For questions about the Ph.D. in Social Welfare, please contact Dr. Rich Beaulaurier at beau@fiu.edu or 305-348-5876, or Kelly Sydnor, Admissions Coordinator, at ksydnor@fiu.edu or 305-348-5841.
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 33265-9003.
- 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
- Office of Graduate Admissions
- 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:
- FIU Graduate Online Application (NOTE: do not use the reference form provided on graduate admissions application)
- Application for Financial Aid (for students seeking Financial Aid)
- Application to the Ph.D. Program in Social Welfare (.doc format)
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores
- Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work
- Personal Statement (4-6 pages) (.doc format)
- Three letters of recommendation (two academic and one professional) (.doc format)
- Two examples of scholarly written work
- 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 at ksydnor@fiu.edu or 305-348-5841.