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Social Work (PhD)
SOCIAL WORK

THE DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY DEGREE

PhD in Social Work


Admission Requirements:

Admission criteria include the following:
  1. Completion of an MSW with a minimum 77% average.
  2. A statement of interest demonstrating a commitment to advanced scholarly study in research, teaching and leadership related to civic engagement in Social Work (this includes an identified area of interest and goals for addressing that interest in the Ph.D. program).
  3. A curriculum vitae demonstrating experience in Social Work, experience in their field of study, and research experience or potential.
  4. A sample of professional or academic writing.
  5. Three letters of reference.
  6. Applicants will be assessed on the basis of past academic achievement and demonstrated or potential capacity for doctoral level study. Applicants who do not meet the above criteria may be considered for admission with exceptional work experience, circumstances inhibiting performance, or applications deemed strong in most areas with one weak criterion.

Degree Requirements:
The proposed program is designed as a full-time doctoral program. All students complete a minimum of 7 three (3) credit courses during the two-year residency period, the courses are designed to give a full breadth of advanced research and practice knowledge in addition to a focus on pedagogy and leadership. In addition, a comprehensive proposal is due by April 15 of the first year. Once the comprehensive proposal is approved, the student is required to complete the comprehensive paper which is due by August 30 of the first year, and is expected to be reviewed by committee members by September 30th of the second year. The thesis proposal is then due at the end of the second term in the second year.

Courses:
SWRK-9720, SWRK-9730, SWRK-9740, SWRK-9741, SWRK-9743, SWRK-9744, SWRK-9795.

Comprehensive Paper
The comprehensive paper will include:
  1. an identification of a substantive area of interest;
  2. an identification of the lens through which the student approaches the topic;
  3. an analysis and critique of the literature addressing the scope, relevance, and severity of the issue;
  4. a description and critical analysis of the theoretical frameworks through which this issue has been addressed in the literature; and
  5. an analysis and critique of the interventions, and if possible the intervention research, that has been conducted in relation to the substantive area; and
  6. an analysis and critique of research studies conducted in this area with a focus on the implications of the research and the effectiveness of the methods used to inform practice and/or policy

The comprehensive proposal must be approved by the student's supervisor. The comprehensive paper must be approved by the student's supervisor and one other faculty member in the School of Social Work who typically will become the second reader on the thesis committee.

Once the comprehensive paper is approved, the student will proceed to Ph.D. candidate status. A supervisory committee must be established within one month after the comprehensive paper is approved. The supervisory committee must include at least three, and no more than five, faculty members who are appointed to the University of Windsor Faculty of Graduate Studies. This includes the supervisor. The committee is required to have one member who is external to the School of Social Work.

Progress reports
After the two-year residency period, all students will be required to demonstrate advancement in the program by completing an annual report to be submitted to the student's supervisor. This report will describe the accomplishments made over the previous year and outline the goals for the upcoming year.

Thesis evaluation procedures
Consistent with the Graduate Studies regulations, the student must successfully defend the thesis at an oral examination presided over by an Examination Committee. The committee consists of at least six members: the supervisory committee; an external member from outside the School of Social Work and within the University of Windsor; an external member outside the University of Windsor; and a representative of the Dean as approved by the Graduate Program Coordinator and the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

Language requirements
Proof of language proficiency is not required if English is the applicant's first language or if the applicant has completed at least two years of advanced full-time study at an accredited university in a country where English is the language of instruction. Where the above criteria are not met, a minimum TOEFL score of 600 (paper based) or 250 (computer based) or YELT score of Band 1 or equivalent will be required.

For more information, contact the School of Social Work.

SOCIAL WORK: COURSES
MSW/LLB: COURSES

SOCIAL WORK: PROGRAM

GRADUATE STUDIES FACULTY REGULATIONS