VCU's Ph.D. in Social Work Program is a research-oriented educational enterprise with a mission to develop scholars and leaders for education and practice in human services. Its vision is a program that builds and nurtures student's intellectual curiosity, creativity and courage, as well as their desire to ômake a difference. The program is built around excellence in teaching, mentorship and socialization of students, as well as collaborative involvement in the program by its diverse faculty. Graduates of the program become active in teaching, consultation, research, practice and program evaluation, staff and program development, policy analysis, and advocacy. They are employed in universities and colleges, and in human service organizations and agencies at the local, state, national and international levels.