NYU Silver School of Social Work PhD 2027: Funded Doctoral Training in Social Work Research, New York (USA)

Deadline: 1 December 2026 (11:59 pm Eastern) | Location: New York City, USA | Field: Social Work | Funding: Research Fellowship with tuition waiver and stipend

If you want a research career in social work, NYU’s Silver School of Social Work PhD prepares students to become leading researchers and educators who work to promote social justice and the health and well-being of marginalised communities nationally and globally. Applications for Fall 2027 are open, and the deadline is 1 December.

About the programme

The PhD requires 48 credits, including eleven core social work courses, 15 credits of advanced methods or substantive-area courses, and two courses on preparing for a career in academia. Students normally take 9 to 12 credits per semester over two to three years of coursework, and the required doctoral courses are offered every other year. After the core coursework, students must pass a comprehensive qualifying exam to show they are ready for independent research. The dissertation should be completed within seven years of enrolling.

The Silver School does not offer a joint MSW/PhD. Applicants must already hold a master’s degree in social work or a related field before enrolling.

Funding

Students are typically awarded the Research Fellowship, which includes:

• Full tuition and a waiver of registration and services fees for required coursework

• Graduate student health and dental insurance

• A competitive stipend

After coursework is complete, students keep their matriculation by paying for one credit per semester until the dissertation is defended. The school strongly discourages full-time employment during the programme, because the coursework and mentored research practicum require a full-time commitment, and the stipend is intended to help cover living expenses.

Key dates

• Application cycle opened: September 2026

• Application deadline: 1 December 2026, 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time. The completed form and all supporting materials must be received by then.

• Programme start: Fall 2027

Who can apply?

• A bachelor’s degree

• A master’s degree (an MSW is preferred) with a graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4-point scale

English proficiency (international applicants): Applicants who earned all of their undergraduate and/or master’s degree in a programme taught exclusively in English are exempt from submitting a test score, regardless of country. Otherwise the school accepts the TOEFL iBT (including the Home and Paper editions) and the IELTS, with an overall IELTS score of 7.0 or higher and no section below 7. It also accepts the Duolingo English Test if you completed a combined four years of undergraduate and graduate study taught in English. Test scores are valid for two years.

What you need to apply

• The required forms in the online application

• Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate work, uploaded to the application portal. If your degree isn’t finished when you apply, send transcripts showing the completed work, followed by a final transcript once your degree is awarded.

• A statement of research interest. Keep a copy of your completed application form and statement for your records.

• The $75 application fee, payable by credit card online

Check the application page for the full checklist, including the number of recommendation letters.

How to apply

Applications for the PhD must be submitted through NYU Silver’s application portal, which you can reach from socialwork.nyu.edu. Official transcripts and any non-electronic fee payments are mailed to the NYU Silver School of Social Work, Admissions & Enrollment Services Office, 1 Washington Square North, New York, NY 10003-6654.

How applicants are selected

NYU Silver PhD students are competitively selected from a pool of highly qualified applicants. The school looks for portfolios with documented evidence of progress, or potential for progress, in key areas of social work research.

Tips for a strong application

• Build the statement of research interest around a specific question. Show how your practice or research experience led you to it and why NYU Silver is the right place to pursue it.

• Show research potential, not just practice experience. Highlight research projects, analysis skills, presentations or publications.

• Plan for a full-time commitment. The programme expects it, and your application should reflect that you can give it.

• Order official transcripts early, especially if they come from more than one country.

• If you’re an international applicant, check the English proficiency rules now and book a test if you’re not exempt.

Want help with your application?

Found a programme that fits? Your mentor can help you sharpen your statement of research interest, CV and research plan before you submit. Book a call to get started.

For more personalized tips or templates contact our team.

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