
Course at a Glance
- PhDDegree level
- University of Windsor main campus, 401 Sunset Avenue, Windsor, Ontario N9B 3P4, CanadaLocation
- Arts, Humanities, and Social SciencesField of study
- EnglishLanguage of instruction
- University of Windsor main campus, 401 Sunset Avenue, Windsor, Ontario N9B 3P4Campus
- Doctor of Philosophy in Social WorkAwards
- $23,685Fees
- AvailableScholarship
About this programme
If you are passionate about social justice and want to advance social work research, practice, and education, our online Ph.D. program is for you. You will learn from our internationally recognized faculty how to think critically about knowledge creation and dissemination through the lens of multiple scientific paradigms to tackle the complex challenges of our time as they relate to contemporary social work practice.
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You will also develop your leadership potential and prepare for a successful career in higher education, research, and community organizations or administrations. The curriculum includes learning about epistemology (the theory of knowledge), history and theory of social work, and qualitative and quantitative research methods and analysis. These six courses are followed by a comprehensive exam and a dissertation seminar, with this latter course supporting students in preparing their dissertation research proposal leading to conducting their independent body of research. The next admissions is 2026.
Is this course right for you?
Our counsellors check your profile against this programme's entry criteria and tell you where you stand — before you pay anything.
What we look at
- Your subject background and grades
- Your English score, or how to get one
- Budget, including living costs
University & programme
- Listed from the catalogueNot yet staff-verified — ask us to confirm the details.
- English requirementIELTS Overall 7.0
- Study modefull-time
Admissions checklist
Entry requirements
High School Student from Canada || Completion of a Social Work degree from an accredited university || A minimum A- average in their most recent graduate degree || Statement of interest & Research Proposal || Practice, education, and leadership experience demonstrating capacity to engage in a research-oriented doctoral program. || Curriculum vitae || Sole or co-authored sample of professional or academic writing (if co-authored please note your specific written contribution). This may include a research-oriented paper, scholarly paper, report (research or technical), funding proposal or significant course paper || Three letters of reference || High School Student from Outside Canada and the United States (International) || For any inquiries, || please contact our international recruiters/advisors || . || Faculty of Graduate Studies programme profile (https://www.uwindsor.ca/graduate-studies/342/social-work): Program Specific Admission Requirements || Deadline for Winter: || M.S.W. for Working Professionals (16 Months) - BSW graduates: July 1 || Deadline for Summer: || M.S.W. for BSW graduates: November 15 || Deadline for Fall: || M.S.W./J.D.: Applications to the MSW/JD program have been suspended. || M.S.W. for non-BSW graduates: January 15 || PhD: January 15 || M.S.W for Working Professionals (32 Months) - BSW and non-BSW graduates: February 1 || M.S.W for Working Professionals (16 Months) - BSW graduates: February 1 || Minimum TOEFL: || IBT-100 || Minimum IELTS: || 7.0. || Minimum DUOLINGO || : 120 || Minimum Pearson: || 68 || Minimum CELBAN: || Writing 7, Speaking 8, Listening 10, Reading 8 || Additional Requirements || MSW programs: || Two Referee Assessment Forms, resume and personal statement. Please || review the School of Social Work website || for additional requirements. GRE or MAT is recommended for graduates of universities outside of Canada and the USA, and for any applicants with a grade point average below the required 73%. || Application documents can be found at || MSW On Campus Admission Application | School of Social Work || . || MSW/JD program: || Applications to the MSW/JD program have been suspended. || Two Referee Assessment Forms, resume and personal statement. Please || review the School of Social Work website || for additional requirements. GRE or MAT is recommended for graduates of universities outside of Canada and the USA, and for any applicants with a grade point average below the required 73%. More || information on the M.S.W./J.D application process. || PhD: || Please review our program website at || PhD in Social Work | School of Social Work || . || Statement of Interest || A curriculum vitae demonstrating experience in Social Work || A sample of professional or academic writing || Three letters of reference || Policy Statement || Research Proposal || GRE is strongly recommended for students who are graduates of universities outside of Canada. || Application documents can be found at || PhD Admission Application | School of Social Work || . · English: IELTS 7.0; TOEFL iBT 100; PTE Academic 68; Duolingo English Test 120 · English test waiver: Exemptions (Faculty of Graduate Studies, https://www.uwindsor.ca/graduate-studies/346/admission-requirements): a university degree completed at a Canadian institution within the past two years; or a university degree completed within the past two years at an institution in a country on the Faculty's exempt-country list (Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Cameroon*, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Malta*, Mauritius*, Namibia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa*, Swaziland, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos, Uganda, United Kingdom, U.S.A., Vanuatu*, Zambia, Zimbabwe; * where the medium of instruction was English). Pathways accepted in place of a test: UWindsor ELIP Level III with 75%; ILAC Pathway Level 3.3; ICEAP Toronto Education Cohort Program with 70% (course-based M.Ed. only). Senate policy: https://lawlibrary.uwindsor.ca/Presto/content/GetDoc.axd?ctID=OTdhY2QzODgtNjhlYi00ZWY0LTg2OTUtNmU5NjEzY2JkMWYx&rID=MzIy&pID=MjMy&attchmnt=False&uSesDM=False&rIdx=MzIy&rCFU= · Application fee: CAD 125.00 - Faculty of Graduate Studies application fee (https://www.uwindsor.ca/graduate-studies/346/admission-requirements)
The usual set for this level. Your counsellor confirms the exact list for this university.
- Academic transcripts
- English test score (IELTS/TOEFL)
- Passport copy
- Statement of purpose (optional)
- Recommendation letters (optional)
Cost & scholarships
- Tuition$23,685 CAD / year≈ $17,415 / year
- Application feeNo application fee for this programme
- Living costsVary by city — see the destination guide.
- ScholarshipsFaculty of Graduate Studies entrance awards: Doctoral Entrance Award $30,000 ($2,500 x 12 terms); Master's Research Entrance Award $7,500 ($2,500 x 3 terms). Both Canadian and international full-time applicants to RESEARCH-BASED programmes with an admission average of at least 80% are considered on the programme's recommendation; the full application must be in by the programme deadline or the entrance-scholarship deadline, whichever is earlier. SourceView scholarship page
Application timeline
Typical timings. Deadlines differ per university and intake.
- 1Prepare documents1–2 weeks
- 2Submit application1–3 weeks
- 3Receive offer letter2–6 weeks
- 4Apply for visa4–8 weeks
Application deadline: Fall: January 15 (PhD).
Visa & support journey
- Offer letterFrom the university
- Visa guidanceExpert support
- Pre-departureAccommodation & travel
- Ongoing supportEven after you arrive
Student stories
Real students. Real results.
- Average rating
- 4.9
- Google reviews
- 360+
- Rated five stars
- 95%
Average rating
Google reviews
Rated five stars
“I would like to express my gratitude for the excellent assistance provided during my student visa process. The team was responsive, knowledgeable, and supportive at every stage, from document preparation to submission guidance. Their clear communication and professional approach made the process much easier and more efficient.”
1 / 8
Nihad K, 5 out of 5 stars
Every review below is a real Google review — see all of them
Frequently asked questions
How much does Social Work (PhD) cost?
CAD 23,685 / year.
What English score does it need?
IELTS 7.0 overall is the score listed for this programme.
What are the entry requirements?
