Admissions

PhD Program: Admission Requirements

Application Deadlines for Fall 2013 Matriculation: November 25, 2012; February 1, 2013; April 1, 2013

Prerequisites for Consideration

  1. Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) or equivalent
  2. MSW from a CSWE-accredited institution or international equivalent

Required Application Components

  1. Online GrAdMIT application and $75 application fee
    • Identification of 2-3 possible faculty mentors. While applicants may inquire about working with any faculty member, a list of those actively seeking doctoral mentees for the upcoming academic year is available on our full time faculty page.
  2. All academic transcripts (undergraduate and graduate)
  3. GRE scores from within the past 5 years
  4. Resumé or curriculum vitae
  5. Three letters of recommendation. At least two referees should be faculty with earned doctorates. Letters must be written in English and assess your capacities and skills in the following domains:
    • Methodical and creative critical analysis;
    • Written and verbal articulation of complex ideas;
    • Professional and ethical conduct;
    • Diligent and self-directed pursuit of goals.
  6. Statement of research interests & professional objectives. This 2-3 page statement should explain:
    • The issue or topic you wish to focus on in your doctoral studies including any relevant research or practice experience;
    • Your purpose in pursuing a research-focused degree;
    • Your reason for applying to the University at Buffalo School of Social Work.
  7. Academic writing sample. This must be written in English and may be a paper from a previous class or a new composition regarding an issue relevant to social work or social justice. The paper should be academic in tone and cite supporting literature as per APA style.
  8. TOEFL scores (international students only)
    • International applicants whose first language is not English must submit a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score. The minimum accepted score for the TOEFL iBT is 90 (cBT 233, pBT 577, IELTS 7.5). The test must be dated no more than two years prior to the actual semester start date.
  9. A personal interview may be requested.
  • OPTIONAL: Schomburg Fellowship Statement. The Arthur A. Schomburg Fellowship Program is dedicated to increasing the quality and diversity of the University at Buffalo's graduate student body. U.S. citizens and permanent residents with a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) who have overcome obstacles to higher education or who are members of under-represented groups are eligible for the fellowship. Additional details can be found here. If you would like to apply for a Schomburg Fellowship, submit a statement (maximum of 500 words) describing:
    • How you will contribute to the diversity of the university community;
    • Challenges you have overcome in your pursuit of higher education. Please note that this may include academic, vocational, social, physical, or economic impediments or membership in an under-represented group.
    • *This optional statement will not be used in determining admission to the PhD degree program. It is only reviewed in the event that a candidate is accepted and may be eligible for Schomburg nomination.

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