Industry Growth
Overall employment of social workers is projected to grow 12% by 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Doctoral Degree
Social Work PhD Doctorate Program
With its part-time, cohort and campus-based format, Widener’s PhD program is designed for experienced working professionals interested in becoming stewards of social work’s professional knowledge base.
At a Glance
Click to Open
Offered as
Doctor of Philosophy of Social Work or PhD of Social Work
Format
On Campus
Credits
54
Avg. Time to Completion
5 years
College/School
Campus Location
- Chester, PA
Explore the Social Work (PhD) Program
The mission of Widener University's Center for Social Work Education is to help you develop as an academic leader and sharpen your skills and expertise in research, teaching, and application of theory. Through Widener's social work PhD program, you will cultivate leadership qualities and interpersonal skills to further your development for a career:
- as social work faculty in undergraduate and graduate college and university programs
- as administrators in private and public organizations
- as advanced clinical, community, or policy practitioners
Social Work (PhD) Program Options
In the social work PhD program, we aim to develop you as an academic leader proficient in research, teaching, and advanced social work practice. As you progress through the program, you'll learn to critically analyze social work interventions, delve into the underlying theories and assumptions, and gain a comprehensive understanding of how political, economic, sociocultural, and organizational contexts shape the field.
You'll also have the opportunity to collaborate with interdisciplinary perspectives, use established quantitative and qualitative methods for research, evaluate different social work approaches, develop effective teaching skills, and enhance your writing and scholarship abilities.
View the Loading... for information regarding the course offerings and outcomes for the doctoral program.
Our PhD program accepts students who have either a MSW degree or a master’s degree in a related discipline.
We offer an MSW/PhD option for those students who have a master’s degree in a related field and would like to earn the MSW in conjunction with their PhD. We would be happy to speak with you further about this option.
Social Work (PhD) Outlook & Outcomes
Why Earn Your Social Work (PhD) at Widener?
Optimize Your Schedule With Part-Time Classes
All of your classes will take place on Fridays, in one morning and one early afternoon session. Between classes, you'll experience scheduled opportunities to attend workshops and network with faculty and fellow students. Our commitment to part-time education allows experienced professionals to earn a PhD while continuing to practice in the field.
Navigate Your Coursework and Dissertation Journey
Years one to three of your program will be dedicated exclusively to coursework. In your third year, you will complete a comprehensive examination paper. By the end of year four, you will submit a dissertation proposal for approval and defense. Years four and five are devoted to dissertation preparation under the supervision of the dissertation committee chair.
Build a Network of Industry Insiders
Forge connections with distinguished guest speakers, motivated peers, accomplished alumni, and our esteemed faculty, who bring the latest trends, technology, and innovative thinking to their teachings. By immersing yourself in this influential network, you'll emerge from your studies with an invaluable community that will support and guide you long after graduation.
Our Faculty
"My approach to teaching is best described as embracing an existentialist and social reconstructivist perspective, emphasizing respect for what each student brings to the classroom and students’ responsibility for their own learning. In my teaching at Widener, these methods have resulted in positive outcomes as measured by student course evaluations and verbal feedback."
"I strive to create an engaging, dynamic, and responsive learning environment. By encouraging self-reflection and co-created learning spaces, I aim for students to finish the course with confidence in the material, a sense of leadership in their own learning, and an understanding of the link between their work and social justice."
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Admissions & Aid
Our admissions and financial aid teams are here to support you every step of the way. Have a question? Ask away!
Admissions Information
Applying online is easy—and it's secure.
What you'll need to apply:
A personal statement (4–6 double-spaced, typed pages) describing professional goals and reasons for seeking a PhD in social work. See guidelines below for further details.
Transcripts from undergraduate and graduate courses of study.
Sample of scholarly (academic) writing that illustrates capacity for critical thinking, writing skill, and appropriate citation of sources. Writing samples should be a minimum of three double-spaced pages in length. Possible sources for your sample include a published research article, a book chapter, a professional report, or a graduate-level course paper.
Three letters of reference—two academic and one professional—addressing applicant’s professional and academic performance.
Current résumé.
Personal Statement
The personal statement is a vital component of your application. It will be used to evaluate your writing skills as well as your ability to conceptualize and articulate your interests in pursuing doctoral-level education.
Please use the following outline to compose your essay, which should be the equivalent of between four and six double-spaced pages.
Decision to Pursue PhD - Discuss why you have chosen to pursue a PhD in social work, including why you have chosen to pursue a PhD versus a Doctorate of Social Work (DSW).
Career Objectives – Describe your career aspirations. How does a PhD fit into that career plan and why is having a PhD necessary to pursue these aspirations? Explain what you hope to do with your Social Work PhD degree.
Personal Background – Describe significant life experiences (professional and/or personal) that have led you to your decision to pursue doctoral education in social work.
Research Interests – Describe your research interests that you would be interested in pursuing in a social work PhD program. These may be general interests or questions, developed from your practice or lived experience.
Personal Evaluation – Discuss your readiness for rigorous graduate work, your ability to manage the heavy demands of graduate school with your other personal and professional responsibilities, your strengths and areas where you are looking to grow, and why you think Widener University’s Social Work PhD Program is a good fit for you.
Interview:
If you are selected to interview for the program, we will contact you to arrange an appointment.
The application deadline for the next academic year is March 30th. Our Social Work PhD program starts reviewing applications on February 1st and then uses a rolling admissions format, which means you can apply when it's convenient for you until the March 30th deadline.
Financial Aid
Paths to Savings
Graduate Assistantships
Widener offers a limited number of graduate assistantships to enrolled students. GAs receive tuition assistance for their work. Once you're a student, contact your program director for more information.
Employer Discounts & Tuition Reimbursement
Widener University also partners with many local organizations and corporations to offer discounted tuition and other incentives to their employees. Don't see your company on the list? Ask them to become a partner. In addition, employers often offer educational reimbursement benefits. We encourage you to explore these opportunities and will be glad to provide any necessary documentation.
20% Discount for Widener Alumni
(some restrictions apply)
If you graduated with a degree from Widener, you may qualify for a 20% tuition discount. The first step to see what you qualify for is to submit your application. Widener offers students many paths to savings, and while we don't offer "double discounts", we'll make sure you'll get the biggest financial benefit you're eligible for. Only students who have completed an associate's, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree are eligible. Students who have pursued a 4+1, 4+2, or 3+3 pathway, graduate assistantship, Widener-funded scholarship, or other tuition discount may not be eligible if the financial discount granted surpasses 20%.
Program Cost
Center for Social Work Education
-
Bruce Hall
- 610-499-1153
- socialwork@widener.edu
Kat LeConey
Assistant Director of Admissions & Enrollment
-
Hyatt Hall, Office #320
- (610) 499-1388
- ksleconey@widener.edu
