PhD Overview
Doctoral Program Overview
Mission and Goals
The mission of the FSU doctoral program is to develop social work scholars and leaders in research and education who use systematic methods of inquiry and reasoned argument to advance knowledge.
The Doctoral Program at the College of Social Work is to offer courses and experiential learning opportunities in systematic methods of inquiry that are sequentially integrated and to foster independent research and scholarship capabilities.
To achieve these goals, the doctoral program holds students to the academic and professional standards and expectations set by Florida State University, the National Association of Social Workers (e.g., the NASW Code of Ethics), and the Group for the Advancement of Doctoral Education in Social Work (GADE).
Apply Now for the Doctoral Program
Program Overview
The College of Social Work Doctoral Program at FSU offers a Ph.D. and emphasizes training in research methods. We develop social work scholars and leaders in both research and education by offering hands-on experiences along with coursework and close mentoring by a well-trained, diverse faculty. Additionally, our doctoral students gain teaching experience by taking a teaching practicum course in their third year. Students are assigned as Teaching Assistants in a foundational social work course while taking this course to familiarize students with pedagogical theories and strategies for the development and delivery of course content, course management, and assessment.
Our doctoral program is offered fully in-person at the Tallahassee main campus and prepares graduates to excel in professorate and researcher roles through coursework and experiential scholarship opportunities.
During the first year of the program, students learn the foundations for excellence in research, begin to become experts in their substantive area and learn how to integrate the two. In their second year, students strengthen their research skills while continuing to become experts in their substantive area. Subsequent educational opportunities include a research practicum, a teaching practicum, and the opportunity to teach independently before they graduate. In year three and beyond, students develop their independence as scholars after passing their preliminary exams.
For important information, review the Doctoral Program Handbook below. Admissions to the Doctoral Program information is on page 5 and the Program of Study is on page 14.
Doctoral Program Handbook
Social work doctoral students share their experiences in the College of Social Work Doctoral Program.
Elizabeth Curley
Watch the video below on the experiences of Dr. Elizabeth Curley (PhD '25) in the FSU College of Social Work Doctoral Program.
Shelby Varol
Watch the video below on the experiences of Shelby Varol in the FSU College of Social Work Doctoral Program.
Director:
"The FSU College of Social Work doctoral program offers rigorous training in translational research that makes an important impact in the real world. Of our graduates over the last 5 years, 63% have earned tenure-track positions and 21% have earned research positions (other than tenure-track) at universities across the country, where they make impressive contributions to their communities and the field of social work."
Stephen Tripodi, PhD
Professor
stripodi@fsu.edu
Funding
Guaranteed years of funding information.
Our PhD program provides full-time students with four years of guaranteed funding. Students hold a 0.375 FTE (15 hours/week) assistantship for all four years. In years one and two, students hold a research assistantship for the full 0.375 FTE (15 hours/week). In years three and four, students hold a teaching assistantship for 0.25 FTE (10 hours/week) in addition to a 0.15 FTE (5 hours/week) research assistantship.
These four years of guaranteed funding currently provide a tuition matriculation waiver, an annual stipend of $21,450 for the graduate assistantship, and a health insurance subsidy for University-sponsored plans. Most students will seek funding for the years beyond by engaging in ongoing research and teaching opportunities. The mean time to graduation over the past ten years is 5.5 years and the mode is 4 years.
For the 2026-2027 academic year, the College of Social Work can support travel expenses up to $1,000 total per current student (available for conferences between July 1, 2026, and June 30, 2027). To qualify for these conference travel funds, you must present at the conference in some capacity.
The College of Social Work awards numerous scholarships to incoming and current students each year. Here is a list of several College of Social Work scholarships available to our doctoral students:
- Citrus Health Network Scholarship for Graduate Students.
- Mark DeGraff & Lula Hamilton DeGraff Scholarship.
- Joanna F. Gorman Scholarship.
- Dianne F. Harrison Scholarship Best Dissertation Prospectus.
