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 CoSW Goes Out to the Ball GameCalendar of Events
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2025 Social Work Lobby Day
2025 Social Work Lobby Day
Join us on February 25, 2025, for Social Work Lobby Day at the Kentucky State Capitol! As social work and criminal justice students, it is critical to become familiar with
DSW Info Session
DSW Info Session
Turn Your Goals into Reality Explore our Doctorate of Social Work (DSW) program during an online info session. Registration link is at the end of the event listing, under 'Website'.
2 events,
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
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,
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
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,
1 event,
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
2 events,
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
Emergency Operations Preparations
Emergency Operations Preparations
Join us for a presentation from UK Police Department's Emergency Management Team on incident response and personal preparedness. This presentation will highlight the impacts of natural, technological, and human-caused emergencies,
2 events,
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
PhD Info Session
PhD Info Session
Are you passionate about making a difference through learning to conduct and disseminate social work research? During this session, you will have the opportunity to meet our PhD program director,
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,
4 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
Tabling at Gatton Student Center
Tabling at Gatton Student Center
Join us at the Gatton Student Center to learn about our programs, resources, and how you can make a difference in your community!
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
Interfaith Ramadan Iftar Dinner
Interfaith Ramadan Iftar Dinner
The UK College of Communication & Information and the College of Social Work invites you to attend our Interfaith Ramadan Iftar Dinner on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. The event will
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,
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
1 event,
DSW Info Session
DSW Info Session
Turn Your Goals into Reality Explore our Doctorate of Social Work (DSW) program during an online info session. Registration link is at the end of the event listing, under 'Website'.
0 events,
0 events,
1 event,
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
1 event,
MSW Info Session
MSW Info Session
Explore our Master of Social Work (MSW) program during an online info session. Registration link is below, under 'Website' The UK Difference Our MSW program is an Advanced Generalist program
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1 event,
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
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
1 event,
Take Me Back to the Ball Game – CoSW at KY Proud Park
Take Me Back to the Ball Game – CoSW at KY Proud Park
Join us for College of Social Work Day on March 23 at 2 PM at Kentucky Proud Park as the UK Baseball team takes on Auburn. Before the game, Dean
1 event,
DSW Info Session
DSW Info Session
Turn Your Goals into Reality Explore our Doctorate of Social Work (DSW) program during an online info session. Registration link is at the end of the event listing, under 'Website'.
0 events,
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
3 events,
MSCJ Info Session
MSCJ Info Session
Please join us as we discuss the upcoming Master of Science in Criminal Justice program! This info session will be held virtually over Zoom. Please register by using the link
BASW Info Session
BASW Info Session
Are You Wildly Passionate About Social Work? Explore the Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW) program during an online info session. REGISTER HERE The UK Difference Graduates from our
Undergraduate Criminal Justice Info Session
Undergraduate Criminal Justice Info Session
Pursue your Passion for the Greater Good Explore College of Social Work’s newest Criminal Justice program during our online info session! REGISTER HERE The UK Difference Graduates from our
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
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,
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
