Earn the highest degree in the social work profession – the Ph.D. In keeping with the mission of The Catholic University of America, NCSSS prepares doctoral students to teach, research, and lead from a framework of mercy, charity, justice and peace that emanate from the teachings of Jesus Christ, and are expressed in the social and moral doctrine of the Church.

The Doctor of Philosophy degree is awarded as the mark of the highest academic achievement in preparation for active scholarship, research, and leadership in the social work profession. The doctoral program is committed to imbuing students with the knowledge, skills, and vision to promote human rights and social justice. It seeks to further the development of the profession through scholarly research, theory building, and leadership, so that it may increasingly serve society in the prevention, intervention, and ultimate alleviation of social problems as well as in the enhancement of social well-being.

Ph.D. Program Goals

Grounded in the content of the curriculum, doctoral graduates are prepared to:

1. Contribute to the critique, transformation, and dissemination of knowledge for the profession in response to existing and emerging social problems.
2. Apply humanistic values, ethical principles, and philosophical and theoretical perspectives to the understanding and alleviation of these problems.
3. Promote and enhance the role of social work in society by assuming leadership and research roles in clinical practice, administration, social policy analysis, and social work education.