PhD Admissions
Our next full admission cycle is for the fall of 2025.
We are holding another virtual admissions information session for our PhD in Social Work on Wednesday, November 20 from 4:30 – 5:30 pm EST. Sign up here
The PhD:
Social Work program is designed to prepare social work scholars, educators and researchers to have an in-depth understanding of social justice and human rights and the underlying structural issues; to be equipped to take leadership positions in universities, colleges, and government and non-government organizations; and to be able to contribute to the development of structural social work theory and practice.
Admission Requirements
- Master’s degree in Social Work (accredited by the Canadian Association for Social Work Education or equivalent) or an accredited Bachelor of Social Work degree and a closely related master’s degree.
- preferably A- (80%) or higher in your graduate degree
- No grade below a B- (70%)
- Minimum of two years of full-time post-graduate work experience or five years post-baccalaureate work experience in the social services and/or policy field.
*If you were educated internationally, please see the minimum admission requirements for the relevant country.
Required Documents
After you have submitted your online application and your application fee has been processed, you will be instructed on how to upload your required documents in Carleton Central. For complete application instructions and required electronic documents, please visit the Graduate Admissions website.
Transcript(s)
All post-secondary transcripts are required with your application. These do not have to be official documents.
Letters of Reference (Three (3) are required)
Academic References:
Two are preferred but you must have at least one. Even though it may have been some time since you were last in school, we encourage you to contact previous instructors/professors with a reminder of the classes you took, when you took it, any specific assignments or presentations you did, and your final grade. This may help them to write a strong reference for you.
Professional Reference:
At least one referee must be provided who can comment on your related work experience in Social Work.
Statement of Intent (One (1) is required. It should include a discussion of):
- your reasons for pursuing a PhD education;
- your main academic areas of interests;
- a summary of the research problem you hope to explore; and
- your academic and professional experiences as they relate to your plans for study.
CV/Resumé (One (1) is required. It should include the following information):
- your education (institution, dates attended and degree awarded);
- paid employment history (identify employer, location of employment, the start and end dates, and a brief job description);
- teaching experiences (list any courses that you have taught at either a community college or university level; and
- research experience, papers presented at conferences, publications; and professional affiliations.
Writing Sample (One (1) is required (e.g., published work, technical report, or a course paper as a sole or lead author))
Language Proficiency
If English is not your first language, you may have to provide proof that your knowledge and use of English are strong enough for graduate studies at an English-language university.. For Carleton’s ESL requirements and policies, please visit the ESL Requirements website.
You can check Carleton Central to see what documents have been uploaded to ensure a completed application.
How to Apply
The application process to any graduate program at Carleton for all prospective students is the same and must be completed online. For complete information regarding the application process please visit the Graduate Admissions website.
Financial Support
Consideration for funding and financial support including teaching and research assistantships is made at the time of admission. A separate application is not required. In order to be considered for funding, you must submit a completed application (including all required documents) before the deadline. Current and prospective graduate students are encouraged to apply for Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) scholarships and Ontario Graduate Scholarships (OGS), which are awarded annually to outstanding students by the federal and provincial governments. More information about Financial Assistance
Funding for International Applicants
Funding for International applicants is extremely limited (including teaching and research assistantships) and is only available to a few outstanding international applicants. International applicants should ensure personal or external funding and financial aid as needed. For more information on awards and funding for international students, visit the Graduate Admissions website.