Ph.D. Program Curriculum
There are
three curriculum areas required for all students as
well as opportunities for individualized coursework and research. The
three curriculum areas are:
Proseminar (2 courses dealing with
intellectual history of social work and critiques and innovations in
theory, ideology, and conceptual frameworks for social work);
Policy/Practice (2 courses dealing with critiques and innovations in
the design, delivery, and analysis of social policy and social work
programs and practices);
Research (4 courses dealing with
qualitative and quantitative types of research design and
implementation). In addition, students take four electives within our
School and/or other departments to further hone their research skills
and knowledge according to their chosen area of specialization.
Coursework can be completed in two years of full time study. Each course
is three hours credit. The program requires a minimum of 54 credit
hours, including 24 hours of required coursework, 12 hours of electives,
and hours for the comprehensive exam process and dissertation.
Beyond coursework, students complete three Qualifying Papers and
an Oral Comprehensive Exam under the guidance of a faculty committee to
demonstrate their ability to integrate knowledge and skills across the
three curriculum areas in relation to a theme of inquiry developed by
the student in his or her chosen specialization. After the Oral
Comprehensive Exam is completed, students conduct an advanced study and
write and defend a doctoral dissertation. See the following section on
full or part time options for an example of an enrollment plan.
Students may develop any specialization
of research methods and
topics for inquiry that is relevant to professional mission and values.
We are especially interested in work that challenges and extends
conventional thinking and knowledge. Our program has research offices
that coordinate faculty and doctoral student research projects around
fields of specialization. These include Aging and Long Term Care, Child
Welfare, Adult Mental Health, and Social Policy/Community Development.
In addition, there are projects in the areas of corrections, economic
empowerment of low-income women, First Nations (Indigenous) peoples,
health, spiritual diversity, and other topics.
Social Welfare Course Catalog [PDF Format]
Graduate Catalog
