Forty-five semester hours of coursework beyond the MSW (fifteen required courses, including two electives), plus a comprehensive examination process
Final project
Dissertation
Degree you need
M.S.W. degree from an accredited school of social work; occasional exceptions for applicants with an advanced degree in a related field and extensive subsequent practice or research experience
Practice experience
Minimum of one year of successful professional practice after the master's degree; MSW graduates without practice experience may be considered with exceptional MSW performance and written endorsement of their MSW chair
Start terms
Fall, Spring
Tuition
$1,225 per credit hour, full and part-time, National Catholic School of Social Service programs (2026-27), before mandatory feesProgram tuition, per credit, 2026-27. Source: ncsss.catholic.edu, reviewed October 10, 2026.
From The Catholic University of America's own program, admissions and tuition pages, reviewed October 10, 2026. Tuition changes each year; confirm fees with the school.
Social Work Doctorates Awarded at the Catholic University of America
research doctorates (PhD) awarded, 2022-23
4
Federal completions data (IPEDS, CIP 44.0701) count 4 social work doctorates awarded by The Catholic University of America in 2022-23. By research doctorates, that places it 44th of 80 schools on this site that awarded any. These are awards conferred, not graduates or outcomes, and newer programs show none yet.
More Social Work Doctorates in District of Columbia and Bordering States
The Catholic University of America PhD in Social Work: Common Questions
Can You Earn the Catholic University of America's PhD in Social Work Online?
No. Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work (Ph.D.) is taught in person.
How Much Does the Catholic University of America's PhD Cost?
Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work (Ph.D.): $1,225 per credit hour, full and part-time, National Catholic School of Social Service programs (2026-27), before mandatory fees.
What Do You Need to Apply to the Catholic University of America's PhD?
Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work (Ph.D.): M.S.W. degree from an accredited school of social work; occasional exceptions for applicants with an advanced degree in a related field and extensive subsequent practice or research experience. Minimum of one year of successful professional practice after the master's degree; MSW graduates without practice experience may be considered with exceptional MSW performance and written endorsement of their MSW chair.
Every program on this site was checked on the school's own website in October 2026. CSWE status for practice doctorates comes only from the Council on Social Work Education's own directory, and program size from U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS) doctoral completions. Sponsored listings are labeled as ads and never change which programs we list or how we rank them. How we verify programs