Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – PhD Social Welfare

Watch on YouTube.com to enable captions: https://youtu.be/y9y74a-i1AU

Yes, every year the PhD program offers an information session in October, in preparation for the December 1st application deadline.  However, you can watch a copy of it below. Our Information Session recording will provide you with information on our program, as well as valuable information as you consider a Social Welfare degree.

Watch on YouTube.come to enable captions:  https://youtu.be/v7JddQIlizc

The Social Welfare program offers 3 program tracks:

1. 1. The Standard track, for students entering with an MSW
   2. The Joint track for students seeking an MSW; For the Fall 2024 admissions cycle, open September 6th-December 1, 2023, we will NOT accept PhD applications for the Joint MSW/PhD Track
   3. The PhD-Only track, for students that do not wish to obtain an MSW

While contacting faculty prior to applying is NOT required, it is suggested that applicants review the faculty directory (https://socwork.wisc.edu/directory-faculty/) and consider which faculty member(s) they would like to work with as their temporary faculty advisor.

Upon admission, each student is assigned to a “temporary faculty advisor” whose research interests correspond broadly with the student’s interests. The role of the temporary advisor is to mentor students at the beginning of their program, assist students in the selection of required and elective courses for the first year of the program, and advise students on research and curricular issues as they explore and refine their research area and choose a major professor. Many times, the temporary advisor becomes the Major Professor.

Applications for the Joint MSW/PhD Track are currently paused.  For the Fall 2024 admissions cycle, open September 6th-December 1, 2023, we will NOT accept PhD applications for the Joint MSW/PhD Track.  We welcome applicants without an MSW to learn more about the PhD-Only Track.

For Fall 2024, applicants interested in being considered for the MSW Program if they are not admitted to the PhD Program should apply to both the PhD Program under the PhD-Only track, and the MSW Full-time program, by selecting Social Welfare PhD AND Social Work MSW-Full Time MSW under the Program Select tab of the Graduate School Admission Application.

Applicants that do not select MSW in the Admissions Application will ONLY be considered for the PhD Program under then PhD-Only Track.  See the PhD Application page for more information: https://socwork.wisc.edu/admissions/phd-application/

Applicants interested in being considered for the MSW Program if they are not admitted to the PhD Program should apply to both the PhD Program under the Joint track, and the MSW Full-time program, by selecting Social Welfare PhD AND Social Work MSW-Full Time MSW under the Program Select tab of the Graduate School Admission Application.

Applicants that do not select MSW in the Admissions Application will ONLY be considered for the PhD Program under the MSW Joint track.  See the PhD Application page for more information: https://socwork.wisc.edu/admissions/phd-application/

• Can I get the IELTS or TOEFL waived?
  • The Graduate School waives English proficiency scores for students meeting one of 3 criteria. Visit their website to learn more: https://grad.wisc.edu/apply/requirements/
• I want to apply but cannot pay the application fee. How do I request an application fee waiver?
  • A limited number of fee grant waivers will be offered to international applicants by the PhD Program to ensure the application fee is not a barrier. Please note that waivers are not guaranteed, and as of 9/2022, candidates are only eligible to receive 1 waiver total from the PhD Program.  International applicants needing financial assistance to waive their application fee must:
    • Have all application materials submitted at the time of the request, including 3 letters of recommendation
    • Meet application criteria, including language scores
    • Contact the PhD Office to request a waiver

    Please ensure your application is completed, and fee grant or waiver is requested at least five (5) business days prior to your earliest application deadline to ensure there is enough time to process your request.

The GRE is required for the PhD program application unless otherwise specified on the SSW website or The Guide: https://guide.wisc.edu/graduate/social-work/social-welfare-phd/#admissionstext

Domestic Applicants

The Graduate School offers a limited number of application fee grants to make sure that the application fee is not a barrier for students from our key recruiting initiatives. Fee grants are currently available to U.S. citizens, permanent resident applicants and students with DACA status who can document that they:

1. participated in selected pipeline programs designed to prepare students for graduate studies, or
2. grew up in a low-income family.

Learn more about applying for a Fee Grant through the Graduate School by clicking here: https://grad.wisc.edu/apply/fee-grant/

The PhD program does not provide fee grant waivers to domestic applicants.  Please contact the Graduate School for waiver details.

