Overview
The school’s doctoral program leads to the Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work (PhD) degree. A minimum of 90 credit hours are required for graduation. The PhD in social work is a research degree. The doctoral program requires rigorous training in qualitative and quantitative research methods; advanced coursework in social work theory; completion of a cognate area in another discipline; mastery of specialized content areas; and the completion of a PhD dissertation. The program allows for full-time or part-time study.

SW Elective Credits
(up to 23 advanced year MSW or post-MSW certificate credits relevant to the student’s proposed area of research) approved by the director of the doctoral program.

Theory (9 credits)
SW 9210 – Theories for Practice and Research with Individuals, Cr. 3
SW 9220 – Theories for Practice and Research with Groups and Families, Cr. 3
SW 9230 – Theories for Practice and Research with Communities and Organizations: Macro, Cr. 3

Research and Statistics Courses (16 credits)
SW 9100 – Social Statistics and Data Analysis, Cr. 3
SW 9300 – Applied Regression Analysis and Generalized Linear Models, Cr. 3
SW 9400 – Qualitative Research Methods in Social Work, Cr. 3
SW 9410 – Quantitative Research Methods in Social Work, Cr. 3
SW 9420 – Research Practicum, Cr. 3
SW 9430 – Dissertation Seminar, Cr. 1

SW Elective (3 credits)
SW 9000 – Directed Study, Cr. 2-6 (Max. 6)
SW 9240 – Social Work Education, Cr. 3
SW 9260 – Current and Historical Trends in U.S. Social Welfare Policy, Cr. 3

Cognate Courses (9 credits): Courses other than Social Work that support the candidate’s area of research.

Clinical Scholarship Track:  Courses

Instead of a cognate students will take the following courses

Advanced Clinical Social Work Theory     (3 credits)

Applied Clinical Social Work Practice I, II    (3 credits each term; 6 credits total)

For thosewith less than five years’ postgraduate supervised practice experienceAdvanced Clinical Practicum I, II   (2 credits each term; 4 credits total)