Academic & Financial Support
Academic Support
Advising
Faculty advisors support students in educational planning and developing professional networks. To ensure that incoming students receive the in-depth advising they need to develop a customized program of study, the Doctoral Studies Committee selects a first-year advisor for each incoming student, matching theoretical and substantive interests and taking into account student requests and faculty experience at the Crown Family School.
Students’ advisors are not necessarily the same faculty member with whom they work to fulfill their required first- and second-year Mentored Research Assistantships, though it is strongly encouraged. Some students change faculty advisors as their course of study evolves.
A required, non-credit Doctoral Workshop is offered in the student’s first and second years in the program to introduce students to different areas of social work and social science scholarship and to provide professional development training. These sessions are also open for advanced students and faculty to attend as desired. Students are exposed to rigorous and innovative research from faculty at Crown Family School, the broader University of Chicago, and national and international scholars at these sessions. They also receive professional training and guidance on a range of issues related to student and academic life through the Doctoral Workshop.
Preparation for Teaching
The School offers mentored training and teaching opportunities to develop as a teacher while still a student. We require each student to complete at least three quarter-length mentored teaching experiences, such as serving as an assistant, co-instructor, or instructor in a course. In addition, the University offers a range of teaching support and training through the Chicago Center for Teaching and Learning (CCTL). We strongly encourage students interested in pursuing teaching positions after graduation to take advantage of CCT’s services.
Career Services
Crown Family School is one of the few schools of social work with a Career and Leadership Development Office. This office provides career and professional development programs, including skills-building workshops, individual career counseling, job search strategies, and leadership development. Each year, the Career and Leadership Development Office also assembles a CV book for all graduating doctoral candidates seeking academic appointments and widely promotes it to deans and directors of schools of social work.
Each year, the doctoral program director provides job market mentoring and hands-on tips and practice to support students seeking post-PhD employment as part of the PhD Job Market Workshop. In addition, the UChicagoGRAD career development office provides a full array of career support, including help with identifying and applying for jobs, interview support, networking events, fellowship advising, and more.
Financial Support
Doctoral Program Funding and Research Support
Doctoral students receive significant funding to ensure that they can immerse themselves in the program. All students entering the Doctoral Program are offered a financial aid package that includes full tuition, health insurance, fees, and a yearly stipend set at $47,741 for the current 2026-2027 academic year. The doctoral program involves a full-time commitment. Stipend support is provided to enable students to focus their time and energy on fulfilling the program's requirements, developing their scholarship, and completing their doctoral studies in a timely manner.
Many Crown Family School doctoral students receive additional funding through outside training and fellowship programs.
As part of their financial aid packages, students are expected to work as mentored research assistants with Crown Family School faculty in their first two years and participate in at least three mentored teaching experiences (usually during years three through five).
The Crown Family School Office of Grants and Contracts provides support to doctoral students in:
• Funding Opportunity Searches
• Proposal Planning and Development
• Central Administration/Sponsor Liaison
• Award Administration
• Financial Management/Coordination of Financial Reports to Sponsors
Crown Family School also supports doctoral students' travel related to paper presentations and job market activities at conferences. Other University resources for graduate students are available from the Office of the University Provost.