PhD Curriculum

The PhD program requires that the student complete two full years (including summers) of core and cognate courses, followed by comprehensive examinations and completion of the dissertation research project. During the first year, students complete core courses in social work theory, research methods, SPSS, statistics, and social work education. During the second year, coursework topics involve assessment and measurement, cognate courses centered around the student's areas of interest, and preparation for completing the comprehensive examination. All students complete small scale research projects under faculty mentorship prior to undertaking the dissertation. As early as the summer of the second year, students may complete their comprehensive examinations, and upon admission to candidacy, begin their dissertation research. The research dissertation is the capstone of the student’s educational experience. Dissertation topics are proposed by the student and require approval from the student's Doctoral Advisory Committee (composed of 3 to 5 faculty members).

Program of Study

Year 1

Semester 1 - Fall (12 semester hours)
SOWK 8012—Theories of Social Work Practice I (3 semester credits)
SOWK 8116—Research Methods in Social Work I (3)
SOWK 8417—Academic Research Seminar (3)
ERSH 6300 —Applied Statistical Methods (3)

Semester 2 - Spring (12 semester hours)
SOWK 8022—Theories of Social Work Practice II (3)
SOWK 8126—Research Methods in Social Work II (3)
SOWK 8306 —Doctoral Research Practicum (3) or Cognate
ERSH 8310 —Applied Analysis of Variance Methods (3)

Semester 3 - Summer (9 semester hours)
SOWK 8306—Doctoral Research Practicum (3) or Cognate
SOWK 8227—Social Work Education (3)
SOWK 8156 —Software for Social Work Research (SPSS) (3)

Year 2

Semester 4 - Fall (9 semester hours)
ERSH 8320—Applied Correlation and Regression Methods (3)
SOWK 8146—Research Methods in Social Work III (Assessment and Measurement) (3)
One Cognate (3) or Doctoral Research Practicum

Semester 5 - Spring (9 semester hours)
SOWK 8428—Comprehensive Examination (3) (may repeat up to 9 credits)
One Cognate (3)
One Cognate (3) or Doctoral Research Practicum

Semester 6 - Summer (3 semester hours)
SOWK 8240—Dissertation Prospectus, individually taken with Major Professor (3)

Year 3

Semester 7 – Fall (repeat course as needed for program requirements)
SOWK 9000—Doctoral Research (3-6 hours, repeats up to 30 hours)

Semester in Which You Plan to Graduate

SOWK 9300—Doctoral Dissertation (3-9 hours, repeats up to 24 hours)