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Application Procedure

For consideration for admission to the PhD in Social Work Program, you must be admitted to both the UIC Graduate College and the Jane Addams College of Social Work Doctoral Program. To complete the necessary applications, all of the following materials should be submitted directly to the Jane Addams College: 

To download the application in PDF format, please be sure that you have the free Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you need to download the Reader program, click the Reader icon.

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  • A detailed Personal Statement of Intent (item VII on JACSW Application) that clearly indicates: 
  • Your reasons for applying for the doctoral program
  • Your professional objectives and plans, and how the doctoral degree would contribute to them
  • A discussion of the fit between your objectives and the mission of the Jane Addams College of Social Work
  • Your proposed area of specialization
  • An indication of the related social science field in which study would likely be undertaken, and 
  • Your research interests 


(This statement should be a very accurate reflection of your interests and plans and should be very thoughtfully prepared, since it will receive major consideration in the admissions decision.)

  • Writing sample(s) (See section VI of JACSW application)
  • Two official copies of all college and university transcripts, sent directly from the institutions attended (including UIC if applicable)
  • Four letters of reference, which should to be submitted directly to the College by the person preparing the reference. At least one should be from an academic reference, and at least one from a recent supervisor, if possible. (Do not use relatives.) Reference letters should address the applicant's readiness and potential for scholarship at the doctoral level; commitment to social work and the social, racial, and economic justice mission of Jane Addams College; and personal, professional, and intellectual qualities important to success in the program. 
  • Examination scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), submitted directly to the College. Applicants from countries in which English is not the native language must also submit TOEFL scores. 
  • A $50 (or, for international applicants, $60) non-refundable application fee (by check or money order, made out to the University of Illinois at Chicago. If you file the on-line Graduate College application, you will be given the option of paying your fee by Visa or MasterCard.
For early consideration, please make sure we have received all materials by January 1.  The final deadline for applications to be considered for the current year is February 15.  Admission decisions are ordinarily made by May 1.  All of the above should be submitted to: 

Doctoral Program Admissions
Jane Addams College of Social Work
University of Illinois at Chicago (MC 309)
1040 West Harrison Street
Chicago, IL 60607-7134