Doctoral Programs
Students selected for study in the Ph.D. in Social Welfare program share a goal with distinguished faculty: the development of knowledge that will enhance the effectiveness of institutions and professions created to serve human need. The purpose of the program is the preparation of scholars, teachers, and practice leaders to generate new knowledge on the policies and programs of social welfare and the practice of social work.
Accordingly, we emphasize the creative and evaluative skills necessary for independent inquiry. We prepare students to be knowledgeable in:
- relevant areas of the social and behavioral sciences;
- research, design, statistics, and the philosophy of science;
- theory-building and theories of social welfare; and
- methods for the application and transmission of knowledge in the human services.
In addition to this foundation knowledge, students develop specialized expertise in policy analysis and program planning or social work practice theory; and in one or more substantive areas of social welfare.
Effort is made to provide an educational climate in which critical analysis and creative thinking flourish. The program core emphasizes philosophical and scientific approaches to theory development, the content and boundaries of theoretical social welfare, statistics and advanced research methodologies, and the social and behavioral science foundations underpinning social welfare programs and social work practice. On entering the program, students are expected to demonstrate competence in basic research methodologies through a performance examination. A non-credit research methodology course is required of students who lack the knowledge base.
The area of specialization enables the student to apply social science theory, analytical approaches, and research tools to either social welfare policy or social work practice. Students are encouraged to focus on a substantive policy or practice area during the period of specialization. This facilitates the development of a dissertation proposal.
Permeating the content of the entire program is a focus on the development and transmission of knowledge as a part of an educational process. Students with a specific career interest in teaching, regardless of their area of specialization, are encouraged to take courses in social work education, learning theories, and teaching strategies as an integral part of the educational plan. Teaching practica can be arranged.
Students can pursue special interests through individual reading and tutorial courses. In addition, regular course offerings in other departments of the University are available to students, and joint offerings have and continue to be developed. To the extent possible, practical experiences on faculty-conducted research projects are made available to doctoral students.
A total of 36 credit hours of course work is required, plus 18 hours of dissertation credit. A qualifying examination, given after completion of the program core, determines each student's eligibility for degree candidacy. The degree is awarded following successful completion of the dissertation.
The school reserves the right to require additional courses which may not be credited toward the doctoral requirements, if the faculty believes the student has insufficient knowledge in core areas of the curriculum.
In response to the differential needs and interests of potential Ph.D. students, MSASS offers two formats for meeting course and degree requirements. Program requirements under both formats include taking 12 courses (36 credit hours), passing a qualifying exam, and completing a dissertation. The alternative program structures are:
Under this format, full-time students can complete course requirements in a minimum of 14 calendar months. This intensive study plan requires total commitment to Ph.D. study during this period of time.
Full-time Ph.D. Program
First Summer
SASS 608 Philosophy of Science and
Theory Building (required)
SASS 610 Social and Behavioral Science
Approaches (required)
SASS 613 Advanced Research Design (required)
Fall Semester
SASS 615 Social Statistics and Data
Analysis (required)
SASS 614 Qualitative Measurement and
Analysis (or SASS 618 in Summer)
SASS 646 International Social Welfare
(elective) or
SASS 637 Independent Study
January Term
SASS 624 Models of Social Work Practice or
SASS 695 Social Welfare Policy and
Planning Models (one required)
Spring Semester
SASS 609 Theories of Social Welfare
and Social Justice (required)
SASS 616 Multiple Regression and Analysis
of Variance (required)
SASS 637 Independent Study
June Qualifying Examination
Second Summer
SASS 625 Social Work Practice
Applications or
SASS 694 Models of Service Delivery
(one required)
SASS 618 Measurement Issues in Survey,
Experimental and Quantitative
Research (if SASS 614 not taken
in Fall)
SASS 617 Specialization Seminar (elective)
SASS 630 Seminar in Social Work Education
(elective)
SASS 631 Learning Theories and Teaching
Strategies for Social Work
Educators (elective) or
SASS 637 Independent Study
DISSERTATION (SASS 701/18 credit hrs.)
