Social Work, Ph.D.

Grounded in two richly historic universities, one a Historically Black College and/or University (NC A&T) and the other the historical women’s college of the University of North Carolina system (UNC Greensboro), the Joint Ph.D. (J.Ph.D.) program is built on the cornerstones of diversity, multicultural responsiveness, and community engagement. Students in the program will receive the benefits and privileges of being enrolled on both campuses and the degree will include the seals and official signatures from both universities.

The J.Ph.D. curriculum encourages students to explore several aspects of research including quantitative, qualitative, and community-engaged approaches. Additionally, students are encouraged to use electives to explore other areas of specialization in a particular area. Using the teacher/scholar model, the J.Ph.D. program encourages students to prepare for careers in academia and as leaders in the community.

Program Distinctions

• NC A&T played a prominent role in the Civil Rights Movement. In the turbulence of 1960, four freshmen sat down at a segregated lunch counter in Greensboro. Their actions inspired a national sit-in movement. Our history has influenced a program culture that supports the social work profession’s commitment to ethical practice and social justice. 
• The program is part of a unique collaboration between a minority serving institution (UNC Greensboro) and a Historically Black College and/or University, NC A&T, which is the first of its kind in the United States. 
• In the last five years, the Departments have received over $5 million in external funding, which has been used to support students by alleviating debt, as well as meet the needs of the most vulnerable people in and around our surrounding communities.
• UNCG, jointly with NC A&T, is ranked #77 nationally and #3 in North Carolina for Best Schools for Social Work by the U.S. News & World Report.

The Student Experience

• The J.Ph.D. program offers full-time and part-time options for students.
  • Full-time students will take 9 credit hours (three classes) per semester in Academic Years 1 and 2. Full time students can complete coursework in four semesters during two academic years.
    • Suggested Course of Study for Full-time students
• Part-time students will take 6 credit hours per semester (i.e., two classes in fall and two classes in spring) and 6 hours (two classes) in the summer. The coursework can be completed in four semesters and two summers.
  • Suggested Course of Study for Part-time students
• In the fall and spring semesters, both full-time and part-time students will be in two classes together to promote a collaborative and cohesive cohort.
• Following the completion of coursework, students must pass written and oral comprehensive exams and write and defend the dissertation proposal. At that point, the student is considered All But Dissertation (ABD) and will write and defend the dissertation while being enrolled in dissertation hours, which is part of the requirement to complete the degree.

After Graduation

Students are well-prepared to pursue academic careers in social work as well as careers in research and leadership areas related to social work, including social and environmental justice.