Explore Our Ph.D. Program

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Explore Our Ph.D. Program

Our Ph.D. program prepares advanced clinical scholars and practitioners to contribute to knowledge about clinical social work theory, practice and research.

Our students are trained to be leaders in education, research and scholarship, as well as clinical supervisors, consultants and advanced practitioners.    

Graduates of our Ph.D. program are among the faculty of social work schools across the U.S. and abroad. They are some of today's leading clinical social work practitioners and scholars. 

Our Five Core Principles
Our School is committed to five Core Principles of racial justice that guide all areas of our programs and work as we constantly strive towards greater anti-racism – an ongoing goal to which the entire School community aspires.

Quick Links
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Begin Your Application
Dissertation
Internships
Ph.D. Handbook
Ph.D. Program Overview
Summer at Smith SSW
Tuition, Fees and Financial Aid
Ph.D. student Michelle Marchese smiles at the camera.

“I was looking for a little more practice depth, and I found that once I was looking at Smith."

Michelle Marchese 
Ph.D. Student

Explore student perspectives

Explore the Ph.D. Program

Low Residency Program
Internships
Tuition, Fees and Financial Aid
Meet our Doctoral Program Staff
Ora Nakash headshot

Ora Nakash, M.A., Ph.D.

Professor
In her work, Professor Ora Nakash aims to generate innovative knowledge to improve access, equity, and quality of care for communities of color and historically…
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Marsha Kline Pruett, M.S., M.S.L., Ph.D., ABPP

Maconda Brown O'Connor Professor | Director of the Ph.D. Program
Kline Pruett's writings include over 150 scholarly articles, chapters, co-edited and co-written books, including: Your Divorce Advisor: A Lawyer and a…
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Sharyn Zuffelato

Administrative and Systems Manager, Ph.D. Program
Sharyn Zuffelato graduated from University of Maryland with a degree in Business Administration. She joined the Smith College School for Social Work in 2007…
Admission
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Application Process
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Begin Your Application
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Tuition, Fees and Financial Aid
Meet Our Admission Team
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Sarah Duey

Senior Enrollment and Information Systems Specialist
Sarah Duey works with the rest of the admission team to guide future Smithies through the process of applying to graduate school. In addition to being an…
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Lorelei Erisis

Assistant Director of Admission
Lorelei Erisis is dedicated to making the application process more personal and stress-free for prospective M.S.W. students. Originally trained as an actor…
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Valerie Nguyễn Hooper

Interim Director of Admission and Financial Aid
Valerie Nguyễn Hooper is a proud first-generation college (and graduate school) graduate with origins in Western New York and Saigon, Vietnam. As a former…
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Ash Sabripour

Assistant Director of Admission and Outreach
Ash Sabripour has worked in higher education since joining Smith College in 2021. In her role as assistant director for admission and outreach at the School for…
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“We have this ethical responsibility to both support our patients and also to address the social issues that are reproducing disparities in mental health.”

Jamie Daniels
Student

Explore student perspectives 

 

For questions about the program, curriculum and internships: 

Email: sswphd@smith.edu

For questions about applications: 

Mon - Fri: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. 
Email: sswadm@smith.edu 
Phone: (413) 585-7960

Request Information

For questions about financial aid:  

Student Financial Services 
College Hall Room 106 
Northampton, MA 01063

Phone: 1-800-221-2579 
Email: sfs@smith.edu  
Fax: 413-585-2566