Admissions
Applications for admission to the 2027–2028 academic year will open in October 2026. Applicants must have an MSW or a graduate degree in a related social and/or health science field.
Application Checklist
Basic Information
- Provide current contact Information and personal information (DOB, race/ethnicity, veteran status, etc.).
- Select the program option and term for admission (fall term only).
- Provide your residency status for tuition purposes.
Educational Information
- List every post-secondary institution attended.
- Provide Scanned copies of transcripts from each post-secondary institution attended regardless of the number of credits earned. Submit both front and back sides of each page of scanned transcripts.
- Note that applicants must have a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or the equivalent of a graduate GPA of 3.0.
Submit transcripts »
Program Specific Materials
- Statement of Purpose: Applicants will address each question below. Responses will be evaluated as indicators of written communication skills. The use of generative AI tools is not permitted.
- Scholarly Intentions (limit: 500 words): Describe the research or scholarship planned during doctoral studies. What topic is of greatest interest, why is it important, and how might it be studied?
- Personal History (limit: 500 words): Describe a meaningful personal or professional experience that contributed to growth. Explain what was learned and how the experience influenced personal or professional development.
- Background/ Preparation (limit: 250 words): Describe the education, work, research, and/or lived experiences that have prepared you for success in a PhD program.
- Career Focus (limit: 250 words): Describe why you want to pursue a PhD, your career aspirations, and how doctoral training will help you achieve your goals.
- Values (limit: 250 words): Describe your commitment to social work values, social justice, and equity, and how these principles are reflected in your research interests and professional work.
- Advising/Mentoring (limit: 250 words): Identify 2–3 faculty members whose research aligns with your interests. Describe why they would be good potential advisors or mentors, and briefly note any existing connection you may have with them, if applicable.
- Submit a writing sample. Submit a sample of academic writing, such as work prepared for a course or publication, that is your own work and for which you are solely responsible for the content. The sample should not include any content resulting from the use of generative AI tools. You may consider providing one of the following as a sample:
- course paper/ term paper (such as a research or policy paper)
- excerpt from a thesis or honors paper
- peer-reviewed journal article
- technical report (a program or practice evaluation, community needs assessment, research or policy brief, etc.)
- publication on an online platform (e.g., a blog post)
- opinion, report, or editorial piece in a newspaper or magazine
- If a writing sample is not available, submit a short paper on a topic of choice (2–4 pages) with the application.
- Work Sample (optional): You have the option to submit one additional example of your work related to research, scholarship, policy, or teaching. If you submit a co-authored or jointly prepared sample, please include a memo explaining exactly how you contributed to the work. The memo also must note any content resulting from the use of generative AI tools.
You may consider providing the following types of samples:- peer-reviewed journal article
- technical report (a program or practice evaluation, community needs assessment, research or policy brief, organizational annual report, etc.)
- publication on an online platform (e.g., a blog post)
- workshop or training presentation (e.g., slides)
- course syllabus or training materials you developed
- opinion, report, or editorial piece in a newspaper or magazine
- Submit three letters of recommendation. Please provide the name and contact information (including title, affiliation, and website url) for three references who can provide recommendations for you. At least two references should be able to specifically address your potential and readiness for doctoral-level academic work; for example, skills and/or experience with writing, teaching, research, and related inquiry and problem-solving, as well as qualities like persistence, curiosity, maturity, empathy, leadership, and independence. All references should be able to address your professionalism and responsibility, including your ability to complete tasks in a timely manner with high quality. We highly recommend seeking letters from former professors/instructors, supervisors, or professional colleagues familiar with your volunteer/community work.
- Complete your employment history and resume. Your resume or CV would typically include
- Any work experience in social work, or related professional helping fields, including volunteer activities
- Educational history
- Honors, scholarships, and prizes for academic performance, professional accomplishments, community service (if applicable)
- Citations for publications (if applicable)
- Citations for presentations at professional conferences/ symposia (if applicable)
- Citations for workshops or trainings you have offered (if applicable)
- Disclose other graduate programs to which you are applying. (This is optional; we ask because it helps in scheduling and decision-making around admission).
- Provide your research interests and research experience. (In less than three sentences, please describe areas of professional research interests.)
- List previous research courses you have completed.
International Applicants Must Submit Additional Materials
- Submit copies of official degree certificate/diploma.
- Submit certified translation of transcript.
- Provide evidence of English Language Proficiency Requirements.
- Provide financial documentation demonstrating adequate financial support for at least the first year of study.
Submit certified translation of transcripts »
Submit evidence of English language proficiency »
After an initial evaluation of applications, interviews will be conducted (remotely via zoom) with all candidates being considered for admission.
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Contact
sswphd@pdx.edu