Social Work (PhD) is a doctorate in Social Work programme offered by University of Toronto in Toronto, Canada. The programme runs for 4 years, delivered on campus. Tuition for international students is CAD 9,240 per year (CAD 8,448 per year for local students).
At a glance
Degree:Doctorate
Field:Social Work
Duration: 4 years
Delivery: On Campus
Local tuition: CAD 8,448 / year
International tuition: CAD 9,240 / year
We have no an application deadline on record for this programme yet — see the official programme page.
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Last reviewed September 2026 ·
Program details
Overview
The Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work, offered through the University of Toronto's Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, prepares students for leadership roles in social work education, research, and community and policy practice. Coursework totals 5.5 full-course equivalents, generally completed within two years, including 2.0 full-course equivalents in core research courses and 2.5 full-course equivalents in graduate-level electives, at least 0.5 from Social Work and 0.5 from another graduate unit. After completing at least nine required courses, candidates complete a comprehensive examination in the Winter or Summer session of Year 2. Students then complete a thesis proposal and oral defence, followed by either a traditional thesis or a three-paper option built on the same standards of independent, rigorous scholarship. The program's mode of delivery is in person, and while designed for completion in four years, students typically require a longer period to finish all requirements, with a maximum time limit of six years.
Requirements
Admission Requirements: Applicants must hold a Master of Social Work degree or an equivalent master's degree with at least a B+ standing from an accredited program at a recognized university. Applicants with a record of research involvement and publications are rated highly for consideration. Applicants whose primary language is not English and who graduated from a university where the language of instruction and examination was not English must demonstrate proficiency per the School of Graduate Studies' General Regulations.
