Applicants to the Ph.D. program should be highly motivated and self-directed, with values consistent with the profession of social work and a commitment to diversity and marginalized populations. Applicants will be evaluated based on several criteria, including the potential to contribute to knowledge generation and advancement of the social work profession, openness to new ideas, successful professional experience, maturity, and academic promise.

Applicants must have:
A master's degree with a grade point average of 3.0 or better.
An MSW from a school of social work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education is preferred.
A bachelor's degree with a grade point average of 3.0 or better.

The application requires:

Three letters of recommendation. These should come from academic sources, research mentors, or professional colleagues/supervisors and assess your academic aptitude, personal attributes, and capacity to successfully engage in doctoral education.
A compelling personal statement of approximately six pages that describes your professional background, research interests and career goals after earning a Ph.D.
A writing sample that reflects your writing and research skills, aptitude to synthesize literature and other sources of information, analytic ability, and capacity for critical thinking. Examples include a class paper, policy brief, published article, grant application, or newly prepared writing sample.
An updated resume.
Transcripts from all academic institutions attended.
International applicants must also provide TOEFL test scores.

Minimum overall scores of 79 (Internet-based test – iBT/ iBT Home Edition), 550 (Old Paper-based test – PBT) or 22/30 on each of the Listening, Reading, and Writing sections (''New'' Paper-based test- PBT) or higher on the TOEFL test. (TOEFL Essentials is not accepted.)
Personal Statement
A minimum overall score of 6.5 or higher on the IELTS Academic Test
A minimum overall score of 53 or higher on the PTE Test.