Wayne State University's School of Social Work will start accepting applications in fall 2005 for its new doctoral-degree program -- Michigan's only PhD program focusing solely on research to advance social work practice in urban settings. The first students will begin classes in fall 2006.

"The PhD program in social work will build on our school's international reputation in creating knowledge for social work practice, especially in urban settings," said Irvin D. Reid, Wayne State University president. "This knowledge will help to address social problems not only in Detroit and Southeast Michigan, but also worldwide."

The new program is among only 73 doctoral-degree programs in social work worldwide; of that total, 64 programs are in the United States, said Phyllis I. Vroom, dean, School of Social Work.

"This program will integrate theory and practice to produce changes for the greater good based on evidence, " Vroom said. "The program will contribute significantly to our mission to further the well-being of diverse, poor, vulnerable and oppressed individuals, families, groups, communities and organizations."

School of Social Work faculty members conduct research to address some of the most challenging problems in the Detroit area and the nation, including poverty, mental illness, criminal recidivism, domestic violence and underachievement in school.

The school's years of work on the doctoral-degree program proposal culminated on April 20, when the university's Board of Governors approved the program. In addition to the PhD program, the School of Social Work offers the nation's No. 1 bachelor of social work program, according to The Gourman Report. The master of social work program is ranked in the top 25 percent of all graduate social work programs in the nation, according to US News & World Report.

Further information about the PhD program will be available soon on the school's Web site, http://www.socialwork.wayne.edu/. The school's admissions office can be reached at (313) 577-4409.

As a key component of an urban research university, the Wayne State University School of Social Work is among the nation's leaders in preparing students for professional practice. Regional and national agencies consistently recruit the school's graduates.

Wayne State offers a world-class education in the real world with more than 350 academic programs through 12 schools and colleges. Visit the WSU Office of Public Relations home page for university experts and news updates: www.media.wayne.edu