Ph.D. Course Info

Examines the development of social welfare in the United States, including the evolution of social welfare from the Colonial Period to the present and its social, historical and economic impact. Examines the factors that contribute to the knowledge base, practice models and social contexts. Considers a welfare system's relevance to a modern industrial society with highlights on the contributions of African-Americans and women.

Reviews the fundamentals of scientific methods. Familiarizes students with quantitative and qualitative research methods; research design and measurement; instrument development, validity and reliability; principles and types of sampling; essentials of program evaluation; demographic and secondary data analysis; and practicum in survey research.

This is the first of two required courses on statistical methods for social work doctoral students. The course examines several content areas related to quantitative data analysis. These include (a) Basic research and methodological terms; (b) Working with SPSS software; (c) Descriptive statistics; (d) Normal and skewed distributions; (e) Steps in hypothesis testing; (f) Inferential statistics including parametric and non-parametric tests; (h) Bivariate statistical tests; and (i) presentation, interpretation, and reporting of statistical findings.

This is the second required course on statistics for doctoral students. It builds on Quantitative Methods. It furthers students’ acquaintance with social work and social sciences statistical techniques and provides additional analytical skills necessary to assess the validity of the research literature. The course examines several content areas related to advanced statistics including (a) sample power and sample size; (b) simple, multiple, and logistic regression analyses, (c) two-way analysis of variance and covariance, (d) repeated measures analysis of variance, (e) multivariate analysis of variance and covariance and; (f) canonical correlation analysis.

Enables students to develop skills in designing and implementing research projects on problems and issues related to social work. Students will design a research project and select statistical procedures appropriate for the design. The resulting research proposal will address social work, theoretical and practice issues in the student's special area of interest, usually related, but not limited, to people of color.

Focuses on theories and conceptual approaches used as the knowledge base for social work practice with individuals. Theories covered draw from biological, psychological, sociological, and cultural perspectives. Emphasis given to enhancing the student's reasoning repertoire with respect to articulating a rationale for selecting a theoretical perspective for a social work purpose. Critical variables related to social work theory identified, assumptions assessed, values examined, and empirical evidence analyzed. With an interest in developing the theoretical knowledge base of social work practice with individuals, especially people of color, emphasis is placed on integrating selected and related constructs, e.g., empowerment and world views, into theory and knowledge for ethnically sensitive and culturally competent practice.

This seminar focuses on the theories, conceptual approaches, and methodologies that form the knowledge base of social work practice with groups.  Emphasis is placed on the significant social science theories and models, such as, group dynamics, role and system theory, social group work theories, and organizational development that underpin the state of the practice art.  Concepts of leadership and followership and the impact on group processes will be explored from an applied perspective.  

Examines communities and organizations as a level of intervention for solving social problems, with emphasis on analyses of existing theory, research, and models. Special attention paid to issues of concern to African Americans. Implications for other minorities and for women also examined.

Introduces students to contemporary features of American social work education. Special emphasis given to Black perspectives in social work education. Attention provided to women's issues and issues relevant to other diverse and frequently oppressed populations. Includes the structure of the educational system, aspects of the learning-teaching process, issues of curriculum and accreditation, recent research about social work education, and the place of social work education in higher education.

Study under guidance of a faculty member with special competence in an area.

Study under guidance of a faculty member with special competence in an area.

Study under guidance of a faculty member with special competence in an area.

Extended, written and approved treatment of subject submitted for doctorate degree.