PhD Funding
Overview
If enrolled in full-time study, the KU School of Social Welfare will guarantee four years of tuition support for students in the Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) program, as long as the student remains in good standing in the program.
In addition, students may perform duties as a Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) or Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) or a combination of the two, making up a 50% appointment. Students apply for these competitive GRA and GTA opportunities, which will pay a stipend on top of guaranteed tuition. Occasionally, funding may include a higher percentage appointment and/or a fellowship. Many of the GRAs receive funding through one of our research centers or research projects. Students can also apply for competitive fellowships offered outside of KU to support their scholarship.
Research funding opportunities are often available through individual faculty research projects in many areas. Applicants are asked to name their fields of interest to help match student interest with available funding opportunities.
In addition, many of our students take advantage of opportunities to teach as GTAs. These students are carefully mentored and supported to strengthen their teaching approaches and skills.
"KU SSW offers varied research training opportunities with talented researchers backed by solid financial support," said a recent doctoral graduate.
PhD Program Applications
We admit a new social work PhD cohort every other year. Applications for the fall 2024 cohort closed in January 2024. The application for the fall 2026 cohort will open in October 2025.
