The Role of Accessible Program Information in Attracting Diverse PhD Students to Social Work Programs

ABSTRACT This study explored the importance of accessible social work doctoral program information and the need to conduct further research on prospective PhD students to more completely meet their needs. The PhD Student Navigation System was used as a framework to complete a content analysis on publicly available information pertaining to top social work PhD programs in the United States. Results reveal a range of available information for prospective PhD students, including institutions that appear to closely guard programmatic information important in decision making for prospective students. Improving information accessibility to prospective PhD students is critical in the journey to improve representation of the social work profession, including in academia. This understudied population should be more closely examined to improve support for prospective students and those who are admitted and matriculate in these programs. Ensuring information is easily accessible may contribute to a more diverse applicant pool. As PhD programs aim to train students to be the future stewards of the profession, it is imperative that such programs are representative of the population.