Ph.D. in Clinical Social Work
A Doctoral Program Like No Other in the Nation
ICSW stands out among clinical training institutes and graduate schools. We offer the nation’s only Ph.D. program that combines in-depth psychodynamic clinical training with a research-focused dissertation component.
This unique pairing of scholarly research and clinical development fosters professional curiosity and enhances critical thinking about theoretical frameworks, clinical intervention, and contemporary academic conversations in the field.
Our curriculum strategically blurs the lines between the classroom and practice settings — enabling students to use their own clinical cases as a basis for learning. After coursework, students receive faculty support at every step of the dissertation process.
PhD students build their dissertation from their own clinical work – uniting the academic and the practical. Students gain competence to conduct high-quality research, and almost all graduates continue research work one to two years after graduation.
We prepare students to make distinct contributions to the vibrant field of clinical social work. Our graduates go on to become leaders in clinical counseling, psychotherapy, academia, and research.
What Our Graduates Say
Program Objectives
The Ph.D. in Clinical Social Work is designed to deepen and expand your skills as a therapist – preparing you to lead in both clinical settings and academic research.
Psychodynamic Clinical Depth
Deepen your psychodynamic knowledge through advanced seminars that blur the line between classroom and practice – using your own clinical cases as a basis for learning.
Comprehensive Exam Preparation
Learn intake, assessment, case conceptualization, diagnosis, treatment planning, and documentation – all taught in direct preparation for the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination.
Research & Dissertation
Plan, conduct, evaluate, and disseminate high-quality research. Students build their dissertation from their own clinical work – uniting scholarly inquiry with real-world practice.
Train at Your Own Pace
We offer the nation’s only Ph.D. program that combines in-depth psychodynamic clinical training with a research-focused dissertation component.
- Full-Time
- Part-Time
Full-Time
Students meet with classmates and instructors in real-time via video conferencing – the full ICSW experience from anywhere.
- Live synchronous sessions – not pre-recorded content
- Same curriculum and faculty as onsite program
- Ideal for students outside the Chicago area
- 3-year (full-time) or 6-year (part-time) completion
Part-Time
Students meet at ICSW’s Chicago campus. The 3-year program meets on alternating weeks; the 6-year program meets every Friday afternoon and Saturday morning.
- 3-year program meets on alternating weeks
- Online option available on non-campus weeks
- 6-year program: Fridays PM + Saturday mornings
- Work-life balance many other doctoral programs don’t offer
- Direct access to Chicago’s clinical community
Everything You Need to Apply
Begin your journey to become a psychodynamic clinical social worker. Both onsite and distance programs are accepting applications.
Minimum Enrollment Requirements
For consideration for the PhD program (Onsite and Distance), requirements include:
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A master’s degree from an accredited graduate school of social work, counseling psychology, or a master’s degree in a closely related field.
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A graduate grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
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Personal therapy experience is not required as a prerequisite for admission, though such experience is favorably considered.
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At least baseline licensure in the State where you practice (i.e., LSW, LCP, etc.) by the time ICSW classes begin; applicants without baseline licensure may be admitted on the condition that they receive baseline licensure by the start of classes. Once classes begin, we expect students with baseline licensure to be working actively toward receiving terminal licensure (i.e., LCSW, LCPC), following their State’s guidelines regarding clinical supervision.
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An active weekly clinical caseload; ICSW doctoral students need to discuss their clinical work regularly, both in class and in consultation with members of the faculty, which will help prepare them for a clinical social work job.
Application Requirements
Applicants who meet the basic requirements are welcome to apply online. During this process, applicants are asked to submit:
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Personal Statement (Uploaded with application) (Guidelines to Phd in Clinical Social Work)
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Practice Philosophy (Uploaded with application) (Guidelines)
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Curriculum Vitae (Uploaded with application)
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Transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate colleges or universities attended
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Official electronic transcripts preferred if available; they can be sent to Samantha Antos, Enrollment Management Specialist at, santos@icsw.edu.
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Non-refundable $100 application fee (Submitted with application)
Based on the above materials, applicants who appear well qualified for the program will be invited to a minimum of two interviews with ICSW faculty members (onsite or via video conferencing), and will be asked to take an online writing / critical thinking assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Click here to view our FAQ’s.
Tuition, Financial Aid & Scholarships
Click here for more information about tuition costs, financial aid options, and institutional scholarships.
Credit Transfer Policy
We accept, on an individual basis, transfer of credits from any other accredited Master’s or Doctoral Program for courses which are equivalent to courses in the curriculum of ICSW’s Master’s or Doctoral Program pending approval by the Academic Dean.
Guidelines:
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Courses from other programs must be evaluated by the Academic Dean.
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The evaluation will include a judgment of the general similarity in content and clock hours.
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We will accept credits totaling no more than twenty percent of the required coursework in any degree program.
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Clinical Practicum and case conference courses may be eligible for transfer of credit consideration.
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Courses may be no less than 5 years old to be eligible for transfer credit.
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Transcripts and syllabi need to be reviewed for content prior to granting transfer credit approval.
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ICSW has always had a “test-out” policy for any course. Students must successfully complete the evaluation of student learning activities to demonstrate knowledge of course content.
Program Graduation Requirements
A student is eligible for graduation from the clinical social work PhD program when they have:
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Completed all coursework with a grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
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Completed all clinical practicum requirements, including presenting a clinical case to a faculty panel
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Successfully completed a Qualifying Theory Exam covering concepts from psychodynamic theory courses
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Successfully defend a scholarly dissertation
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Fulfilled all financial obligations to the Institute
Some credit earned in the counseling master’s program may be transferable to ICSW’s PhD in clinical social work program. For specific information, please contact our Admissions office.
Program Quick Facts
Questions?
For admissions-related inquiries, please contact Samantha Antos, Enrollment Specialist, at admissions@icsw.edu.