The Faculty of Social Sciences of the University of Valencia has developed the doctoral training of its students since its foundation. The first antecedent is the Doctorate in Sociology, organised by the Department of Sociology and Social Anthropology (now integrated in the Faculty of Social Sciences).

Subsequently, within the framework of RD 778/1998, the centre has collaborated in the organisation of two Doctorate programs:

“Doctorate in Labour Sciences: Work at the beginning of the twenty-first century”.

This doctorate shared with the current one its interdepartmental character, since it involved the departments of Sociology and Social Anthropology, Applied Economics, Business Management, Labour Law, Preventive Medicine and Social Work. It addressed areas of research such as forms of work organisation, local labour markets, comparative labour relations, work and gender, employment systems, social and labour integration, new perspectives in Labour Law and occupational health.

"Doctorate in Social Welfare, Cooperation and Local Development":

Offered by the Department of Sociology and Social Anthropology, linked to the Faculty of Social Sciences. This Doctoral Degree addressed issues related to social sciences such as welfare and citizenship, social welfare policies, environment, culture, perspectives of conflict in social analysis, education and democracy...

Likewise, the Faculty of Social Sciences of the University of Valencia participated in the offer of official postgraduate programs regulated by RD 56/2005, which included a doctorate offer.

Specifically, the Official Postgraduate Programme in Labour Sciences and Human Resources included a Doctorate in Labour Sciences and Human Resources with the participation of PhDs from the departments of Sociology and Social Anthropology, Applied Economics, Business Management, Labour Law and Social Psychology. Students could have access to these doctoral studies from the Master's Degree in Employment and Human Resources and the Master’s Degree in Occupational Risk Prevention.

Subsequently, in the new postgraduate framework regulated by RD 1393/2007, the Faculty of Social Sciences of the University of Valencia offers the Doctoral Program in Social Sciences, Labour and Human Resources, accredited as such and offered since 2009, which is the direct reference of the current doctorate program.