PhD Course Curriculum
Available to students entering the GCSW in Fall 2015 or later*:
Our curriculum is oriented towards evidence-based social work (EBSW) and research on the translation of evidence-based interventions and policies in real world social work and social welfare settings. Students are trained to generate and use valid research evidence to inform the decisions social workers make at all levels of practice and policy. By training our students in EBSW, we increase the capacity of our profession to build interdisciplinary partnerships in both research and practice. Fifty-three (53) semester credit hours (SCH) are required for the Ph.D. degree: 44 hours in coursework and 9 hours in dissertation research. Coursework includes three EBSW research methods courses, statistics and data management courses, theory, social welfare policy analysis, teaching in higher education, grant writing, substantive electives, and a Research Internship designed to allow for the application of translational research skills in a real world social work/social welfare setting. The curriculum is presented below in detail:
Full-Time Curriculum: PhD Social Work | Part-Time Curriculum: PhD Social Work | MSW/PhD Dual Degree Curriculum | Course Descriptions | Electives
*Students who entered the GCSW prior to Fall 2015 shall continue pursuing your degree plan. Please see your Academic Advisor for more information.
Read more about our PhD curriculum
Illustration of Full-Time Curriculum: PhD Social Work
| TOTAL SCHs REQUIRED FOR DEGREE | 53 | |
| Course # | Course Title | SCH |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 (Fall, 1st Semester) | ||
| SOCW 8311 | Research Methods I: Introduction to Research | 3 |
| SOCW 8424 | Statistics and Data Analysis I | 4 |
| SOCW 8333 | Social Science Theories | 3 |
| Total Semester SCHs | 10 | |
| Year 1 (Spring, 2nd Semester) | ||
| SOCW 8322 | Research Methods II: Quantitative Research | 3 |
| SOCW 8425 | Statistics and Data Analysis II | 4 |
| SOCW 8334 | Social Welfare Policy Analysis | 3 |
| Total Semester SCHs | 10 | |
| Year 1 (Summer, Enrollment Not Required) | ||
| Optional 8000-level Elective(s) | ||
| Year 2 (Fall, 3rd Semester) | ||
| SOCW 8323 |
Research Methods III: Qualitative Research |
3 |
| SOCW 8335 | Teaching in Higher Education | 3 |
| SOCW 8345 | Research Methods V: Community Engaged Research | 3 |
| Total Semester SCHs | 9 | |
| Year 2 (Spring, 4th Semester) | ||
| SOCW 8397 | Research Methods IV: Grounded Theory | 3 |
| Elective 8xxx | Elective (outside GCSW recommended: statistics, substantive topic, theory, etc. | 3 |
| SOCW 8327 | Grant Writing | 3 |
| Total Semester SCHs | 9 | |
| Year 2 (Summer, 5th Semester) | ||
| SOCW 8336 | Research Internship I | 3 |
| Total Semester SCHs | 3 | |
| Year 3 and Beyond | ||
| Elective 8xxx | Required Elective (outside GCSW recommended: statistics, substantive topic, theory, etc.) | 3 |
| SOCW 8395, 8695, 8995 | (Pre-Dissertation Research - NOT required: for continuous enrollment purposes ONLY) | 3, 6 or 9 |
| SOCW 8399, 8699 or 8999 | Doctoral Dissertation Research (9 required) | 3, 6 or 9 |
| Total SCHs Year 3 and Beyond | 12 | |
| Total SCHs for Required Coursework | 44 | |
| Total Required Dissertation SCHs | 9 | |
Illustration of Part-Time Curriculum: PhD Social Work
| TOTAL SCHs REQUIRED FOR DEGREE | 53 | |
