Ph.D. Program Overview

Goal

The goal of the Ph.D. program is to produce highly skilled social work researchers who can contribute to the knowledge base of the profession and disseminate this knowledge through the education and training of professional social workers. The purpose of doctoral education in social work is to foster an understanding and appreciation of the scientific method so that graduates can improve and extend the knowledge base of the profession through empirical research. Graduates of our program are prepared to assume leadership roles in social work education and research.

Curriculum

The first two semesters are spent taking 24 credit hours of foundation social work courses in six areas:

• Research Methodology
• Applied Statistics
• History and Philosophy of Social Work
• Issues in Direct Practice
• Issues in Management/Policy and Community Practice
• Programs and Legislation for Children and Families

The Ph.D. Qualifying Exam is usually taken in August following the student's first year in the program. The Qualifying Examination is a written examination required of all student entering doctoral programs at the University of Tennessee. Its purpose is to test the student's progress, general knowledge of fundamentals of the field, and fitness to continue into the more specialized components of the doctoral program. Students in the Ph.D. program in social work are tested in five areas:

• Research Methodology
• Statistics
• Social Work History
• Issues in Direct Practice
• Issues in Management/Policy and Community Practice

The third semester is usually spent taking elective courses and working on the Comprehensive Examination. Electives can be selected from a range of courses offered in the College of Social Work and related disciplines such as psychology, sociology, and counseling psychology. The Comprehensive Examination consists of a scholarly paper written by the student to demonstrate knowledge of a specific specialized area and an integration of that area with the program's core content. Following successful completion of the Comprehensive Examination, students focus on the development of their Dissertation Proposal, the completion of their dissertation research, and the successful writing and defense of the dissertation.

It is expected that the foundation curriculum, electives, and the qualifying and comprehensive examinations will be completed on a full time basis. Dissertation research may be completed on a planned part-time basis.

Financial Aid

Financial aid is available to qualified students in the form of fellowships, scholarships, and teaching and research assistantships. Graduate assistantships and other forms of assistance are awarded on the basis of merit and the interests of the applicants accepted into the program.