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Accessible - fully online for Fall 2025 cohort admissions

Research intensive curriculum

Promote social justice and improve people's lives through research

Become a leading expert in your area of specialization

Program Highlights & Admission Requirements

If you are passionate about social justice and want to advance social work research, practice, and education, our Ph.D. program is for you. You will learn from our internationally recognized faculty how to think critically about knowledge creation and dissemination through the lens of multiple scientific paradigms to tackle the complex challenges of our time as they relate to contemporary social work practice. You will also develop your leadership potential and prepare for a successful career in higher education, research, and community organizations or administrations.

The curriculum includes learning about epistemology (the theory of knowledge), history and theory of social work, and qualitative and quantitative research methods and analysis. These six courses are followed by a comprehensive exam and a dissertation seminar, with this latter course supporting students in preparing their dissertation research proposal leading to conducting their independent body of research. Note that the program will be online for Fall 2025 cohort admissions.

Apply today to become a social work scholar and leader with a global impact!

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Admission requirements


  • Completion of a Social Work degree from an accredited university
  • A minimum A- average in their most recent graduate degree
  • Statement of interest & Research Proposal
  • Practice, education, and leadership experience demonstrating capacity to engage in a research-oriented doctoral program.
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Sole or co-authored sample of professional or academic writing (if co-authored please note your specific written contribution). This may include a research-oriented paper, scholarly paper, report (research or technical), funding proposal or significant course paper
  • Three letters of reference

International Students


For any inquiries, please contact our international recruiters/advisors.

Why a PhD at UWindsor's School of Social Work?

  • Learn a wide range of research methods to advance knowledge and effect change.
  • Work with notable scholars that represent a wide range of expertise who will support and guide your own research
  • Graduate assistantship and sessional instructor opportunities provide first-hand experience of conducting research and educating students
  • Our talented network of alumni stretches beyond international borders with graduates in leadership positions across North America

World-Class Faculty

Our nationally and internationally renowned scholars represent a broad spectrum of expertise in social work practice and research methods to guide and mentor students through the program. Feel free to reach out to anyone of them to discuss shared interest in social work research and possibilities for collaboration.

Dr. Robin Wright

Dr. Robin Wright


Director, Professor
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Dr. Thecla Damianakis

Dr. Thecla Damianakis


Associate Professor
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Dr. Adrian Guta

Dr. Adrian Guta


Associate Professor
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Dr. Dana Levin

Dr. Dana Levin


Associate Professor, Disability Studies Coordinator
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Dr. Kristina Nikolova

Dr. Kristina Nikolova


Assistant Professor, BSW Program Coordinator
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Dr. Cynthia Stirbys

Dr. Cynthia Stirbys


Assistant Professor
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Dr. Wayne Ambrose-Miller

Dr. Wayne Ambrose-Miller


MSWwp Field Education Coordinator
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Dr. Elizabeth A. Donnelly

Dr. Elizabeth A. Donnelly


Associate Professor
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Dr. Nazim N. Habibov

Dr. Nazim N. Habibov


Professor
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Dr. Kristen Lwin

Dr. Kristen Lwin


Assistant Professor
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Dr. Wansoo Park

Dr. Wansoo Park


Assistant Professor
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Dr. Betty Jo Barrett

Dr. Betty Jo Barrett


Professor
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Dr. Jayashree Mohanty

Dr. Jayashree Mohanty


Associate Professor
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Dr. Irene Carter

Dr. Irene Carter


Professor, MSWwp Coordinator
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Dr. Kevin Gorey

Dr. Kevin Gorey


Professor
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Dr. Connie Kvarfordt

Dr. Connie Kvarfordt


Professor, PhD Program Coordinator
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Dr. Sung Hyun Yun

Dr. Sung Hyun Yun


Associate Professor
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Dr. Patrick Selmi

Dr. Patrick Selmi


Associate Professor
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Dr. Riham Al-Saadi

Dr. Riham Al-Saadi


Assistant Professor
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Dr. Carol Wade

Dr. Carol Wade


Assistant Professor
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