What You Need to Know - FAQs

What is the focus of the PhD Program at the University of Georgia?

The social work PhD is a research degree, dedicated to providing talented MSWs with advanced training in scientific research methods. The aim is to produce social workers who will be able to conduct well-crafted research aimed at finding solutions to problems of social and interpersonal importance. Our PhD program is sufficiently flexible in order to provide students the opportunity to conduct research related to social work practice in most fields, ranging from interpersonal practice, to community and organizational practice, and to the evaluation of social welfare policies. Many graduates have gone on to academic teaching and research positions, some have taken program evaluation jobs, while others have taken positions in administration.

How long is the program?

The PhD program usually requires at least three years of full-time enrollment. The first and second years involve the completion of structured coursework, seminars, and research practicum courses. Students complete their comprehensive examinations after coursework is completed and usually begin dissertation research during the third year. The length of time required by the student to complete the dissertation varies, however, all students must adhere to the Graduate School’s timeline for completing their studies.  PhD students have six years to complete required coursework and pass the comprehensive exam and five years post comprehensive exam to finish their dissertation.

How many hours/classes per week will I be taking?

Generally between 9 and 12 hours per week in the classroom or seminar, which translates to 3 or 4 courses during the fall and spring semesters. During the summer, 2 to 3 courses is the usual load. Students selecting the part-time option will be advised individually as to the number of hours.

When are students admitted to the PhD program?

Full-time students are admitted into the PhD program only in the Fall of each year. Students who select the part-time option may enter into the program during any semester, Fall, Spring or Summer.

Where is Athens, Georgia?

Athens is about 70 miles northeast of Atlanta.

Admissions Questions

What are the admission requirements for the PhD program?

All applicants must have completed an MSW degree from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education by the time they begin the PhD program at UGA. Currently enrolled MSW students are welcome to apply before they graduate, but must have completed their master’s degree prior to matriculating into the doctoral program. The UGA Graduate School recommends a combined (verbal + quantitative) GRE score of no less than 1000, an overall undergraduate GPA of no less than 3.0, and an overall graduate (MSW) GPA of 3.5. Exceptional students with GREs or GPAs less than these standards may be admitted, providing they have offsetting strengths in other areas.

In addition to the application items required by the Graduate School, our program requires the following materials be sent directly to the School's program office: a personal goals statement explaining your reasons for seeking admission to the PhD program, a current vita/resume, and a writing sample. Paid post-MSW work experience is highly desirable but is not a requirement for admission. The Doctoral Program Committee makes a decision about each candidate based on all the application information as a whole.

For more information about Graduate School admissions and to apply online, click here for the Graduate School web site.

Whom should I ask to write my letters of recommendation?

Reference letters from academics and social worker practitioners, doctoral-level professionals in the human services, professional supervisors of your practice, or senior administrators are usually given more weight than supportive letters prepared by friends, clergy, family members, or former clients. Letters from people who obviously know you well are more credible that those from influential or important people who may not be genuinely familiar with your capabilities. Although we require a minimum of 3 letters of recommendation, you may be wise to ask more than three people to write for you. Sometimes referees are late with their letters and this may hold up your entire application. We cannot act on your application until we have ALL the materials, including at least 3 letters of recommendation. Asking more than 3 people to write letters helps ensure that we get the required number in a timely manner.

Whom should the letters of recommendation be sent to?

Please send supplemental letters of recommendation to:

The University of Georgia
School of Social Work
PhD Program Office
416 Tucker Hall
Athens, GA 30602-7016.

Whom should my transcripts be sent to?

All transcripts should be sent directly to the Graduate School.

Do I really have to have an MSW?

Yes. We do not admit students who do not have the MSW degree.

Do I really have to take the GRE?

Yes, no exceptions. No other test scores can be substituted for the GRE.

What is the typical score of successful applicants to the PhD program?

Recently, the average GRE score (best verbal and quantitative scores combined) for students admitted into the program was a little over 1150. We do accept students with lower GRE scores, and welcome applications of all qualified persons with a sincere interest in social work research. If you submit GRE scores from more than one administration of the test, we use your best combined scores, thus retaking the GRE cannot hurt your chances for admission.

