Course Requirements

Candidates for the PhD are required to complete a minimum of six post-MSW courses:

• SOCWORK 770, Social Work and Social Justice: Theoretical Tensions will engage students with current theorizing on the relationship between social work, social change, and social equality.
• SOCWORK 771, Research for Social Change will examine scholarship on the embedding of power relations in the production of knowledge and in the conduct of research as a mechanism of social change.
• SOCWORK 772, Qualitative Methods for Social Work examines theory, techniques, and issues of data analysis and interpretation in qualitative inquiry.
• SOCWORK 773, Doctoral Research Seminar which will examine key professional concerns among social work academics and researchers.
• Two elective courses. Students will be encouraged to take at least one of their elective courses in another department in order to profit from the interdisciplinary opportunities at McMaster.

A PhD candidate admitted without master’s level courses in epistemology (SOCWORK 739/737) and in critical analysis of practice/policy (SOCWORK 700/731 or 701/703) will be expected to complete these courses in addition to the requirements of the doctoral program.

Program duration is normally four years, although there are many possible pathways through the program. The School of Graduate Studies (SGS) regulations stipulate that the PhD is typically limited to a maximum of six years from initial registration in the doctoral program at McMaster. Funding is guaranteed for the first four years of the program.

Candidates may be required to complete courses beyond the minimum requirements of the program in order that they achieve the breadth of perspective required by the program and are sufficiently prepared for their research.

Comprehensive Examination

The comprehensive examination is designed to evaluate the breadth of students’ knowledge of debates and developments in contemporary scholarship in social work and social justice. PhD candidates are required to situate their anticipated research topics in a wide and critical review of related theory and research, and to demonstrate their capacity for the integration of ideas and their skills in scholarly inquiry and writing. Candidates will consult with their supervisor in order to define the focus and parameters of the comprehensive exam and, by September of their second year, submit a twelve page double-spaced proposal and a bibliography (of about 50 articles and book chapters) for the supervisor’s approval. With approval secured, candidates are expected to submit the completed examination (50-60 pages, plus references and appendices) by December 15th. Examination papers are evaluated by supervisors and by a second faculty member knowledgeable in the candidate’s area. Oral Examinations will normally be held in January of Year 2.

Dissertation

Students will be required to undertake original thesis research in areas of their substantive interest, engaging fully with its theoretical and methodological dimensions and demonstrating its contribution to academic and professional debate and action. By the beginning of their third year, students will submit a written thesis proposal to their supervisory committees, outlining the theoretical, substantive and methodological issues with which they plan to engage. PhD candidates will defend their thesis during a final oral examination. University regulations and procedures relating to supervisory committees and general degree requirements set the parameters for the program and are specified in the School of Graduate Studies calendar.

Please review all the information below before applying to the PhD in Social Work.

Students will bring to the PhD program critical perspectives on social work that are grounded in earlier studies and in experience in the field, as well as social research skills.

Eligibility

To be eligible for admission to the PhD program, applicants are normally required to have:

• A completed MSW degree with an average of at least an A–. Applicants with master’s degrees in other subjects must be able to demonstrate substantial knowledge of the social service/social welfare field and have experience of working in justice and equity-seeking services or organizations
• A completed graduate-level course in social research methods
• Demonstrated interest and experience in critical approaches to policies, practices, and knowledge-building in social work.

Applicants will be evaluated on the basis of their qualifications and the alignment of their interests with the research interests and availability of faculty.

Students considering admission to the PhD program are strongly encouraged to explore doctoral funding opportunities available from the Ontario Graduate Scholarship, the Social Science and Humanities Research Council, or the Canadian Institutes for Health Research. Deadlines for these funding applications occur in the Fall prior to September admission.

Please consult the School of Graduate Studies, Scholarships and Awards webpage for more details.

Application Materials

Please upload scanned copies of all of your documents. In order for your application to be considered complete, it must include the following items:

• Online Application Form and Fee
• Statement of Interest (applicant uploads pdf directly)
• Resumé (applicant uploads pdf directly)
• Referee Reports (referees complete online report directly using e-referencing system – due January 29th at 11:59pm.
• *Transcripts (applicant uploads unofficial transcript directly).
• Original transcripts must be sent directly from issuing institution.
• Copies of your two most recent papers, publications, presentations and/or agency reports (applicant uploads pdf directly)
• *English proficiency requirements, if applicable (applicant uploads unofficial copy; original sent directly from issuing institution)
• *Note: Official transcripts and English Proficiency documents must be sent directly from issuing institution(s) to:

Darlene Savoy, Director’s/Graduate Administrative Assistant
School of Social Work, McMaster University
1280 Main Street West, Kenneth Taylor Hall, Room 319
Hamilton ON L8S 4M4
dsavoy@mcmaster.ca

Timelines for Application

Deadline to Apply: January 14th at 11:59pm. Review of applications will begin in January and admissions will be made to outstanding candidates as early in the new year as possible. If possible, please upload an unofficial copy of your transcript(s) and English Language Proficiency (if applicable) so that we may expedite assessment of your qualifications. Offers of admission and financial assistance are normally sent out late January to end of April.

Application Form and Fee

The portal for September 2025 admissions is now open! Application forms must be completed online. Please read this webpage thoroughly before proceeding to the How to Apply instructions on the School of Graduate Studies website. A non-refundable $150 (CAN) application fee is applied to all applications. The fee can be paid on-line by valid debit or credit card.

On the application portal, first review the “Prepare your Application for September 2025” tab before proceeding to the “Application Instructions for September 2025” tab with detailed guide which will lead you though the online application process. Then proceed to the Start Your Application page. Please note the search criteria on application portal for “Filter by Faculty” is “Social Sciences”; then scroll down list of “Programs Open for Application” and click “Apply Now” button beside description “Social Work PhD”, then click on “Create an Account” link if you are a first-time user OR separate link for returning user. Note: Full-time option only for “Course Type”. In the “Upload Documents” section, in addition to your CV & Statement of Interest, please also upload Unofficial Transcript(s) and TOEFL (if applicable).

