Accordingly, we emphasize the creative and evaluative skills necessary for independent inquiry. The program prepares students to be knowledgeable in the following:

• Relevant areas of the social and behavioral sciences
• Research design, statistics, qualitative methods, mixed methods, and the philosophy of science
• Theory-building and theories of social welfare
• Methods for the application and transmission of knowledge in the human services

In addition to this foundation knowledge, students develop specialized expertise in program planning, evaluation, or social work practice theory and in one or more substantive areas of social welfare. An effort is made to provide an educational climate in which critical analysis and creative thinking flourish. The program core emphasizes philosophical and scientific approaches to theory development, the content and boundaries of theoretical social welfare, statistics, and advanced research methodologies, and the social and behavioral science foundations underpinning social welfare programs and social work practice.

The area of specialization enables the student to apply social science theory, analytical approaches, and research tools to a social problem or issue in social work. Students are encouraged to focus on a substantive social problem during the period of specialization. This facilitates the development of a dissertation proposal. Permeating the content of the entire program is a focus on the development and transmission of knowledge as a part of an educational process.

To prepare students for academic careers in social work education is an integral part of the educational plan. Teaching mentorships and classroom teaching experiences are available.

Students can pursue special interests through individual reading and research projects. In addition, regular course offerings in other departments of the university are available to students. Practical experiences in faculty-conducted research projects are made available to doctoral students.

A total of 43 credit hours of coursework is required, plus 18 hours of dissertation credit. A qualifying examination, given after completion of coursework, determines each student’s eligibility for degree candidacy. The degree is awarded following successful completion of the dissertation.

The school reserves the right to require additional courses, which may not be credited toward the doctoral requirements if the faculty believes the student has insufficient knowledge in core areas of the curriculum, or to assist students in their intellectual and professional development.