Welcome to the Ph.D. Program
The Ph.D. program is designed for students who are committed to
scholarship, research, and teaching that contribute to the knowledge
base of the social work profession and foster a just, nurturing, and
inclusive society.
Overview
The program focuses upon developing a partnership between faculty and students in order to promote knowledge and skills in theory development and community-based research, in policy analysis, and in teaching social work at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Our Ph.D. program offers students the opportunity to be mentored by nationally prominent faculty with expertise in diverse areas of practice, policy, and research. Established in 1946, the program is one of the oldest in the United States. Graduates of the program include internationally-recognized scholars in diverse areas of study. Our alumni include many deans, directors and faculty members of schools of social work, agency and program directors, and high-level public servants in federal, state, and local government agencies.
Where our Ph.D. graduates work
SSW Initiatives and Faculty Research
The faculty with whom Ph.D. students work closely have national and international reputations and scholarly interests that span a wide range of pressing social problems and issues. Examples of faculty research and writing include: change, recovery and transformation of African American men who batter; understanding violence from the perpetrator perspective to develop prevention models; clinical assessment integrating client strengths and risks; aging and the needs of older adults in long term care; changes among the "working poor" population and public policy regarding self-sufficiency; growing up with gay or lesbian parents.
Feel free to e-mail or phone faculty members who might have academic or research interests related to yours. Information about research interests is listed on the research and faculty pages.
For More Information
Campus visits: If you want to meet with SSW faculty and explore the resources of the University of Minnesota, please let us know and we will help make arrangements with the appropriate individuals.
Admissions application process:
612-624-4704 or 1-800-779-8636;
swadmis@umn.edu
Ph.D. Program:
Associate Professor Elizabeth Lightfoot, Ph.D. program director
612-624-3673 or 1-800-779-8636;
elightfo@umn.edu
Jan Goodno, assistant to the director of graduate studies
612-624-4258 or 1-800-779-8636;
jgoodno@umn.edu