Doctoral education in social work is evolving as a major enterprise in American higher education, with more than 80 programs now in place. Committed to providing stewards of the profession, these PhD and DSW programs also are a major impetus for research and are the primary faculty pipeline for the 735 CSWE-accredited professional social work education programs in the country. Past achievements, current challenges, and present trends are discussed here, along with the principal issues facing doctoral programs in the decade ahead.