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Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work Program (PhD)

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Sample Full Time Plan | Sample Part Time Plan | Application Materials

As the profession of social work advances, the need for validation of customary methods and creative innovations based on behavioral and social science theory and findings is critical. An era of social experimentation has called old programs into question, led to new, large-scale programmatic efforts, and created huge, complex programs which cost billions annually. In addition, social welfare and social service policy continue to devolve from the national government placing increased responsibilities on regional, state, and local governments to ameliorate social problems and facilitate orderly program development and evaluation. Further, public attention to welfare is intensifying the demands on academic research as social service administrators seek assistance with research and policy analysis.

The nation faces a critical shortage of qualified personnel who possess the rigorous research skills needed to develop, plan, and evaluate social work interventions and the structure of social services. Doctoral programs in social work are the major resource for social work researchers and scholars. While these programs play an essential role in social work education as the training ground for those who build and disseminate the profession’s knowledge base, there has been little change in the number of doctoral graduates over the past two decades. The rapid growth and development in new social work undergraduate and graduate programs throughout the country has also increased the demand for doctoral social work faculty. In recent years, there have been 400-500 doctoral faculty vacancies advertised annually in schools of social work, while the number of graduates has remained at 250-300 per year, with one hundred of those graduates seeking non-academic positions.

While demand for doctoral graduates in social work is expanding nationally, specific conditions in Missouri require the skills and expertise of social work researchers and scholars trained at the highest level of competence. Like many other states, Missouri faces a number of socioeconomic and demographic challenges resulting in the need for new, effective social services. In Fiscal Year 2001, the governor’s budget for the Department of Social Services accounted for over 27%, or 5.2 billion dollars, of the total state of Missouri budget. The total exceeded 38%, or 7.2 billion dollars, when including funding for corrections, mental health, health, juvenile justice, and the healthy families initiative. There are no other doctoral-level social work programs available in public higher education in Missouri.

The MU program is distinctive nationally in its focus on social welfare problem-solving and social policy planning for services administered and/or funded by state government with an interdisciplinary orientation. Our program prepares researchers and scholars trained at the highest level of competence. The PhD program prepares graduates as educators and researchers with knowledge and skills to inform policymaking, program development and evaluation, and research on clinical practice issues. This program builds upon MU’s mission of service to the state as a land-grant university extending it into the 21st century and is in keeping with MU’s stature as a Carnegie Doctoral/Research Extensive institution.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the PhD program is limited and determined on a competitive basis. The doctoral faculty of the School, sitting as a committee as a whole, makes admission decisions. All completed applications received by January 15 will be reviewed concurrently for Fall admission. If additional slots are available after that time, applications will be reviewed as received. Criteria used in assessing an applicant’s qualifications include all of the following:

1. A Master of Social Work degree or related masters is required. Applicants without the MSW must take a minimum of 12 credit hours of MSW course work.
2. A minimum grade point average of 3.0 for the final 60 hours of the baccalaureate degree generally will be required. A minimum 3.5 GPA for graduate work will be required.
3. A current Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required. No specific numeric threshold is required; however a typical score for social work PhD applicants exceeds 1200 on three scales. The TOEFL will be required for international students who have English as a second language.
4. Three letters of recommendation are required. (Two from individuals with earned doctorates.)
5. A professional resume highlighting social work experience is required. There is no specific requirement regarding experience, however, a minimum of two years’ postmasters practice experience is encouraged.
6. A writing proficiency sample is required (e.g., previous publication or academic paper).
7. A personal interview is required, and if possible, will be arranged at MU. A telephone interview may be utilized in some cases.

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Graduation Requirements

The PhD curriculum consists of a minimum of 51 post MSW semester credit hours divided among three distinct but highly interrelated elements designed to complement one another in assisting students to achieve the competencies expected of a graduate of this program. A core of social work courses provides the foundation in the traditions and knowledge in the profession and exposure to state- of-the-art research and techniques for the 21st century. Electives from the broad spectrum of social and behavioral sciences offering available through MU departments provide students with the opportunity to design an individualized program of study that capitalizes on their unique interests and talents. A strong regimen of research methodology, theory and policy analysis are design to prepare students for use of both current and emerging methods of scientific inquiry. The policy of the MU Graduate School is that students have 5 years to complete their coursework and 5 years beyond the comprehensive exam in which to complete the dissertation.

