Why Choose UM SSW PhD
The University of Maryland School of Social Work provides the opportunity to learn from and collaborate with world-class faculty on a robust interdisciplinary campus. During the program, it was such a fantastic experience observing how each of us doctoral students was exponentially advancing, seemingly daily. Despite each of us having different career goals, including administration, clinical work, entrepreneurship, government, private sector, research, and teaching, it was clear that we received innumerable skill sets to thrive regardless of the paths we were individually interested in. For my journey, after completing the doctoral program to then complete a postdoctoral fellowship and starting a tenure-track faculty position, I quickly realized how well-prepared I was to maneuver and excel in any capacity.
The UMB SSW PhD curriculum connects advanced research methods to the dynamic relationship between individuals and their environments that is often necessary for understanding social work theories of change. As a PhD student, this connection between method and theory helped me develop a research skillset tailored to my areas of interest and career goals. In my current work with a non-academic research firm, this skillset has provided a foundation for leading behavioral health services research, primarily in non-experimental service settings where innovative methods are often required to address the relationships between individual behaviors, interventions, and broader contextual factors.
The PhD program at UMB provided me with exceptional training and support to pursue my goals in getting a tenure-track social work faculty position. There were so many opportunities for me to develop a strong publication record as a student, and the program ensured I was well-prepared for the job market. The curriculum's focus on applied research methods and statistics has served me well as a junior faculty member developing my own independent line of research, and to pursue funding opportunities to support my work.
