Ph.D. Curriculum

Building upon the earned Master of Social Work degree, the doctoral program requires an additional forty-five semester hours of coursework. Completing coursework full-time over five semesters, the program curriculum is composed of fifteen required courses, two electives, and the capstone is the dissertation.

The Coursework

Required courses cover the history and philosophy of the profession, the theory and policy undergirding social work, and advanced research methods and statistics. Within the framework of each required course, papers and assignments are tailored to each student's desired focus on a chosen field, method, or other specific content. The two elective courses provide the opportunity to deepen knowledge of these individualized interests. The course work culminates in an integrative seminar. There are a total of 45 credits prior to the comprehensive examination and dissertation guidance.

History and Philosophy: All students take SSS 940, The History and Philosophy of Social Work. This course grounds the overall curriculum within twentieth century movements for social justice and change, the fundamental components of a profession, and the epistemologies for knowledge development within the social work profession.
Theory and Policy: Courses in theory include those of classical and contemporary descriptive and explanatory theories that are derived from other disciplines and reformulated and integrated into the knowledge base of social work (SSS 930, Sociological Theories Influencing Social Work Scholarship and Research and SSS 932, Psychological Theories Influencing Social Work Scholarship and Research). The value base of the profession is explored in Theoretical Frame for Ethical Decision Making and Knowledge Development (SSS 944) and Theories of Social Justice (SSS 946). Knowledge and analysis of the policies that empower and constrain the profession are presented in Advanced Policy Analysis (SSS 890). Students select an additional theory course that fits their area of interest.
Research Methods and Statistics: Doctoral level social workers are both consumers and producers of research. Students take two semesters of statistical methods for analysis of quantitative data (SSS 947 and 948, Multivariate Statistics and Design I and II). The fundamentals of both quantitative and qualitative methodologies are presented over two semesters in SSS 950 and 953. These courses are followed by advanced courses in the epistemological background of and the gathering and appropriate analysis of both quantitative and qualitative data (SSS 955 and 956, Advanced Qualitative Methodology and Advanced Quantitative Methodology).
Electives: Students complete their doctoral coursework with 6 credit hours of individually chosen electives. These may focus on a field of practice, population, problem, or other such area that will provide a foundation for the dissertation. Examples include health, mental health, child welfare, child and family, community development, spirituality, ethics, aging, international development, social work education, or poverty. These courses may be taken at NCSSS, elsewhere at CUA, in the Washington Consortium of Universities, or in another accredited university graduate program. Of these two, only one may be an independent study; the other must be a formal course.
Integrative Seminar: The curriculum culminates in an integrative seminar (SSS 913 Integration of Knowledge for Social Work). In this course, students will integrate knowledge of existing theoretical and empirical literature regarding the explanation of or intervention with a particular issue or problem. The course will enable students to think deeply, critically, and creatively about the complexity of their chosen issue or problem and be prepared to take their comprehensive exams and pursue their dissertation research.

The Comprehensive Exam

In order to be admitted to doctoral candidacy, an NCSSS doctoral student must successfully pass the comprehensive examination. Students must formally register with the university for the Doctoral Comprehensive Exam. (See CUA Class Schedule for appropriate registration number and procedure).

To be eligible to sit for the written comprehensive, the student must have completed their 45 hours of coursework and be registered for SSS 998. The purpose of these comprehensive exams is to assess the student's ability to organize and integrate knowledge through clear and comprehensively formulated answers during set time limits. The exam will test specifically all required content. Students may add their own elective content as appropriate to inform their answers. The comprehensive exam is composed of three components: the integrative paper from SSS 913, a written comprehensive response to questions related to research in SSS 998, and an oral examination on both theory and research applications. All components of the comprehensive are designed to reflect the individualized interest of the student while also addressing integration of knowledge across the curriculum.

Grading

Although the examination consists of three parts which are each graded separately, the comprehensive exam is graded as a whole. Grading consists of three possible scores: exceeds expectations, meets expectations, and does not meet expectations and is recorded as pass or fail.

A student must pass the whole exam. A student who incurs two failures of the comprehensive examination will be dismissed from the doctoral program. After beginning the written comprehensive examination, whether taking the exam for the first time or re-taking because of failure, a student may choose to withdraw from the examination process with no failure penalty. However, a student is limited to withdrawing only once.

Dissertation

For admission to candidacy for the doctoral degree, the student must have successfully completed 45 or more credit hours of coursework, and have passed the comprehensive examination. Upon completion of these requirements, the student is officially admitted to candidacy on the first day of the following semester. The candidate must submit a dissertation proposal within two years of acceptance into candidacy. Between the time of admission to candidacy and completion of the doctoral dissertation, the student must maintain continuous enrollment by registering each semester for Dissertation Guidance.

The capstone of the Ph.D. program at NCSSS, production of a scholarly dissertation distinguishes the doctoral degree from all other educational attainments in the social work profession. At its best, the process encourages original thinking, evaluative questioning, in depth objectivity and scholarly independence. Built upon a historical perspective, relevant theory and empirical research, the dissertation fulfills several major functions. It is a production of original research and scholarship that makes a substantive contribution to existing knowledge and to the social work profession. The dissertation involves a process that demonstrates the candidate's mastery of research methodology. Specifically, it requires the ability to address an important professional problem, to use research methodology and tools, to organize the findings and to report them in scholarly fashion.

