Program Manager
(314) 935-6605
TTY (314) 935-725
E-mail: phdsw@wustl.edu
What's the difference between a Master of Social Work (MSW) and a PhD?
The MSW is considered the terminal degree for those social work practitioners interested in a practice career. The PhD, awarded by the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at Washington University, is an interdisciplinary program focusing on research, and is not to be confused with a professional practice program. PhD graduates go on to teaching and research positions at universities or at research institutions throughout the world. All current PhD students completed their master’s degrees before enrolling in our doctoral program.
How do I obtain an information and application packet for your MSW program?
Call the Brown School’s Admissions Office at (314) 935-6676 or send a request to msw@wustl.edu.
I already have my MSW. How long does it take to get a PhD?
Usually about 4 to 5 years of full-time study (unfortunately, we are not able to accommodate students who are seeking a part-time or distance-learning program). Seven years is the maximum time allowed for completion.
How many courses do I have to take?
The program requires 72 units of credit, 21 of which can be transferred from your MSW program. (Graduates of allied fields will have their transcripts evaluated on an individual basis for transfer credits.) The remaining 51 units of course work are usually spread over four semesters (2 academic years), leaving approximately 2 years for work related to the dissertation.
Will I be able to keep my current job and go to school at the same time?
The decision to pursue a doctorate requires a major commitment. After a year or two in the PhD program, many students comment on how vastly different the levels of involvement are between masters’ and doctoral studies. In addition to their coursework, doctoral students must attend a fixed schedule of week-day classes, weekly professional development meetings, research project seminars, advising appointments, and also handle a variety of teaching assistant duties. Think of a PhD program as another form of employment. Your "job" is to be a full-time student – with a richly rewarding "payoff" at the end!
How much will it cost to get a PhD?
All doctoral students who have entered our program in recent years have received complete tuition remission (i.e., a waiver), plus a stipend for expenses. Stipends range in size from $18,500 per year (with no work requirement) to $20,000 and above for recipients of three-year federally-funded training programs. Finally, opportunities for paid research positions and teaching appointments round out a student's options for additional income.
How do I apply?
Applications are available online only. If you have further questions, call or write Lucinda Cobb, Program Manager, at (314) 935-6605, or send an email to phdsw@wustl.edu. Our mailing address is Ph.D. Program, George Warren Brown School of Social Work, Campus Box 1196, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130-4899. Our fax number is (314) 935-7283. You can also submit our online request for information. It is important to note, our program is very competitive. We receive several hundred inquiries about our program each year, resulting in as many as 100 applications per year for recent classes. Ultimately, we admit a cohort of 10 or fewer students each fall.
What can I do to improve my chances for acceptance?
Present a good overall application. A clear and concise statement of purpose demonstrating your interest in research and a scholarly career, strong letters of recommendation from faculty and colleagues, a writing sample from your master’s program or professional portfolio, plus good undergraduate and graduate grades and respectable GRE and (for international students) TOEFL scores.
Does everyone need to submit GRE and TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) scores?
We require the GRE (the general version of the Graduate Record Examination) for ALL applicants. THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS! We require the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) for all foreign-born applicants UNLESS English is their native language or they received a master’s degree from a college or university in an English-speaking country. Scores for all tests must be the official versions, sent directly to us from the testing organization, and no older than five years. Washington University's institutional code is 6929. The Social Work department code is 5001. Applicants are strongly advised to sit for the GRE TEST NO LATER THAN DECEMBER 1 in order for the scores to reach our office by the December 1 deadline. applications with missing gre scores will not be reviewed.
Are there minimum scores I must have on the GRE or the TOEFL in order to be admitted?
No. We look for students with good overall preparation for doctoral study. These tests are just one of the important measuring tools we use to assess your interest and aptitude for scholarship.
When should I apply?
A. We admit new students only in the Fall. Applications are always due December 1 of the year you wish to enroll. The next deadline is December 1, 2012 for Fall 2012 classes. Most decisions are announced on a case-by-case basis in February and March.
What do I do if I still have questions?
Simply call or write Lucinda Cobb, Program Manager, at (314) 935-6605, or send an email to phdsw@wustl.edu. Our mailing address is Ph.D. Program, George Warren Brown School of Social Work, Campus Box 1196, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130-4899. Our fax number is (314) 935-7283.