Why a Ph.D. in Social Work

Why a PhD in Social Work?

• You want to become a member of faculty at a University
• You want to join a research firm addressing social and health problems
• You will have promotional advantages with a doctorate in organizations

Most graduates of social work doctoral programs work as faculty researchers.  Every year there are more openings for faculty than there graduates of programs.  There are a number of colleges and universities looking for qualified faculty  http://www.bls.gov /oes/current/oes251113.htm and the federal government predicts a shortage of qualified faculty in social work.

What Kinds of Careers do People with Doctorates Have

Faculty-Researcher careers

• Teaching – faculty with doctorates are hired into tenure track, research and clinical positions nationally and internationally.  As faculty, they shape the professional careers of undergraduate and graduate social workers.  Faculty are needed in rural areas and in urban areas as well as in teaching intensive or large research intensive universities.  Depending on your interests and your preferences, you are likely to find a position that will meet your professional goals.
• Research – Most graduates from doctoral programs integrate research as part of their faculty roles.  They teach, conduct research that informs practice, and provide community based service within their university or in the community. 
• Faculty-Researcher professionalization – Most programs train students to be independent researchers and to conduct research that informs professional social work practice. 

Research Careers

• Professional Researchers – some graduates join research institutions at local or national levels.  As professional researchers they are generally part of teams that seek external funding to conduct research related to social or community problems.
• Organizational Researchers – some agencies hire doctoral level researchers to seek external funding to support programs that serve communities.
• Research professionalization – most programs provide students the opportunity to develop as independent researchers and many programs have post-doctorate fellowships to enhance the skills needed to have a research career

Administrative Careers

• The doctorate provides many advantages in some settings for promotion.  A few students enter programs specifically because the degree will provide them with advantages in certain settings.

Advanced Practice Careers

• Some graduates remain in practice and obtain the doctorate either because it is advantageous to do so in their practice communities or because it allows them access to certain referrals. 

Policy Careers

A doctoral degree in social work or social welfare allows experienced practitioners an opportunity to focus on public policy careers, either by conducting policy analysis or developing public policy at the state or national level.

Matching Interests to institutions

Many undergraduate or master’s level applicants look for schools that are in their community. In selecting a doctoral program, it is possible to select a school that will meet both your professional goals as well as your areas of interest.

• Faculty Strengths:
• Faculty Interests: Students study under the mentorship of their chairs in doctoral programs.  Deciding where to go should start with review of faculty with an interest in the population or problems that your want to study
• Research Opportunities: learning to do research grounded in the values of social work can best be served by working with faculty who share your passion and can expose your to research opportunities
• Setting: 
• Do you prefer
• Rural or urban settings
• Public or Private
• Large or small faculty
• Research intensive or teaching intensive
• Residential or commuter campuses

Most states and provinces have doctoral programs.  You will spend two or more years in intensive study and it helps to find a match based on your environmental preferences.

Types of Programs

• Social Work Only – some programs offer all of their course work in the school of social work
• Interdisciplinary – some program offer only a select number of course in the school of social work and a proportion of course work is taken in other departments.
• Dual degree – some programs offer either as a part of their program or as the structure of their program dual degrees with the doctorate in social work and a masters in another discipline.