Ph.D. Funding

Overview: Ph.D. in Social Work Funding

The KU School of Social Welfare provides tuition funding to students in the Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work (Ph.D.) program.

Tuition Support

Ph.D. students in the KU School of Social Welfare receive:

• Tuition support for four years, as long as the student is enrolled in full-time study and remains in good standing in the program
   

Competitive Stipends: GRA and GTA Positions

Ph.D. 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.
 

Ph.D. Program Application for Fall 2027

The KU School of Social Welfare plans to admit a new cohort of Ph.D. in Social Work students for fall 2027.

The Ph.D. admissions application will open on Oct. 1, 2026. The priority admissions application deadline is Jan. 6, 2027.