Social Work and Social Research

Overview

Within this Social Work and Social Research PhD program from Portland State University, students will be prepared to contribute to scholarly knowledge, conduct ethical, rigorous, and community-engaged research, and teach passionately and effectively in various settings--all with special attention to equity and justice.

The Social Work and Social Research program at Portland State University admitted its first cohort in 1992, and since then doctoral graduates have been hired into tenure-track academic positions in universities across the country. Many conduct research as principal investigators on major research projects, and others hold leadership roles in diverse communities and at social service organizations.

The program employs an innovative curriculum that prepares graduates to become leading academics, researchers, and scholars. It is rigorous, relevant, and responsive to the future of social work education and scholarship and continues its focus on the promotion of social and economic justice for the improvement of communities.

Career opportunities:

Since our first cohort was admitted in 1992, more than 50% of our doctoral graduates have gone on to tenure-track academic positions at universities across the nation, approximately 20% are in principal investigators positions at major research projects, and 30% have leadership roles in diverse communities and social service agencies.