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?
Events
Calendar of Events
|
Monday
|
Tuesday
|
Wednesday
|
Thursday
|
Friday
|
Saturday
|
Sunday
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
3 events,
-
The talk offers a comprehensive overview of the parole hearing process. It highlights the impact of rehabilitation, reentry, and victim input as it relates to the suitability of release for
-
This training helps foster and adoptive families understand and navigate intense emotional reactions from children. Participants will explore the causes of big emotions, effective strategies for regulation, and ways to
-
ASK-VIP Support Group for Foster/Adoptive Parents of Teens is specifically designed for foster/adoptive parents who are caring for teenagers or those considering fostering and/or adopting teenagers. This support group offers |
1 event,
-
ASK-VIP LGBTQ+ Foster/Adoptive Parent Support Groups are specifically designed for foster/adoptive parents who identify as LGBTQ+ as well as foster/adoptive parents who are caring for children or teens who identify |
5 events,
RESCHEDULED: The Lexington Continuum of Care is now accepting volunteers for the 2026 LexCount! This year's LexCount will take place on the evening of Wednesday February 25th 2026, from 10
-
Monthly Staff Meeting for Centers & Labs Training Resource Center Staff. The meeting is held the 3rd Wednesday of Each Month at the Training Resource Center. This is an in-person 
Launch your career through your practicum education! Attend an information session to learn about the process, opportunities, and support available as you explore hands-on learning in real-world settings. The UK College of
-
The presentation focuses on the challenges and solutions related to providing mental healthcare in rural areas. Additionally, the presentation will offer a comprehensive examination of the complexities of rural mental
$20
-
Services & Support for Foster & Adoptive Families will inform parents about resources available to individuals with intellectual disabilities through the Michelle P. Waiver Program, which allows eligible individuals to |
2 events,
-
Helping Your Child Make Healthy & Positive Choices: Talking to Teens & Preteens will teach foster and adoptive parents the importance of open and ongoing dialogue with their preteen or |
2 events,
-
You are invited to join the Office of Faculty Advancement in Connect & Accomplish: Online Co-working Sessions These dedicated 2-hour blocks are back this semester, offering weekly opportunities at the
-
Participants will delve into the recognition of positive adoption language and its vital importance in nurturing a nurturing and affirming environment for children. By understanding the impact of language on |
1 event,
Turn Your Goals into Reality Explore our Doctorate of Social Work (DSW) program during an online info session. Registration link is below. The UK Difference Our Doctorate of Social Work |
1 event,
-
Fostering & Adopting At-Risk Children explores categories of at-risk behaviors among children and adolescents that may lead to negative consequences, like poor health, injury or death. It assists foster/adoptive parents |
2 events,
-
You are invited to join the Office of Faculty Advancement in Connect & Accomplish: Online Co-working Sessions These dedicated 2-hour blocks are back this semester, offering weekly opportunities at the
-
ARC Meetings & IEPs: The Basics will help foster and adoptive parents understand the process of an ARC Meeting and gain a better perspective of what an IEP will look |
0 events,
|
4 events,
-
Monthly Staff Meeting for Centers & Labs Training Resource Center Staff. The meeting is held the 3rd Wednesday of Each Month at the Training Resource Center. This is an in-person
Launch your social work career through your practicum experience—formerly known as field education. Attend an information session to learn about the process, opportunities, and support available as you prepare for 
Criminal Justice students are invited to attend our informal monthly meeting. This is a great opportunity to connect with other students, ask questions to your advisor, and meet with program
-
A Guide to Coping with Allegations explores the prevalence of false allegations of abuse and neglect amongst foster homes and reasons such allegations may arise. Strategies for preventing false allegations |
2 events,
-
Sibling Attachment & Adoption provides parents with tools to promote healthy sibling relationships in foster and adoptive families. Parents will explore different ways in which families are formed and learn
-
Connecting with Your Child While Correcting Behavior introduces parents to strategies to use to help them feel connected to children while correcting difficult behaviors. Parents will learn how to connect |
0 events,
|
0 events,
|
1 event,
-
Keeping Families Strong provides foster parents insight on how to keep partnerships, families and friendships strong while providing care to out of home children. It will also provide strategies for |
1 event,
-
A Child’s Education: Rights & Responsibilities will inform parents of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The training informs foster and adoptive parents of the processes used to determine |
6 events,
-
You are invited to join the Office of Faculty Advancement in Connect & Accomplish: Online Co-working Sessions These dedicated 2-hour blocks are back this semester, offering weekly opportunities at the
