung Kong, MSW, Ph.D.; Jessica Pac, MPA, Ph.D.; Alejandra Ros Pilarz, MA, Ph.D.; Tawandra Rowell-Cunsolo, MA, Ph.D.; Tova Walsh, MSW, Ph.D.; Yang Sao Xiong, MA, Ph.D.
Faculty Affiliates: Judi Bartfeld, BS, Ph.D; John Eason, M.P.P, Ph.D.
A complete list of all faculty and staff in the school is available on the School of Social Work Directory.