Study Social Welfare at University of California, Berkeley, a PhD degree offered at its main campus in Berkeley , United States of America. This Full Time program is delivered on campus in English and takes approximately 4 years to complete. Students benefit from a structured learning experience designed to build both theoretical knowledge and practical experience. The next intake is scheduled for August 16, 2027.

About PhD in Social Welfare

Berkeley Social Welfare educates students for leadership in the field of social welfare and the profession of social work. Since 1944 we have prepared over 11,000 social work professionals and social work scholars for leadership in a range of research, teaching, advanced practice, and management roles. We offer two graduate degrees: the professional Master of Social Welfare (MSW); and the academic Doctor of Philosophy in Social Welfare (PhD).

Master of Social Welfare (MSW)

Berkeley Social Welfare offers the professional Master of Social Welfare (MSW) degree, which is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE (opens in a new tab)). Students are prepared to practice with specialized skills at specific intervention levels and are thoroughly grounded in social science knowledge, social welfare policies, and social service organizations.

We train social workers for a range of leadership and advanced practice roles in the profession.
We create a spirit of critical inquiry and emphasize the use of tested knowledge and theory in developing and applying intervention methods.
We prepare students for professional responsibility in the field of social welfare and the institutional systems that comprise it.
We educate students to advance social justice.

All MSW students complete a foundation curriculum in generalist social work practice; an advanced curriculum that prepares them for practice in a chosen area of specialization; and a field education curriculum including agency-based field placements and integrative field seminars.

Full-time MSW Program

The Berkeley MSW Program (opens in a new tab) is a two-year, full-time degree program. All students follow a prescribed, full-time (minimum 12 units per semester) program of work, preparing them for both generalist and specialized practice.

FlexMSW Advanced Standing Program

The FlexMSW Advanced Standing (opens in a new tab) degree program is available to qualified working professionals in the field of social work who have a professional baccalaureate degree in social work from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). FlexMSW Advanced Standing students complete a 27-unit program of study over a one year period.

FlexMSW Extended Program

The FlexMSW Extended Program (opens in a new tab) is a three-year MSW degree track option for qualified working professionals in the field of social work and otherwise qualified students who are not able to participate in a traditional full-time MSW professional degree program. FlexMSW Extended Program students enroll on a part-time basis and complete the same 54-unit program of study as traditional full-time MSW students, only over a period of three part-time years (inclusive of two summer sessions), instead of two full-time years.

NOTE: Berkeley Social Welfare will not be accepting applications for Fall 2023 admission to either FlexMSW Program track.

Certificate Programs

Additional special program options include the School Social Work Credential Program (opens in a new tab); a Social Work with Latinos Certificate (opens in a new tab); and the Graduate Certificate in Aging (opens in a new tab).

Concurrent Master's Degrees

Berkeley Social Welfare offers a Concurrent MSW/MPH Degree (opens in a new tab) with the School of Public Health; and a Concurrent MSW/MPP Degree (opens in a new tab) with the Goldman School of Public Policy. Applicants must be accepted to both programs to pursue a concurrent degree.

The PhD in Social Welfare

Berkeley Social Welfare's doctoral program (opens in a new tab) develops scholars who challenge conventional wisdom and make significant contributions to the field of social welfare and the profession of social work through excellent research, teaching, policy development, and administration. Berkeley doctoral students become proficient in research methodology and experts in their area of interest, ultimately demonstrating scholarly competence by publishing a dissertation.

Source: Berkeley Academic Guide (opens in a new tab)

Requirements and Admission Criteria for PhD in Social Welfare at University of California, Berkeley

Entry Requirements

A bachelor’s degree or recognized equivalent from an accredited institution;
A satisfactory scholastic average, usually a minimum grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0 (B) on a 4.0 scale; and
Enough undergraduate training to do graduate work in your chosen field.

English Requirements

IELTSMin 7
TOEFLMin 90

Tuition and Fee Information for PhD in Social Welfare at University of California, Berkeley

Application Fee 155

How to Apply for PhD in Social Welfare at University of California, Berkeley

When to do it: September to December, but as late as February depending on the program

Ready to apply? You can submit your application for Fall admission beginning in September, and the majority of deadlines are in December but check the programs list.

The online application will ask you for specific information such as your academic and professional history, transcripts, and potentially your CV, resume or links to your portfolio. You’ll also need to provide the contact information for your recommenders who will be invited to submit their recommendation.

You’ll need to have a major credit card to pay the non-refundable application fee. If you are a U.S. Citizen or current Permanent Resident, the application fee is $135 (Application Fee Waiver Information); for all others, the fee is $155.