-
A focused overview of practical communication tactics to defuse tense encounters before they escalate. Grounded in the Surviving Verbal Conflict® framework and UKPD field experience, the session emphasizes tactical empathy,
-
Impact of Trauma on Development (Trust Based Relational Intervention Caregiver Training March 10, 2026 5:30 PM-7:30 PM EST Via Zoom R. Alex Colston, LMFT 2 credit hours This training is 
This group is an opportunity for kinship caregivers to come together to find support, community, and resources in the care of relative and fictive children. This group will focus on
-
Creative Parenting: New Ways to Focus on Your Child is designed to help parents recognize the value of seeking to understand the meaning behind a child’s behavior. It explores the |
4 events,
-
Monthly Staff Meeting for Centers & Labs Training Resource Center Staff. The meeting is held the 3rd Wednesday of Each Month at the Training Resource Center. This is an in-person
Turn Your Goals into Reality Explore our Doctorate of Social Work (DSW) program during an online info session. Registration link is below. The UK Difference Our Doctorate of Social Work
Launch your social work career through your practicum experience—formerly known as field education. Attend an information session to learn about the process, opportunities, and support available as you prepare for 
Social Work students are invited to attend our informal monthly meeting. This is a great opportunity to connect with other students, ask questions to your advisor, and meet with program |
1 event,
-
Healthy Boundaries in Teenage Relationships explores healthy and unhealthy dating behaviors. It is designed to assist caregivers in identifying warning signs that a teen may be involved in an abusive |
2 events,
This is a hybrid-style training event with virtual sessions on Friday 3/13/26 (9:00am – 10:30am & 11:00am – 12:30pm) & Saturday 3/14/26 (9:00am – 10:30am & 11:00am – 12:30pm), and
-
This comprehensive training provides a foundational exploration of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), offering participants valuable insights into the characteristics, challenges, and strengths associated with autism. Aiming to enhance awareness, promote |
2 events,
-
Building Positive Relationships with Case Workers & Community Partners provides foster parents the information and tools needed to establish a positive working relationship with their caseworker and child’s caseworker, with |
|
3 events,
-
Monthly Staff Meeting for Centers & Labs Training Resource Center Staff. The meeting is held the 3rd Wednesday of Each Month at the Training Resource Center. This is an in-person
Launch your social work career through your practicum experience—formerly known as field education. Attend an information session to learn about the process, opportunities, and support available as you prepare for |
0 events,
|
|||||
1 event,
-
This session highlights a forward-looking, measurement-based strategy to support therapists in their clinical practice and improve service quality. Participants will learn practical tools for integrating outcome data into therapeutic decision-making,
$30
|
0 events,
|
5 events,
-
You are invited to join the Office of Faculty Advancement in Connect & Accomplish: Online Co-working Sessions These dedicated 2-hour blocks are back this semester, offering weekly opportunities at the
-
Monthly Staff Meeting for Centers & Labs Training Resource Center Staff. The meeting is held the 3rd Wednesday of Each Month at the Training Resource Center. This is an in-person
Launch your career through your practicum education! Attend an information session to learn about the process, opportunities, and support available as you explore hands-on learning in real-world settings. The UK College of 
Explore our Master of Social Work (MSW) program during an online info session. Registration link is below. The UK Difference Our MSW program is an Advanced Generalist program that prepares
Turn Your Goals into Reality Explore our Doctorate of Social Work (DSW) program during an online info session. Registration link is below. The UK Difference Our Doctorate of Social Work |
3 events,
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 
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 
Please join us as we discuss the Master of Science in Criminal Justice program! This info session will be held virtually over Zoom. Please register below and select the appropriate |
0 events,
|
0 events,
|
0 events,
|
|
0 events,
|
0 events,
|
3 events,
-
Monthly Staff Meeting for Centers & Labs Training Resource Center Staff. The meeting is held the 3rd Wednesday of Each Month at the Training Resource Center. This is an in-person
Launch your social work career through your practicum experience—formerly known as field education. Attend an information session to learn about the process, opportunities, and support available as you prepare for
Criminal Justice students are invited to attend our informal monthly meeting. This is a great opportunity to connect with other students, ask questions to your advisor, and meet with program |
0 events,
|
1 event,
-
You are invited to join the Office of Faculty Advancement in Connect & Accomplish: Online Co-working Sessions These dedicated 2-hour blocks are back this semester, offering weekly opportunities at the |
0 events,
|
0 events,
|
