phd social work washington state

About the Program

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. Our graduates primarily work in academic and research positions.

Bringing a social justice lens to translational and cross-disciplinary research is at the core of our educational mission. Our School is leading research responses to several of the Grand Challenges in Social Work, a groundbreaking national effort to use science to create social progress in strategically determined areas.  Faculty at the School are part of the research leadership for the following Grand Challenges: Reducing Extreme Economic Inequality, Ensuring Health Development for All Youth, Closing the Health Gap, Advancing Long and Productive Lives and Creating Social Responses to a Changing Environment.  By addressing these core social problems, social work students and scholars are at the front lines of developing practice and policy changes to improve the lives of communities experiencing systemic oppression.

We invite you to learn more about our doctoral program and the future scholars who are at the heart of our program!

Message from E. Roberto Orelanna

Meet the director

Research and Teaching

In our PhD program, we emphasize preparation for research and teaching roles, including hands-on experience in supervised practica 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. (Here is a partial listing of School research projects .) In addition to being among the top contributors nationwide to research and scholarship, the School has developed special depth in prevention/intervention research opportunities. 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 Size

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.

Interdisciplinary Character

One feature of the PhD program is its interdisciplinary character. The program’s nationally prominent, multicultural faculty includes scholars with a range of research foci and collaborative ties with other disciplines. In addition to being among the top contributors to research and scholarship, the School’s faculty members have developed special depth in prevention research. Faculty research emphasizes prevention and intervention services and encompasses topics related to health/mental health promotion and disparities, aging, child and adolescent services, family-based practice, interpersonal violence, substance abuse, income distribution, and issues related to gender, communities of color (including American Indian and Alaska native health), and gays and lesbians. The program also benefits from being a part of one of the top public research universities in the nation with strong community ties in a diverse metropolitan area.

Plan of Study

Students develop an interdisciplinary plan of study to meet their scholarly and professional goals and complete a portion of their coursework outside the School of Social Work. They are expected to develop a strong theoretical framework for their knowledge-building activities, and they frequently work with faculty in other schools and departments in the University. Students are encouraged to include scholars from other disciplines on their supervisory committees.

The PhD program is constructed so that each student develops a plan of study that focuses on a well-defined substantive area of interest in the field of social welfare. During the first 2 years, the student completes required classes before moving on to a specialized area and set of research objectives anticipated as being the focus of subsequent research priorities. The program of study encompasses substantive work in a field or issue of social welfare, relevant intervention development needs or responses, and appropriate research methodologies, with all aspects integrated through a social justice framework. It involves close working relationships with faculty whose expertise complements the student’s learning objectives. Analytical reasoning, sensitivity to diversity factors, and the ability to develop and integrate a theoretical and empirical framework and to articulate social justice learning objectives for one’s current and future work are emphasized.

Specific plans for the program of study are outlined in each student’s Individual Development Plan (IDP), which describes the areas of specialization and crosscutting career skills that the student plans to undertake in the PhD program and how the student will build competence in these areas through coursework, teaching, research, cross-disciplinary, community engagement, and professional development experiences. (For more information, see the Guidelines for Overall Program of Study .)

Research Competence

An expectation common to all students is that they exit the PhD program with substantial research competence. Effectively, this means that in addition to a basic grounding in research and statistical methods, students are expected to acquire specialized competencies in the methodological and advanced data analysis skills necessary for productive scholarship in the substantive area they have chosen. Research training also focuses on social justice aspects of research. (See Guidelines for Research and Teaching Competencies .)

Teaching Skills

In parallel with the research expertise, the program promotes the development of teaching skills. Students participate in required courses on teaching training and acquire the necessary skills to function effectively as classroom teachers and educational leaders. (See Guidelines for Research and Teaching Competencies .) Students are encouraged to seek additional teaching experiences beyond the coursework, and they have opportunities to become teaching assistants and often independent lecturers as they progress through their doctoral studies.

Independence

By its very nature, the PhD program requires that students work independently. Although assistance and support from faculty advisors and instructors, staff, and fellow students are readily available, the responsibility to search out opportunities and information and to initiate collaborative relationships with faculty rests primarily with each student. This necessarily requires that the students be proactive in defining their own goals and in achieving appropriate learning experiences that build upon available resources.

Program Completion

The pace of program completion is a balance of efficiency with academic rigor and excellence. Time to degree varies quite a bit depending upon the type of training sought and the type of dissertation research undertaken. Over the period since 1995, the median time to degree has been 5 years.

