Information request form

Admissions requirements

To be considered  for admission to the Doctoral Program, applicants must have:

1.  A master's degree in social work from:

• A school accredited by the Council on Social Work Education
• Or a master's degree in a related discipline
• Or exceptional undergraduate academic performance in social or behavioral science research. (Students without the MSW may seek admission to the MSW/PhD Continuum Program, completing requirements for the MSW in a special program, while also completing the PhD.)

2.  Evidence of superior academic ability.

3.  Evidence of commitment to the values, goals and purposes of the social work profession.

4.  Evidence of two years of work experience in human services (may be waived in special circumstances).

5.  Evidence of a direction for and commitment to research.

Application deadline

The Doctoral Program admits students only once each year. To be considered for admission, application materials must be submitted or at least postmarked by Jan.1. The admissions committee will only review completed applications files. Once the admissions committee has determined which applicants are eligible for admission, qualified applicants will be nominated for University fellowships or other University financial assistance. Application files that are not complete as of Jan.1, may not be considered. The admissions committee will work to make all decisions for admission by mid-March.

The deadline for submitting all application materials is Jan.1. However, if you wish to be considered for a UNC graduate school fellowship, you should apply by Dec. 15. Early applications are encouraged.

Application requirements

The UNC-CH Graduate School and the School of Social Work require different pieces of your application. Please note that in addition to submitting an application to the Graduate School, additional materials must be submitted to the School of Social Work for your application to be complete.

Applicants must submit the following to the UNC-CH Graduate School:

• Application Fee: check or money order if not paid by credit card when applying online ($77)
• Graduate School Application: (online application preferred)
  Paper applications can be requested from the Graduate School at 919-966-2612
  If submitting manually, please send two copies of the completed paper application to the Graduate School.
• Residency Form, if claiming N.C. residency for tuition
• One official copy of transcripts for all post-secondary work
• GRE Exam Scores: Required for all applicants. No more than five years old (ETS Institutional Code 5816, DEPT 5001).
• TOEFL Score: for international applicants

Mail to:
The Graduate School CB# 4010, Bynum Hall
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-4010

Applicants must submit the following to the School of Social Work Doctoral Program:
Please note that these items must be sent directly to the Doctoral Program and NOT to the Graduate School. Incorrect submissions will cause a significant delay in the completion and review of your application packet.

• Professional Narrative: Signed and Dated
• Curriculum Vitae
• Letters of Recommendation - Minimum of three - (Recommendation Form)
• International Financial Certificate: If you are a foreign applicant
• Sample of Professional Writing
• Official Transcripts of all undergraduate and post-graduate study

Mail to:
Doctoral Program Admissions
UNC-CH School of Social Work
325 Pittsboro Street, CB# 3550
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3550 

The admissions committee will review only completed admission files. Applicants will be notified, via e-mail, if materials are missing from their application packet and will receive confirmation once their application is complete.

Interviews

In Person

Even though they are not required, you may request a personal interview. If you are traveling from a distance, the doctoral chair or program coordinator will schedule meetings with the appropriate faculty members and students. If you are in the area, we will provide you with the telephone numbers of people in the program with whom you might make appointments at your, and their, convenience.

By Phone

If distance and expense prohibit a visitation, we can arrange telephone interviews for you with faculty and students in the program.

Contact information

Brenda Vawter
Doctoral Program Coordinator
(919) 962-6477
bvawter@email.unc.edu

Dr. Kathleen Rounds
Chair of the Doctoral Program
(919) 962-6429
karounds@email.unc.edu