VCU in Richmond, Virginia offers one social work doctorate: Ph.D. in Social Work. The PhD is funded, with tuition covered and a stipend or assistantship.
Minimum of 54 credit hours of coursework plus dissertation research credits
Length
Common core curriculum and concentration courses during the first two years, followed by a qualifying examination and dissertation
Final project
Dissertation: an original research project proposed, conducted and defended
Degree you need
Earned master's degree in social work or a related discipline from an accredited institution
GRE
The GRE is not a required component of the application
Funding
100% of tuition covered in the first four years of the program; first-year students are offered a graduate research assistantship, with subsequent years contingent upon work performance
From VCU's own program, admissions and tuition pages, reviewed October 10, 2026. Tuition changes each year; confirm fees with the school.
How VCU Compares
Ph.D. in Social Work requires 54 credits; the median social work PhD on this site requires 51.
VCU states that its PhD students are funded, like 46 of the 77 social work PhDs on this site.
Social Work Doctorates Awarded at VCU
research doctorates (PhD) awarded, 2022-23
4
Federal completions data (IPEDS, CIP 44.0701) count 4 social work doctorates awarded by VCU in 2022-23. By research doctorates, that places it 57th 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 Virginia and Bordering States
Ph.D. in Social Work: 100% of tuition covered in the first four years of the program; first-year students are offered a graduate research assistantship, with subsequent years contingent upon work performance.
What Do You Need to Apply to VCU's PhD?
Ph.D. in Social Work: Earned master's degree in social work or a related discipline from an accredited institution.
Does VCU Require the GRE?
Ph.D. in Social Work: The GRE is not a required component of the application.
How Long Does VCU's PhD Take?
Ph.D. in Social Work: Common core curriculum and concentration courses during the first two years, followed by a qualifying examination and dissertation (minimum of 54 credit hours of coursework plus dissertation research credits).
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