Social Work: Social Work PhD

Doctor of Philosophy

Program Description

The PhD program has a tradition of scholarly excellence based on the quality of the research knowledge, competence, and output of its faculty. Doctoral graduates are practice leaders and faculty members throughout the world. Enrolment in the Faculty of Social Work entails adherence to the standards of professional behaviour for the social work profession set forth in the Social Work Code of Ethics of the Canadian Association of Social Workers.

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the graduate unit's additional admission requirements stated below.

  • Master of Social Work degree or an equivalent master's degree with at least a B+ standing from an accredited program in a recognized university.

  • Competency in basic statistical methods at an introductory level.

  • Educational and professional experience that indicates a capacity to undertake research-oriented post-graduate work.

  • Applicants whose primary language is not English and who graduated from a university where the language of instruction and examination was not English must demonstrate proficiency in English. See General Regulations section 4.3 for requirements.

  • Initial admission inquiries should be made directly to the Faculty of Social Work. The application deadline for the PhD program is January 10. The Faculty of Social Work does not guarantee admission to all applicants who meet its minimum requirements.

Program Requirements

Students must successfully complete a total of 5.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs), generally within two years of registration, as follows:

  • Coursework.

    • 2.0 FCEs in required research courses:

      • SWK6301H Intermediate Statistics and Data Analysis (0.5 FCE)

      • SWK6302H Epistemology and Social Work Research (0.5 FCE)

      • SWK6307H Designing and Implementing Qualitative Social Work Research (0.5 FCE)

      • SWK6308H Designing and Implementing Quantitative Social Work Research (0.5 FCE)

    • Students may be exempt from these research courses but will substitute alternate elective courses for each exempted course. Note: SWK4506H (0.5 FCE) is a prerequisite for SWK6301H, or an equivalent competency exam must be passed by all incoming students with a grade of A. SWK4506H does not count towards one of the required PhD courses; however, the grade is included in the student's total grade point average calculation.

    • 2.5 FCEs in graduate-level electives, including at least 0.5 FCE from Social Work and at least 0.5 FCE from another graduate unit (with the approval of the PhD Director).

  • Seminar.

    • SWK7000H Comprehensive Exam Seminar (Credit/No Credit) (0.5 FCE) is required during the Fall session of Year 2.

    • Year 1 PhD students will attend a mandatory Year 1 colloquium during the Winter session (two full days), no credit.

  • Comprehensive exam.

    • Following completion of at least nine of the above required courses, students must satisfactorily complete SWK8000H Comprehensive Exam (Credit/No Credit) (0.5 FCE) during the Winter or Summer session of Year 2.

  • Following completion of the coursework, seminar, and comprehensive exam, students must satisfactorily complete:

    • a thesis proposal and oral thesis proposal defence,

    • a thesis,

      • which can be in the traditional thesis format, which constitutes a distinct contribution to knowledge in the field of social work, or

      • a three-paper option based on the same fundamental principles of independent student work and scholarly rigour. The three-paper dissertation option allows students to write three related papers in a given topic or area of interest in which they have conducted research as required for the PhD program.

    • and finally, an oral thesis defence.

  • Students are expected to complete their coursework, comprehensive exam, and have their thesis proposal approved by the end of August of Year 3. The research, writing, and Doctoral Final Oral Examination of the thesis are typically completed by the end of Year 5.

  • Students must have an adequate knowledge of a language other than English if an additional language is deemed essential for satisfactory completion of research for the thesis. The Faculty is responsible for ensuring that an acceptable certificate of language competence is deposited with the School of Graduate Studies.

  • In the event that a student does not complete two or more required courses (excluding SWK8000H Comprehensive Exam), or receives an FZ (inadequate) after repeating any course, the Faculty will take steps to recommend the termination of the student's registration.

  • In the event that a student receives an NCR (No Credit) for SWK8000H Comprehensive Exam, the Faculty will take steps to recommend the termination of the student's registration.

Program Length

4 years

Time Limit

6 years