Social Work
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Total Credits
Program Graduation Requirements
The Ph.D. degree requires a master’s degree plus a minimum of 50 credit hours beyond the master’s degree (a minimum of 30 core, 6 elective, and 14 dissertation hours). The following are also required:
Two years of graduate study beyond the master’s degree. At least two consecutive semesters of full-time study (nine credit hours) must be taken in residence.
The core courses provide students with knowledge and skills critical for creative problem-solving in the profession. Students are required to complete 30 credit hours in core courses. In addition, students are required to complete at least 6 hours of electives.
Satisfactory performance on a qualifying examination. The Ph.D. Committee will establish the requirements for the qualifying examination, which may include but not be limited to a written comprehensive examination.
Admission to Ph.D. candidacy by vote of the Ph.D. Committee upon completion of the qualifying examination and coursework.
Completion of an approved dissertation including at least 14 hours of dissertation research.
Successful defense of the dissertation, including a dissertation proposal presented prior to the student’s defense.
Completion of all dissertation work within three years from the date of admission to candidacy (unless an extension is approved by the Ph.D. Committee).
Completion of all course work toward the degree within seven years of admission to the program (unless an extension is approved by the Ph.D. Committee and The Graduate School, University of Utah).
*For specific curriculum information contact the program at 801-585-5979.
Program specialization is tailored to each student’s needs and interests. A minimum of six (6) elective credit hours are required in coursework focused on a content area or issue of interest to each student. At least three of these must be taken outside the College of Social Work. In addition, students may enroll in guided readings or independent study with faculty throughout the University. Study should be focused on the development of knowledge and skill in a substantive area within the field of social welfare. Substantive areas are usually characterized by the selection of a social problem (e.g., child abuse, mental illness, delinquency) on which to focus study and develop expertise. Students are expected to develop substantive knowledge that relates to the variety of people and populations-including minorities and women-that are affected by the social problem. Study also includes a focus on a range of interventive strategies and public policies that might be used to effect social change related to the problem.
Three statistics courses are required to complete the program. Additional statistics courses at the University are encouraged.
Students are required to present a dissertation proposal to a faculty committee after candidacy has been granted. Upon completion of dissertation research, students defend their research at a meeting open to the University community.