PhD in Social Work
Help shape the future of the field as a scholar, researcher, or leader.
Help shape the future of the field as a scholar, researcher, or leader.
Change your world and the world of those around you as you reach a new level of achievement in your career and make significant contributions to your profession and to society. Walden’s online PhD in Social Work program can help you enhance your role as an advanced social work scholar, researcher, and leader in the field.1
Walden’s PhD in Social Work online degree program helps you prepare to practice at the highest level of the social work field as a researcher, college-level educator, or administrative leader. A challenging curriculum enables you to analyze advanced theory and explore some of the most pressing and cutting-edge issues in social work today. Align your studies with your interests by choosing one of eight specializations, such as Addictions and Social Work, Medical Social Work, or Clinical Expertise. Four face-to-face academic residencies support the learning experience by giving you the opportunity to collaborate with professors and colleagues, build your social and professional community, and enhance your ability to effect positive social change.
A Master of Social Work (MSW) is a prerequisite for the PhD in Social Work program. As a graduate of this program, you can become a lifelong contributor to the profession through research, scholarly writing, and thought leadership.
Aligned with Walden University’s mission of social change, the PhD in Social Work program allows you to:
Walden’s PhD in Social Work program offers a variety of specializations to help you meet your personal and professional goals. Learn more about each specialization and its related curriculum:
Graduates of this online PhD in Social Work degree program will be prepared to:
Walden University’s online PhD in Social Work program can help you gain the skills needed to address social issues through research or to teach in a university setting. Whichever path you choose, this doctoral degree program will prepare you to work in a variety of professions in the public or private sectors.
A PhD in Social Work can provide you with greater opportunities to move your career forward as a:
Career options may require additional experience, training, or other factors beyond the successful completion of this degree program.
At Walden, we understand that you likely work full time and may care for children or other family members. Explore our support services designed to help you balance family commitments with your work and school responsibilities. We’re all in it together.
I hope that with the degree I’ve obtained from Walden I can help individuals, organizations, and policymakers develop policies and plans to benefit children and youth.
I knew from earning my master’s degree that Walden fit my schedule as an intervention counselor, trainer, and single parent.
I knew I wanted to attain a PhD so that I could teach at the university level, and I have a passion for forming competent and informed social workers.
1Career options may require additional experience, training, or other factors beyond the successful completion of this degree program. Find detailed information for this program, including possible occupations, completion rate, program costs, and median student loan debt.
2Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012–13 Edition, on the Internet at www.bls.gov/ooh/Community-and-Social-Service/Social-workers.htm/#tab-6 (viewed online June 29, 2013). National long-term projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual employment.
3Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012–13 Edition, on the Internet at www.bls.gov/ooh/Education-Training-and-Library/Postsecondary-teachers.htm#tab-6 (viewed online June 29, 2013). National long-term projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual employment.
Note: Time to completion and cost are not estimates of individual experience and will vary based on individual factors applicable to the student. Factors may be programmatic or academic, such as tuition and fee increases; transfer credits accepted by Walden; program or specialization changes; unsuccessful course completion; credit load per term; part-time vs. full-time enrollment; writing, research, and editing skills; use of external data for the doctoral study/dissertation; and individual progress in the program. Other factors may include personal issues such as the student’s employment obligations, caregiving responsibilities, or health issues; leaves of absence; or other personal circumstances.
