With the enrollment of a small group of highly qualified experienced social workers, the School of Social Work established the first social work doctoral program in the Western United States in 1953. Over the years, the school has continued the tradition of providing opportunities for learning in small classes, seminars and tutorials.

The major goal of the doctoral program in social work is to produce social work scholars who will have the capacity to make valuable and significant contributions to the knowledge base of the profession. It is believed that students who acquire the skills necessary to become professional scholars also develop a significant capacity and ability for professional leadership. Toward this end, the school is committed to pursuing excellence in education with persons of definite promise and to seeking gifted students of varied social, ethnic and economic backgrounds.

Through training in specific areas, graduates of the program develop theoretical, conceptual, critical and analytic skills which can be applied to social, organizational, interpersonal and personal problems. They emerge from the program with the knowledge base for approaching problems, a systematic way of developing approaches to their solutions, and the analytic skills for determining if the proposed solutions work. With these skills, they are able to take a disciplined approach to the issues which are confronted by the profession and its practitioners and are prepared to make a significant contribution to the core knowledge of the profession through research and other forms of scholarship and the dissemination of this knowledge.

The Ph.D. program in social work is administered by the Doctoral Committee of the School of Social Work in accordance with the policies set by the Graduate School. The requirements listed below are special to the School of Social Work and must be read in conjunction with the general requirements of the Graduate School.

Admission Requirements

Applicants for admission to the doctoral program must meet the following requirements:

(1) A master's degree from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

(2) Graduate standing at the University of Southern California.

(3) Academic promise, as evidenced by above average achievement in undergraduate and professional education.

(4) Professional competence as demonstrated through substantial experience in responsible social work positions subsequent to the master's program.

(5) Personal qualities compatible with performance in social work and indicating a potential for leadership in the field; skill in relationships, flexibility and openness to new ideas, maturity, identification with the profession of social work, and commitment to furthering the development of the profession.

(6) Satisfactory performance on the Graduate Record Examinations - existing test scores may be submitted if the GRE has been completed no more than five years prior to the date of application. Information may be obtained from the USC Testing Bureau, YWCA 104, University of Southern California, University Park, Los Angeles, CA 90007.

(7) Submission of application materials as required. Instructions for application to the Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work program may be obtained by writing to the director of the program.

Under unusual circumstances, applications from persons who do not meet these requirements, including those who have just been awarded the M.S.W. degree, will be considered. In cases where the M.S.W. (or its equivalent) have recently been granted and the applicant does not have the prerequisite post-master's degree employment experience, it is required that such experience be acquired concurrent with enrollment in the doctoral program.

Applications may also be considered from people with demonstrated practice strengths and a commitment to the profession of social work who do not meet either the GPA or GRE requirements of the university. Such applicants, if admitted to the program, may be admitted on conditional status for their first semester in the program and may be allowed to begin the program on a part-time basis only.

Under very unusual circumstances, applications to the doctoral program in social work will be considered from those who do not hold the M.S.W. or an equivalent degree. Such applicants, in order to be admitted to the program, must have a master's degree (or its equivalent) in a field related to social work, a demonstrated commitment to the field of social work as evidenced by substantial work experience in the field and must demonstrate high potential for both success in the program and for making a substantial contribution to the knowledge base of the profession. Admission decisions on applicants who do not hold an M.S.W. or equivalent degree will be made by the full Doctoral Program Committee of the School of Social Work rather than by a subcommittee of that body.

Priority will be given to applications which are completed by February 1.

Application Procedure

All applicants to the doctoral program must submit the following information: (1) university application; (2) Ph.D. Information Form for the School of Social Work; (3) personal statement of objectives; (4) current vita; (5) four letters of reference; (6) all undergraduate and graduate transcripts; (7) recent GRE scores; and (8) examples of appropriate written work.

Foreign Language/Research Requirements

There is no foreign language requirement for the Ph.D. degree. Competence in advanced research methodology and statistics is required through satisfactory completion of required courses.

Course Requirements

Students must complete a minimum of 40 course units beyond the master's degree (exclusive of 794 Doctoral Dissertation). Students must complete at least 32 units within the School of Social Work and at least two courses in other departments or schools within the university. An overall grade point average of B (3.0) on all graduate work attempted is required for graduation.

Core Content

All students in the doctoral program are expected to master core content in the development of social work and social welfare programs; comparative theories of social work practice broadly defined; comparative theories of human and social behavior at all levels of interaction; explanatory theories of social problems and social welfare; epistemology, the philosophy of science and basic research skills (methodological and statistical) for the development and testing of professional knowledge; and ethical systems and their application to professional practice in its broadest sense.

Required courses		Units
SOWK 702	Theories of Human Behavior in the Contexts of Social Environments	3
SOWK 703	Explanatory Theories for Larger Social Systems	3
SOWK 733	Social Policy in the United States	3
SOWK 743	Theories for Practice with Small Systems, or
SOWK 744	Theories for Practice with Large Systems	3
SOWK 760L	Introduction to Social Work Statistics	4
SOWK 761L	Multivariate Statistics	4
SOWK 762	Social Work Research Methods I	3
SOWK 763	Social Work Research Methods II: Issues in Research for Social Work Practice	3

Individualized Course of Study

The second year of the curriculum is largely individualized to meet each student's educational goals. It is organized around a specific field of social work practice. During this phase of study, students gain knowledge of that field's development and policies; one level of comparative practice theory applicable to that field; comparative explanatory theory appropriate to the field and the chosen practice level; and advanced research methods which can be used to explore field-specific questions.