Course work and residency requirements for the Summer Program can be completed during three summers and two January interim periods. This format is designed to accommodate social work educators and professionals who must maintain their employment commitments, but wish to pursue Ph.D. study during the summer residence.
Under both formats, all students will begin the program the first Monday in June with an intensive six-week period of study. During this time they will take three core courses. Students must devote full time to study during this six-week period. Summer program students will have a one-week period of study in January, a second six-week period of study the following summer, a second one-week period in January, and finally, a third six-week summer period. Full-time students, in addition to the first six-week study period, will take courses in the fall and spring semesters, during the January period, and during a second six-week summer period.
Full-time students will normally complete the qualifying examination in the spring following completion of core courses. Summer-study students will complete the qualifying examination prior to their third summer of residence.
It is expected that the third summer will be devoted to preparation of the dissertation prospectus, as well as completion of course requirements.
Summer-study students may take two graduate level statistics courses at a university in their own community. The courses must include the range of tests through multiple regression and analysis of variance. Six credit hours (two courses) are transferrable. Also, students have the option to take the statistics courses offered in the Ph.D. program (SASS 615, SASS 616) via distance education.
First Summer
SASS 608 Philosophy of Science and
Theory Building (required)
SASS 610 Social and Behavioral Science
Approaches (required)
SASS 613 Advanced Research Design (required)
Fall-Spring *Statistics Courses (2 required)
OPTION #1
Statistics Courses at College or University
in Home Community
OPTION #2
SASS 615 Social Statistics and Data
Analysis
SASS 616 Multiple Regression and Analysis
of Variance (via Distance Education)
January Term
SASS 624 Models of Social Work Practice or
SASS 695 Social Welfare Policy and Planning
Models (one required)
Second Summer
SASS 625 Social Work Practice Applications or
SASS 694 Models of Service Delivery
(one required)
SASS 614 Qualitative Measurement and Analysis or
SASS 618 Measurement Issues in Survey, Experimental,
and Quantitative Research (both statistic
courses are prerequisite to SASS 618)
SASS 630 Seminar on Social Work Education (elective) or
SASS 637 Independent Study
January Term
SASS 609 Theories of Social Welfare and Social
Justice (required)
June Qualifying Examination
Third Summer (two courses and dissertation prospectus)
SASS 617 Specialization Seminar (elective)
SASS 631 Learning Theories and Teaching
Strategies for Social Work Educators
(elective) or
SASS 637 Independent Study or Project Course
Related to Dissertation
DISSERTATION (SASS 701/18 credit hrs.)
Through the School of Graduate Studies of Case Western Reserve University, the Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences offers a Ph.D. in social welfare. To be admitted to the Ph.D. program, a candidate should have a master's degree from an accredited school of social work or a master's degree in a related field and demonstrate a superior record in undergraduate and graduate studies. Practical experience in social welfare is required. Application to the Ph.D. program will be considered from persons with master's degrees in allied fields with the recognition that their program will include equivalency requirements related to knowledge of social welfare. Students without a master's in social work may be interested in the dual degree M.S.S.A./Ph.D. program.
The Miller Analogies Test or Graduate Record Examination is required for application to the Ph.D. program. Applicants should have a score of at least 1100 on the combined Verbal and Quantitative section of the Graduate Record Examination or 60 on the Miller Analogies Test. A minimum gradepoint average of 3.0 for baccalaureate and master's degree study is expected.
Additional materials considered in reviewing applications include the completed application form and a written statement, with the non-refundable application fee (waived for students from other countries); official transcripts of all previous undergraduate and graduate courses taken for credit; and letters of recommendation. In addition, students from other countries must submit results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or its equivalent.
General inquiries about the advanced programs and requests for application forms should be directed to:
Doctoral Program Office
Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences
Case Western Reserve University
10900 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio 44106-7164
Completed applications should be sent to: Office of the Dean of Graduate Studies, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44106-7027.
To meet the official residence requirement, students must be registered for at least three courses in the Ph.D. program either in each of two consecutive semesters or two consecutive summers. A minimum of one year following successful completion of the qualifying examination and course work is generally necessary to complete the doctoral dissertation.
Each doctoral student is assigned a faculty adviser to assist in the planning of his or her educational experience. At the appropriate time, a dissertation advisor is appointed after consultation with the student.
The qualifying examination for doctoral candidates is taken after completion of foundation courses. The exam is intended to test the student's ability to critically analyze and integrate knowledge.
Students are admitted to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree upon the successful completion of the qualifying examination. To be admitted to candidacy, the candidate also must have maintained an average of 3.0 and received not more than one course grade of C or lower. To remain in the program, students must maintain a minimum of a cumulative 3.0 average and receive no more than one grade of C or lower.
Each candidate for the Ph.D. degree must submit a written dissertation as evidence of his or her ability to conduct independent research at an advanced level. The dissertation must present a significant contribution to knowledge in the student's field, and at least a portion of the content must be suitable for publication in a reputable professional journal or as a book or monograph.
The dissertation prospectus must be completed and accepted within two calendar years after the student has been admitted to candidacy, and the dissertation must be completed and accepted within five calendar years after admission to candidacy. It is to the student's advantage to make steady progress in his or her research and aim for early completion of the dissertation. Before a candidate leaves the school as a full-time student, he or she should have formulated the topic, been assigned a dissertation adviser, and had the dissertation prospectus approved by a faculty committee constituted for this purpose.
Once a student registers for SASS 701, Dissertation, he or she must continue to register each succeeding regular semester (fall and spring) until the dissertation is complete unless granted a leave of absence. The minimum requirement for the dissertation is 18 hours. The minimum acceptable registration is three semester hours per semester, until 18 hours are completed.
All requirements for the Ph.D. degree must be completed within a period of five consecutive calendar years after a student is admitted to candidacy, including periods of leaves of absence. For students whose leaves of absence are for duty in the armed services, the time limitation will be extended by their period of service.
Financial aid is available to admitted students in the form of tuition assistance and research and training assistantships.
Policies of the doctoral program regarding international students and registration are the same as those of the master's degree program described in the MSASS bulletin. Grading policy is the same as that for the master's degree program.
SASS 608. Philosophy of Science and Theory Building (3).
This is a required foundation course. The nature of theory is examined. Inductive and deductive methods for knowledge building are reviewed. Course content draws from philosophy of science as well as empirical and phenomenological research.
SASS 609. Theories of Social Welfare and Social Justice (3).
This is a foundation course required for all students. Theories of social welfare and social justice are examined. Course content draws from moral philosophy, economics, political science, cultural anthropology, sociology, history, psychology, and social welfare theory and provides students with a broad orientation to the field of theoretical social welfare.
SASS 610. Social and Behavioral Science Approaches (3).
This required course provides a survey of behavioral and social science theories which support social work practice, social welfare programs and social policy. It includes an examination of material from systems theory, field theory, conflict theory, structural function and other theories.
SASS 611. Seminar on Professional Ethics (3).
Selected schools of thought in ethics are examined for their applicability to moral problems in social work and other professions.
SASS 613. Advanced Research Design (3).
This foundation course in research methods is required of all students. It is a prerequisite to the quantitative and qualitative measurement courses. Research designs and methods relevant to social welfare planning, policy development, practice and administration are examined.
SASS 614. Qualitative Measurement and Analysis (3).
Content for this course covers methods of gathering qualitative data including observational, systems, in-depth interviewing, journals/diaries, participant observation, historical records, content analysis, etc. Procedures for analyzing these data also are discussed. Students are required to take either this course or SASS 618. Prerequisite: SASS 613.
SASS 615. Social Statistics and Data Analysis (3).
This foundation course (or its equivalent) is required of all students. Content includes univariate, bivariate and inferential statistics, and the use of electronic data processing technology to manage and analyze data.
SASS 616. Multiple Regression and Analysis of Variance (3).
This course builds on SASS 615, and either it or its equivalent is required of all students. Content focuses on using analysis of variance and multiple regression. Prerequisite: SASS 615 or consent of instructor.
SASS 617. Specialization Seminar (3).
This course focuses on problem definitions and research issues related to specialized populations, fields of service and practice roles. The issues selected as the focus are based on faculty and student interests. Prerequisite: SASS 614 or 618 or consent of instructor.
SASS 618. Measurement Issues in Survey, Experimental, and Quantitative Research (3).
This course covers the operationalization of social science concepts and development of methods for their measurement. Issues covered include index and scale construction, validity, reliability, generalizability theory, multi-dimensionality, questionnaire design, interviewing, and experimental control. Students are required to take either this course or SASS 614. Prerequisite: SASS 615 and SASS 613.
SASS 624. Models of Social Work Practice (3).
This is the first of two required courses for students specializing in direct practice. It critically analyzes the major models of current practice, including the traditional, unitary and radical approaches. The course is designed to examine the development of practice theory, to develop a framework for the analysis of theory, and the study of the content, structure, applications, and implications of the three models. Prerequisite: SASS 610.
SASS 625. Social Work Practice Applications (3).
This is the second of two courses aimed at the analysis and development of models of direct practice. Students work on the construction of an approach to practice related to their own interests. Prerequisite: SASS 610, SASS 624.
SASS 630. Seminar on Social Work Education (3).
The first of two courses preparing students for careers in academe. Examination of the structure and content of American higher education. Emphasis is placed on program design and curriculum and course development.
SASS 631. Learning Theories and Teaching Strategies for Social Work Educators (3).
A course designed to help students develop a strategic approach to teaching based on learning theories. Different educational models will be examined. Prerequisite: SASS 630 or consent of instructor.
SASS 632. Research Project (3).
This course provides students with the opportunity to work with specific faculty engaged in research studies either on an individual or group basis.
SASS 637. Individual Reading (1-6).
This is an individual reading course permitting students to select areas of interest and pursue these interests with specific faculty on a reading basis. (This also is the course number to register for dissertation credits before passing the qualifying examination.)
SASS 638. Tutorial (1-6).
SASS 640. Advanced Field Practice I (1-6).
This course provides students with the opportunity of learning in a social welfare practice field setting, and is recommended for students without previous social welfare practice experience. It is arranged individually.
SASS 642. Teaching Practicum (1-6).
Students interested in experiential learning within social work education can arrange a teaching assistantship within the M.S.S.A. curriculum.
SASS 646. International Social Welfare (3).
This elective course focuses on social welfare programs and services in selected industrialized countries, with particular attention given to comparison of social security policies and social service programs. Frameworks for cross-national analysis are examined, and various national programs are evaluated in the context of these frameworks.
SASS 650. Social Networks: Theory, Research and Practice (3).
This elective course focuses on the following three areas: Theory and Research, Utilization of Social Network Interventions in Social Welfare, and Policy Implications.
SASS 694. Models of Service Delivery (3).
This course is required of all planning and policy development students. Content includes specific social science content relevant to social welfare planning. Prerequisite: SASS 610.
SASS 695. Social Welfare Policy and Planning Models (3).
This seminar focuses on the analysis of social welfare policy. Tools of policy analysis and frameworks for policy analysis are examined and critiqued. Policy alternatives are considered from an analytical and comparative perspective. Attention also is given to policy development and implementation with emphasis on program planning and evaluation. Prerequisite SASS 610.
SASS 696. Seminar on Issues in Social Policy and/or Service Delivery (3).
This elective course covers issues in the development, design and implementation of social policy. It also may include examination of current issues in the planning, delivery and evaluation of services. The area of focus is based on student and faculty interest.
SASS 701. Dissertation (1-18).
This course is intended for students who have passed the qualifying examination and are actively working on their dissertations.
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