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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
First-Year PhD students receiving financial aid
Unique centers and labs
PhD student presentations/
publications for 2019
Compulsive Lying explores why a child may lie compulsively. It identifies strategies and offers resources designed to assist children and their families dealing with this issue. After completing this training,
Helping Foster & Adopted Children Transition to a New School will assist foster/adoptive parents in preparing to enroll a child in a new school. It will also provide practical tips
New Placements: Preparing & Adjusting Family Roles will help foster and adoptive parents introduce new placements into their existing family units. It gives ideas and strategies on how to prepare
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'.
This new KIN VIP Support Group will begin as a 12-week pilot Support Group and will provide a community of support for kinship caregivers who have been impacted by a
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
Strategies for Parenting Teens will provide an overview of adolescent development and common questions and challenges presented by youth who are in foster care or were adopted. This training will
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
CORE TEEN (Critical On-going Resource Family Education) Session 4 Nurturing Youth’s Cultural / Racial / Ethnic Needs and Sexual Orientation / Gender Identity February 29, 2024 6:30 PM-9:00 PM EST
Did you know just about every state has a Social Work Lobby Day hosted by National Association of Social Workers? In Kentucky that day is March 5 and the College
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
This new KIN VIP Support Group will begin as a 12-week pilot Support Group and will provide a community of support for kinship caregivers who have been impacted by a
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
Celebrate with your fellow alumni! The SWAA is pleased to provide a limited number of complimentary tickets to the UK Men’s Basketball Game versus Vanderbilt at 9 PM on March
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
CORE TEEN (Critical On-going Resource Family Education) Session 5 Understanding and Managing Youth’s Challenging Behaviors – Part 1 March 7th, 2024 6:30 PM-8:30 PM EST Via Zoom Stephanie Spires 2
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
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
Children with Oppositional Defiant Disorder, or ODD, often struggle with defiant behaviors in which they challenge caregivers, break rules, lose their temper, even becoming frequently angry or annoyed. For these
This new KIN VIP Support Group will begin as a 12-week pilot Support Group and will provide a community of support for kinship caregivers who have been impacted by a
CORE TEEN (Critical On-going Resource Family Education) Session 6 Understanding and Managing Youth’s Challenging Behaviors – Part 2 March 14th, 2024 6:30 PM-9:00 PM EST Via Zoom Joy Harris Edwards
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
Embark on a journey of academic excellence with our PhD program in Social Work. Engage with our distinguished faculty and staff while delving into cutting-edge research across a myriad of
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
This new KIN VIP Support Group will begin as a 12-week pilot Support Group and will provide a community of support for kinship caregivers who have been impacted by a
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
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
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 upcoming Master of Science in Criminal Justice program! This info session will be held virtually over Zoom. Please register by using the link
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
CORE TEEN (Critical On-going Resource Family Education) Session 7 A New Suitcase of Parenting Knowledge and Skills March 21, 2024 6:30 PM-8:30 PM EST Via Zoom Stephanie Spires 2 credit
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
Kentucky's Children's Justice Act Task Force (CJA) is a group of professionals with knowledge and expertise related to the criminal justice system and child welfare. They work to enact meaningful
This new KIN VIP Support Group will begin as a 12-week pilot Support Group and will provide a community of support for kinship caregivers who have been impacted by a
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