Penn · Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Doctor of Philosophy in Social Welfare (PhD) at Penn

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What Should You Know About Doctor of Philosophy in Social Welfare (PhD) at Penn?

Doctor of Philosophy in Social Welfare (PhD) is a research doctorate (PhD) at Penn in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, offered on campus. It takes typically 4-5 years. Final project: comprehensive exams and dissertation defended before a dissertation committee. Tuition: 2026-27: years 1-2 tuition $46,540 plus $4,268 general fee and $770 clinical fee per year; dissertation status years 3-4 tuition $5,818 plus $1,064 general fee and $770 clinical fee per year. The school states that PhD students are funded.

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How Doctor of Philosophy in Social Welfare (PhD) Works

Degree
PhD in Social Work
Format
On campus
Schedule
Full-time cohort
Length
Typically 4-5 years
Final project
Comprehensive exams and dissertation defended before a dissertation committee

Admission to Penn's PhD

Degree you need
Master's degree in social work or a relevant field
GRE
Standardized tests are not required

What Penn's PhD Costs and How It's Funded

Tuition
2026-27: years 1-2 tuition $46,540 plus $4,268 general fee and $770 clinical fee per year; dissertation status years 3-4 tuition $5,818 plus $1,064 general fee and $770 clinical fee per yearProgram tuition, per year, 2026-27. Source: sp2.upenn.edu, reviewed October 10, 2026.
Funding
Four years of support in the form of tuition, fees, individual health insurance, and a ten-month research and teaching stipend

From sp2.upenn.edu, reviewed October 10, 2026. Check start dates, deadlines and current tuition with the school before you apply.

How Doctor of Philosophy in Social Welfare (PhD) Compares

  • It doesn't require the GRE, like 26 of the 77 social work PhDs on this site.
  • It states full funding, as do 46 of the 77 social work PhDs on this site.

Accreditation and Penn's PhD

CSWE accredits social work programs at the bachelor's, master's and practice doctorate levels, not research doctorates, so Doctor of Philosophy in Social Welfare (PhD) carries no CSWE status. PhD programs are covered by the university's institutional accreditation.

Other Social Work Doctorates at Penn

Similar Social Work PhDs at Other Schools

Social work PhDs sharing a format with this one: matching funding first, then the nearest schools.

Doctor of Philosophy in Social Welfare (PhD) at Penn: Common Questions

How Much Does Doctor of Philosophy in Social Welfare (PhD) at Penn Cost?

2026-27: years 1-2 tuition $46,540 plus $4,268 general fee and $770 clinical fee per year; dissertation status years 3-4 tuition $5,818 plus $1,064 general fee and $770 clinical fee per year.

Is Penn's PhD in Social Work Funded?

Four years of support in the form of tuition, fees, individual health insurance, and a ten-month research and teaching stipend.

How Long Is Doctor of Philosophy in Social Welfare (PhD) at Penn?

Typically 4-5 years, according to the school's program page.

What Do You Need to Apply to Doctor of Philosophy in Social Welfare (PhD) at Penn?

Master's degree in social work or a relevant field.

Does Doctor of Philosophy in Social Welfare (PhD) at Penn Require the GRE?

Standardized tests are not required, according to Penn's admissions information.

Is Doctor of Philosophy in Social Welfare (PhD) at Penn Online?

No. It is offered on campus.

Compare Programs Like This One

Sources

  1. sp2.upenn.edu: Doctor of Philosophy in Social Welfare (PhD) program page, reviewed October 10, 2026
  2. Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), accreditation

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