Social Work and Social Research

The Ph.D. Program in Social Work and Social Research at Portland State University educates the next generation of scholars, researchers, teachers, and leaders in social work and related fields. Students will be prepared to contribute to scholarly knowledge, conduct ethical, rigorous, and community-engaged research, and teach passionately and effectively in various settings--all with special attention to equity and justice.

The Ph.D. Program admitted its first cohort in 1992, and since then doctoral graduates have been hired into tenure-track academic positions in universities across the country. Many conduct research as principal investigators on major research projects, and others hold leadership roles in diverse communities and at social service organizations.

The program employs an innovative curriculum that prepares graduates to become leading academics, researchers, and scholars. It is rigorous, relevant, and responsive to the future of social work education and scholarship and continues its focus on the promotion of social and economic justice for the improvement of communities.

PH.D. PROGRAM COMPONENTS

COURSEWORK BUILT THROUGH A FOCUSED SOCIAL JUSTICE LENS

The program teaches students to recognize and interrupt the expression or perpetuation of privilege, discrimination, inequality, and structural systems of oppression. All graduates will learn how to promote justice and equity through critically informed research, teaching, and action. Students learn to recognize and interrupt the expression or perpetuation of privilege, discrimination, inequality, and structural systems of oppression.

INTERDISCIPLINARY EDUCATION

Students can take courses in other colleges, schools and departments of the university, including: OHSU-PSU School of Public Health, Division of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Department of Psychology, and Department of Sociology.

COMMUNITY-ENGAGED RESEARCH

Students engage in research projects working with a wide variety of community and governmental agencies, programs and leaders.

COURSEWORK DESIGNED TO MAKE YOU A BETTER TEACHER

The curriculum highlights teaching pedagogy in social work and social science related disciplines using a variety of didactic, interactive, and experiential strategies. Students gain instructional skills teaching in classroom and community settings.

Learn More About Ph.D. Program Competencies