Overview

Social Work students develop core competencies that are integral to contemporary social work practice, teaching, and research.

The critical linkages between social work and social science research, theory, and practice build upon our faculty strengths and expertise, and grow through interdisciplinary collaborations and expertise in areas such as health, mental health, trauma, addictions, child welfare, and aging.

The PhD in Social Work program at Boston University offers an opportunity for students to work with, and learn from, these leaders and to pursue a multi-method and highly individualized course of study.

What you will learn

The core curriculum requires a mixed methods foundation, grounding in social work values and a social justice lens, and training in teaching excellence.

Student knowledge is deepened through hands-on teaching-practicum experience, the development of a specialization area, and mentored research training. These integrated experiences provide a rich educational foundation for social work leadership in academic, policy, research, and practice arenas.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Social Justice, Ethics, and the Social Work Profession
Proseminar in Social Work
Perspectives on Social Welfare Policy
Contemporary Social Problems: Capstone
Dissertation Seminar

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-09-02 00:00:00

Application deadline not specified.

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

120

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

100

Schedule TOEFL®

Credits

63 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Boston, United States

Disciplines

Social Work View 76 other PhDs in Social Work in United States

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Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

120

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

100

Schedule TOEFL®

Other requirements

General requirements

$95 non-refundable application fee paid by credit card to electronically submit your application
Personal statement
Writing sample
Current résumé or CV
Three recommendations
Transcripts
Study Abroad
Foreign Transcripts
Standardized Test Scores Are No Longer Required

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

39368 USD / year

≈ 39368 USD / year
Out-of-State

39368 USD / year

≈ 39368 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

39368 USD / year

≈ 39368 USD / year

Living costs

Boston

United States

1560 - 3239 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find PhD's scholarship opportunities for Social Work.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

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