Field of Practice

is defined as a field of activity in which there is an identifiable service delivery system, a continuum of care for clients exists, and there is a defined or established role for social workers.

Given the current expertise of the faculty and available faculty resources, students may choose from the following fields of practice specialization: (1) family and children, (2) mental health, (3) health, (4) occupational/industrial employment, (5) aging/gerontology, or (6) economic security/income maintenance.

Additional fields of practice can be added to the above choices depending on faculty interest, expertise and availability.

Practice Theory

is defined as advanced knowledge of comparative practice theories at one point on the intervention continuum as they relate to the field of practice chosen. The practice intervention continuum is defined to include practice with individuals, families and groups, as well as community practice, administration, planning, and policy practice.

Explanatory Theory

is defined as advanced knowledge of comparative social science theories as they relate to the field of practice and level of intervention chosen.

Specialized Research Skills

is defined as advanced skills in research methodology and statistics which support the student's dissertation within the field of practice.

Students fulfill the requirement for the mastery of the content of their individualized course of study through a combination of at least three (2 credit) directed tutorials (SOWK 790) with members of the Social Work faculty and at least two university courses.

For students to enter their course of individualized study at the beginning of their second year of full-time study, they and their advisor begin planning their individualized curriculum during the first semester of the first year in the program. Students are required to file and have approved a plan of individualized study. This plan enumerates the way in which the student will reach mastery of the second year content through a combination of individual and group tutorials and university courses. This plan is filed with the doctoral committee, which reviews and approves the plans submitted.

Opportunities for Further Skill Development

The program offers, on an elective basis, skills training in both teaching and research to students.

Teaching Skills

An optional sequence of courses and experiences for students who enter the Ph.D. program with the goal of teaching in a social work program is offered within the program. In the spring semester, SOWK 780 Adult Learning Theory and Social Work Education is offered as an elective open to any second year doctoral student. From those who complete this course, teaching fellows are chosen for a directed mentorship (SOWK 781) with a member of the Social Work faculty. (The availability of teaching mentorships is based on the needs of the school and determined in consultation with the Associate Dean.) The school makes every effort to ensure that teaching fellows who satisfactorily complete their mentorship are offered the opportunity to teach in the M.S.W. program as temporary adjunct faculty members.

Additional Research Skills

Students are also offered the opportunity for enhanced skills building in research through a research internship. This one- or two-semester internship (SOWK 785ab), starting typically in the spring of the second year, is designed to provide students with hands-on, practical experience with an ongoing faculty research project prior to the start of their own dissertation research. Typically, activities include data collection and/or analysis. The practicum is expected to yield a paper of publishable quality co-authored by the student and the faculty member.

From time to time, when faculty and student interests and availability coincide, and also when distinguished visiting faculty are visiting the school, a number of different special topics courses (SOWK 699) are offered, such as social and cultural aspects of behavior, theories of adult life span development, divorce and remarriage, political and legislative systems, and so on. Students may enroll in SOWK 699 Special Topics by petitioning the doctoral committee in writing. The decision to grant or deny admission will be based on each applicant's learning and research interests and permission of the instructor.

The usual program includes two years of full-time course work, plus an additional period for completing the qualifying examinations and dissertation. Students who are not able to take the full-time program because of employment may spread course work out over three years. They must, however, have the equivalent of full-time study in residence for at least one year.

Students should specify whether they are applying for the full-time or part-time program at the time they apply to the program. Part-time students usually carry two courses per semester during the academic year. They may wish to accelerate their progress by enrolling in appropriate courses when available during the summer session.

The time limit for completing all requirements for the Ph.D. degree is eight years from the first course taken at USC to be applied toward the degree. Students who have completed an applicable master's degree at USC or elsewhere (almost all students in the social work doctoral program) must complete the Ph.D. in six years.

Transfer of Credit

The transfer of post-master's doctoral course work from another institution will only be considered if a grade of B or better (A = 4.0) has been obtained, and the course has been completed within the last five years. Transfer of credits must be petitioned and approved by both the School of Social Work and the Graduate School.

Screening Procedures

When students have completed a minimum of 16 units (but not more than 24 units) of doctoral course work, the doctoral committee assesses their performance and makes a decision about their readiness to continue in the program. If the decision is to deny permission to continue, the students are so notified. If the decision is to grant permission to continue, the students are so notified, and a guidance committee is established.

Guidance Committee

The guidance committee is composed of five faculty members, four of whom are from the School of Social Work and one from an academic unit of the university other than the School of Social Work. The function of the guidance committee is to oversee the development of the student's academic program through the qualifying examinations.

