Field Office ManualPh.D. Course Curriculum
The curriculum strives to achieve a balance between research and theory, and includes courses in social policy, social work practice theory, social justice, and social science knowledge. Forty-eight (48) semester credit hours (SCH) is required for the Ph.D. degree: 39 hours in coursework and 9 hours in Dissertation Research.
The student's program of study encompasses the following courses:
Research
SOCW 8320: Multivariate Statistics I Cr. 3 (3-0).
Prerequisite: Satisfactory completion of a graduate level statistics course prior to enrolling in the course; or, by special arrangement with the Doctoral Program Director which may include a testing-out process. Emphasizes advanced statistical procedures, including multiple regression analysis, analysis of variance, analysis of covariance, and multivariate analysis of variance.
SOCW 8321: Multivariate Statistics II Cr. 3 (3-0).
Prerequisite: SOCW 8321: Multivariate Statistics I. Emphasizes advanced statistical procedures, including discriminant analysis, loglinear, logistic regression meta-analysis and path analysis.
SOCW 8322: Quantitative Research Methods Cr. 3 (3-0).
Prerequisite: SOCW 8320 or consent of instructor. Emphasizes quantitative research methodologies and designs, including experimental, quasi-experimental, and single system designs.
SOCW 8323: Qualitative Research Methods Cr. 3 (3-0).
Prerequisite: SOCW 8320 or consent of instructor. Prepares students to use qualitative research methods including the use of appropriate theories, research designs, data collection methods and analysis. Content includes use of grounded theory, ethnography, participation-observation, field research, and document and content analysis. Examples of qualitative research in social work and related fields are examined.
Theory
SOCW 8330: Philosophy of Science Cr. 3 (3-0).
Prerequisite: Doctoral standing in social work. Focuses on epistemology for social work practice and education, and the nature, uses, and limitations of research. Distinctions between philosophy of science and a profession's philosophy and particular value orientation are explored.
SOCW 8331: Social Justice Theories and Research in Social Work Cr. 3 (3-0).
Prerequisite: Doctoral standing. Focuses on social change and social work scholarship. Contextualizes social work practice toward understanding social problems, processes, and solutions. Examines alternatives to traditional research, and provides a springboard into thesis work. Theories focused on class, race, gender, and culture are also examined.
SOCW 8332: Theories of Social Work Practice Cr. 3 (3-0).
Prerequisite: Doctoral standing. Examines the historical and cultural context in which major theories of social work practice emerged, the philosophical and scientific tenets of those theories, and their current status in practice. Critically examines practice theories for their relevance to current and future social work practice.
SOCW 8333: Social Science Theories Cr. 3 (3-0).
Prerequisite: Doctoral standing. Examines social science theories and the conceptual frameworks that undergird contemporary social work literature, or which hold strong potential for enhancing social work practice theory or social policy formulations that contribute to institutional change and social justice.
SOCW 8334: Social Policy Analysis Cr. 3 (3-0).
Prerequisite: Doctoral standing. Examines the present state of knowledge--with particular reference to issues and problems-- in social welfare policy. Designed to aid students develop a research focus and to formulate research questions in social welfare policy. Also stressed are the skills to formulate policy
hypotheses and disseminate the results of an empirical policy study.
SOCW 8115: Integrative Colloquium Cr. 1 (1-0).
Prerequisite: First-year standing. Seminars are offered in the Fall and
Spring semesters. Topics include writing for publication, integrating
specialization into social work practice, writing dissertation proposals, topics
in social work education, and pedagogical methods.
Dissertation
SOCW 8395: Pre-Dissertation Research Cr. 3 (3-0).
Prerequisite: Doctoral standing in social work and the completion of required and elective coursework. Focuses on preparing for the qualifying exams, refining research skills, defining an appropriate dissertation topic, and developing a dissertation proposal. Students may repeat this course as they move toward an approved dissertation proposal.
SOCW 8399 (3 Cr.)/8699 (6 Cr.) /8999 (9 Cr.) Doctoral Dissertation.
Dissertation hours are taken only on satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.
Electives
Elective courses enable students to develop their specialized interests within the educational objectives of the Doctoral Program. Electives may be taken in the GCSW, or with the advisor's approval, in other graduate departments of the University of Houston. Students can also take electives at other institutions such as Rice University, UT School of Public Health, Baylor College of Medicine, UT School of Nursing, and Texas Woman's University. Electives taken at the University of Houston must be designated as 8000 level courses.
Courses taken in other institutions must also be at the doctoral level. Non doctoral-level electives will not count toward the Ph.D. nor will they be computed in the student's grade point average.
SOCW 8337: Teaching in the Social Work Curriculum Cr.3.
Enable students to become effective with classroom teaching.
