The joint MSW/PhD program is intended for those interested in pursuing a PhD who have a master’s degree in a related field but have not earned an MSW.

The program allows completion of both degrees in a slightly expedited time frame than currently required to earn each degree separately. This is accomplished by allowing joint program students to take up to three courses (12 hours) currently countable toward a PhD degree in meeting their MSW requirements, which would correspondingly reduce the number of courses needed for subsequent PhD completion.

See outline for information on course structuring, including a comparison between current course requirements for both degrees and the course requirements under the joint degree program.

New PhD students are accepted into the joint degree program at the time of entrance into the School of Social Work. Only those students planning on completing both the MSW and PhD are admitted into the program. Both degrees (MSW and PhD) are awarded upon completion of the joint program.

Application Requirements

• Master’s degree in a similar field (i.e., Public Health, Psychology, etc.)
• Complete the Graduate College Application
  • Personal statement
  • Illustrative writing
  • Resume
  • 3 letters of reference
  • Upload unofficial transcripts from all educational institutions
• In order for your application to be complete, you will need to have all official transcripts mailed to: School of Social Work  |  1010 W. Nevada  |  Urbana, IL 61801or official e-scripts to socialwork@illinois.edu
• International Applicants must meet the English Proficiency requirements set by the Graduate College.
• International Applicants must provide Proof of Funding Documentation.

The Priority Deadline is December 1, 2026. The Final Deadline is January 15, 2027.

Students applying to this program must complete an additional MSW Personal Statement explaining why they are interested in the program.  This statement must be uploaded to the Graduate College Application in the “additional program questions” section, even though the Graduate College Application indicates that it only requires copies of transcripts.

In order for your application to be complete all official transcripts should be mailed to:
School of Social Work  |  1010 W. Nevada  |  Urbana, IL 61801

Additional MSW Statement for Graduate College Application

The Admissions Committee needs to understand as fully as possible the various circumstances in your experiences and education that have particular relevance for your plan for social work education and employment. To do that, you will need to provide an MSW personal statement that addresses the questions below.

Copy the questions below and address them in a Word document. The completed statement should be 4-6 pages in length (double-spaced). Please use headers when writing the essay. This statement will be evaluated by the content as well as the quality of writing.

A. Interest in Social Work

1a. What three attributes do you possess that you believe are critical to the field of social work?

1b. What are your greatest areas of professional growth relevant to the field of social work, and why?

2. Self-reflection in situations that challenge one’s values and beliefs is a necessary component of professional social work practice. Please describe an experience where you have had your values and/or beliefs challenged and how you used self-reflection to learn from the situation to better support the dignity and worth of others.

B. Personal Perspective

Choose only ONE of the following scenarios. In less than 125 words, respond to the scenario while also explaining the thinking behind your decision.

1. You are assigned a new client for services. The first two sessions go smoothly, mostly consisting of you completing the intake assessment of gathering information. However, during the third session, the client begins discussing the main issue that brought them to therapy. You respond, “I understand how difficult that must be.” The client sharply responds, “You don’t understand! How could you understand? We come from two completely different worlds. You don’t know the first thing it’s like to grow up in my culture!” How would you respond in this situation? Include an explanation of your thought process behind your response.
2. You begin working with a new client. Shortly after making introductions, you notice that they have several visible tattoos that are discriminatory towards groups to which you identify. How would you navigate this situation? Include an explanation of your thought process behind your response.
3. You are working with a nonprofit organization that provides assistance to low-income families in your community. The organization has recently received a large grant from a private donor with specific stipulations on how the money should be used. However, these stipulations seem to conflict with the organization’s mission statement and the needs of the community the nonprofit serves. How would you approach this situation? Explain your thought pr

Questions?