Qualifying Examinations

As a prerequisite to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree, students must pass written and oral qualifying examinations. In order to take examinations, students must complete all core courses, at least six units of SOWK 790 and at least 32 units of course work in the doctoral program with a grade point average of at least 3.0 in all course work attempted.

The written examination is comprehensive in nature and necessitates independent study beyond course requirements. It is designed to test mastery of knowledge and scholarly skills as well as to test the students' readiness to undertake independent research.

The qualifying examination is written by a committee of five faculty members, one of whom must be from another university department or school. The qualifying examination is related to the student's specialized, individualized course of study and will ascertain the student's mastery of knowledge about a field of practice and its attending policies and comparative practice theories, comparative explanatory theories, and appropriate research methodology as they relate to that field of practice. Each examination is individually prepared for a specific student and has four parts. The examinations are approved by the chair of the doctoral committee.

To allow students time to think constructively, synthesize knowledge, organize thoughts and present their best possible work, the qualifying examination is in a take-home format. Students are given two weeks to complete the examination (typed, with appropriate citations). The student is limited to 20 typed pages per examination section. Each of the four sections of the examination is graded either high pass, pass or fail. If all portions of the examination are graded as high pass, students pass the examination "with distinction."

Students are required to retake only those parts of the examination which they fail and will be given four days in which to complete any failed section. The retake takes place no less than six months and no more than one year after the first examination.

Within two weeks of passing the written examination, students complete their oral examination, which is conducted by the committee that prepared the written examination. Orals focus on areas examined in the written examination but may go beyond this content as long as the material is consistent with the student's individually designed reading list. In addition to testing knowledge of specific areas, the oral examination determines the student's readiness to undertake the dissertation. Oral examinations are graded in the same manner as the written examination.

In accordance with university policy, since the two portions of the qualifying examination are considered part of a single examination, only one retake of either portion of the examination is permitted. When the oral examination has been passed, the student is formally admitted to candidacy.

Doctoral Dissertation

When the student is admitted to candidacy, a dissertation committee is established consisting of three members of the guidance committee, one of whom must be from outside the School of Social Work. The dissertation committee has the responsibility of providing consultation in research, approving the dissertation, conducting the final oral examination and recommending the candidate for the Ph.D. degree. The doctoral dissertation should make a contribution to knowledge and theory related to the profession of social work. Dissertations must not only show technical mastery of the subject and research methodology but must also demonstrate the candidate's ability to work independently as a scholar.

Development of dissertation research in the School of Social Work normally occurs in two stages. First, the student develops a dissertation prospectus. This 15- to 20-page document includes an introduction, a beginning literature review, and issues of methodology including research questions, design, preliminary work on instrumentation, anticipated sample, projected analysis and a preliminary outline for the completed dissertation. This prospectus is approved through a committee sign-off procedure, and a copy of this sign-off is kept by the director of the program.

After approval of the prospectus, the student develops a dissertation proposal. This is a more complete, fuller document, constituting an introduction, literature review and a full and complete explication of the research methodology. Included are the research design, complete instrumentation, sampling procedures including guarantees of access to the anticipated sample, and plan for analysis. Before sign-off, but after approval by the student's committee, human subjects clearance through the school and university is completed.

It is expected that students will begin work on their dissertation prospectus as soon as possible after completion of the examinations, and that an acceptable prospectus will be presented within three months of the completion of the examinations.

During the development of their dissertation research, students are encouraged to hold a colloquium. This colloquium is sponsored by the Hamovitch Research Center, encourages a free interchange of ideas among all doctoral students and faculty and fosters a culture in which the public presentation of one's work or proposed work is encouraged and welcomed.

Abstract of Dissertation

Since the abstract of the dissertation is also published in Dissertation Abstracts International, it should be written with care and must be representative of the final draft of the dissertation. A shorter abstract for publication in Social Work Research and Abstracts is also required.

Final Oral Examination

Upon approval of the final draft of the dissertation by all members of the dissertation committee, the candidate must pass a general final oral examination. After the candidate successfully completes the final oral examination, the committee recommends the candidate to the Graduate School for the Ph.D. degree.

The Hamovitch Research Center

The Hamovitch Research Center, housed at the School of Social Work, fosters the conduct of basic and applied research focused on the needs, behaviors and problems of vulnerable groups, and on the service delivery systems related to them.

To advance social services and develop knowledge to meet the needs of vulnerable populations, the mission of the Research Center is to engage in research, demonstration and application in the following areas: (1) building and testing theory; (2) developing research instruments; (3) developing and testing models of service and treatment modalities; (4) evaluating programs and service delivery systems to serve vulnerable populations; and (5) policy analysis.

The center provides opportunities for doctoral students to acquire research training through on-going and newly initiated faculty research projects; doctoral students are encouraged to apply to participate in such projects. Such involvement often leads to dissertation possibilities for students.

Pre-doctoral fellowships and/or research assistantships for projects conducted at the center are, at times, available to incoming and ongoing doctoral students. Doctoral students are also encouraged to conduct their own research through the auspices of the center, including their dissertation research. All doctoral students are encouraged to attend and participate in the center's colloquia and programs as a means of enhancing their involvement with and skills in research and knowledge development.

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