The PhD Program in Social Welfare, which began in autumn 1975, awards the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. The program prepares students to become leaders in the advancement of knowledge in the profession and relevant interdisciplinary domains. Students acquire both the substantive and methodological competence to contribute theoretical formulations and empirical research that inform effective social work practice and advance scholarship in social welfare for the promotion of social justice. In our PhD program, we emphasize preparation for research and teaching roles, including hands-on experience in supervised practice in addition to special training involving expert invited speakers, workshops, and seminars. Our doctoral faculty are ranked among the most productive in the nation and have a high level of grant funding. The University of Washington has achieved national recognition for its educational innovations and initiatives for preparing students for teaching roles, and our School participates in many innovative programs to develop teaching skills. Cohort sizes are kept small, which allows intense faculty-student interactions and mentoring throughout the various phases of the program and fosters supportive, collaborative relationships among students. As a result, students in our doctoral program enjoy an unusually high rate of completion.
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