The Graduate School of Social Work at Simmons College has offered a Ph.D. degree in Social Work since
1983. The Doctoral Program prepares students to assume a variety of leadership roles within the profession as
advanced clinical scholars and practitioners. The core curriculum is organized around courses on the
philosophy of science and practice of clinical social work, advanced research methods, analysis of major
policy and practice trends and issues, and the conceptualization of advanced levels of clinical competence.
Grounded in direct practice and scholarly inquiry, the Simmons Ph.D. in social work prepares practice
scholars for careers in social work education and leadership in social work practice.
The Doctoral Program builds on our School’s mission to contribute to the development of the social work
profession in a multicultural society, to enhance the human service delivery system and to work toward the
goal of social justice.
Program Structure
The Doctoral Program is offered on a part-time basis only. No clinical practicum is required. Ordinarily
students must actively be involved in social work practice. A total of 45 credits (15 courses) are required
for graduation, in addition to successful completion of the doctoral dissertation. All required courses are
offered on Thursdays between 9:00 – 2:00 with labs and workshops scheduled from 2:15-3:30 approximately
twice a month for first and second year students, allowing most students to maintain employment as they
progress through the Program. Most of the two years of courses are offered on an alternating schedule to both
incoming and second-year students, who take these courses together. Most students take two courses each
semester (fall and spring) and a summer course over the first three years of the Program.
A Comprehensive Paper must be submitted and approved before a student can progress into the dissertation
proposal seminar. Therefore, the Comprehensive Paper is usually written in the summer between the second and
third years of study. The dissertation seminar is offered in the fall semester of the third year. Students
continue to work on their proposal while taking an elective second semester of the third year and are
expected to have a proposal approved by the end of their fourth year. Most students complete the Program,
including defense of the dissertation, in 5-7 years.
Coursework
Structured to develop core competencies, the doctoral curriculum addresses the science and practice of clinical social work, advanced research methods, and policy analysis, as well as practice trends and issues. We offer a progressive, hands-on curriculum program infused with social justice values and multicultural perspective. Students evaluate interdisciplinary theories relevant to social work; analyze social problems, social interventions, and social policy; participate in independent and collaborative research; and apply philosophical perspectives and ethical principles to knowledge development and practice.
While the curriculum allows some flexibility, all students are required to take the following 11 courses (33 credits):
• A Research Framework for Viewing Clinical Practice
• Introduction to Statistics and Data Analysis
• Introduction to Multivariate Statistics
• Qualitative Research Methods
• Ways of Knowing in Clinical Practice
• Theoretical Approaches to Understanding Human Behavior, Development, and Change
• Advanced Clinical Practice
• Integrating Public Policy issues and Outcomes Into Social Work Research
• Learning and Teaching
• Writing the Stories of Clinical Social Work
• Dissertation Proposal SeminarThe remaining 15 credits are electives. The SSW regularly offers elective courses in teaching, practice, program evaluation, social policy, social work administration, and ethics. At least six credits must be taken at Simmons; students may take some electives at other approved educational institutions. The doctoral program also offers mini courses that typically meet for nine hours, over two or three days.
The Comprehensive Paper
Written after completion of the eight required pre-comprehensive courses , completion of the comprehensive paper marks a major transition from doctoral student to doctoral candidate. It signals the candidate’s readiness to proceed into the dissertation process. Based on the knowledge and skills gained in earlier courses, the "comps" reflect a student’s ability to conceptualize a clear and compelling topic; to organize, effectively present, and critique knowledge relevant to that topic; and to propose a research focus informed by a review of relevant literature.
The Dissertation
The production of a dissertation and its oral defense are major components in doctoral education. The dissertation is both a product and a process. As a product, it must address, in a creative and original way, a substantive area of concern to social work in an attempt to advance professional knowledge and to contribute to the ongoing development of the profession’s knowledge base. As a process, the dissertation is an educational endeavor in which the student demonstrates the ability to integrate social work practice knowledge and theory with sound empirical research principles.
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