Social Work PhD

PhD students take 11 3-credit courses and a 1-credit integrative seminar throughout their time in the program (34 credits total).

PhD Courses

All students are required to take the following courses:

• Quantitative Scientific Methods  
• Introduction to Statistics and Data Analysis
• Introduction to Multiple Variable Statistics
• Intervention Research
• Survey Research Methods
• Qualitative Scientific Methods
• Qualitative Data Analysis
• Social and Behavioral Theory
• Philosophy of Science
• Policy Analysis in Political, Social and Economic Contexts
• Integrating Public Policy Issues and Outcomes into Social Work Research
• Teaching Methodologies, Course Design and Assessment
• Integrative Seminar

The PhD program prepares students to become effective educators. Students receive formal training in the classroom and through a teaching practicum with our seasoned professors as part of the program requirements. Students entering with prior teaching experience work with their advisor and program director to ensure they add new knowledge and skills to their teaching portfolio. Qualified students are able to apply to the School of Social Work’s adjunct instructor pool to teach online and/or on-ground at any time.

The PhD Program is a research program. All courses have a research focus. The program advances student research skills through required methodological, statistical, and data analysis courses, and a required research practicum. It advances scholarly capacity to engage in high-level, meaningful science that improves the health and well-being of individuals and populations. Students have opportunities to participate in research assistantships internal and external to Simmons University.

Qualified students will take a comprehensive exam on curricular content from required coursework. Qualified students also will submit an empirical manuscript to a scientific peer-reviewed journal approved by the faculty. Upon meeting these requirements, the student will move into candidacy, and be eligible to begin dissertation work.

Students must complete a dissertation to graduate. The dissertation is an independent research project that demonstrates the candidate's ability to successfully engage in scholarly work. Specifically, the candidate will demonstrate empirical and conceptual knowledge, the ability to apply rigorous scientific methodology to a substantive area of study, and the capacity to articulate the applied relevance of the findings to the field. The Ph.D. candidate has the option to complete a traditional dissertation or three-paper dissertation.

The PhD program employs a mentorship model designed to help practitioners become scholars. Each student has a dedicated mentor, however our model emphasizes the importance of PhD program faculty and students working collaboratively to support student needs. We recognize that the professional development process is stronger when students hear diverse perspectives and faculty work together to help students develop their goals and plans for future success.