All applicants must demonstrate potential for study for a Ph.D. degree by providing the following documents:

• Completed application
• Current Personal Résumé
• Three letters of reference, two from faculty, researchers, practitioners or administrators holding the PhD degree who will be asked to evaluate the applicant’s scholarship and aptitude for research. A third reference from an individual who has supervised the applicant, preferably since attaining the MSW degree, in a practice setting is also required. Referees should return the reference form and letter back to the applicant in a sealed envelope with their signatures across the back of the envelope.
• Two official copies of transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
• Results from the Graduate Record Exam
• Scores for the TOEFL or METLAB exams if English is not the native language of country of origin.
• Statement of Professional Goals: A three-page, typewritten statement that describes the motivation for doctoral study, career goals, potential focus for research area and how that research interest may fit with one or more of the research programs of the Doctoral Program Faculty at the School of Social Work.
• Summary of Relevant Research and Professional Experience: 1-2 page typed description of any experiences outside of normal coursework that are relevant to the applicant’s proposed field of study.
• Writing Sample: At least one sample of scholarly writing (article, chapter, thesis, term paper, grant proposal or research report), of at least five typed pages, published or unpublished, that demonstrates the applicant’s writing ability to critique, synthesize and make conclusions about key social work issues or problems.