| Course # | Course Title | SCH |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 (Fall, 1st Semester) | ||
| SOCW 8311 | Research Methods I: Introduction to Research | 3 |
| SOCW 8424 | Statistics and Data Analysis I | 4 |
| Total Semester SCHs | 7 | |
| Year 1 (Spring, 2nd Semester) | ||
| SOCW 8322 | Research Methods II: Quantitative Research | 3 |
| SOCW 8425 | Statistics and Data Analysis II | 4 |
| Total Semester SCHs | 7 | |
| Year 1 (Summer, Enrollment Not Required) | ||
| Year 2 (Fall, 3rd Semester) | ||
| SOCW 8323 | Research Methods III: Qualitative Research | 3 |
| SOCW 8333 | Social Science Theories | 3 |
| Total Semester SCHs | 6 | |
| Year 2 (Spring, 4th Semester) | ||
| SOCW 8334 | Social Welfare Policy Analysis | 3 |
| Elective 8xxx | Elective (outside GCSW recommended: statistics, substantive topic, theory, etc.) | 3 |
| Total Semester SCHs | 6 | |
| Year 2 (Summer, Enrollment Not Required) | ||
| Year 3 (Fall, 5th Semester) | ||
| SOCW 8335 | Teaching in Higher Education | 3 |
| SOCW 8345 | Research Methods V: Community Engaged Research | 3 |
| Total Semester SCHs | 6 | |
| Year 3 (Spring, 6th Semester) | ||
| SOCW 8397 | Research Methods IV: Grounded Theory | 3 |
| SOCW 8327 | Grant Writing | 3 |
| Total Semester SCHs | 6 | |
| Year 3 (Summer, 7th Semester) | ||
| SOCW 8336 | Research Internship I | 3 |
| Total Semester SCHs | 3 | |
| Year 4 and Beyond | ||
| Elective 8xxx | Required Elective (outside GCSW recommended: statistics, substantive topic, theory, etc.) | 3 |
| SOCW 8395, 8695 or 8995 | (Pre-Dissertation Research - NOT required: for continuous enrollment purposes ONLY) | 3, 6 or 9 |
| SOCW 8399, 8699 or 8999 | Doctoral Dissertation Research (total 9 SCHs required) | 3, 6 or 9 |
| Total SCHs Year 4 and Beyond | 12 | |
| Total SCHs for Required Coursework | 44 | |
| Total Required Dissertation SCHs | 9 | |
Illustration of MSW/PhD Dual Degree Curriculum
Social Work Concentration: Clinical/Macro
Graduate school policies on dual degree coursework can be found HERE.
| TOTAL SCHs REQUIRED FOR DEGREE | 101 |
|
| Course # | Course Title | SCH |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 (Fall, 1st Semester) | ||
| SOCW 6201 | Foundation of the Social Work Profession | 2 |
| SOCW 6307 | Social Work Policy in the Social Environment | 3 |
| SOCW 6308 | Human Diversity and Human Development | 3 |
| SOCW 6305 | Social Work Research | 3 |
| SOCW 6306 | Social Work Practice Skills | 3 |
| SOCW 6193 | Social Work General Practicum I | 1 |
| Total Semester SCHs | 15 | |
| Year 1 (Spring, 2nd Semester) | ||
| SOCW 7301 | Confronting Oppression & Injustice | 3 |
| SOCW 7337/7334 | Critical Clinical Case Formulation & Diagnostics/ Social Work Leadership | 3 |
| SOCW 7325/7310 | Individual: Advanced Clinical Practice/ Program Planning & Evaluation | 3 |
| SOCW 6194 | Social Work Generalist Practicum 2 | 1 |
| SOCW 73XX | Elective | 3 |
| Total Semester SCHs | 13 | |
| Year 1 (Summer, Enrollment Not Required) | ||
| Year 2 (Fall, 4th Semester) | ||
| SOCW 7356/7319 | Groups: Advanced Clinical Practice/Social Work Practice in Organizations | 3 |
| SOCW 7343/7335 | Families: Adv Clinical Practice/SW Practice in Communities | 3 |
| SOCW 8311 | Research Methods I: Introduction to Research | 3 |
| SOCW 8424 | Statistics and Data Analysis I | 4 |
| Total Semester SCHs | 13 | |
| Year 2 (Spring, 5th Semester) | ||
