program goals and objectives
The primary goal of the Ph.D. program is to develop scholars who, through the conduct of original research and the generation of theory, will contribute to practice innovation and the knowledge base of professional social work practice. Graduates will be able to conduct independent research, provide leadership in building social work knowledge, and compete successfully for academic positions in social work or related disciplines.
Students in the Ph.D. program acquire knowledge and develop critical thinking in the following areas:
- Philosophy of science and knowledge development
- History of social work and social welfare
- Theories and models of clinical practice
- Quantitative and qualitative research methods
- Social science theories used to analyze social problems
- Social policies and methods used to analyze them
- Pedagogy in social work education
Note that the Ph.D. program does not prepare students for advanced practice in clinical social work or for licensure for social work practice in New York State. Students who have been granted an LMSW or LCSW license by the New York State Education Department may practice according to the guidelines of their particular license. Students who do not have either license may not provide professional services in New York State unless otherwise authorized by state law. Under state law, it is also not possible for students in the Ph.D. program to engage in a clinical practicum designed to prepare them for licensure.
degree requirements
In order to receive the Ph.D. degree in clinical social work students must complete a minimum of 60 credits beyond the master's level. Of these, 48 credits are in coursework, with a grade point average of at least 3.0, and 12 credits are in dissertation research. Following completion of the core curriculum, students must pass a written qualifying examination to enter candidacy status. Candidates for the Ph.D. degree must maintain continuous enrollment, and they must successfully defend a dissertation proposal within five years of finishing coursework and complete the dissertation no later than 10 years after enrolling in the program.