As the only part-time, cohort and campus-based PhD program on the East Coast, Widener’s program is designed for experienced working professionals interested in becoming stewards of social work’s professional knowledge base.
Our mission is to help you develop as an academic leader and sharpen your skills and expertise in research, teaching, and application of theory. Here, you will cultivate leadership qualities and interpersonal skills to further your development for a career:
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.
*GRE requirement may be waived for a master's program GPA of 3.8 or better earned within the past 5 years.
Applications are due by April 30.
If you are selected to interview for the program, we will contact you to arrange an appointment.
Our PhD curriculum provides you with skills and expertise in scholarly research, teaching, and application of theory.
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.
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.
Widener’s social work instructors are all full-time faculty practitioners with experience working in the social work field. Many of the professors have a deep interest in research or have been social work clinicians for more than 20 years.
"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."
"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."
Brent A. Satterly, a professor in Widener University's Department of Social Work, has co-authored and co-edited the second edition of “Sexuality Concepts for Social Workers.” This updated edition...
Upon graduation, you will be prepared to enter the workforce as an agent of social change. Uniquely located between three states, Widener's community relationships can connect you to agencies, schools, and hospitals in the tri-state area and beyond.
Providence House
400 E. 21st St.
Chester, PA 19013
Bruce Hall
Bruce Hall
Room 117