PhD in Social Work

Financial Aid

Most students are admitted to our PhD program with a competitive funding package that typically provides four years of financial support.

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  Years 1 & 2 

  In the first two years, PhD students receive a graduate assistantship, which includes a living stipend, 100 percent tuition waiver and a health care subsidy. PhD students will also receive a Graduate Assistantship which includes a 9-month base salary in exchange for work with a GSSW faculty member on research activities.

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  Year 3

  Students receive a pre-dissertation fellowship, which includes a living stipend. (A tuition waiver is no longer necessary because all classes are completed during the first two years of the program.)

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  Year 4

  Students receive a dissertation fellowship, which includes a living stipend. We also support students in seeking adjunct teaching roles, research assistant roles on funded faculty projects, and external fellowships. 

Offered on our campus in Denver, Colorado, the PhD program is geared toward those who already have an MSW or a master’s degree in a related field and who want to work as a faculty member or researcher in an academic setting. From team-based mentorship to an emphasis on training excellent teachers, several features make our program stand apart:

An Emphasis on Teaching

• Excellent Mentorship

  One of the best predictors of success in doctoral programs is the strength of the relationship between students and their faculty mentors. The GSSW faculty is passionate about doctoral education, works collaboratively with students to help them succeed in their job search, has strong national networks within the discipline, and supports students in becoming excellent social work scholars.

• Emphasis on Collaboration

  Whether it is partnerships between faculty and doctoral students, among doctoral students, or with community partners, most GSSW research involves collaboration. When students share common research interests, they work with faculty as teams that support incoming students with multiple mentors, provide opportunities for more advanced students to mentor, and enhance the productivity of doctoral students and faculty.

• Foundation in Theory

  Although most programs provide a solid foundation in research methodology and statistics, the focus on theory and the philosophy of science can vary significantly. Because we are committed to developing scholars who are solidly grounded in theory, students are required to take a philosophy of science course along with courses in social work theory and theory in their substantive area.

• Commitment to Social Justice

  Across our academic programs, you’ll find a deep commitment to scholarship that is centered in issues of social justice. We educate students to understand practice, teaching and research in the context of social justice.

• Community-Based Research

  Most of our faculty members are involved in community-based research, and we have an extensive network of community-based partners — from large health care systems to social service providers to schools and community organizers — that co-create much of our research.

• Emphasis on Producing Excellent Teachers

  Not all doctoral programs emphasize producing graduates who are excellent teachers, as well as excellent researchers. We require a course on pedagogy and a teaching practicum. GSSW also has a number of faculty members who conduct research on evidence-based teaching and pedagogy.

• Training in Varied Research Methodologies

  Unlike most doctoral programs, we provide training in a broad array of research methodologies. You will learn and practice quantitative, qualitative and mixed-methods research designs as well as analytic techniques. This variety will allow you to select the best research methods for the questions you’re pursuing in your independent research.

Important Links

• PhD Curriculum
• GSSW Research
• GSSW Centers & Institutes
• GSSW Faculty
• GSSW PhD Students