| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| SWRK 6000 | Foundations of Theory Development in Social Work | 3 |
| SWRK 6010 | Principles of Statistics & Data Analysis | 3 |
| SWRK 6020 | Research Design & Measurement | 3 |
| SWRK 6030 | Multivariate Data Analysis | 3 |
| SWRK 6040 | Research Area Synthesis | 3 |
| SWRK 6050 | Advanced Social Work Data Analysis | 3 |
| Methods Courses | 6 | |
Select 6 credits | ||
| Elective Courses | 36 | |
Select 36 credits 1 | ||
| Dissertation | 12 | |
SWRK 6990 | Dissertation Research | |
| Total Credits | 72 | |
- 1
Students can petition to have up to 24 credits of electives count toward the 72-credit total from an approved M.S.W. or closely-related Master’s degree.
Non-Course Requirements
Written Exam
As required by the Office of Graduate Education, the doctoral program administers written examinations following successful completion of the doctoral course series, the methods core coursework and the required elective courses. The written examinations are structured to assess the student's knowledge and skills in the foundational, contextual, methodological and analytical skills needed of all social work researchers.
The written examination assesses students’ achievement of the doctoral competencies covered within the general and concentration curricula and also reflects their expertise in a specific area of research. The written examinations combine two components:
- Foundation (theory, methods, statistics) material
- Research area
The written exam is conducted by a committee of three faculty members who are likely to compose the dissertation committee. Questions are approved by the director of the doctoral program. The exam takes place across two sequential days and can be arranged anytime during the school year. The written exam should reflect competencies covered in the doctoral course series and reflected topically in the research area synthesis. As such, questions can be generated that focus on a research area but are also tied to theoretical and methodological issues.
Oral Examination
The oral examination is intended to focus on the proposal of the dissertation. The presentation usually consists of a statement of the problem, literature review and the research design prepared for the investigation. The exam is structured to assess the student’s comprehensive knowledge of prior literature, ability to integrate knowledge across the discipline, and ability to design an appropriate research approach that significantly expands this body of knowledge. This is when the student presents a proposal for what they intend to do prior to actually starting their research.
The oral examination must follow the written exams and is normally scheduled after the student completes all structured academic coursework.
Defense of the Dissertation
Upon completion of the dissertation, students publicly present and defend their dissertation before their dissertation committee.
Continuation Standards
Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses.
Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.
Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.
This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| SWRK 6000 | Foundations of Theory Development in Social Work | 3 |
| SWRK 6010 | Principles of Statistics & Data Analysis | 3 |
| Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| SWRK 6020 | Research Design & Measurement | 3 |
| SWRK 6030 | Multivariate Data Analysis | 3 |
| Methods Course 1 | 3 | |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| SWRK 6050 | Advanced Social Work Data Analysis | 3 |
| Methods Course 1 | 3 | |
| Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| SWRK 6040 | Research Area Synthesis | 3 |
| Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| Completion of Written Exam, Teaching Experience, and Workshop from Center for Transformative Teaching and Learning | ||
| SWRK 6990 | Dissertation Research | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| Completion of Oral Exam, Teaching Experience, and Workshop from Center for Transformative Teaching and Learning | ||
| SWRK 6990 | Dissertation Research | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Fall | ||
| SWRK 6990 | Dissertation Research | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| Completion of Dissertation Defense | ||
| SWRK 6990 | Dissertation Research | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 48 | |
- 1
Behavioral Science, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, or Other
- 2
To be determined by the student and mentor based on the needs for the overall plan of study. Can be taken in departments inside or outside of the School
- 3
Students can petition to have up to 24 credits of electives count toward the 72-credit total from an approved M.S.W. or closely-related Master’s degree.
Program Notes
If the student plans an academic career, it is valuable to obtain teaching experience. These experiences can be obtained via assisting a faculty member with a course or independent teaching. In addition, the Center for Transformative Teaching and Learning offers workshops and a certificate in teaching that can be obtained while being a doctoral student.
For admission questions contact:
Social Work School Graduate Admissions Office
SSWadmissions@slu.edu
314-977-2752
For program questions contact:
Michael Vaughn, Ph.D.
Director of Ph.D. program in social work
Professor of Social Work
michael.vaughn@slu.edu
314-977-2718