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 55 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, 16 hours of research methods and statistics, and 18 hours of dissertation tutorial and dissertation. Six hours of substantive core credit may be taken in other School of Applied Sciences departments upon the approval of the dissertation adviser in consultation with department chairs.
Minimum Total Credit Hours: 55
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 an substantive elective; 16 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.