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Ph.D. in Social Welfare

The Ph.D. in Social Welfare is the flagship program of the School of Social Work. The program prepares students in cutting-edge investigative techniques and methodologies. The program has one of the fastest completion rates, and highest retention rates among social work Ph.D. programs nationally. Students can complete the program in as little as three years. We are able to achieve this because of an intensive first-year curriculum, and because students work closely with our nationally and internationally renowned faculty. Our Ph.D. graduates have secured positions in the best universities in the country, prestigious government institutes such as the National Institutes of Health, post-doctoral positions in Ivy League universities, as well as an increasing number of leadership positions in the community. Our graduates are especially sought after for their expertise in minority health disparities.

To find out more about the program please follow these links:

Admission requirements

The following are admission requirements of the School of Social Work and/or the University Graduate School.

  • A master’s degree in social work (MSW) from an accredited school of social work or a closely related field. Prior social work experience is highly desired. Please note that doctoral graduates who would like to teach (clinical or direct practice) courses in an accredited social work program must have two years post-MSW direct-practice experience.
  • Evidence of superior academic achievement in undergraduate education, including at least a 3.0 (upper division) undergraduate GPA and at least a 3.5 graduate GPA.
    • All official transcripts must be sent directly to Florida International University, Office of Admissions, P.O. Box 659003, Miami, FL 33265-9004.
  • Quantitative and verbal scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)**. Official GRE scores must be sent directly to the University Graduate School. (GRE material may be obtained directly from the FIU Office of Admissions or from Educational Testing Services.)
    • Office of Graduate Admissions
      P.O. Box 659004
      Miami, FL 33265-9004
  • For students for whom English is a second language, a TOEFL score of 550 or more.
  • Successful completion (with a grade of “B” or better) of one or more graduate-level courses in research methodology or statistics, as documented in the official academic transcripts.
  • Three letters of reference from academic and/or professional sources.
  • Two samples of writing (e.g., published articles, research reports, book reviews, manuscripts submitted for publication, or papers prepared specifically for admission to the Ph.D. program).
  • A personal statement describing applicant’s desire to pursue doctoral studies at this time, their background and experience, their doctoral research and specialization interests, and their career goals following receipt of Ph.D.
  • Applicants who do not meet all admission requirements but demonstrate outstanding abilities or accomplishments may also be considered; however, exemption from particular requirements may need to be requested from the University Graduate School.
  • An admission interview may be requested.

Evaluation of applicant

The committee will only review completed applications files. Determination of the applicant’s intellectual capacity and research potential is based mainly on GPA, GRE scores and academic references. Assessment of motivation, knowledge of the field, and personal qualities is based on a review of work experience information, the personal statement, letters of reference, and possibly an admissions interview. Evaluation of writing ability is based on a review of the personal statement and the writing samples.

Transfer of credits

Students in the Ph.D. program cannot substitute or obtain waivers for required courses. The Ph.D. Coordinator may consider the transfer of doctoral level courses (not part of a previously earned degree) toward the completion of a maximum of six elective (or supervised research or independent study) credit hours. Students must explain in writing how the previous course or courses are directly related to the current area of doctoral study.

Application deadlines

Students are admitted into the Ph.D. in Social Welfare program only in the fall semester. Applications for admission should be received at the School of Social Work by February 1st. Applications submitted after that date are considered as space permits.

Application folders are considered complete when all documents listed below have been received:

  1. FIU Graduate Online Application (NOTE: do not use the reference form provided on graduate admissions application)
  2. Application for Financial Aid (for students seeking Financial Aid)
  3. Application to the Ph.D. Program in Social Welfare (.doc format)
  4. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores
  5. Ph.D. References (1-3 pages)
  6. Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work
  7. Personal Statement (4-6 pages) (.doc format)
  8. Three letters of recommendation (two academic and one professional) (.doc format)
  9. Two examples of scholarly written work
  10. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score (international students only)

 

GRE scores (requested from Educational Testing Service and sent to you directly from ETS), official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work (requested from issuing schools and sent directly to you from them), and TOEFL scores, should be sent to:

Office of Graduate Admissions
P.O. Box 659004
Miami, FL 33265-9004

Application to the Ph.D. in Social Welfare program, the Personal Statement, and the letters of recommendation (sent directly by the individual writing the letter for you) must be sent to:

Doctoral Admissions
School of Social Work
Robert Stempel College of Public Health & Social Work

Florida International University
Modesto Maidique Campus
11200 SW 8th St., AHC5-562
Miami, FL 33199

For more information or the status of your application, please contact Kelly Sydnor.

Application requirements

Potential applicants should feel free to contact the doctoral program director, Dr. Richard Beaulaurier.

Students are admitted into the Ph.D. program only in the fall semester. Applications for admission should be received to the School of Social Work by February 1st.

Applications submitted after that date are considered as space permits. Application folders are considered complete when all documents listed below have been received:

Contact the Doctoral program director (Dr. Beaulaurier) or the Student Services Coordinator (Kelly Sydnor) to indicate that you have begun the application process. Dr. Beaulaurier: beau@fiu.edu, 786-205-6582 Kelly Sydnor: ksydnor@fiu.edu, 305-348-5841

Scholarships, Fellowships and Financial Aid information

To be considered for admission, all applicants must submit the following required application materials:

  • FIU Graduate Online Application (NOTE: do not use the reference form provided on graduate admissions application)
  • Application to the Ph.D. Program in Social Welfare
  • Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores
  • Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work
  • Personal statement (4-6 pages.) Three letters of recommendation (two academic and one professional; send directly to Kelly Sydnor ksydnor@fiu.edu)
  • Two examples of scholarly written work
  • Application for Federal Financial Aid (for students eligible for and seeking Financial Aid) International

International applicants must submit the documents mentioned above, in addition to the items listed below:

  • Official translations in English for non-English transcripts/documents
  • Proof of language proficiency: Applicants from non-English speaking countries, including internationally educated American students, must demonstrate proficiency in English.
  • FIU only accepts test scores sent directly from the testing agency as official.
  • The minimum score requirements are a total overall score of 80 on the iBT or 550 on the PBT, or a 6.5 overall

All documents must be submitted to the Office of Graduate Admissions:

Florida International University
Graduate Admissions
Office PO Box 659004
Miami, FL 33265-9004

For overnight/courier services, mail to:

FIU Graduate Admissions
Modesto A. Maidique Campus
11200 S.W. 8th St., BT 201
Miami, FL 33199

305-348-744
305-348-7441
gradadm@fiu.edu