Previous Academic Degree(s): M.S.W. from a CSWE-accredited program is preferred. Exceptions: non-MSW masters degree and close affiliation of activity with social work; international applicants with an M.S.W. (and letter of equivalency from the Council on Social Work Education) or another masters degree with close affiliation to social work. In the case of non-M.S.W. degrees, humanities and social science degrees are preferred.
Undergraduate Grade Point Average: 3.00 or higher preferred.
Graduate (e.g. M.S.W.) Grade Point Average: 3.50 or higher.
Standardized Test(s) Required:
(1) Graduate Record Examination (quantitative, analytical, and verbal), taken within past five years.
Minimum Scores Required: 2 out of three scores at 50 percentile level preferred.
(2) TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) Required: Of applicants whose native language is not English, taken within past two years.
Minimum TOEFL Score Required: Approval by KU’s Applied English Center for English proficiency at graduate study level. Currently, or paper test version, at least 570 overall score, including a minimum score of 57 for listening, grammar/structure, and reading sections. For computer test version, a minimum score of 23 in listening, grammar/structure, and reading sections plus minimum 4.0 score on required essay. Note that students who do not perform at this level may be given provisional admission and/or referred to the University of Kansas Applied English Center for further evaluation and coursework in English as a Second Language before taking social work doctoral courses.
International Applicants: See these two sites for more information.
Office for International Students
Number of Years of Post-MSW Work Experience Required: At least two years social work related experience is required; two years post-M.S.W. social work related experience is desirable.
Personal Statement Required: The statement must demonstrate ability to write effectively; to articulate professional, academic, and research background relevant to social work and preparation for doctoral work; and to formulate an agenda for social work research and scholarship relevant to the mission of our school. It is desirable for the applicant to specify why she or he is interested in this program, its mission, and faculty expertise, referring to particular faculty and/or areas of research within this school.
Letters of Recommendation Required: At least three letters from individuals capable of evaluating your professional experience, academic qualifications, and your potential to successfully engage in doctoral study and research. References should describe the applicant’s preparation for advanced research and scholarship and give examples. Descriptions of practice experience are useful but not sufficient.
Personal Interview Required: Not required but desirable. Telephone or email contacts with the chair of the program are recommended prior to submitting application.
Statistics Prerequisite: Applicants must have completed a basic statistics course within the past two years with a grade of B or better. The prerequisite course (undergraduate or graduate) must include most but not necessarily all of the following statistics: descriptive, univariate, and bivariate, e/g/ chi square, t-test, one-way anova, correlation. The applicant must include a written statement showing how this requirement has been met or how it will be met before entering the program. Exceptions may be considered for students to be admitted on the condition that the prerequisite is completed during the first semester of enrollment, prior to beginning doctoral quantitative courses. This exception must be requested from the program chair in the application.
Course Credit Transfer: The Graduate School does not permit transfer of credit from other institutions into doctoral programs. If an applicant has completed doctoral work elsewhere and wishes to request waiver of credits as an alternative to transfer, the applicant must write a petition to the program chair as part of the application.
When Students Are Admitted: Students are admitted for Fall semester beginning in August. In exceptional cases, students may be granted a January admission.
Admissions Deadline(s): February 1. Applications are reviewed by the PhD Admissions Committee in February, and notifications to students are set in early March. Applications received after February 1 will be considered on a space available basis on ly.
Number of Students Newly Enrolled for 2008/09: 5
Usual Number of New Students Enrolled Per Year: 5-6
Submitting Applications: Applications may be submitted by paper or electronically. You may mail paper applications directly to the Doctoral Program Office, School of Social Welfare, University of Kansas, Twente Hall, 1545 Lilac Lane, Lawrence, KS, USA, 66044-3184.
Paper applications may be obtained from the Program Office (from Ms. Vicki Mignot 785-864-8976 or email: admissionSW-Ph.D.@ku.edu). You may also apply electronically. See the following section, "To Request An Application Packet."
Summary of Admissions Criteria
In order to be considered for admission, an applicant must meet requirements established by the Graduate School in addition to the criteria previously listed for our program.
The criteria used by the committee in judging applications are the following:
1. Applicant’s potential for excellence in academic performance.
2. Professional practice experience.
3.Research and scholarship potential.
4. Fit with the mission and strengths of this school.
The sources of data by which to judge these criteria will be:
1. Undergraduate and graduate transcripts of prior academic work.
2. Publications, presentations, research proposals and scholarly works (optional).
3. References concerning professional practice, academic qualifications, other academic work, and preparation for doctoral study and advanced research.
4. Statement of professional background, preparation and motivation for doctoral study, clear identification of research and scholarly interests, and fit with this school’s mission and strengths.
5. GRE scores.
6. For international students, English language proficiency as determined by TOEFL scores and consultation with KU Applied English Center.
7. Statement of plan to meet statistics prerequisite.