| SOCW7342/7305 | Clinical Social Work Praxis/Evaluation of Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SOCW 8322 | Research Methods II: Quantitative Research (MSW Elective at PhD Level) | 3 |
| SOCW 8425 | Statistics and Data Analysis II | 4 |
| SOCW 8334 | Social Welfare Policy Analysis | 3 |
| Total Semester SCHs | 13 | |
| Year 2 (Summer, 6th Semester) | ||
| SOCW 7184/7188 | Clinical Practicum 1/Macro Practicum 1 | 1 |
| SOCW 7185/7189 | Clinical Practicum 2/Macro Practicum 2 | 1 |
| Total Semester SCHs | 2 | |
| Year 3 (Fall, 7th Semester) | ||
| SOCW 8323 | Research Methods III: Qualitative Research | 3 |
| SOCW 8335 | Teaching in Higher Education | 3 |
| SOCW 8333 | Social Science Theories | 3 |
| Total Semester SCHs | 9 | |
| Year 3 (Spring, 8th Semester) | ||
| SOCW 8338 | Research Methods IV: Grounded Theory | 3 |
| SOCW 8345 | Research Methods V: Community Engaged Research | 3 |
| SOCW 8327 | Grant Writing | 3 |
| Total Semester SCHs | 9 | |
| Year 3 (Summer, 9th Semester) | ||
| SOCW 8336 | Research Internship I | 3 |
| SOCW 83xx | Elective (outside GCSW) | 3 |
| Total Semester SCHs | 6 | |
| Year 4 and Beyond | ||
| Elective 8xxx | Elective (outside GCSW recommended: statistics, substantive topic, theory, etc.) | 3 |
| SOCW 8395, 8695 or 8995 | (Pre-Dissertation Research - NOT required: for continuous enrollment purposes ONLY) | 3, 6 or 9 |
| SOCW 8399, 8699 or 8999 | Doctoral Dissertation Research (total 9 SCHs required) | 3, 6 or 9 |
| Total SCHs Year 4 and Beyond | 12 | |
| Total SCHs for Required Coursework | 92 | |
| Total Required Dissertation SCHs | 9 | |
Course Descriptions
- SOCW 8311: Research Methods I: Introduction Cr. 3 (3-0)
- Prerequisite: Doctoral standing or permission from the instructor. This course examines the range of designs and methods involved in formulating and conducting social research, with an emphasis on the development of knowledge essential for utilizing and building the empirical knowledge base for evidence-based social work.
- SOCW 8322: Research Methods II: Quantitative Research Cr. 3 (3-0)
- Prerequisite: SOCW 8311. Emphasizes quantitative research methodologies and designs, including experimental, quasi-experimental, and single system designs.
- SOCW 8323: Research Methods III: Qualitative Research Cr. 3 (3-0)
- Prerequisite: SOCW 8322. Pre-requisite: Doctoral standing or permission from the instructor. Examines the range of methods involved in formulating and conducting qualitative social research, with an emphasis on building empirical knowledge for evidence-based social work.
- SOCW 8424: Statistics and Data Analysis I: Cr. 4 (4-0)
- Prerequisite: Doctoral standing or permission from the instructor. Explores the application of descriptive and inferential statistics in social and behavioral sciences research via a weekly 3-hour lecture and 1-hour computer lab.
- SOCW 8425: Statistics and Data Analysis II Cr. 4 (4-0)
- Prerequisite: SOCW 8324. Pre-requisite: SOWC 8424 or permission from instructor. Explores the application of multivariate statistics in social and behavioral sciences research via a weekly 3-hour lecture and 1-hour computer lab.
- SOCW 8343: Data and Software Analysis Cr. 3 (3-0)
- Prerequisite: SOCW 8325 or permission from the instructor. This course will focus on the use of computer software for quantitative and qualitative data management and analysis.
