Program Overview

Social Welfare, PhD

The Social Welfare, PhD program at the University of Pennsylvania requires students to complete a series of required and elective courses, as well as a teaching practicum and research collaborations with faculty. The program is designed to prepare students for a career in social welfare research and practice.

Program Requirements

• All students in the program are responsible for the successful completion of the required classes listed in the Social Welfare curriculum.
• All required and elective coursework must be at the graduate level and must be completed before a student can be eligible to take the Preliminary Exam followed by the defense of the dissertation proposal.
• Successful defense of the dissertation proposal (also known as the candidacy exam) admits the student to candidacy for the PhD degree.
• Beginning fall of 2025, PhD in Social Welfare students are required to complete a teaching practicum.
• Students are expected to conduct research (e.g., participate in research and publishing collaborations with faculty) throughout the program.

Required Courses

The following courses are required for the Social Welfare, PhD program:

• Core Requirements:
  • SOCW 6300: Quantitative Reasoning/Social Statistics (1 unit)
  • SOCW 8030: Advanced History and Philosophy of Social Welfare (1 unit)
  • SOCW 8110: Social Theory (1 unit)
  • SOCW 8520: Social Welfare Research Methods (1 unit)
  • SOCW 8550: Advanced Social Welfare Research Methods (1 unit)
  • SOCW 8610: Advanced Policy Analysis Research Methods (1 unit)
  • SOCW 8970: Applied Linear Modeling (1 unit)
• Proseminar:
  • SOCW 9010: Proseminar (at least four semesters) (2 units)
• Additional Courses:
  • Eleven elective courses at the 5000 level or above (11 units)
  • Must include one Theory class
  • Must include one advanced methods course
• Teaching Practicum:
  • One semester of teaching is required
• Total Course Units: 20

University PhD Benchmarks

In addition to program requirements, the following milestones must be completed:

• Qualifying Evaluation
• Candidacy Examination
• Dissertation Defense/Oral Exam
• Dissertation Deposit

Transfer Credit

Up to four credit units of transfer credit from another graduate program will be accepted.

Degree and Major Requirements

The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2025 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.