The curriculum at the Brown School emphasizes substantive, theoretical, and methodological preparation and requires 74 credits – 21 of which will be transferred from your MSW program or graduate degree in an allied field.
The remaining 53 units of coursework are typically spread over four semesters, or two academic years, leaving three years for work related to your dissertation.
The first year of study includes basic principles in research, statistics and measurement, as well as theoretical coursework and content fortifying your social work and social welfare knowledge base.
The second year offers a more individualized program of study. A curriculum plan is developed by each student and advisor(s), focusing on an area of specialization. The program is interdisciplinary, requiring 15 credits of elective course work in the social sciences. Social science courses are selected that relate to the student’s developing area of focus. Advanced courses in research methodology, as well as research and teaching practica, also help build the student’s expertise as a social work scholar. Professional competence is assessed through a qualifying examination and successful completion of a research dissertation that follows either a traditional or a three-paper thesis model.
Timeline of Milestones
Students typically complete a PhD in Social Work within 5 years. Below you will find key programmatic milestones across years.
Years 1 & 2
Three Research Seminars (9 credits)
One Computer Applications Course (3 credits)
Two Statistics Courses (6 credits)
One Substantive Social Science (non-methods) Course
One Specialized Methods Course
Fifteen Credits of Elective Coursework (can be used to earn a doctoral specialization)
Professional Development Seminar (2 credits)
Research Practica (6 credits)
Teaching Practica (3 credits)
Years 3 & 4
Completing any unfinished coursework
Area Statement & Qualifying Exam
Mentored Research and Teaching Experiences
Years 4+
Dissertation Proposal
Dissertation Defense
Mentored Research and Teaching Experiences
Sample courses available to doctoral students:
Introduction to Advanced Research
Conceptual Foundations of Social Science Research
The Role and Use of Theory in Applied Social Research
Foundations of Data Analysis
System Dynamics
Data Management
Generalized Linear Modeling
Issues and Directions in Intervention Research
Social Network Analysis
Multilevel and Longitudinal Modeling
Applied Linear Regression Analysis
Propensity Score Analysis
Qualitative Methods
Survival Analysis
Professional development seminars and teaching workshops
Skill-development labs
Elective courses taken in other departments throughout Washington University
Graduation Requirements
Previously obtained master’s degree
74 credit hours (Includes 21 master’s-level credits from relevant degree)
Two years of full-time doctoral coursework
Three teaching practicums for course credit
Three research practicums for course credit
Completion of an area of specialization statement and qualifying exam