Financial Support

The preparation of future social work faculty and scholars includes paid assistantships in a variety of teaching and research roles. Our School ensures financial support during the first 4 years of study by assisting the student in acquiring funding. In each of the first 4 years, the PhD Program Director and Associate Deans work with students to obtain funding from the School, other University of Washington sources, or external federal and private granting agencies. Multiple means of funding beyond the first 4 years are common. Students frequently build upon teaching assistantships to take on more autonomous teaching roles, and they are strongly urged to begin efforts to secure dissertation research support early in the program. The School provides staff support to assist students with grant proposals and human subjects applications.

Application & Admissions

Admission is highly selective, and students are admitted only for autumn quarter . Factors considered in admission include aptitude for social welfare research and scholarship as shown by articulation of social welfare research area(s) of concern to the applicant and capacity to undertake such training and research, professional experience, commitment to diversity and social justice, scholastic achievement, and institutional resources available to support the applicant’s research. An applicant must have a master’s degree in social work, social welfare, or a closely related field.

Although we do not require an MSW degree specifically (many of our students’ master’s degrees are in other related areas), the Council on Social Work Education requires that faculty who teach required practice courses in accredited programs have an MSW degree and 2 years of practice experience (i.e., CSWE EPAS 3.3.1). Thus, obtaining an MSW and this experience can be valuable for those who ultimately seek academic positions following graduation.

• Social Work, MSW

Earn a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree at Seattle University. Prepare for impactful careers with a focus on social justice and clinical counseling.

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About this program, educating advanced clinical social workers focused on social justice and community.

Advance your career and maximize your impact with advanced clinical social work education that’s focuses on social justice and community.

Seattle University's Master of Social Work (MSW) program prepares graduate students to become competent and effective specialized clinical social workers who 

• value and respect diversity, 
• anchor economic and social justice as central to their practice and 
• seek to use their knowledge, values and skills to advance equity in access to excellent clinical social work practice

Our program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education .

As one of the best schools for social work, our advanced clinical MSW program is uniquely suited to prepare you to make a difference. 

Two Program Options to Advance Your Career

We offer two paths to receiving your degree, depending on the amount of social work education you come into the program with. 

Change Your Career: Two-Year Path

The two-year path of study is for applicants with an undergraduate degree in a major other than social work. Two-year students complete 66 credits and 1000 hours of field practicum and start in the fall.

Grow Your Career: Advanced Standing (AS) Path

The advanced standing path of study is for applicants with a baccalaureate degree in social work or social welfare from a CSWE-accredited program. Advanced standing students complete 39 credits and 600 hours of field practicum and start in the summer.

• How to Apply - Two Year MSW
• How to Apply - AS MSW

Social Work Graduate Degree at a Glance

Learn this degree from the Department of Social Work will contribute to your career goals. Then, explore course requirements and see how impactful a Seattle University degree can be.

The Master of Social Work program prepares students to develop values, skills and knowledge in advanced clinical social work practice, including:

• Assessment of vulnerabilities, strengths and resilience in individuals, families and groups in social, cultural and historical contexts
• Evidence-based and culturally responsive interventions to restore and enhance functioning
• Advocacy for economic and social justice and human rights
• Critical and professional use of self for service and social change.

Read our social justice statement here.

View Plans Of Study And Schedules

Our Master in Social Work program allows students to choose an optional sub-specialization in:

• Addictions counseling
• Medical/health social work
• Trauma-informed practice

Students in the Two-Year MSW program may choose a sub-specialization before their second year. 

Students in the Advanced Standing program may choose a sub-specialization before the fall quarter of their start year. 

Practicum and electives can be tailored toward the student's choice. Sub-specializations are not certificates, nor do they require additional coursework.

The social work program prepares graduate students to become competent and effective specialized clinical social workers who value and respect diversity, anchor economic and social justice as central to their practice, and seek to use their knowledge, values, and skills to improve human well-being. 

We have adopted the following nine competencies (as of June 2015) in line with the Council for Social Work Education - Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (CSWE EPAS) as our own learning outcomes. These standards are common to all undergraduate and graduate social work programs.  

Graduates of Seattle University’s MSW program should be able to:

• Demonstrate ethical and professional behavior.
• Engage diversity and difference in practice.
• Advance human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice.
• Engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice.
• Engage in policy practice.
• Engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.
• Assess individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
• Intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
• Evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.

What You’ll Learn

Learn about the classes you’ll take as a student here.

• Course Catalog

Learn from a diverse team of experts

66% of our faculty come form underrepresented communities, offering rich perspectives and real-world insights.

faculty identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community

Curriculum materials from non-dominant perspectives.

