The PhD in Social Work at Widener University is designed for aspiring academic leaders and advanced practitioners eager to deepen their expertise in research, teaching, and the application of social work theory. You will engage with critical issues in social welfare policy, clinical theories, and community practice, preparing you for impactful roles in higher education, organizational leadership, or advanced practice. This doctoral program cultivates the rigorous inquiry and scholarly skills necessary to address complex societal challenges and advance the social work profession through evidence-based approaches.
This full-time, on-campus PhD program is structured over five years, beginning with core doctoral courses in methods of inquiry, qualitative and quantitative analysis, and deconstructing clinical theories. You will progress through comprehensive paper seminars and specialized electives, culminating in dissertation proposal preparation and research. Throughout your studies, you will work alongside faculty experts, developing your capacity for scholarly leadership. Upon graduation, you will be prepared for careers as social work faculty, administrators in public and private organizations, or as advanced clinical, community, and policy practitioners.