Our doctoral program offers an interdisciplinary approach, blending social work courses along with your coursework in one or more allied disciplines. Using this approach, you are exposed to diverse research methods while developing substantive expertise in the subject area you select. You will be paired with an academic advisor based on your academic interests, and your advisor will work closely with you to help you identify your professional focus plan, select relevant coursework, and monitor your progress throughout the program. As a phd student, you will conduct research and analyze policies on issues of importance to society, and you will be prepared for university level teaching and for social work research upon graduation. A full time doctoral student takes 9 12 credit hours per semester with coursework designed to be completed in two and one half 2 189 academic years. Part time doctoral students take 6 credit hours per semester, and coursework is designed to be completed in three and one half 3 189 academic years. The mission of the graduate college of social work is to educate professionals for social work practice, research, and leadership.

We advocate for innovative, collaborative, inclusive, and humane policies and solutions that promote social, economic, and political justice. Our college generates new knowledge through critical thinking that links rigorous scientific inquiry, ethical social work practice, and community engagement. The goal of the gcsw doctoral program is to prepare social work researchers, scholars, and educators to advance the knowledge base of the profession. Program offers students an opportunity to: conduct translational research on evidence based interventions and policies in real world social work and social welfare settings develop a multidisciplinary understanding of complex issues and problems focus on innovative methodologies in knowledge building and foster individual connections and collaborative mentorship.

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the curriculum is oriented towards an evidence based, 160 multidisciplinary understanding of complex issues and problems, and emphasizes the varieties of translational research methods. 160 students must pass a written examination and an oral comprehensive examination at specified time points in the degree plan.

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160 successful completion of these milestones is required to progress through the program. After a student has successfully passed the written and oral comprehensive examinations, and all required coursework, s/he is responsible for organizing a dissertation committee, developing and defending the dissertation proposal, and successfully completing the dissertation. The chairperson of the dissertation committee is the student's major advisor in formulating the dissertation proposal, conducting ongoing research, and preparing the final dissertation.

The dissertation proposal must provide a comprehensive overview of the proposed dissertation research study. The focus of the dissertation must be relevant to social work, social welfare and/or evidence based social work. Dissertation research is organized around one or more testable hypotheses or may be exploratory in nature.

The proposed dissertation must also be feasible in terms of the candidate's qualifications to complete the study, the data available, the resources required for the study, and a reasonable timeline for completion. All dissertations must be completed within five 5 years of passing oral comprehensive examination or students will be required to retake the oral comprehensive examination. Students must complete the dissertation within 10 years of the date of first enrollment in the doctoral program.

It is recommended that students successfully complete the dissertation proposal defense no later than the fifth 5th semester following the oral comprehensive examination. This then allows for five semesters to complete the entire dissertation before the 160 five year deadline regarding the oral comprehensive examination. Program academic advisor and director provide academic and faculty advisement, respectively, for students until a dissertation chairperson is chosen. Students are urged to consult with a wide range of faculty members on matters related to substantive research areas interest for their course of study. , or with a masters degree in a different discipline, may pursue a program of study that leads to both the m.s.w. Students are prepared to practice social work, conduct research, and hold high level positions in administration upon graduation from the dual program.

Upon acceptance, it will take approximately 3 189 years to complete the dual m.s.w./ph.d. Coursework with an additional 6 months to two 2 years allotted for completion of the doctoral dissertation. The general gre exam is the accepted graduate school entrance exam for both programs and applicants will need to plan ahead to ensure their scores are submitted before application deadlines. Most online phd programs in social work are designed to be completed on a part time basis in 4 5 years, which allows students to maintain their careers while pursuing the highest degree in their field. However, it could take up to seven years to meet the program requirements depending on how long it takes students to complete their dissertation. The program focuses on interdisciplinary scholarly research, data analysis and statistics in the realm of social work and courses that emphasize advanced social work theory.