At least 50% of our curriculum materials are sourced from non-dominant perspectives, fostering a broader, more inclusive understanding and a strong commitment to diverse viewpoints.

Explore Social Work

Learn about how the Master of Social Work program prepared Jamie Vo to be a clinical social worker and school-based therapist.

Upcoming Info Session

Social Work Info Session

• November 14, 2024
• 5:00pm PT - 6:00pm PT

Upcoming Q & A Session

Join Field Director Professor Cole & MSW Director Dr. Dinh to learn about their career paths, research & practice areas plus get answers to your questions about the program, practicum & social work.

Social Work Q & A

• November 20, 2024
• 5:30pm PT - 6:30pm PT

Designed for Your Success

Social Work for Social Justice

Dr. Hye-Kyung Kang, Social Work Professor, talks about the importance of social justice in the social work program.

Practicum: Real-World Experience

The MSW program offers field placements in diverse setting such as mental health counseling agencies, hospitals, child welfare organizations, schools, senior services, state and local justice systems and community-based programs focusing on children and adolescents, homelessness, immigration, domestic violence, and trauma. 

Engaging Courses for In-Depth Learning

Ever wonder what it would be like to sit in on an MSW class? Take a look at a sample lecture to get a feel for how a lecture might be given in one of our classes.

Master of Social Work Field Placement

Along with social justice theory, mental health diagnosis and treatment and policy classes, you will take courses which center on social justice and build your skills in anti-oppressive practice. This helps prepare you for the MSW program field placements in diverse setting such as:

• mental health counseling agencies,
• child welfare organizations,
• senior services,
• state and local justice systems,
• and community-based programs focusing on children and adolescents, homelessness, immigration, domestic violence, and trauma.

Learning is enhanced by small class size and professors who have community-based clinical experience.

Many Career Opportunities

Below you will find just a few of the many organizations where MSW students have gained employment after graduation.

• Asian Counseling and Referral Services
• Bailey-Boushay House
• Bellevue Fire CARES
• Catholic Community Services of Western WA
• The Child Center
• Cascade Behavioral Health 
• City of Mercer Island Youth and Family Services
• City of Seattle Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs
• Discovery Mood and Anxiety Program
• Department of Social and Health Services
• Department of Veterans Affairs
• Downtown Emergency Service Center
• Dura Vocational Services
• Fairfax Behavioral Health
• Fred Hutch Cancer Center
• Harborview (HMHAS)
• Harborview Medical Center
• Impact Puget Sound Elementary
• Insight Behavioral Health (now called Pathlight Mood and Anxiety Center)
• King County Department of Public Defense 
• King County Drug Court
• The Little School
• The Mockingbird Society
• Northpoint the Evergreen-Seattle, WA
• Northwest Kidney Centers
• Optimism Counseling
• Poverty Action Network
• Sea Mar Community Health Centers
• Seattle Cancer Care Alliance
• Seattle Children's Hospital
• Seattle Counseling Service
• Seattle Goodwill
• Seneca Family of Agencies
• Solid Ground
• Southwest Network Behavioral Health
• Therapeutic Health Services
• Trivium Life Services
• UW Medicine
• Veteran's Health Administration
• Water Street Mission
• Washington Council for Behavioral Health
• Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board
• You Grow Girl!

CSWE Benchmarks

Seattle University’s MSW Program successfully achieved benchmarks for all CSWE competencies. 

From Our Alumni

Kevin skiena, ‘20.

“Seattle University does have a more clinical focus than the other programs I had been looking at, while still providing a great education on social justice and policy issues. I don't think I realized at the time the value for me in going to a smaller program. I felt like my classmates and professors all got to know each other better because of it —and that the school as a whole is more responsive to our concerns as students.”

Master of Social Work

Featured Faculty

Associate Professor

Director, Master of Social Work Department Chair Professor

BSW Program Director Assistant Professor

Assistant Professor

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Get in Touch

If you have any questions about the program or application, we’re here to help!

Ashley Miller

Senior Admissions Counselor

• [email protected]
• 206-296-5774

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Apply to phd.

Our doctoral program in social welfare is one of the nation’s leading advanced degree programs, with a focus on social justice. With access to a world-renowned research university, the program is distinguished by its interdisciplinary character, expert faculty, and innovative social welfare scholarship.

PhD Program

The doctoral program offers a rich learning experience with interdisciplinary collaboration, faculty mentorship, and hands-on research opportunities.

PhD Application

The doctoral program seeks experienced candidates who display an aptitude for social welfare research and a commitment to the values of social justice and diversity.