The PhD in Social Work Program had a long history of preparing advanced social work scholars, practitioners, and agency leaders, the educational objectives of the doctoral program were as follows:
- Demonstrate comprehensive mastery of a substantive area of social work.
- Exhibit expertise in producing independent research that informs social work practice, service delivery, advocacy, and system change.
- Integrate the values and ethics of the social work profession in teaching, scholarship, and service.
- Conceptualize, critically evaluate, and construct theory to advance social work knowledge, education, and practice.
- Demonstrate the capacity for leadership and advocacy focused on promoting social justice.