PhD Student Resource Portal

This page includes information, resources, and forms related to the Social Work PhD program.

GSSW Academic Calendars

University of Denver Calendars

DU Calendars & Deadlines

University of Denver, Office of Graduate Education (OGE) Resources:

If you don't find a resource listed here, search on OGE's Current Student's Resources.

Quick Links:

University of Denver Resources:

Here are some common resources for the PhD program. If you don't find a resource listed here, search on DU's primary website.

Health & Wellness Resources

Committed to supporting all eligible [campus-based] students, the DU Health & Counseling Center (HCC) offers a range of confidential individual, couples and group mental services, including Same Day urgent appointments, tele-connections, and online resources. Call 303.871.2205 for support.

Health and counseling services vary by program.

Learn More

Student Technology Essentials

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    MyDU

    Check your MyDU portal for important documents, registration info and other student essentials.

    MyDU

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    Canvas

    Access our online learning-management system to find syllabi, assignments, deadlines and more.

    Canvas

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    Office 365

    Access your email account, Microsoft Word, OneDrive and other resources that can help you complete your schoolwork.

    Office 365

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    Zoom

    Host or attend virtual meetings or classes.

    Zoom

PhD Program Handbooks

PhD Program Benchmarks

PhD Programmatic Milestones

The Graduate School of Social Work expects students in the Ph.D. Program to make consistent progress toward completion of their degree. As such programmatic milestones have been established and eligibility for certain types of financial support is tied to completion of programmatic milestones.

  • Year One

    At the end of the first year of the Ph.D. Program, students are expected to have: 
    a) Successfully completed approximately one-half of the course credits required for completion of their degree; 
    a) Received feedback from faculty supervisor of satisfactory work as GSSW Pre-Doctoral Fellowship(s), Graduate Teaching Assistantship(s), or Graduate Research Assistantship(s) (if awarded) as indicated on Student Development Plan; and the departmental annual review; and,
    a) Developed and received approval for their Educational Plan; 
    a) Successfully passed the Research Methods and Statistics qualifying examination; and, 
    a) Selected a permanent academic advisor.

  • Year Two

    At the end of the second year of the Ph.D. Program, students are expected to have:
    a) Successfully completed all required course credits required for completion of their degree (75 credits beyond the MSW or 90 hours beyond their non-MSW master’s degree and no incompletes);
    b) Received feedback from faculty supervisor of satisfactory work as GSSW Pre-Doctoral Fellowship(s), Graduate Teaching Assistantship(s), or Graduate Research Assistantship(s) (if awarded) as indicated on Student Development Plan; and,
    c) Updated and finalized their Educational Plan
    d) Successfully completed and received approval on their comprehensive exam proposal by August 15th

  • Year Three

    At the end of the third year of the Ph.D. Program, students are expected to have: 
    a) Successfully passed their comprehensive exam*; 
    b) Been moved to final candidacy; 
    c) Received feedback from faculty supervisor of satisfactory work as GSSW Pre-Doctoral Fellowship(s), Graduate Teaching Assistantship(s), or Graduate Research Assistantship(s) (if awarded) as indicated on Student Development Plan; and, 
    c) Completed and received approval for their dissertation proposal. 
    GSSW Doctoral Assistantships will not be awarded to students who have not completed their year three programmatic milestones by the end of the third academic year (see section on GSSW Doctoral Assistantships below).

  • Year Four

    Students are expected to have successfully passed their comprehensive exam by the end of their fourth year in the program. Failure to have done so will result in termination from the program.

Annual Review Process

PhD Registration Toolkit

GSSW Office of the Registrar Information: This page provides a general overview of important registration resources, including policies, procedures, handbooks, academic bulletins, forms, and calendars. You’ll also find information related to billing and tuition, student records, leaves of absence, withdrawals, and enrollment verification

The following information prepares you for registration each quarter. You will find a preparation checklist, registration dates, class schedules, troubleshooting guidance, frequently asked questions, and much more.

Three tools are needed to ensure a smooth registration period:

  • PhD Registration Toolkit information below
  • Academic Calendars
  • Advising information-- coming soon!

Quick Links:

 

✅ Registration Checklist. Two weeks before registration, you need to start preparing. Follow the checklist below:

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    Check Your Student Profile for Registration Holds

    • Log into MyDU with your DU ID (87#) and password
    • Select “My Student Profile” under Academic Profile Widget
    • Select the correct registration quarter from the "Term" drop-down menu above your profile photo
    • Click "Holds" on the top right
    • Direct questions or concerns to the department that placed the hold. View common registration holds and how to clear.
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    Confirm Your Registration Day and Time

    • Log into MyDU with your DU ID (87#) and password
    • Select “My Student Profile” under Academic Profile Widget
    • Select the correct registration quarter from the "Term" drop-down menu above your profile photo
    • Click “Registration Notices” at top right of screen and review your registration day and time under "Time Tickets"

    If you do not see a time ticket, reach out to GSSWregistrar@du.edu with your name and ID number. We will ensure you get a time ticket. 

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    Plan Your Classes and Connect with an Advisor

    Coming Soon!

  • Fall Quarter 2025 Registration

    Registration begins: Monday, May 12, 2025. 

    📅 Course Schedules for Fall 2025 – Spring 2026 now available!

    Great news! Course offerings for the entire 2025–2026 academic year (Fall, Winter, Spring) are now available in the Schedule of Classes and the Plan Ahead registration tool*

    • Meeting times and instructors may still change, but section-level info is accurate.
    • The traditional registration timeline remains unchanged.
    • The most up-to-date schedules are found in MyDU.

     

    The following is a list of the SOWK classes you can find in your MyDU for Fall Quarter 2025: 

    Fall Quarter 2025 PhD Schedule

     

    *Registrar Course Plan Video: How to use the Plan Ahead feature in MyDU and then register. 

  • Winter Quarter 2026 Registration

    Registration Begins: Monday, October 20, 2025

     

    📅 Course Schedules for Winter 2026 – Spring 2026

    Great news! Course offerings for the entire 2025–2026 academic year (Fall, Winter, Spring) are now available in the Schedule of Classes and the Plan Ahead registration tool.

    • Meeting times and instructors may still change, but section-level info is accurate.
    • The traditional registration timeline remains unchanged.
    • The most up-to-date schedules are found in MyDU.

     

    The following is a list of your SOWK classes you can find in your MyDU for Winter Quarter 2026: Coming Soon!

  • Spring Quarter 2026 Registration

    Registration Begins: Monday, February 16, 2026

     

    📅 Course Schedules for Spring 2026

    • Meeting times and instructors may still change, but section-level info is accurate.
    • The traditional registration timeline remains unchanged.
    • The most up-to-date schedules are found in MyDU.

     

    The following is a list of your SOWK classes you can find in your MyDU for Spring Quarter 2026: Coming Soon!

Resources

Events CTA

Looking for in-person and virtual events? Visit our GSSW Student Events page.

Learn More