Ph.D. in Social Work

Established in 1946, our program is one of the oldest in the United States. It develops a mentoring partnership between nationally prominent faculty and students to promote knowledge and skills in theory development and community-based research. Our faculty's research productivity was ranked 20th out of 76 U.S. social work doctoral programs in a recent study.

Our graduates include internationally recognized scholars in diverse areas of study. Alumni go on to faculty and academic leadership roles in schools of social work around the world and agency and program directors and high-level servants in federal, state, and local government agencies.

For more than 100 years, our faculty, students, staff, and alumni have had a deep and historic impact on society. We are driven by a sustained belief in the value of each child, each person, as an individual with unique talents and challenges; an understanding that research and collaboration with community professionals will lead to solutions that will improve lives; and a dedication to preparing educational and human service professionals to carry the values and knowledge discovered here into the world to make it a better place. Our college makes a real difference in people’s lives. Discover that difference for yourself.

The mission of the University of Minnesota College of Education and Human Development is to contribute to a just and sustainable future through engagement with the local and global communities to enhance human learning and development at all stages of the life span.