PhD Program
Explore the PhD Program
Students in our PhD program interact with a world-class faculty and staff. Students are afforded the opportunity to conceptualize, conduct, and critically assess cutting-edge research in a variety of areas including:
- clinical social work
- child welfare
- gerontology
- suicide
- mental and behavioral health
- military
- medical social work
- and more
Our program is designed to prepare its graduates to be faculty members in social work programs across the country and internationally. There is a strong emphasis on students acquiring the research competencies needed to conduct research and publish their scholarship. At the same time, students learn how to become top-notch educators through teaching assistantships, teaching practica, and a course in teaching. Graduates also find that the doctoral program prepares them to be program evaluators, administrators, policy analysts, and researchers.
THE UK DIFFERENCE
Expansive Research Expertise
CoSW faculty are nationally and internationally recognized for their research. Currently, CoSW has formal research partnerships with a host of academic institutions around the world.
Centers and Labs
CoSW is home to several unique research centers and labs, including the Training Resource Center, Interdisciplinary Research Center on Children and Families, Kentucky Kinship Resource Center, Self-Care Lab, Suicide Prevention and Exposure Lab, and Military Behavior Health Lab. PhD students can leverage these entities for unique learning and research opportunities.
Funding Support
CoSW is committed to funding our PhD students. Funded positions for PhD are comprised of Teaching Assistantships (TA), Research Assistantships (RA), Fellowships, and Scholarships. Funding availability varies from year to year and fully funded positions are contingent upon available monies.
Flexible Program Options
Students in our PhD program can select from flexible full and part-time degree options. The core curricula and elective formats allow students to craft unique learning and research experiences.
PHD Program
by the numbers
100%
First-Year PhD students receiving financial aid
6
Unique centers and labs
53
PhD student presentations/
publications for 2019
WHAT'S NEW AT CoSW?
Highlights: 2025 May GraduationCalendar of Events
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KIN-VIP – The Gathering Spot
KIN-VIP – The Gathering Spot
The Gathering Spot is a great NEW way to meet other kinship caregivers from the comfort of your own home and has been redesigned to be a spot where you
1 event,
Southern Bluegrass Citizen Review Panel
Southern Bluegrass Citizen Review Panel
Citizen Review Panels (CRPs) are groups of caring volunteers that work to improve the well-being of children, families, and communities across Kentucky. To learn more about CRPs or join a
1 event,
Responsible Conduct of Research Training
Responsible Conduct of Research Training
Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Training is required for any faculty, staff, and students who are involved in research activities, enrolled in UK CoSW doctoral studies, paid on grant, and/or
0 events,
1 event,
Responsible Conduct of Research Training
Responsible Conduct of Research Training
Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Training is required for any faculty, staff, and students who are involved in research activities, enrolled in UK CoSW doctoral studies, paid on grant, and/or
0 events,
0 events,
2 events,
The Lakes Citizen Review Panel
The Lakes Citizen Review Panel
Citizen Review Panels (CRPs) are groups of caring volunteers that work to improve the well-being of children, families, and communities across Kentucky. To learn more about CRPs or join a
KIN-VIP – The Gathering Spot
KIN-VIP – The Gathering Spot
The Gathering Spot is a great NEW way to meet other kinship caregivers from the comfort of your own home and has been redesigned to be a spot where you
1 event,
Northern Bluegrass Citizen Review Panel
Northern Bluegrass Citizen Review Panel
Citizen Review Panels (CRPs) are groups of caring volunteers that work to improve the well-being of children, families, and communities across Kentucky. To learn more about CRPs or join a
1 event,
Cumberland Region Citizen Review Panel
Cumberland Region Citizen Review Panel
Citizen Review Panels (CRPs) are groups of caring volunteers that work to improve the well-being of children, families, and communities across Kentucky. To learn more about CRPs or join a
1 event,
Responsible Conduct of Research Training
Responsible Conduct of Research Training
Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Training is required for any faculty, staff, and students who are involved in research activities, enrolled in UK CoSW doctoral studies, paid on grant, and/or
0 events,
0 events,
0 events,
3 events,
Northeastern Citizen Review Panel
Northeastern Citizen Review Panel
Citizen Review Panels (CRPs) are groups of caring volunteers that work to improve the well-being of children, families, and communities across Kentucky. To learn more about CRPs or join a
KIN-VIP – The Gathering Spot
KIN-VIP – The Gathering Spot
The Gathering Spot is a great NEW way to meet other kinship caregivers from the comfort of your own home and has been redesigned to be a spot where you
Certificate Info Session
Certificate Info Session
College of Social Work advisors host monthly certificate information sessions via Zoom on the second Tuesday of each month. These sessions are designed for current MSW students who want to
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0 events,
2 events,
Jefferson Citizen Review Panel
Jefferson Citizen Review Panel
Citizen Review Panels (CRPs) are groups of caring volunteers that work to improve the well-being of children, families, and communities across Kentucky. To learn more about CRPs or join a
Responsible Conduct of Research Training
Responsible Conduct of Research Training
Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Training is required for any faculty, staff, and students who are involved in research activities, enrolled in UK CoSW doctoral studies, paid on grant, and/or
0 events,
0 events,
0 events,
2 events,
Salt River Trail Citizen Review Panel
Salt River Trail Citizen Review Panel
Citizen Review Panels (CRPs) are groups of caring volunteers that work to improve the well-being of children, families, and communities across Kentucky. To learn more about CRPs or join a
KIN-VIP – The Gathering Spot
KIN-VIP – The Gathering Spot
The Gathering Spot is a great NEW way to meet other kinship caregivers from the comfort of your own home and has been redesigned to be a spot where you
0 events,
0 events,
2 events,
Two Rivers Citizen Review Panel
Two Rivers Citizen Review Panel
Citizen Review Panels (CRPs) are groups of caring volunteers that work to improve the well-being of children, families, and communities across Kentucky. To learn more about CRPs or join a
Responsible Conduct of Research Training
Responsible Conduct of Research Training
Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Training is required for any faculty, staff, and students who are involved in research activities, enrolled in UK CoSW doctoral studies, paid on grant, and/or
0 events,
0 events,
0 events,
1 event,
KIN-VIP – The Gathering Spot
KIN-VIP – The Gathering Spot
The Gathering Spot is a great NEW way to meet other kinship caregivers from the comfort of your own home and has been redesigned to be a spot where you
1 event,
Southern Bluegrass Citizen Review Panel
Southern Bluegrass Citizen Review Panel
Citizen Review Panels (CRPs) are groups of caring volunteers that work to improve the well-being of children, families, and communities across Kentucky. To learn more about CRPs or join a
0 events,
1 event,
Eastern Mountain Region Citizen Review Panel
Eastern Mountain Region Citizen Review Panel
Citizen Review Panels (CRPs) are groups of caring volunteers that work to improve the well-being of children, families, and communities across Kentucky. To learn more about CRPs or join a
0 events,
0 events,
0 events,
2 events,
The Lakes Citizen Review Panel
The Lakes Citizen Review Panel
Citizen Review Panels (CRPs) are groups of caring volunteers that work to improve the well-being of children, families, and communities across Kentucky. To learn more about CRPs or join a
KIN-VIP – The Gathering Spot
KIN-VIP – The Gathering Spot
The Gathering Spot is a great NEW way to meet other kinship caregivers from the comfort of your own home and has been redesigned to be a spot where you
1 event,
Responsible Conduct of Research Training
Responsible Conduct of Research Training
Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Training is required for any faculty, staff, and students who are involved in research activities, enrolled in UK CoSW doctoral studies, paid on grant, and/or
