How Our Program is Organized

The UC Berkeley Graduate Division is the administering unit for all graduate degree programs, in partnership with the student’s home academic department. The Graduate Division is the administrative arm of the Academic Senate’s Graduate Council, empowered to enforce regulations and policies developed through faculty governance.

The Social Welfare Doctoral Program is administered by the Doctoral Committee, which is composed of all members of the Social Welfare faculty eligible for service on qualifying examination and dissertation committees, and two elected Doctoral Committee Student Representatives (DCSRs).

The Chair of the Doctoral Committee is jointly appointed by the Chair of the Faculty and the Dean of the School for a renewable three year term. Subcommittees (e.g., Recruitment, Admissions, and Fellowships, Curriculum, Progress Review and Retention) are also appointed to administer the Doctoral Program.