Ph.D. in Social Welfare
Description
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree program in social welfare is designed to train and mentor students to become competent scholars and advanced applied practitioners that advance knowledge and provide leadership in addressing issues pertinent to at-risk and vulnerable populations. The program consists of 54 post-master’s level credit hours. The requirements for the Ph.D. degree will be as follows: 21 hours in a substantive core area of social work, 15 hours of research methods and statistics, and 18 hours of dissertation. Six hours of substantive core credit may be taken in other related departments upon the approval of the dissertation chair in consultation with graduate program coordinator.
Minimum Total Credit Hours: 54
Course Requirements
All students are required to complete the following: 21 hours in a substantive core area of social work: SW 701, 703, 704, 706, 708, 709, and 713 or a substantive elective; 15 hours of research methods and statistics: SW 702, 705, 710 or research or statistics elective, 711, and 712.
Other Academic Requirements
Upon completion of the coursework, the Comprehensive Exam (CE) takes place. The exam tests knowledge of the field based on coursework and assesses competency to advance through the dissertation. The successful completion of the CE prior to candidacy is an important milestone for students before moving on to the next phase of the doctoral program.
Students who have passed the comprehensive exam can take SW797 (dissertation) without a cap. If students have not passed the comprehensive exam after completion of the coursework, they can take SW797 in every semester until they pass comprehensive exam.