Degree requirements
The PhD curriculum consists of a minimum of 51 post-MSW credit hours divided among three distinct but highly interrelated elements designed to complement one another in helping students 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, available through other 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 is designed to prepare students to use both current and emerging methods of scientific inquiry.
The policy of the MU Graduate School is that students have 5 years to complete their course work and then 5 years beyond the comprehensive exam in which to complete the dissertation.
Students without a MSW degree (12 hours)
Students entering the program who do not have an MSW degree are required to take 12 hours of Graduate Social Work course work while in the program.
Social Work courses (30 credit hours)
A minimum of 6 hours of statistics courses are required. The course work may be taken within the School of Social Work or in other departments.
Sample PhD study plans
First year fall semester (8 hours)
- Topics: Applied Theory Workshop – SW 9001 (1 hr)
- Research Methods and Design I – SW 9300 (3 hrs)
- Statistics Course – SW 9150 (3 hrs)
- Pedagogical Methods in SW – SW 9650 (1 hr)
First year spring semester (10 hours)
- Advanced Stat (3 hrs)
- Topics: Qualitative Methods – SW 9001 (3 hrs)
- Elective course (3 hrs)
- Teaching Practicum in SW – SW 9090 (1 hr)
*Part One of the Qualifying Exam at the end of May
First year summer semester (3 hours)
- Elective course (3 hrs)
Second year fall semester (10 hours)
- Research Application I – SW 9800 (1 hr)
- Elective course (3 hrs)
- Advanced Statistics (3 hrs)
- Topics: Social Measurement – SW 9001 (3 hrs)
Second year spring semester (10 hours)
- Dissertation Seminar – SW 9890 (3 hrs)
- Research Application II – SW 9850 (1 hr)
- Elective course (3 hrs)
- Research Methods and Design II – SW 9350 (3 hrs)
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 requirements and complete a minimum of 12 hours of dissertation credit.
Second year summer semester
- Comprehensive examination (no credit)
Remaining semesters as necessary
- Dissertation hours – SW 9900 (12 hrs)
First year fall semester (7 hours)
- Topics: Applied Theory Workshop – SW 9001 (1 hr)
- Research Methods and Design I – SW 9300 (3 hrs)
- Statistics Course – SW 9150 (3 hrs)
First year spring semester (7 hours)
- Topics: Qualitative Methods – SW 9001 (3 hrs)
- Advanced Statistics (3 hrs)
- Pedagogical Methods in SW – SW 9650 (1 hr)
*Part One of the Qualifying Exam at the end of May
First year summer semester (4 hours)
- Elective course (3 hrs)
- Teaching Practicum in SW – SW 9090 (1 hr)
Second year fall semester (7 hours)
- Research Application I – SW 9800 (1 hr)
- Advanced Statistics (3 hrs)
- Topics: Social Measurement – SW 9001 (3 hrs)
Second year spring semester (7 hours)
- Research Methods and Design II – SW 9350 (3 hrs)
- Elective course (3 hrs)
- Research Application II – SW 9850 (1 hr)
Second year summer semester (3 hours)
- Elective course (3 hrs)
Third year fall semester (6 hours)
- Dissertation Seminar 9890 (3 hrs)
- Elective course (3 hrs)
- Comprehensive examination (no credit)
Following substantial completion of required coursework, a Comprehensive Exam (no credit hours earned) will be scheduled with your chair and committee. Upon successful completion of the exam, your schedule will be set with your committee.
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 requirements and complete a minimum of 12 hours of dissertation credit.
Remaining semesters as necessary
- Dissertation hours (minimum of 12 hours)