Students without a MSW degree (21 hours)

Students entering the program who do not have an MSW degree are required to take up to 21 hours of Graduate Social Work Foundation coursework prior to beginning doctoral studies. These hours must be taken from the first year plan of study in the MSW curriculum.

Social Work courses (20 credit hours)

The School of Social Work offers courses in theory, research methods, and policy as a foundation for building more specialized knowledge. Other components include a research practicum, dissertation seminar, and dissertation hours. Elective opportunities may be offered including independent study or an additional research practicum with a faculty mentor.

Elective Courses (15 hours)

In consultation with the advisor and with approval of the committee a regimen comprising a minimum of 5 elective courses from social and behavioral sciences, one of which must be a research design and methodology course are required. The individualized plan of study may concentrate in one discipline or field or may be an interdisciplinary support area depending on the student's area of specialization and research emphasis.

Statistics (6 hours)

A minimum of 6 hours of statistic courses are required. The coursework may be taken within the School of Social Work or in other departments.

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Sample PhD Study Plan - Full Time (9 hours per Semester)

SESSION I (9 hours) - Fall

Knowledge Building I - SW 9100

Research Methods - SW 9300

Statistics

SESSION II (9 hours) - Spring

Knowledge Building II - SW 9400

Social Welfare Policy Analysis - SW 9700

Advanced Statistics

SESSION III (3 hours) - Summer

Qualifying Exam

Elective

SESSION IV (9 hours) - Fall

Research Applications I

Elective

Elective

SESSION V (9 hours) - Spring

Dissertation Seminar

Elective

Elective

SESSION VI (3 hours) - Summer

Comprehensive Exam

Dissertation Hours

After the completion of all required coursework and the comprehensive exam requirement, students must then continue to enroll in enough hours to meet the continuous enrollment requirement and complete a minimum of 12 hours of dissertation credit.

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Sample PhD Study Plan - Full Time (9 hours per Semester)

SESSION I (6 hours) - Fall

Knowledge Building I - SW 9100

Research Methods - SW 9300

SESSION II (6 hours) - Spring

Knowledge Building II - SW 9400

Social Welfare Policy Analysis - SW 9700

SESSION III (3 hours) - Summer

Qualifying Exam

Elective

SESSION IV (6 hours) - Fall

Research Applications I

Statistics

SESSION V (6 hours) - Spring

Advance Statistics

Elective

SESSION VI (6 hours) - Fall

Elective

Elective

SESSION VI (6 hours) - Spring

Dissertation Seminar

Elective

SESSION VI (3 hours) - Smmer

Comprehensive Exam

Dissertation Hours

After the completion of all required coursework and the comprehensive exam requirement, students must then continue to enroll in enough hours to meet the continuous enrollment requirement and complete a minimum of 12 hours of dissertation credit.

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Application Materials

Admission to the PhD program requires acceptance by the School of Social Work and admission to the Graduate School. Students are encouraged to submit applications early.

The following items must be submitted directly to the Graduate Admission Office:

Graduate Admissions
210 Jesse Hall
Columbia, MO 65211

1. Graduate School Online Application for Admission
2. Official Transcripts
3. Official GRE Scores sent directly from the Educational Testing Service to the Graduate Admission Office.

The following items must be submitted directly to the School of Social Work for review:

Doctoral Program Secretary
School of Social Work
724 Clark Hall
Columbia, MO 65211

1. Three letters of Recommendation - at least two of your designated references must have earned doctorates. The letters of recommendation must arrive sealed at the School of Social Work.
2. Personal Statement of Interest (3-5 pages)
3. Resume
4. Professional Writing Sample
   

School of Social Work
University of Missouri
724 Clark Hall
Columbia, MO 65211
Phone: (573) 882-6206
FAX: (573) 882-8926
e-mail:ssw@missouri.edu

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