- Joyce Harper Laidlaw Scholarship in Child Welfare.
- Herndon Scholars/Helios Education Foundation Scholarship.
- Walter W. Hudson Doctoral Scholarship.
- Robert P. Hurrle Doctoral Scholarship.
- Coyle & Mabel Moore Scholarship.
- Sarah Sealey Morrill Scholarship.
- Maurice M. & Patricia V. Vance Scholarship.
Find out more information on the financial assistance available at the College of Social Work here.
- The Florida State University Graduate School offers several scholarships with generous support for doctoral students. Many social work doctoral students have been awarded these scholarships. One social work doctoral student receives the Legacy Scholarship annually, which provides $10,000 per year for five years. The Graduate School also offers the Wilson-Auzene Scholarship, which provides a $5,000 stipend for eligible minority students. Visit The Graduate School website to learn about additional funding.
- The Graduate Student Resource Center at FSU offers Attendance Grants and Presentation Grants for full-time FSU doctoral candidates seeking support with expenses associated with traveling to an approved professional conference or event related to their program of study. Attendance grants provide up to $500 of qualified expenses, and presentation grants provide up to $1,000 of qualified expenses. Visit the FSU Graduate Student Resource Center website for information on travel grants.
- The Congress of Graduate Students at Florida State University offers funding for individual graduate student attending and presenting at conferences. Funds are made available on a first come, first serve basis, with limited funds available in each funding period. Once funds are depleted for a funding cycle, COGS is unable to issue additional funds, regardless of an individual’s eligibility status. Graduate students are encouraged to apply for funds at the beginning of the grant period or one month prior to travel, whichever comes first. Visit the FSU Student Government Association Council of Graduate Students website for more information on grants.
Doctoral students can apply for funding (e.g., fellowships, scholarships, research awards) outside of FSU to support their coursework and their dissertation studies. Students typically work with their major professors to pursue these opportunities with the support of the doctoral program. Examples of foundation and government external funding agencies include the Hartford Foundation, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, the National Institute of Mental Health, and the National Institute on Aging. Students are highly encouraged to contact the Office of Graduate Fellowships and Awards (OGFA) for assistance.
Admissions
Fall 2027 Admissions Information
We practice rolling admissions from the time our application opens to the time it closes.
Application Opens: August 1st, 2026
Application Deadlines:
For Domestic Applicants Application Closes: March 1, 2027
For International Applicants Application Closes: January 15, 2027
Applicants are encouraged to apply early and to complete the application by the end of December 2026.
Please keep in mind that meeting these requirements does not guarantee admission, only admission consideration. The admissions process is limited and competitive. Only applicants with complete application files will be considered for admission.
Rolling Admission
The Florida State University College of Social Work Doctoral Program will conduct rolling admissions for fall 2027, with consideration from when our application opens on August 1, 2026, until our application deadline on March 1, 2027, or when our incoming cohort is filled, whichever comes first. Please note that students with internationally earned degrees must submit their applications by December 1st, 2026, to meet the admissions and hiring deadlines set by the State of Florida.
It is beneficial for prospective students to prepare and submit all required application materials as soon as they are ready, and to complete the application by December 2026. The Doctoral Program Committee will review applications and aim to provide applicants with an admission decision within 8 weeks of the submission of a fully completed application. Once an application is reviewed, the application will either be denied or the applicant will be offered an interview with the Doctoral Program Committee. Following the interview, applicants will receive an admission outcome of Admit, Deny, or Waitlist. Applicants who are placed on the waitlist will be provided a final admission outcome of Admit or Deny by May 1, 2027.
Application Requirements
A completed admission application should be completed online. Please see the Admissions Toolkit (link below) for additional details about the admissions process and descriptions of the application materials.
Click HERE to view the Fall 2026 Doctoral Program Admissions Toolkit
*Additional details on these application requirements can be found in the Admissions Toolkit above.*
- An MSW degree with a Grade Point Average of at least 3.0 from a graduate school of social work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
- “Good standing” status at the last school attended.
