Doctorate in Philosophy Social Work at University of Ottawa - Program overview

Program overview

Admission Requirements

Intakes

Last updated on 2026-10-05

Program overview

+33

Program overview

The Doctorate in Philosophy Social Work program at the University of Ottawa aims to cultivate high-caliber researchers and professionals in the field of social work. This program is designed to equip students with the necessary tools to analyze both micro and macro intervention practices, thereby contributing significantly to the evolution of these practices. Students will gain critical and comprehensive knowledge of social work across various contexts, utilizing scientific reasoning to successfully complete their doctoral thesis. The program also offers a practicum option in research-intervention, allowing students to apply their learning in practical settings. The doctoral program encompasses two research fields: Health and Family-Childhood, ensuring a well-rounded educational experience.

Program structure

The Doctorate in Philosophy Social Work program is structured to provide a comprehensive educational experience over a minimum duration of four years. The program includes:

Compulsory courses offered in both French and English.
Majority of courses must be taken in the language of the program the student is registered in.
Students have the right to produce their work and thesis in either French or English.
Option to complete a practicum in research-intervention.
Two research fields: Health and Family-Childhood.

Students are required to complete a comprehensive examination and a research project, culminating in a doctoral thesis. The program emphasizes the importance of a thesis advisory committee, which guides students throughout their academic journey, including course selection and thesis preparation. The program is governed by the University’s academic regulations, ensuring a structured and supportive learning environment.

Featured Experiences

The Doctorate in Philosophy Social Work program offers several unique features that enhance the learning experience:

Practicum in research-intervention, providing hands-on experience in social work practices.
Access to a thesis advisory committee for personalized guidance throughout the program.
Research opportunities in two distinct fields: Health and Family-Childhood.
Courses available in both French and English, promoting bilingual proficiency.
Comprehensive examination to assess students' breadth of knowledge and integration of theories.

Career Options

Graduates of the Doctorate in Philosophy Social Work program can pursue a variety of career paths in Canada, including:

Social Work Researcher: Conducts studies to advance knowledge in social work practices and policies.
Policy Analyst: Evaluates and develops social policies to improve community welfare and social justice.
Clinical Social Worker: Provides therapeutic services to individuals and families facing mental health challenges.
Program Director: Oversees social work programs in organizations, ensuring effective service delivery.
University Professor: Teaches and mentors students in social work, contributing to academic research and scholarship.

These roles allow graduates to make significant contributions to society, addressing complex social issues and improving the quality of life for individuals and communities.

DISCLAIMER: The information above is subject to change. For the latest updates, please contact LOA Portal's advisors.

Visit University of Ottawa official website

Last updated on 2026-10-05

Program overview

Admission Requirements

Social Work, PhD

Degree Offered: PhD

Available Options for Program

Student status

Full-Time (French Program only):	Yes
Part-Time:	No

Language

English:	No
French:	Yes

Minimum Requirements

B+ in a master's degree in social work or equivalent

Average time to completion

12 terms

Your complete admission package must include

Application Fee:	CA$125.00 (non-refundable)
Recommendation letter(s):	2 At least one letter must be from a professor. It is highly recommended that you contact your referee prior to submitting your application to confirm their email address and their availability to complete your letter of recommendation.
Transcript(s):	1 You must upload copies of all transcripts from universities you have attended by using the uoDoc application. Transcripts must cover all courses and programs at any university you have attended, including regular programs (whether completed or not), exchanges, letters of permission, online or correspondence courses, courses taken as a non-degree student or visiting students, etc. If your transcript and degree certificate are not in English or French, you must submit a copy of a certified translation. Once you've received your offer of admission, if the offer contains any conditions for submitting official documents, you will need to upload them to uoDoc. Some exceptions apply. Previous or current Ottawa students do not need to submit a transcript of their studies at the University of Ottawa. Professional programs in rehabilitation require all transcripts, including those from uOttawa.
Language requirements (if applicable) Language proficiency test scores equivalencies:	French Program: DALF C1, C2/ TCF B2 (note globale)/TEF B2 (Note globale) (Paper-based) English Program: TOEFL 580 / IELTS Overall 6.5 - Individual 6.0 (Paper-based) French Program: DALF C1, C2/ TCF B2 (note globale)/TEF B2 (Note globale) (Internet-based) English Program: TOEFL 92-93/New TOEFL 4.5 / IELTS 6.5 overall – Individual 6.0 (Internet-based)
Required document(s):	A letter of intent indicating your motivation for doctoral studies. A letter of confirmation of supervision Resumé, including a list of publications and conferences. It may also provide any supporting documents (thesis, articles, research reports, summaries or other documents) demonstrating research experience. Description of your research project (5 pages summary of the proposed Ph.D. research) Applicants are advised that all admission documents are considered final once submitted. Revised, updated, or replacement documents will not be accepted after submission. Please note that non required admission documents will not be consulted, conserved or returned to the student. These documents will be destroyed according to our administrative procedures.

Language Requirements

Program-Specific English Requirements

French Program: DALF C1, C2/ TCF B2 (note globale)/TEF B2 (Note globale) (Paper-based)
English Program: TOEFL 580 / IELTS Overall 6.5 - Individual 6.0 (Paper-based)
French Program: DALF C1, C2/ TCF B2 (note globale)/TEF B2 (Note globale) (Internet-based)
English Program: TOEFL 92-93/New TOEFL 4.5 / IELTS 6.5 overall – Individual 6.0 (Internet-based)

General Graduate English Requirements

English proficiency test chart

Test	Minimum Required Score
TOEFL iBT Internet-based/Home Edition/Paper (for tests taken before January 21, 2026)*	84 (overall); 24 (writing); no partial score below 20
TOEFL iBT Internet-based / Home Edition/ Paper (for tests taken after January 21, 2026)*	4.5 or 86 (overall); 4.5 or 21 (writing); 4.5 or 22 (reading); 4.5 or 20 (listening); 4 or 20 (speaking)
IELTS Academic/ IELTS Academic One Skill Retake	6.5 (overall); 6.5 (writing); no partial score below 6
Cambridge English Proficiency Tests (B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency)	170 (overall); no partial score below 160
PTE (Pearson Test of English)	60 (overall); no partial score below 59
CAEL (Canadian Academic English Language Test)	70 (overall); no partial score below 60

* Effective January 21, 2026, TOEFL is changing its grading system to a 1-6 band scale instead of a 1-120 band scale. Score reports will include results on both scales for the next two years.

The University of Ottawa accepts TOEFL MyBest^®scores for the TOEFL iBT test.

French proficiency test chart

Test	Minimum Required Score
DALF (Diplôme approfondi de langue française)	C1/C2
TCF (Test de connaissance du français)	B2 (overall); no partial score below B2
TEF Canada (Test d’évaluation de français)	B2 (overall); no partial score below B2

Where the program-specific and general graduate requirements above differ, whichever score is higher (stricter) applies.

DISCLAIMER: The information above is subject to change. For the latest updates, please contact LOA Portal's advisors. The listed minimum requirements are a guideline and do not guarantee admission. Do not worry, we will notify you of any changes during the application process.

Not meeting the minimum language requirements?

You may still be able to apply!