High School Student from Canada || Completion of a Social Work degree from an accredited university || A minimum A- average in their most recent graduate degree || Statement of interest & Research Proposal || Practice, education, and leadership experience demonstrating capacity to engage in a research-oriented doctoral program. || Curriculum vitae || Sole or co-authored sample of professional or academic writing (if co-authored please note your specific written contribution). This may include a research-oriented paper, scholarly paper, report (research or technical), funding proposal or significant course paper || Three letters of reference || High School Student from Outside Canada and the United States (International) || For any inquiries, || please contact our international recruiters/advisors || . || Faculty of Graduate Studies programme profile (https://www.uwindsor.ca/graduate-studies/342/social-work): Program Specific Admission Requirements || Deadline for Winter: || M.S.W. for Working Professionals (16 Months) - BSW graduates: July 1 || Deadline for Summer: || M.S.W. for BSW graduates: November 15 || Deadline for Fall: || M.S.W./J.D.: Applications to the MSW/JD program have been suspended. || M.S.W. for non-BSW graduates: January 15 || PhD: January 15 || M.S.W for Working Professionals (32 Months) - BSW and non-BSW graduates: February 1 || M.S.W for Working Professionals (16 Months) - BSW graduates: February 1 || Minimum TOEFL: || IBT-100 || Minimum IELTS: || 7.0. || Minimum DUOLINGO || : 120 || Minimum Pearson: || 68 || Minimum CELBAN: || Writing 7, Speaking 8, Listening 10, Reading 8 || Additional Requirements || MSW programs: || Two Referee Assessment Forms, resume and personal statement. Please || review the School of Social Work website || for additional requirements. GRE or MAT is recommended for graduates of universities outside of Canada and the USA, and for any applicants with a grade point average below the required 73%. || Application documents can be found at || MSW On Campus Admission Application | School of Social Work || . || MSW/JD program: || Applications to the MSW/JD program have been suspended. || Two Referee Assessment Forms, resume and personal statement. Please || review the School of Social Work website || for additional requirements. GRE or MAT is recommended for graduates of universities outside of Canada and the USA, and for any applicants with a grade point average below the required 73%. More || information on the M.S.W./J.D application process. || PhD: || Please review our program website at || PhD in Social Work | School of Social Work || . || Statement of Interest || A curriculum vitae demonstrating experience in Social Work || A sample of professional or academic writing || Three letters of reference || Policy Statement || Research Proposal || GRE is strongly recommended for students who are graduates of universities outside of Canada. || Application documents can be found at || PhD Admission Application | School of Social Work || . · English: IELTS 7.0; TOEFL iBT 100; PTE Academic 68; Duolingo English Test 120 · English test waiver: Exemptions (Faculty of Graduate Studies, https://www.uwindsor.ca/graduate-studies/346/admission-requirements): a university degree completed at a Canadian institution within the past two years; or a university degree completed within the past two years at an institution in a country on the Faculty's exempt-country list (Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Cameroon*, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Malta*, Mauritius*, Namibia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa*, Swaziland, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos, Uganda, United Kingdom, U.S.A., Vanuatu*, Zambia, Zimbabwe; * where the medium of instruction was English). Pathways accepted in place of a test: UWindsor ELIP Level III with 75%; ILAC Pathway Level 3.3; ICEAP Toronto Education Cohort Program with 70% (course-based M.Ed. only). Senate policy: https://lawlibrary.uwindsor.ca/Presto/content/GetDoc.axd?ctID=OTdhY2QzODgtNjhlYi00ZWY0LTg2OTUtNmU5NjEzY2JkMWYx&rID=MzIy&pID=MjMy&attchmnt=False&uSesDM=False&rIdx=MzIy&rCFU= · Application fee: CAD 125.00 - Faculty of Graduate Studies application fee (https://www.uwindsor.ca/graduate-studies/346/admission-requirements)
Is there a scholarship?
Faculty of Graduate Studies entrance awards: Doctoral Entrance Award $30,000 ($2,500 x 12 terms); Master's Research Entrance Award $7,500 ($2,500 x 3 terms). Both Canadian and international full-time applicants to RESEARCH-BASED programmes with an admission average of at least 80% are considered on the programme's recommendation; the full application must be in by the programme deadline or the entrance-scholarship deadline, whichever is earlier. Source View scholarship page
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