Social Work

1. Departmental Mission and Research Vision

The Department of Social Work at Hellenic Mediterranean University is an established educational department dedicated to enhancing the professional practice, the scholarly critique, and the community involvement in social welfare and its associated areas (social policy, human service provision, and community development). The Department's mission is to prepare reflective professionals and scholars who can critically analyze complex social problems (inequality, vulnerability, marginalization, and social exclusion), and create, implement and assess interdisciplinary intervention strategies that support social justice and human well-being. Ethical practice, human rights, collaboration, and responsiveness to social change are among the core values of the Department.
The Doctoral Studies program within the Department of Social Work expands on this mission by providing senior researchers and leaders with the necessary advanced analytic capabilities and creative problem solving to develop new and original research, influence public policy, and contribute to the world-wide body of knowledge in social work and related disciplines. Candidates for the doctoral degree will be able to critically analyze systemic issues using evidenced based frameworks, and will engage with theory, both qualitative and quantitative methodological approaches, and interdisciplinary perspectives.

2. Programme Structure and Progression

The PhD in Social Work at HMU is governed by the university’s doctoral regulations and by national legislation that governs doctoral education in Greece. The programme is designed to cultivate independent research capacity, scientific rigor, and scholarly leadership.

Duration and Admission

The typical duration for full-time doctoral study is three (3) academic years (minimum), with an allowable extension up to six (6) years based on individual research progress and circumstances. Part-time enrollment is also possible for candidates balancing professional roles with academic study.

Admission is competitive and requires:

• A Master’s degree in social work or a related field (e.g., sociology, psychology, public health, education, social policy)

• A detailed doctoral research proposal outlining research questions, theoretical frameworks, methodology, and anticipated scholarly contributions

• Academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, and evidence of research potential

A supervisory committee—drawn from departmental faculty with relevant expertise—is assigned to each candidate. The committee guides research design, monitors progress, and ensures compliance with academic and ethical standards.

3. Academic Domains and Research Focus Areas

The doctoral programme supports research across multiple complementary domains reflecting the breadth of contemporary social work, including theory, policy, and application:

Social Policy, Governance, and Welfare Systems

Research in this domain focuses on structural analysis of social policy frameworks, welfare state paradigms, comparative policy analysis, governance mechanisms, and institutional responses to social challenges. Candidates examine how policies impact social inclusion, equity, and access to services.

Individual and Community Wellbeing

This area addresses determinants of physical, psychological, and social wellbeing within diverse populations. Topics include resilience, trauma and recovery, mental health services, community empowerment, and the role of social institutions in supporting wellbeing outcomes.

Vulnerability, Inequality, and Social Justice

Doctoral research may explore systemic forms of inequality—such as poverty, marginalization, discrimination, and exclusion—and investigate mechanisms of social injustice across contexts such as migration, disability, ageing, and child welfare.

Professional Practice, Ethics, and Service Innovation

This domain examines the evolution of social work practice, professional ethics, and service delivery models. Candidates may investigate evidence-based practice, quality assurance, reflective practice frameworks, and organizational innovation in social services.

Global and Transnational Social Issues

Research here tackles global challenges such as human mobility, climate change impacts, transnational labor markets, and international human rights regimes as they affect social structures and community resilience.

These domains encourage interdisciplinary research drawing on sociology, psychology, public health, law, economics, and digital data analysis, placing social work research at the center of socially relevant inquiry.

4. Research Integration, Facilities & Professional Engagement

The doctoral candidate has the advantage of utilizing the department's research laboratory as well as thematically organized research groups that provide assistance for empirical investigation, training on both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, and collaborative work across disciplines. Access to the department's research resources includes access to digital data repositories, statistical software, and secondary data related to public policy, demographic analysis, and social indicators.
The Department of Public Administration offers a variety of ways for students to engage with the research environment of the department through seminars, research colloquia, workshops, and multidisciplinary symposia which bring together faculty and scholars from a variety of academic departments including social work, allied health sciences, public policy, and education. Students are also encouraged to establish a research profile, present their research at national and international meetings, and publish in refereed journals consistent with international standards for the dissemination of scholarly research.
Engagement with local communities, government, and non-governmental organizations provides the student an opportunity to conduct research in a contextually based manner and produce translational results that connect theoretical concepts to practical applications. Participation in externally funded research projects provides the student with additional practical experience and develops networks outside of academia.

5. Graduate Outcomes and Professional Preparation

The graduates of the PhD in Social Work  are prepared to:

• Formulate and execute independent research that advances theoretical and applied knowledge in social work and related fields.

• Analyze complex social phenomena using appropriate qualitative, quantitative, and mixed research methods.

• Contribute to scholarly discourse through publication and dissemination of research findings.

• Communicate effectively to academic, professional, and policy audiences.

• Demonstrate ethical and socially responsible research conduct in diverse settings.

• Collaborate across disciplines and professional networks to address multifaceted social challenges.

• Engage in reflective practice and lifelong learning to adapt to evolving social and academic environments.

Professional Pathways & Impact

PhD graduates are prepared for leadership positions in academic institutions as faculty members, researchers, and thought leaders. They are also well suited for roles in public policy analysis, social programme design, evaluation and advocacy, and senior positions within governmental and international organizations focused on social protection, community development, and human services. Non-profit and philanthropic sectors also benefit from graduates’ expertise in evidence-based strategies and system-level evaluation.

The programme equips candidates with the intellectual, methodological, and ethical foundations necessary to shape practice, influence policy frameworks, and lead interdisciplinary research initiatives that address pressing societal needs.