Transcripts

Applicants must provide one official transcript of university academic work completed to date, sent directly from the issuing institution to the School of Social Work (address above). Note: Original transcripts will be accepted after the application deadline.

Statement of Interest

Our PhD program takes as its central focus the fundamental tensions and challenges for social work practice and policy as they relate to social change and the enhancement of social justice. In articulating your interest in the program, please address the following (in a maximum of ten double-spaced pages):

How do you understand the relationship between social work and social justice?

In light of this understanding and the experience that you bring to the program, briefly describe your research interests and how you see your research unfolding. Using relevant literature, identify:

• Issues or questions that you want to explore.
• Their relationship to social justice concerns and the aims of the School’s program.
• Methodological approaches that you visualize using or exploring.
• Potential practice/policy implications of your research.
• An MSW is normally required for admission. If your master’s degree was in a field other than social work, describe how your academic, community, activist and/or professional background prepares you for doctoral studies in our PhD program (Maximum length of two pages).

Letters of Reference

A complete application includes three referee report recommendations, at least two of which should be from academic referees, that assess your potential for doctoral studies and your suitability for our PhD program in social work and social justice. Referees will be asked to comment on your background (for example, your accomplishments, critical analysis skills, or engagement with social justice issues). McMaster University uses the Electronic Referencing System.

You must enter the email addresses of your referees as part of the on-line application form. Your referees will receive an email message asking them to complete an eReference immediately after the ‘Send to Recommender’ button is clicked. You may wish to click on this button just before you submit the application.

If you need to change your reference or referee email address after submitting your application, you may do so through the Applicant Portal. Referees complete online report directly using e-referencing system – deadline is January 29th at 11:59pm.

English Proficiency Requirements

If applicable, an official copy of your TOEFL score, or other evidence of competency in English is required. A minimum TOEFL score of 580 (or 237 on the computer-based TOEFL test) is needed.

Additional Information

Please complete our Pre-Application form so that we can verify your academic qualifications before you send a full application.

The School of Graduate Studies policy with regard to students with disabilities can be found in section 6.6 of the School of Graduate Studies Calendar. The full policy and further information may be obtained from the School of Graduate Studies or the Student Success Centre 905-525-9140 ext. 28652 or e-mail studentsuccess@mcmaster.ca. For further information, consult McMaster University’s Policy for Academic Accommodation of Students with Disabilities.

Apply for a PhD in Social Work Here

At McMaster University, full-time PhD students are guaranteed funding for the first four years of study. Currently, Doctoral students who meet the criteria under Section 4 in the Graduate Calendar, receive financial support which meets or exceeds an annual minimum value equal to full-time tuition plus $17,500, which normally consists of a full teaching assistantship + graduate scholarship. Support for students may also come from faculty research funds in the form of research assistantships or opportunities to apply for sessional instructor positions in the Faculty.

School of Graduate Studies, Scholarships & Funding

Please consult the School of Graduate Studies Scholarships website for full listing of available funding.

Internal Scholarships and Bursaries

Ontario Student Assistance Program
Application forms and brochures can be obtained from the Student Financial Aid and Scholarships office at McMaster University. Application to OSAP can be made online.

General Bursary and Internal Awards

Students can apply for the General Bursary by going to AwardSpring, which is accessed through the tile on their Mosaic Home page. Award Spring is a new and simpler platform for students to apply for aid and internal awards. With AwardSpring, you can complete one common application that matches you with aid and internal award opportunities you’re eligible for. It also tracks your completion of any additional requirements on a user-friendly dashboard.

School of Social Work Scholarship

The Penny Family Ontario Graduate Scholarship – in support of the study of social policy and social justice
Dr. Harry L. Penny, Founding Director of the School of Social Work, and his family have generously made a donation to McMaster University in order to establish an Ontario Graduate Scholarship. The scholarship (value: $15,000) is to be awarded by the School of Graduate Studies, on the recommendation of the School of Social Work, to outstanding scholars who are likely to make distinguished contributions to the study of social policy and social justice.

External Scholarships

Canada Graduate Scholarships Doctoral (CGS-D) competition is harmonized across all three agencies (CIHR/SSHRC/NSERC). Applications are prepared and submitted by students in the SSHRC On-line System, or CIHR ResearchNet On-line System by the internal deadline set by McMaster (early October) & Vanier, LOI Stage1 pdf by internal School of Social Work deadline (early August). Note: Exact dates subject to change – please consult with the Graduate Administrative Assistant for internal School of Social Work deadlines.

Selecting the Appropriate Federal Granting Agency (all students with health-related research should carefully read this section)

SSHRC Joseph-Armand Bombardier Canada Graduate Scholarships (CGS) Program: Doctoral Scholarships and SSHRC Doctoral Fellowships Program

SSHRC Doctoral Scholarships – consult the School of Graduate Studies Scholarships website in August for information on Fall Competition.

Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR) Doctoral Awards

CIHR Doctoral Scholarships – consult the School of Graduate Studies Scholarships website in August for information on Fall Competition.

Vanier Canada Graduate Doctoral Scholarships

applicants must have achieved a first-class average which is an A- (10/12 or above) at McMaster, in each of the last two years of full-time study or equivalent;
applicants must demonstrate leadership as described on the Vanier website;
SGS Vanier information, pre-application instructions and deadline

Ontario Graduate Scholarships (OGS)

Ontario Graduate Scholarships – consult School of Graduate Studies Scholarships website (Under “Provincial Awards”)