The Commonwealth's first doctoral program in social work offers the opportunity for academically motivated master's level social workers to continue their studies at the doctoral level.

Application to the Doctoral Program

To apply to the doctoral program in social work send the following materials by February 1 to:

Ruth Huber, Ph.D., Director
Ph.D. Program in Social Work

Kent School of Social Work
University of Louisville
Louisville, KY 40292
Phone: 502-852-0435
Email: ruth.huber@louisville.edu

1. Completed Graduate School Application
2. Application for Admission to the UL Ph.D. in Social Work Program
3. Official transcripts from each college/university attended, and documentation of the receipt of a Master's Degree in Social Work, e.g. MSW, MSSW, from a CSWE accredited program or international equivalent.
4. Official report of GRE scores
5. Three recommendations (at least two from academicians)
6. Application fee of $50
7. A current resume
8. A sample of scholarly writing
9. A personal statement of career goals, research interests, and reasons for pursuing doctoral studies (no more than 3 pages).

The admission process involves the following:

• Review of application materials by the doctoral admissions committee
• Admission committee interviews with those recommended
• Recommendation to the Graduate School

Doctoral Admission Requirements

Students are expected to hold master’s degrees in Social Work, i.e. MSW, MSSW, from programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), or international equivalents. Two years of full time post-master's experience is advised.

Academic Policies

Four-year policy: Doctoral students are expected to have taken their qualifying exams by the time they are in the program fouryears, and complete the program in four additional years.

Data Analysis and Writing Policy: Doctoral students in the Kent School of Social Work may not arrange for anyone to analyze their data or write parts of their dissertations; rather, they should consult with their committee members if assistance is needed. Students may ask professional editors or others to edit their writing for grammar and other canons of writing.

Doctoral Qualifying Examination

The purpose of the qualifying examination is to provide a format in which students can demonstrate their abilities to apply and integrate the whole of their educational experiences by adequately addressing complex questions pertinent to social work's current and developing knowledge base, and their individual research areas. A student is eligible to take the qualifying examinations upon successful completion of 50 credits of core and individualized course work. Students are expected to provide answers that integrate knowledge from all required courses. Following the passage of the qualifying examination, students are admitted to candidacy status.

Doctoral Dissertation

After admission to candidacy, students proceed to propose, complete, and defend their dissertations. The dissertation must represent independent research and should be based on original research questions or hypotheses. This process includes (a) a concept paper, (b) a formal proposal, and (c) conducting the research and writing the dissertation. Dissertation committees have at least five members, one of whom is from the University of Kentucky.

Gerard M. (Rod) Barber
Professor

Anna C. Faul, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Associate Dean, Academic Affairs

Andrew J. Frey, Ph.D.
Associate Professor

Ruth Huber, Ph.D.
Professor
Director Ph.D. Program in Social Work

Thomas R. Lawson, Ph.D.
Professor

Bibhuti K. Sar, Ph.D.
Associate Professor

Terry L. Singer, Ph.D.
Professor
Dean

Carol Tully, Ph.D.
Professor

Riaan van Zyl, Ph.D.
Professor
Associate Dean for Research