Public Affairs (PhD) - Social Work

Program Overview

The Public Affairs (PhD) – Social Work program at the University of Central Florida prepares students for academic research and leadership roles in human service, health, and community agencies. The program emphasizes research and evaluation skills, with a focus on interdisciplinary knowledge and innovative social ventures. Students complete a six-course methodological core, a three-course discipline-specific specialization, and a 15-credit dissertation.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Public Affairs (PhD) – Social Work program at the University of Central Florida (UCF) is designed to prepare students for university faculty and research positions, as well as leadership roles in public, non-profit and private human service, health and community-based agencies. The program emphasizes research and evaluation skills.

Objectives:

The program aims to: Develop student learning and competencies for social work scholarship and research, incorporating disciplinary knowledge in interdisciplinary contexts. Foster student learning in domains relevant to social work research in the 21st Century, including knowledge translation, evaluation, evidence-based research, the design of innovative social ventures, and the development and testing of interventions for improving social service practice, social welfare and social policy.

Program Description:

• The program requires a Master of Social Work (MSW) for admission.
• Students must complete 60 credit hours beyond the master's degree.
• The program is structured to include:
• A three-course, 9-credit required Public Affairs substantive core
• A six-course, 18-credit required Public Affairs methodological and statistical core
• A three-course, 9-credit required discipline-specific specialization
• A two-course, 6-credit unrestricted elective requirement
• One course, 3-credit required Public Affairs Community-based Research
• 15 credit hours of dissertation minimum

Assessment:

• Students are required to take a Research Proficiency Exam (RPE) and Integrative Qualifying Exam (IQE) upon successful completion of the first year of substantive and methodological required courses.
• These exams assess a student's ability to integrate curriculum knowledge and apply it in the realm of community problem solving as it relates to policy, administration, governance, and organizations.
• Students are expected to demonstrate proficiency in the PAF Core Competencies.
• Students are given two opportunities to pass the RPE and the QE.
• Students who fail any section twice are dismissed from the program.

Careers:

The program prepares students for:

• University faculty and research positions
• Leadership roles in public, non-profit and private human service, health and community-based agencies

Other:

• New admissions to the Social Work Track have been suspended effective Fall 2021.
Prospective students interested in this track are encouraged to apply directly to the Public Affairs PhD program.
• Students are able to select or create specializations that best align with their research interests.
• A grade of B- or better is required in all Substantive Core and Methodological Core courses.
• Students receiving a grade of "C+" or lower will be required to repeat the course and receive a grade of B- or better prior to taking the Research Proficiency Exam and Qualifying Exam.
• Any student who receives more than one "C" in their doctoral course work may be dismissed from the program.
• A minimum of 3.0 graduate status GPA and program of study GPA is required to maintain graduate student status and for graduation.
• Students with a GPA less than 3.0 may be dismissed from the program.
• Any student who receives an "F" grade in their doctoral course work will be dismissed from the program.
• Upon acceptance of a student into the program, the program director provides students with an initial orientation and a general advising session.
• The Track Coordinator in conjunction with the PAF Director helps the student throughout the foundation stage of the program, assisting in the clarification of interests and goals and facilitating the introduction of students to faculty and research interests that can advance the student's program of study.
• Social Work Track students will be advised by the Social Work Track Coordinator.
• The Track Coordinator assists the student in selecting elective courses, finalizing the program of study, and facilitating discussion with faculty members who have similar research interests.
• Discussion and review of dissertation topics should take place with the faculty member who has agreed to chair the dissertation committee.
• The dissertation chair is to be selected by the student prior to commencing the dissertation prospectus.
• Students can officially obtain candidacy status when they have successfully completed all course work, passed the research proficiency and qualifying exams, formed their Dissertation committee, have no more than six required courses remaining (electives included) and all required paperwork has been completed and submitted.
• In addition, students admitted to their UCF doctoral program in Fall 2011 or a later term must complete all CITI Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training.
• Once they have obtained Candidacy status, students can register for dissertation hours.
• Students officially enter candidacy when the following work has been accomplished:
• Pass Integrative and Research Proficiency Qualifying Exams
• Form an appropriate Dissertation Committee by established university deadline:
• Chair (Graduate Faculty member who is eligible to chair a dissertation committee)
• Minimum of four committee members (all must hold a Graduate Faculty or Graduate Faculty Scholar appointment)
• At least three, and a majority of the committee, must be members of the Graduate Faculty
• At least one member must be from outside the department (or college, if a college-wide program)
• At least one member must have served previously on a thesis or dissertation committee that graduated a student, either at UCF or at another accredited institution.
If the Chair does not have this experience, another graduate faculty member who has this experience may serve in this role as Vice Chair. Under certain circumstances (see page 2), a graduate faculty scholar who has previous committee experience may serve as Vice Chair.
• Have no more than 6 total credit hours of coursework remaining (including electives)
• Complete all required RCR Workshops and CITI Integrity Trainings
• Complete PAF Notification of Doctoral Candidacy form
• Full-time students in the Public Affairs Program pay a $40 equipment fee each semester that they are enrolled.
Part-time students pay $20 per semester.