# 2026-2027 Course Catalog
**Source**: https://catalog.illinois.edu/graduate/socw/joint-degree/social-work-msw-phd/
**Parent**: https://catalog.illinois.edu/graduate/joint-degree-programs/
*for the degrees of Master of Social Work in Social Work and Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work*
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*for the degrees of Master of Social Work in Social Work and Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work*
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For additional details and requirements refer to the department's [Graduate Handbook](http://socialwork.illinois.edu/academics/)and the [Graduate College Handbook](http://www.grad.illinois.edu/gradhandbook).
Course List
| Code | Title | Hours |
| --- | --- | --- |
| MSW Required Courses | | |
| Methods (Based on Clinical or Administrative Focus) | | 20 |
| Policy | | 4 |
| PhD Research Courses | | 8 |
| [SOCW 593](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=SOCW%20593 "SOCW 593") | Applied Qualitative Research | |
| [SOCW 595](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=SOCW%20595 "SOCW 595") | Quantitative Research Designs | |
| HBSE | | 8 |
| Field Education | | 24 |
| Electives (One elective will be in Focus Area for the PhD) | | 8 |
| Total Hours | | 72 |
| PhD Required Courses | | |
| [SOCW 575](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=SOCW%20575 "SOCW 575") | Social Work Teaching Seminar | 4 |
| [SOCW 579](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=SOCW%20579 "SOCW 579") | Social Work Practice Theories | 4 |
| [SOCW 585](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=SOCW%20585 "SOCW 585") | National Social Welfare Policy | 4 |
| [SOCW 594](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=SOCW%20594 "SOCW 594") | Individual Research (2 semesters of enrollment) | 8 |
| Focus Area (outside of Social Work) | | 8 |
| 3 courses in statistics and research methodology, outside of Social Work | | 12 |
| [SOCW 599](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=SOCW%20599 "SOCW 599") | Dissertation Research | 12 |
| Total Hours | | 52 |
#### **Other Requirements**
Grad Other Degree Requirements
| Requirement | Description |
| --- | --- |
| A concentration is required for the MSW | |
| Minimum 500-level Hours Required Overall: | 48 |
| Masters Degree Required for Admission to PhD? | Yes |
| Qualifying Exam Required | Yes |
| Preliminary Exam Required | Yes |
| Final Exam/Dissertation Defense Required | Yes |
| Dissertation Deposit Required | Yes |
| Minimum GPA: | 3.0 |
*for the degrees of Master of Social Work in Social Work and Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work*
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**School of Social Work**\
Director of Graduate Studies: Associate Dean Min Zahn\
[School of Social Work website](https://socialwork.illinois.edu/)\
[School of Social Work Faculty](https://socialwork.illinois.edu/directory/)\
1010 W. Nevada St., Urbana, IL 61801\
(217) 244-5246\
[Social Work email](mailto:socialwork@illinois.edu)