- SOCW 8327: Grant Writing Cr. 3 (3-0)
- Prerequisite: Doctoral standing or permission from the instructor. Prepares doctoral students for identifying, planning, collaborating, writing, budgeting, submitting, tracking, revising and managing grants.
- 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 Welfare 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 8335: Teaching in Higher Education Cr. 3 (3-0)
- Prerequisite: Doctoral standing or permission from the instructor. Prepares doctoral students for teaching in higher education by applying theories in instructional design and analyzing and pedagogical perspectives and teaching issues relevant to curriculum development.
- SOCW 8336: Research Internship I Cr. 3 (3-0)
- Prerequisite: Doctoral standing or permission from the instructor. Prepares doctoral students for research experiences by applying an internship experience with an established faculty member.
- SOCW 8338: Integrative Doctoral Seminar Cr. 3 (3-0)
- Pre-requisite: Doctoral standing or permission from the instructor. Integration of knowledge and skills to promote the academic and scholarly development of advanced doctoral students, with the input of the instructor and peers.
- SOCW 8395 Cr. 3 (3-0); SOCW 8695 Cr. 6 (6-0); SOCW 8995 Cr. 9 (9-0): Pre-Dissertation Research
- Pre-requisite: Doctoral standing in social work and the completion of all required 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. THIS COURSE IS NOT REQUIRED AND SERVES ONLY TO MEET THE CONTINUOUS ENROLLMENT REQUIREMENT . Semester credit hours received by taking this course are not applied to the total required for the degree.
- SOCW 8399 Cr. 3 (3-0); SOCW 8699 Cr. 6 (6-0); SOCW 8999 Cr. 9 (9-0): Doctoral Dissertation Research
- Pre-requisite: Successful defense of dissertation proposal. 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. (Please see academic Advisor for approved list of courses offered outside of the GCSW)
Courses taken at 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 (GPA). Courses taken at 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 (GPA).
- SOCW 8198 Cr. 1 (1-0); SOCW 8298 Cr. 2 (2-0); SOCW 8398 Cr. 3 (3-0): Independent Study
- Prerequisite: Doctoral standing and consent of instructor. Allow students to pursue specialized learning through work with individual faculty.
- SOCW 8116: Research Internship II Cr. 1 (1-0)
- Prerequisite: Doctoral standing or permission from the instructor. Prepares doctoral students for research experiences by applying an internship experience with an established faculty member.
- SOCW 8200: Research Internship III Cr. 2 (2-0)
- Prerequisite: Doctoral standing or permission from the instructor. Prepares doctoral students for research experiences by applying an internship experience with an established faculty member.
- SOCW 8304: Research Internship IV Cr. 3 (3-0)
- Prerequisite: Doctoral standing or permission from the instructor. Prepares doctoral students for research experiences by applying an internship experience with an established faculty member.
- SOCW 8117: Teaching Internship I Cr. 1 (1-0)
- Prerequisite: Doctoral standing or permission from the instructor. Practice teaching methods and skills with 15 hours teaching practice not limited to classroom teaching.
- SOCW 8201: Teaching Internship II Cr. 2 (2-0)
- Prerequisite: Doctoral standing or permission from the instructor. Practice teaching methods and skills with 30 hours teaching practice not limited to classroom teaching.
- SOCW 8303: Teaching Internship III Cr. 3 (3-0)
- Prerequisite: Doctoral standing or permission from the instructor. Practice teaching methods and skills with 45 hours teaching practice not limited to classroom teaching.
- SOCW 8326: Advanced Multivariate Statistics Cr. 3 (3-0)
- Prerequisite: SOCW 8325: Applied Multivariate Statistics and doctoral standing or permission from the instructor. Emphasizes advanced multivariate statistical procedures, including MANOVA, MANCOVA, discriminant analysis, logistic regression, and meta-analysis.