Do you require scores from any of the GRE specialization tests?

No. Only the Quantitative and Verbal scores of the General Test are used for admissions decisions.

How recent do my GRE scores have to be?

MSW graduates of UGA who already have their GRE scores on file with the Graduate School may use those scores, regardless of when the test was taken. However, if your score was below 1000, it is a good idea to retake the GRE so that your application file will be more competitive. For individuals who earned their MSW elsewhere, the submitted GRE scores must be no more than 5 years old. If older than that, you must retake the test and submit your new scores.

How do I find out about taking the GRE?

You can check the GRE website at http://www.gre.org/ or call 1-800-GRE-CALL. Also, University Testing Services has information on their site http://testing.uga.edu/ or you can call them at 706-542-3183.

What are the typical GPAs of applicants who are admitted to the program?

Recently the overall undergraduate GPA for students admitted into the program was about 3.50. The average graduate GPA for students admitted into the program was about 3.79. We do accept students with lower GPA's and welcome the applications of all qualified persons with a sincere interest in research on social work practice.

How important is post-MSW work experience?

Generally, post-MSW work experience seems to help students obtain more benefits from their doctoral studies; therefore, experienced social workers are given some preference in admissions to the PhD program over inexperienced ones. Also, the Council on Social Work Education mandates that "Faculty who teach required practice classes or direct the field practicum must . . . have the equivalent of two or more years of full-time post-MSW experience in professional social work practice.” So, if you want a career in academic social work you should be aware of the need to obtain this work experience prior to applying for most social work teaching positions. This experience may be obtained during and after your PhD program. For those planning administrative or research careers, the CSWE requirement may not be relevant. The PhD program welcomes applications from recent graduates of an MSW program and has on many occasions admitted such persons.

Do you accept transfer students from other programs?

No, all coursework for the PhD must be completed at the University of Georgia.  No coursework pre-admittance will be transferred.

I have earned some graduate credit besides my MSW. Will this help me get into the PhD program?

A strong track record as a graduate student in another discipline is an asset that will be taken into consideration by the Doctoral Program Committee. Some social work PhD students have been admitted who had previously earned doctorates and masters degrees in various fields in addition to the MSW (but most have not).

Do you conduct interviews with applicants?

Yes, members of the doctoral program committee may conduct a telephone interview with a PhD candidate before the candidate is admitted to the program. If you would like to visit the school and meet with the Program Director or selected faculty members pre-admission, please contact the Degree Program Specialist, kfarlowe@uga.edu, 706-542-5461, to set up a date and time. You may want also wish to look at the list of faculty members and their interest areas so that you can let the director know whom you would like to meet with during your visit, schedules permitting.

How does the admissions process work?

When your file is complete, the director of the PhD program notifies the Doctoral Program Committee. The committee then reviews your file, votes on admission, and makes a departmental recommendation to accept or refuse admission. The UGA Graduate School then notifies applicants, in writing, of the final decision. If you are accepted, a departmental acceptance letter is sent to you as well, after the department has been notified of the Graduate School’s decision.

When is the application deadline for the program?

Although we do not have a specific date for our deadline, early application is encouraged. Consideration of full-time program applications may begin as early as October and continue until the class for the following Fall is full. In addition, many scholarship applications, including the University-Wide Assistantship, require that students be admitted as early as January 20 of any given year. Completed applications received before the class has been filled, in many years by March, will receive full consideration by the admissions committee. We recommend that applications are completed by January 1 of the year you plan to matriculate. Once the class has been filled, applicants will be contacted by the Doctoral Program Office to see if they would like their application held for consideration for the following Fall.

If you are choosing the part-time option, we would like to have your application materials in at least 3-4 months before the desired semester of enrollment.

How can I find out what materials of mine have been received?

Once you have applied to the Graduate School, you will be emailed a web address where you may access your application status. Each time the Graduate School or the School of Social Work receive a requirement for admission, it will be posted online and you will be notified by email. The website address for document tracking is http://www.gradsch.uga.edu:5080/dept/.

When will I find out if I’ve been accepted?

