Social Work, Ph.D.
The Doctor of Philosophy degree requires a minimum of 51 hours of course work plus 9 hours of dissertation and is designed to prepare academic and professional leaders in social work. The course work schedule is sensitive to the professional demands of adult learners, making it possible for students to remain in their current location and employment, if they choose to do so. The main goal guiding the curriculum of this innovative program is to develop leaders and educators who can lead visionary social work education or service programs and conduct original research addressing the complex social issues of our world. The program provides a distinct focus on the integration of religion and faith with the ethics, values, and practices of the social work profession.
The Online Program Design
The curriculum is designed to be taught primarily in an online classroom using high definition videoconferencing technology. Each cohort of students will begin classes in May to early June with a required four- to five-day session on campus in Waco, Texas, to enable students and faculty to get to know each other and to introduce the coursework of the program. Throughout the program students will attend classes in a synchronous-format, online classroom on a weekly basis. Classes will meet on Monday and Thursday evenings from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. CST.
Admission to Doctoral Program
Admission to the Graduate School of Baylor University and the PhD program in Social Work is conducted by formal application. Students are admitted every other year through a highly selective admissions process. The committee selects students who have a clear interest in developing theory, policy, and research skills in a substantive area relevant to the field of social work, a superior academic record in all previous work, and maturity, intellectual ability, and readiness for doctoral study. The doctoral committee will specifically look at the critical factors below that are deemed important for success in graduate studies. Documents with information about these factors are part of the application process.
Admissions Process
All applicants must submit an application fee to the Graduate School. Options for submitting payment will be presented when you submit your online application. When the electronic application is submitted, an email is immediately sent to the applicant with instructions about paying the application fee.
The following items must be submitted/completed as part of your online application to the Baylor University Graduate School:
- Garland School of Social Work Required Statistics Exam
- Applicants must complete the exam with an earned grade of B or better. There are modules that can be used as a refresher for students prior to taking the exam. The modules and exam are free for students.
- A passing grade on the statistics exam is required in order for an application to be considered complete.
- The GRE is not required.
- An electronically submitted personal statement of 7-10 pages that:
- Explains your motivation for and expectations of doctoral education in social work
- Includes particular assets that you would bring to the school and to the profession as well as areas in which you would most like to grow academically and professionally
- Specifies your areas of academic and research interests
- Describes briefly your understanding of integration of faith and ethical social work practice, supported by existing literature
- Demonstrates scholarship potential
- Sample of scholarly writing
One example (not exceeding 25 pages) of a recent work of scholarly writing that provides evidence of your capacity to think analytically and critically about a social welfare issue. The following are examples of appropriate submissions:- Published article, book chapter, or excerpt from a published work
- Unpublished research report
- A paper written in a graduate level course
- Grant application that includes significant reflective writing
- Policy analysis
- A 7-10 page paper on a topic of interest to the applicant that is written specifically as the writing sample for the application.
-
Resumé or Curriculum Vitae
Include a list of publications and professional presentations. -
Degree Bearing Transcripts from Previously Attended Universities
A Master of Social Work from a CSWE accredited program is preferred but not required. Applicants without an MSW will be considered if they have exceptionally strong credentials, a master's degree in a related field, and experience working in social service settings. Exceptions may also be made for applicants from countries without university accreditation but with exceptionally strong credentials.
The Graduate School requires applicants to submit transcripts from every institution which has granted a bachelor's degree and higher. Transcripts should indicate the degree granted. If the transcript does not list the degree and date conferred, applicants must also submit a proof of degree (certificate, diploma, etc.). -
Three letters of recommendation
At least two references should come from academic faculty who can attest to the applicant’s superior ability and potential. A third reference should come from a supervisor, director, or someone that could provide insight into the applicant’s ability and achievement in social work to date. - English proficiency exam (foreign national and permanent resident applicants)
English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Scores are valid for two years from the time the test is taken.
Upon review of all the information, faculty teaching in the PhD program may contact prospective students for a personal interview. This interview will be of sufficient length to allow the applicant as well as the faculty to make an informed decision about admission.
Ph.D. Program - Standard Plan
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summer Semester | Hours | |
| SWO 6384 | Introduction to Doctoral Research (Proposal Seminar) | 3 |
| SWO 6351 | Theory and Model Development for Social Work Practice | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Fall Semester | ||
| SWO 6380 | Quantitative Research for Social Work | 3 |
| SWO 6382 | Qualitative Research for Social Work | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| SWO 6333 | Religious and Cultural Diversity | 3 |
| SWO 6381 | Statistical Analysis for Social Work | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Summer Semester | ||
| SWO 6387 | Research Practicum | 3 |
| SWO 6332 | Social Policy and the Religious Sector | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Fall Semester | ||
| SWO 6385 | Measurement in Social Work | 3 |
| SWO 6386 | Advanced Qualitative Research | 3 |
| Preliminary Comprehensive Examination | ||
| Hours | 6 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| SWO 6342 | Academic Leadership and Administration in Social Work Education | 3 |
| SWO 6331 | Christianity, Ethics, and Social Work | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Summer Semester | ||
| SWO 6352 | Higher Educational Teaching and Learning in Social Work | 3 |
| Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Fall Semester | ||
| SWO 6353 | Teaching Practicum | 3 |
| SWO 6343 | Program Evaluation | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| SWO 6V99 | Dissertation | 9 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 60 | |
Research
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SWO 6380 | Quantitative Research for Social Work | 3 |
| SWO 6381 | Statistical Analysis for Social Work | 3 |
| SWO 6382 | Qualitative Research for Social Work | 3 |
| SWO 6384 | Introduction to Doctoral Research | 3 |
| SWO 6385 | Measurement in Social Work | 3 |
| SWO 6386 | Advanced Qualitative Research | 3 |
| SWO 6387 | Research Practicum | 3 |
Faith in Practice
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SWO 6331 | Christianity, Ethics, and Social Work | 3 |
| SWO 6332 | Social Policy and the Religious Sector | 3 |
| SWO 6333 | Religious and Cultural Diversity | 3 |
| SWO 6351 | Theory and Model Development for Social Work Practice | 3 |
Teaching and Leadership
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SWO 6342 | Academic Leadership and Administration in Social Work Education | 3 |
| SWO 6343 | Program Evaluation | 3 |
| SWO 6352 | Higher Educational Teaching and Learning in Social Work | 3 |
| SWO 6353 | Teaching Practicum | 3 |
- 1
Students can complete their electives at any point in the program of study. Students will be required to take one elective course which focuses on enhancing their research skills (statistics or methods). The PhD Program Director must approve all electives.
Dissertation
Candidates for the Doctor of Philosophy degree must present an acceptable dissertation on a problem in the field of their major subject. The dissertation must give evidence that the candidate has pursued a program of research, the results of which reveal scholarly competence and a significant contribution to knowledge.
The PhD Dissertation will focus on a single cohesive theme, consist of one document, and have a single defense. The dissertation document consists of five chapters: an introductory chapter, three publishable articles, and a final chapter that integrates the document into a coherent whole. Each article must include a substantive review of the literature, and one of the articles may be a Systematic Research Synthesis of the literature. Two articles will incorporate data from the student’s research with one article using findings from quantitative analysis and the other findings from qualitative analysis. The final article can be a theoretical or an additional research article.