International Applicants

A limited number of fee grant waivers will be offered to international applicants by the PhD Program to ensure the application fee is not a barrier. Please note that waivers are not guaranteed, and as of 9/2022, candidates are only eligible to receive 1 waiver total from the PhD Program.  The application fee coupon codes currently only cover the standard application fee and international applicants will still need to pay the international document fee. International applicants needing financial assistance to waive their application fee must:

• Have all application materials submitted at the time of the request, including 3 letters of recommendation
• Meet application criteria, including language scores
• Contact the PhD Office to request a waiver once everything is completed

Please ensure your application is completed, and fee grant or waiver is requested at least five (5) business days prior to your earliest application deadline to ensure there is enough time to process your request.

Yes, applicants without an MSW can apply to the PhD program under either the Joint MSW/PhD or PhD-Only track.

Applications for the Joint MSW/PhD Track are currently paused.  For the Fall 2024 admissions cycle, open September 6th-December 1, 2023, we will NOT accept PhD applications for the Joint MSW/PhD Track.  We welcome applicants without an MSW to learn more about the PhD-Only Track

Currently enrolled UW-Madison students applying to the PhD Program must add the program through the electronic Add/Change/Discontinue Program Request before the application deadline.  In addition to the Add/Change/Discontinue Program Request, all application requirements must be submitted to the Program Coordinator, and the materials will be reviewed as part of our applicant review cycle.

When considering the opportunity of attending a Social Welfare PhD program, we recommend reading, What I Wish I had Known as a First-Year PhD Student, an editorial published in the Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR) Doctoral Student Committee 2021 newsletter.  The newsletter features articles on the first-year student experience.  The article is available here: http://www.sswrdoc.com/monthlymonitor/2021/9/13/monthly-monitor-back-to-school-2021

For more information on how the Social Welfare PhD degree differs from a Doctor of Social Work (DSW) degree, we recommend reading, Evolving Education: The DSW and PhD Degrees-Goals and Choices, by Sue Coyle, MSW for Social Work Today.   The article outlines the differences in program experiences and outcomes.  Read it here: https://www.socialworktoday.com/archive/MA18p8.shtml

Or, watch this helpful video: https://youtu.be/XuC_ymRQwEc 

For transfer requirements, see the Minimum Graduate Coursework Requirement for transfer requirements at: https://guide.wisc.edu/graduate/social-work/social-welfare-phd/#requirementstext

To be considered as a transfer student, apply using the standard PhD application.  For internal transfers, please contact the department directly.

Also, some classes are eligible for exemption, the exemption exam schedule, and exam registration is available here: https://socwork.wisc.edu/students/exemptions/

According to the Group for the Advancement of Doctoral Education in Social Work (GADE), “Ph.D. graduates have a variety of avenues to pursue their academic and research careers [including:]

• Academic – Tenure track, research, and teaching positions are available in all kinds of settings, including teaching-intensive and large research-intensive universities.
• Professional Researchers – Ph.D. graduates may also work in other settings, such as government agencies, independent research centers, and the military, where they will conduct research that informs practice and provide policy analysis and data analyses that guide social programs.”

Learn more here: https://www.gadephd.org/Prospective-Applicants/Why-a-PhD-or-DSW

The PhD Program in Social Welfare is a full-time program. Regardless of the program track, it typically takes 4-6 years to complete the program: 2-3 Years for full-time doctoral coursework, and 2-3 years for completion of the preliminary exam and dissertation. The actual time students take to obtain the PhD degree will vary according to their previous preparation, progress in the program, and the nature of their dissertation work.

Course plans, currently approved elective options, and their descriptions can be viewed on The Guide (bottom of the page): https://guide.wisc.edu/graduate/social-work/social-welfare-phd/#requirementstext

Also, some classes are eligible for exemption, the exemption exam schedule, and exam registration is available here: https://socwork.wisc.edu/students/exemptions/

Full-time enrollment status varies based on school obligations, with most students enrolled in 8-12 credits during their coursework, and 3 credits as a dissertator. Policy number UW-1208 provides guidance on enrollment requirements, with the chart at the bottom of the page being particularly helpful: https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1208

While minors in the PhD program are not required, there are many minor options for those students interested in pursuing one. It should be noted that completing a minor could increase your length of time in the program. For a list of certificates and minors available at UW-Madison, please visit: https://guide.wisc.edu/graduate/#doctoralminorstext

Graduate Assistantships

Social Welfare PhD students are generally guaranteed a minimum funding package consisting of a 33.4%, 9-month appointment for a minimum of five years, if they are in good academic standing, make satisfactory progress in their coursework, perform acceptably in their appointed position, and remain in residence. While many appointments or combinations of appointments can go above 33.4%, and may include summer appointments, the guarantee of funding is only 33.4% for 9 months for five years.