Full-Time Course of Study
(Courses are only offered once a year in the semester shown)
| Course # | Course Title | SCH |
| 1st Semester (FALL) | ||
| SOCW 8320 | Multivariate Statistics I | 3 |
| SOCW 8330 | Philosophy of Science | 3 |
| SOCW 8323 | Qualitative Research Methods | 3 |
| SOCW 8115 | Integrative Colloquium I | 1 |
| Total | 10 | |
| 2nd Semester (SPRING) | ||
| SOCW 8321 | Multivariate Statistics II | 3 |
| SOCW 8322 | Quantitative Research Methods | 3 |
| SOCW 8331 | Social Just Theory/Res in SW | 3 |
| SOCW 8115 | Integrative Colloquium II | 1 |
| Total | 10 | |
| 3rd Semester (FALL) | ||
| SOCW xxxx | Ph.D. Elective | 3 |
| SOCW xxxx | Ph.D. Elective | 3 |
| SOCW 8332 | Theories in SW Practice | 3 |
| Total | 9 | |
| 4th Semester (SPRING) | ||
| SOCW 8334 | Social Policy Analysis | 3 |
| SOCW 8333 | Social Science Theories | 3 |
| SOCW xxxx | Ph.D. Elective | 3 |
| SOCW xxxx | Ph.D. Independent Study | 1 |
| Total | 10 | |
| SOCW 8395 | Pre-Dissertation Research | |
| SOCW 8399/8699/8999 | Doctoral Dissertation | 9 |
| Total Credit Hours in Coursework | 39 | |
| Dissertation SCH | 9 | |
| TOTAL | 48 | |
Part-Time Course of Study
(Courses are only offered once a year in the semester shown)
| Course # | Course Title | SCH |
| 1st Semester (FALL) | ||
| SOCW 8320 | Multivariate Statistics I | 3 |
| SOCW 8330 | Philosophy of Science | 3 |
| SOCW 8115 | Integrative Colloquium I | 1 |
| Total | 7 | |
| 2nd Semester (SPRING) | ||
| SOCW 8321 | Multivariate Statistics II | 3 |
| SOCW 8331 | Social Just Theory/Res in SW | 3 |
| SOCW 8115 | Integrative Colloquium II | 1 |
| Total | 7 | |
| 3rd Semester (FALL) | ||
| SOCW 8323 | Qualitative Research Methods | 3 |
| SOCW 8332 | Theories of SW Practice | 3 |
| SOCW xxxx | Ph.D. Independent Study | 1 |
| Total | 7 | |
| 4th Semester (SPRING) | ||
| SOCW 8322 | Quantitative Research Methods | 3 |
| SOCW 8334 | Social Policy Analysis | 3 |
| Total | 6 | |
| 5th Semester (FALL) | ||
| SOCW xxxx | Ph.D. Elective | 3 |
| SOCW xxxx | Ph.D. Elective | 3 |
| Total | 6 | |
| 6th Semester (SPRING) | ||
| SOCW 8333 | Social Science Theories | 3 |
| SOCW xxxx | Ph.D. Elective | 3 |
| Total | 6 | |
| SOCW 8395 | Pre-Dissertation Research | |
| SOCW 8399/8699/8999 | Doctoral Dissertation | 9 |
| Total Credit Hours in Coursework | 39 | |
| Dissertation SCH | 9 | |
| TOTAL | 48 | |
M.S.W./PH.D. PROGRAM Dual Program Course of Study (Full-Time Only)
(Courses are only offered once a year in the semester shown)
| Course # | Course Title | SCH |
| Fall, YEAR ONE: (M.S.W. Courses) | ||
| SOCW 6311 | Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SOCW 6361 | Research Methods | 3 |
| SOCW 6321 | SW Values & Ethics | 3 |
| SOCW 6322 | Confronting Oppression | 3 |
| SOCW 6351 | SW Policy Analysis | 3 |
| Total | 15 | |
| Spring, YEAR ONE (M.S.W. Courses) | ||
| SOCW 6114 | Field Seminar | 1 |
| SOCW 6313 | SW Methods: Micro Systems | 3 |
| SOCW 6314 | SW Methods: Community Pract | 3 |
| SOCW 6323 | Gender/Culture/Hum Dev | 3 |
| SOCW 6392 | Field Practicum I | 3 |
| Total | 13 | |
| Summer | ||
| SOCW xxxx | MSW Elective | 3 |
| SOCW 6393 | Field Practicum II | 3 |
| Total | 6 | |
| Fall, YEAR TWO: (M.S.W./Ph.D. Courses) | ||
| SOCW xxxx | Issues/Field of Practice | 3 |
| SOCW xxxx | Practice/Field of Practice | 3 |
| SOCW xxxx | MSW Elective | 3 |
| SOCW 8115 | Integrative Colloquium I | 1 |
| SOCW 8320 | Multivariate Statistics I | 3 |
| Total | 13 | |
| Spring, YEAR TWO: (M.S.W./Ph.D. Courses) | ||
| SOCW 8115 | Integrative Colloquium II | 1 |
| SOCW 8321 | Multivariate Statistics II | 3 |
| SOCW 8334 | Social Policy Analysis | 3 |
| SOCW xxxx | MSW Electives | 5 |
| SOCW xxxx | MSW Practice Elective | 3 |
| Total | 15 | |
| Summer | ||
| SOCW xxxx | Field Practicum III | 3 |
| SOCW xxxx | Field Practicum IV | 3 |
| Total | 6 | |
| Fall, YEAR THREE: (Ph.D. Courses) | ||
| SOCW 8323 | Qualitative Research Methods | 3 |
| SOCW 8330 | Philosophy of Science | 3 |
| SOCW 8332 | Theories of SW Practice | 3 |
| Total | 9 | |
| Spring, YEAR THREE: (Ph.D. Courses) | ||
| SOCW 8322 | Quantitative Research Methods | 3 |
| SOCW 8331 | Social Just Theory/Res in SW | 3 |
| SOCW 8333 | Social Science Theories | 3 |
| Total | 9 | |
| Summer | ||
| SOCW xxxx | Ph.D. Independent Study | 1 |
| Fall, YEAR FOUR: (Ph.D. Courses) | ||
| SOCW xxxx | Ph.D. Elective | 3 |
| SOCW xxxx | Ph.D. Elective | 3 |
| SOCW xxxx | Ph.D. Elective | 3 |
| Total | 9 | |
| SOCW 8395 | Pre-Dissertation Research | |
| SOCW 8399/8699/8999 | Doctoral Dissertation | 9 |
| Total Credit Hours in Coursework | 39 | |
| Dissertation SCH | 9 | |
| TOTAL | 48 | |
