School of Social Work - Simmons College
School of Social Work - Simmons College
School of Social Work - Simmons College
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WWW.SIMMONS.EDU/SSW 30<br />
THE DOCTORAL PROGRAM<br />
Preparing practice-scholars<br />
Grounded in the recognition that direct practice and scholarly inquiry are complementary,<br />
<strong>Simmons</strong>’s Ph.D. in <strong>Social</strong> <strong>Work</strong> prepares advanced clinical scholars for careers that significantly<br />
impact the direction <strong>of</strong> our pr<strong>of</strong>ession, particularly in research and higher education.<br />
The Doctoral Program builds on our school’s mission to contribute to the development <strong>of</strong><br />
the social work pr<strong>of</strong>ession in a multicultural society, to enhance the human service delivery<br />
system, and to work toward the goal <strong>of</strong> social justice.<br />
PROGRAM STRUCTURE<br />
Designed for practicing social work clinicians, the<br />
Doctoral Program is <strong>of</strong>fered on a part-time basis.<br />
No clinical practicum is required, although students<br />
should currently be involved in clinical practice.<br />
Graduation requires a total <strong>of</strong> 45 credits (15 courses),<br />
plus successful completion <strong>of</strong> a comprehensive<br />
qualifying paper and the doctoral dissertation.<br />
The class schedule ordinarily consists <strong>of</strong> two courses<br />
during each <strong>of</strong> the two semesters (fall and spring),<br />
with additional opportunities for elective course study<br />
in the summer. Doctoral-level courses are demanding,<br />
and students must plan accordingly. Students<br />
typically find that six to ten hours a week per course<br />
<strong>of</strong> outside classroom work is necessary to accommodate<br />
reading and writing assignments. Most students<br />
complete the program, including their dissertation<br />
defense, in five to seven years.<br />
COURSEWORK<br />
The Program allows for flexibility. However, all<br />
students are required to take the following 11 courses<br />
(33 credits):<br />
SW-650: A Research Framework for Viewing<br />
Clinical Practice<br />
SW-651: Introduction to Statistics and Data Analysis<br />
SW-652: Introduction to Multivariate Statistics<br />
SW-654: Qualitative Research Methods<br />
SW-631: Ways <strong>of</strong> Knowing in Clinical Practice<br />
SW-610: Theoretical Approaches to Understanding<br />
Human Behavior, Development, and Change<br />
SW-630: Advanced Clinical Practice<br />
SW-670: Integrating Public Policy Issues and Outcomes<br />
Into <strong>Social</strong> <strong>Work</strong> Research<br />
SW-671: Learning and Teaching in Higher Education<br />
SW-632: Writing the Stories <strong>of</strong> Clinical <strong>Social</strong> <strong>Work</strong><br />
SW-653: Dissertation Proposal Seminar<br />
“ I chose <strong>Simmons</strong> because it has the reputation as ‘the’<br />
clinical practice social work program. It honors and builds<br />
on my 20 years <strong>of</strong> practice experience while giving me<br />
the skills to be a researcher. The supportive faculty are<br />
not only interested in my topic but also me as a person<br />
— what I want to do and where I want to be.”<br />
TAMARA CADET, DOCTORAL CANDIDATE