Applications will be reviewed only after they are complete in every respect, so be sure to follow the checklist on the Graduate School web site and the School of Social Work PhD Admissions page to make sure that you have submitted all required materials. Follow up with those individuals who have promised to provide a letter of recommendation to make sure they actually submit a letter on your behalf. You will be mailed your admissions decision usually within 2 to 3 months after we have received a complete application file. Final decisions on admission can only be given via U.S. Postal Service letter delivery, not over the phone or through email.

Financial Questions

What do tuition and fees cost?

UGA tuition for in-state students is estimated to be about $3,085 per semester for the academic year. For non-residents of Georgia, it is estimated to be about $10,712 per semester. Please note that students receiving assistantships have their tuition reduced to $25 while they are on the assistantship regardless of their residency status. Student fees are paid by each student (even if an assistantship is granted) in the amount of approximately $563 per semester. Click here for the university's tuition and fees schedule. Use Graduates as the program.

What financial aid is offered through the School of Social Work?

Typically, students admitted to the PhD program are offered a graduate research assistantship, which currently pays an annual stipend of about $10,930 over the fall and spring semesters and a tuition reduction to $25 for the fall, spring, and summer semesters. During the second and third years of study students may be offered research and/or teaching assistantships, which provide similar levels of funding and tuition reductions, on a semester-by-semester basis.

The School of Social Work also offers the Carl Vinson Institute of Government Social Work Research Assistantship, which is available to exceptionally well-qualified individuals. The Institute assistantship provides for an annual stipend of about $16,000 per year, for up to three years, and involves a 50% time assistantship in support of applied research projects at the Carl Vinson Institute of Government.

What financial aid is offered through the UGA graduate school?

Particularly well-qualified PhD students may be granted a competitively awarded university-wide graduate assistantship for up to three years, which pays a stipend of about $13,000 annually, divided over the fall and spring semesters, plus a tuition reduction. The Graduate School has recently instituted a new competitive University Fellows Program, which provides funding for up to three years in the amount of $20,000/year, plus a tuition waiver. All academically competitive applicants admitted to the PhD program will be considered for nomination for these programs.

What are some other sources of financial aid?

Admitted PhD students may qualify for various state and federal loan programs through the UGA Student Financial Aid Office (706-542-6147). Recently several of our PhD students received NIMH-funded multi-year fellowships offered through the Council on Social Work Education.

Other Questions

One of my career goals is to teach social work at the university level. Are there opportunities to teach courses while I am a PhD student?

Yes. Many of our PhD students look forward to careers in social work teaching. After the first year courses are completed, students may apply for teaching assistantships. Typically, teaching assistants are assigned courses to teach in our BSW program. Also there are opportunities to co-teach with faculty in some courses to help your transition into the instructional role. Most of our PhD students have had at least one teaching experience by the time they graduate.

How diverse are your doctoral students?

As of August 2006, the program had 26 women and 10 men enrolled. Nine are African American, 23 are Caucasian, 1 is from Africa, and 3 are from Asia.

Can you help me arrange for housing?

Students are responsible for arranging their housing. If you are interested in on-campus housing in a dormitory or in family housing (for married students or those with children), please contact the UGA Housing Office at 706-542-1473 or visit the website at www.uga.edu/housing.

Do you admit international students?

Definitely! Students from abroad are most welcome to apply. We have admitted students from Africa, Canada, South Korea, India, Taiwan, and Colombia. However, you must have the U.S. equivalent of the MSW degree. International students must allow sufficient time for mailings and visa arrangements. International students whose native language is not English, must submit satisfactory Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores. Contact 609-771-7100 or www.toefl.org to arrange a test date. International students with an MSW from a U.S., Canadian, British, Australian, or New Zealand University are not required to submit TOEFL scores.

How can I arrange a tour of the University of Georgia?

Call the UGA Visitors Center at 706-542-0842 or go to http://www.uga.edu/visctr/ and they will be delighted to arrange a guided tour for you.

I want to have a career in the practice of clinical social work. Is the UGA Social Work PhD program a good fit for me?

No. The PhD program does not provide advanced training in clinical social work. It focuses exclusively on advanced training in research. The MSW is the terminal practice degree required of clinical social workers and the doctorate is not necessary to practice clinical social work.

 
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