Typically, students do not receive funding after their 5th year in the program, though some exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis depending on funding availability and the fit between a student’s skills and faculty/departmental needs with regards to TA, PA, RA, and teaching appointments. Refer to the Graduate School Explorer data tools, available at grad.wisc.edu (click “Data” in the upper right), for historical information on how the Program’s students have been funded. Or, click here: https://grad.wisc.edu/data/graduate-student-funding-data/

Graduate assistantships appointed at 33.3% or higher (>13 hours/week) provide multiple benefits:

• monthly stipend;
• remission^* of both resident and non-resident tuition (students will still need to pay segregated fees, roughly $726/semester); and
• eligibility for health insurance (health insurance options for a reasonable premium are among the country’s best group health insurance plans).

Appointment Types

• Teaching Assistantships (TA): Instructional positions that could include lecturing, grading papers, supervising laboratories, leading discussion sections, or developing course curriculum
• Project Assistantships (PA): Project-related assignments such as coordinating programs, organizing events, analyzing data, or supporting student services
• Research Assistantships (RA): Research under the guidance of a faculty member

• Lecturer, Student Assistant (LSA): Instructional position leading a course in place of faculty or instructional academic staff

For more details on TA, RA, and PA, positions, including stipend levels, please visit: https://grad.wisc.edu/funding/graduate-assistantships/

As part of our admissions process, the PhD Committee considers all incoming students for available awards, including;

• Graduate Research Scholar fellowships (also called GRS or AOF)

• IRIS Area and International Studies Awards for Incoming Graduate Students

• Kemper Knapp Fellowship
• Lois Palmer Shimpa Memorial Scholarship

In the spring, the PhD Committee awards current students PhD Scholarships and Awards including;

• Alfred Kadushin Dissertation Research Award
• Arthur P. Miles School of Social Work Scholarship

• DEI Leadership Award
• Exceptional Service Award
• Irving Piliavin Award
• Doctoral Research Paper Award
• Dorothy M. Pearson Graduate Fellowship
• Sheldon D. Rose Memorial Scholarship
• Teaching Excellence Award

The UW- Madison International Student Services (ISS) Office offers information on scholarships and grants for International graduate students, as well as educational loan options.  See more here: ISS: https://iss.wisc.edu/funding-scholarships/

Additionally, we recommend applying for outside awards and funding.  The Wisconsin Scholarship Hub, or WISH, is a great place to start the graduate scholarship search.  Visit the site here: https://wisc.academicworks.com/

See a breakdown and descriptions of Graduate Student costs of attendance (COA) here: https://financialaid.wisc.edu/cost-of-attendance/

Yes, students qualify for insurance. Students awarded a fellowship, traineeship, or assistantship with at least 33.33% appointment per term qualify for full medical benefits. Additionally, students have access to University Health Services (UHS). Learn more about the benefit options by visiting: https://grad.wisc.edu/documents/insurance-and-medical-benefits/

Graduate Student Life offers a guide to the graduate experience at UW-Madison. Along with information about living in Madison, along with housing and transportation, they offer a full YouTube playlist featuring the sites of Madison. Visit their site here: https://gradlife.wisc.edu/living-in-madison/

Experience Madison, and the weather, and visit local favorites through their YouTube page here: https://www.youtube.com/c/UWMadisonGraduateSchool

The City of Madison offers a comprehensive list of everything you need to know about Madison.  See it here: https://www.cityofmadison.com/visit-play

Graduate Student Life offers resources to support graduate student health. Additionally, they offer resources for families and the partners of graduate students. Learn more here: https://gradlife.wisc.edu/thriving-in-graduate-school/

The Office of Child Care and Family Resources offers info on childcare, financial assistance, resource library, parents listserv, lactation space, parent education, programming, and links to more campus and community resources. Learn more by visiting: https://grad.wisc.edu/current-students/students-with-children/

Learn more about on-campus, off-campus, and family housing options by visiting: https://gradlife.wisc.edu/housing-and-transportation/#campus-housing

The Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Funding, housed within the Graduate School at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, focuses on the needs of underserved graduate student populations such as graduate students of color and first-generation graduate students.  Learn more here: https://grad.wisc.edu/diversity/inclusion-and-engagement/

Please refer to our resource on the Student Resources page regarding Reporting Issues.