- A Graduate Record Examination (GRE) taken within the previous 5 years OR an approved GRE Waiver Request (information below).
- Visit the GRE website for more information about the GRE, including registration information. Official GRE scores must be sent from ETS directly to FSU. The FSU institutional code is 5219.
- Transcripts from all previous undergraduate and graduate academic work.
- Note: As of November 2023, the FSU Graduate School requires all internationally earned degrees to be evaluated by SpanTran or another NACES-approved credentialing service.
- More information on FSU’s transcript and credential evaluation requirements can be found here.
- Resume/Curriculum Vitae
- Statement of Purpose
- Writing Sample
- Applicants may include a maximum of two writing samples.
- Three Letters of Reference
- Applicants must include a minimum of three letters of reference and may include up to four letters of reference.
- Interview
- Every applicant being considered for admission after an initial application review will be interviewed.
International Student Requirements
Evidence of English language proficiency is required as demonstrated by acceptable scores on one of the following: the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Internet Based Test or Paper Based Test, the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), the Pearson Test of English (PTE academic), Cambridge C1 Advanced Level, or the Michigan Language Assessment. The minimum scores required are as follows:
- TOEFL:
- Internet-Based TOEFL (IBTOEFL): 80 (if taken before January 21, 2026) or 4.0 (if taken on or after January 21, 2026).
- Paper Based TOEFL: 550
- International English Language Testing System (Academic IELTS): 6.5
- Pearson Test of English (PTE): 55
- Cambridge C1 Advanced Level: 180 (Fall 2022 and forward)
- Michigan Language Assessment: 55
* For international applicants with an earned degree from a U.S. university, please inquire about exemption from the Test of English as a Foreign Language tests.
GRE Waiver
The GRE could be waived for students who meet at least one criterion from each of the two categories below. To be considered for a waiver from the FSU College of Social Work Doctoral Program application for fall 2027 admissions consideration, please submit your current resume/CV and any relevant additional supplementary materials.
Success and Aptitude for Research:
- Undergraduate or graduate research-based thesis in a relevant field.
- Post-undergraduate research experience in a relevant field.
- Post-graduate research experience in a relevant field.
- Participation in the FSU Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP) or equivalent experience.
- Extensive (at least 2 years) relevant research or clinical experience related to the applicant’s research interests.
- Co-authored research paper published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.
- Extensive (at least 2 years) relevant employment related to the applicant’s graduate training goals.
Academic Preparation:
- Upper-division undergraduate GPA of 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale) or higher from any nationally or internationally accredited college or university.
- MSW GPA of 3.75 (on a 4.0 scale) or higher from any Council of Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited college or university.
If you believe you meet these criteria, please complete our GRE waiver here.
Please email Kam Green (kgreen4@fsu.edu) with any questions regarding the GRE waiver process.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
No, the FSU College of Social Work only offers a Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) in Social Work program.
The Doctoral Program at the FSU College of Social Work is offered only in person at the Tallahassee, Florida, campus.
The FSU Graduate School manages the $30.00 application fee (U.S. dollars). The Graduate School cannot offer application fee waivers. More information about this policy is available on the FSU Graduate School website.
No, all internationally earned degrees must obtain a NACES-approved credential evaluation. Applications will not be considered complete until a NACES-approved credential evaluation is received. If you have an internationally earned degree, it is not possible to have your application reviewed without a NACES-approved credential evaluation. More information on the FSU Graduate School’s transcript and credential evaluation requirements can be found on their website here.
The College of Social Work PhD program can be completed part-time; however, it is strongly recommended that students complete the program in a full-time student capacity. Students are set up for success best if they complete the program full-time. If a student pursues the program part-time, they are ineligible to receive the funding package.
Over the last 10 years, students have taken an average of 5.5 years to graduate. The quickest time to graduation has been 4 years, and the longest time to graduation has been 9.5 years. The most frequent time to graduation is 4 years.
Our cohorts range between 3 and 6 students.