University Catalog > Graduate Programs > Wurzweiler School of Social Work > Social Welfare, PhD
The Doctorate of Philosophy in Social Welfare program is designed for experienced social work professionals and scholars dedicated to advancing research, policy, and practice. The program emphasizes rigorous academic inquiry, social justice, and transformative leadership, offering a curriculum that blends theoretical foundations, advanced research methods, and critical analysis of contemporary social issues.
Students work closely with faculty advisors who mentor them through the development of a focused research agenda. The program culminates in a dissertation that contributes original knowledge to the field. Students are expected to produce scholarly work of publishable quality, such as empirical studies, theoretical analyses, or policy critiques, which are reviewed by a faculty committee before journal submission.
The coursework is structured to be completed in three years, with a part-time option available upon approval from the Program Director. Graduates are strongly positioned to take on leadership roles in academia, research institutions, and policy organizations, driving innovation and ethical scholarship in the field of social welfare.
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