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Admissions

Doctoral Students

Doctoral Program Overview

For more than 85 years, the School of Social Service Administration at the University of Chicago has provided advanced training for those interested in pursuing an academic career in social work and social welfare. The SSA doctoral program has long led the field in training scholars to contribute to the knowledge of the field and preparing its students for faculty and research positions at top programs in social work and social welfare. Study at SSA offers the wide-ranging resources of an outstanding research university-including leading faculty, diverse research centers, and intellectually challenging colloquia and workshops.

In addition to acquiring and applying theoretical perspectives and empirical knowledge, students learn how to practice among diverse populations at all levels of social intervention: individual, family, program, organization, community, and policy. SSA teaches social work values and standards of ethnical behavior, and expects students to be committed to improving the lives of vulnerable populations and to promoting social and economic justice.

Strengths of SSA

The doctoral program curriculum is flexible and adaptable, allowing each student to create a program that addresses his or her particular research interests. Students construct their programs under the mentorship of leading scholars and through study that draws from the rich array of courses, workshops, and seminars offered by SSA and related disciplines within the University.

Strengths of U of C

Study at SSA offers the wide-ranging resources of one of the world's leading research universities. Faculty and students contribute and participate in University research centers and initiatives that include: