Ph.D. students take five courses (15 credits) to fulfill the program's requirements. Students assessed as having insufficient knowledge in academic writing and or research methodology will be strongly recommended by their supervisor to take one or more complementary courses as part of their program. Students may also take additional courses to fill existing knowledge or expertise gaps. This is negotiated with the student's primary supervisor.
Ph.D. Timetable
To view a sample of the timetable, click here.
Required Courses (6 credits)
SWRK 720
Thought&Theory Dev in Soc Wk
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Social Work: The purpose of this seminar is to explore the origins and historical development of social work theory. Included in the analysis of this development will be the impact of material, cultural and ideological shifts within society in general and social welfare in particular. Attention will also be given to the effect of changes within relevant social science disciplines on the process of social work theory development and its relation to intervention.
Offered by: Social Work
- Restriction: Open only to students in the joint Social Work Ph.D. program
SWRK 721
Advanced Integrative Seminar
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Social Work: This seminar guides students to explore the theoretical, empirical and methodological traditions in scholarship that give rise to their research question. It also provides opportunities for students to engage in collaborative discussions and presentations of their emerging research proposals to support their advancement through the program.
Offered by: Social Work
- Prerequisite: Completion of comprehensive exam (SWRK 701)
- Restriction: Open only to students in the joint Social Work Ph.D. program
Complementary Courses (9 credits)
At least one of the following two courses:
SWRK 722
Adv Seminar:Social Wk Interven
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Social Work: Comparative study of certain models of social work intervention from the point of view of their internal logical structure and their practical effectiveness. The models to be presented will be analyzed in terms of their origins, their underlying values, their objectives, their modes of intervention, and their effectiveness.
Offered by: Social Work
- Restriction: Open only to students in the joint Social Work Ph.D. program
- Terms
- This course is not scheduled for the 2023 academic year
- Instructors
- There are no professors associated with this course for the 2023 academic year
SWRK 723
Adv Seminar on Social Policy
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Social Work: Analysis of social policies and their impact on social work practice and on the clienteles that they affect. Study of the interaction between social policies and styles of management of social work organizations responsible for their application.
Offered by: Social Work
- Restriction: Open only to students in the joint Social Work Ph.D. program
At least one of the following two courses:
SWRK 724
Adv Res Methds &Anal:Quan Data
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Social Work: Problems encountered in the use of quantitative methods in social work research. Types of quantitative research useful in social welfare policy analysis and discussion of yield from alternative analytic methods.
Offered by: Social Work
- Restriction: Open only to students in the joint Social Work Ph.D. program
SWRK 725
Adv Qual Res Methods&Data Anal
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Social Work: Review of the principal methods comprised under the area of qualitative research and problems related to the utilization of those methods. Particular attention to analysis arising from these methods.
Offered by: Social Work
- Restriction: Open only to students in the joint Social Work Ph.D. program
Optionally, the following may be taken to partially complete the 9 complementary credits:
SWRK 726
Independent Study
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Social Work: Independent study of a selelcted field or topic.
Offered by: Social Work
- Restriction: Open only to students in the joint Social Work Ph.D. program
- Terms
- Instructors
- There are no professors associated with this course for the 2023 academic year
An independent study exploring a relevant social work theme of interest may be permitted if the current course content does not cover the topic.
- An independent study cannot be used to review the student's dissertation literature. It should be used to explore an area relevant to the student's dissertation but which covers only a definite segment of the relevant literature;
- The instructor for the independent study should be someone other than the dissertation supervisor. If the supervisor is involved, an additional faculty person should also be part of the independent study and meet regularly with the student;
- The independent study proposal should include the area of research, a work plan and schedule, and the evaluation method.
Ph.D. Independent Study Form
The procedure for establishing an independent study is as follows:
- The student presents his/her request and necessary documents to the Joint Ph.D. Director;
- The Joint Ph.D. Director considers relevant policy to determine if the request is acceptable and may discuss the matter with the student;
- The Joint Ph.D. Director makes a decision, informs the student of the faculty involved, and submits the independent study form to the Social Work Office;
- If necessary, the Joint Ph.D. Director may request a decision from the PhD Advisory Group.
Any other master's or doctoral level course relevant to the thesis. The Joint Ph.D. must grant permission to take this course. Program Director.