Program of Study

Doctoral Program Mission & Goals

The College of Social Work Doctoral Program at FSU offers a Ph.D. and emphasizes training in research methods and teaching. 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.

The faculty recently collaborated on a year-long revision of the doctoral curriculum, which is methodologically rigorous and designed to nurture students’ success. Small class sizes and the availability of peer and faculty mentors provide outstanding opportunities for collaboration and ongoing professional relationships.

During the first year of the program, students learn the foundations for excellence in research and begin to develop a substantive area of interest. In their second year, students apply what they have learned in the first year to this individualized area of interest. Subsequent educational opportunities include a research practicum and a teaching practicum, and the opportunity to teach independently before they graduate.