Doctoral Academic Policies and Procedures Continuous Enrollment

The doctoral program committee supports the policy of the university for continuous enrollment. Students must either be in class or be registered for dissertation guidance.

Transfer of Credit

During the admissions process, applicants to the Ph.D. program may make a written request that up to 24 semester hours of credit be transferred toward the Ph.D. degree. Coursework must be appropriate to the chosen concentration, have been earned at an accredited university graduate program, taken within the past five years and graded at the level of B or above. The written request, accompanied by official transcripts and course description from university catalogue or course outline, must be made to the program chair, who will approve each individually.

Grading Policy

Approved by the Academic Senate, beginning September 1990 for all graduate students except students in the Columbus School of Law, the following grading system will be in effect:

Grade	Rating	Numerical Equivalent
A	Excellent	4.00 (95-100)
A-		3.70 (90-94)
B+		3.30 (87-89)
B	Satisfactory	3.00 (83-86)
B-		2.70 (80-82)
C	Passing but Marginal	2.00 (70-79)
F	Failure	0.00 (<70)
P	Pass
I	Incomplete
W	Withdrawal

The National Catholic School of Social Service affirms its right to require its students to meet accepted academic requirements that consist of scholastic and behavioral components. Consistent with Catholic social teaching and social work values, NCSSS respects the worth and value of all persons regardless of age, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, ethnic or national origin, handicapping conditions or diversity of opinion. Students' behavior should reflect the core values of the social work profession-service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity and competence. Standards for professional performance require that students adhere to ethical standards as outlined in the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics and the requirements stated below.

Scholastic Requirements

As required by CUA policy, any NCSSS student who is involved in unethical practices in connection with any work required for a course will receive a grade of F (Failure) for the course. Further penalties may be imposed in accordance with specific circumstances. For example, it is strictly prohibited, as an unethical practice, to submit as one's own written work; for example, term papers, research, or professional papers, dissertations, or exams in which material provided by a professional research agency, the internet, or by other persons is utilized. A graduate student who employs such assistance or other unethical practice in the research or writing of a thesis or dissertation shall be liable to expulsion from the university upon proper hearing by the school and dean.

In the Ph.D. Program, a grade of C, a grade point average of less than 3.0, or a pattern of multiple Incompletes indicates unsatisfactory progress toward the degree. Students are expected to maintain a minimum of a B (3.0 G.P.A.) to remain in school and to graduate. One grade of C or F, or a pattern of multiple Incompletes will result in the convening of a review committee. The receipt of more than one grade of C or below is grounds for dismissal by the Dean.

Behavioral Requirements

NCSSS Ph.D. students are expected to maintain accepted standards of professional conduct and personal integrity in the classroom and in the university setting. Students should:

Attend classes regularly and contribute constructively to the classroom culture.
Recognize and avoid behavior that jeopardizes the learning/teaching environment of other students or the instructor.
Demonstrate competence in planning academic activities and in following through on those plans.
Reasonably respond to and respect others' reactions to one's comments or actions in the classroom.
Use an appropriate level of class time and instructor's time and attention in and out of class.
Behave in a manner that is consistent with the ethical principles of the social work profession. Students are expected to show an appropriate level of professional judgment, being careful not to jeopardize the best interests of people for whom they have a professional responsibility.

Students whose professional judgment and performance are hampered in any way are expected to immediately seek consultation and take appropriate remedial action by seeking professional help, and/or making adjustments in workload. Students who are unable to meet any of the academic requirements may be subject to the review committee process.

Review Committees

Students in the Ph.D. program may encounter educational difficulties, have difficulty meeting academic requirements, have exceptional or personal problems or require special attention. To assure that these needs are met without compromising the school's integrity or treating the student unfairly, an orderly procedure has been established. When the student or relevant faculty feels that any of these problems may have arisen, a Review Committee may be called.

However, a review committee must be called by the doctoral program chair upon a student's receipt of one grade of C or F, or other evidence of unsatisfactory or marginal work. The committee provides a formal procedure to deal constructively with the problems. Problems may range from poor academic performance, possible unsuitability for the profession or continued education in the profession or a student's belief that he or she has been treated unfairly.

The Review Committee is convened and chaired by the program chair, although a request to have such a committee may be made by the student, the student's adviser or by any one of the student's instructors. The chair notifies the student and other participants in writing of the date of the meeting and invites them to attend. Participants at the review committee shall be only the student, the student's academic adviser, instructors, and, if the student desires, either one representative from the Doctoral Student Association or another doctoral student selected by the student. Students who have an identified disability and have registered with the Office of Disability Support Services, may request the presence of a representative from that office. No accommodations can be made for a disability without the involvement of this office.

Typically the review committee is presented with the concerns and gives each participant, including the student, an opportunity to describe the problem and potential resolution. Based on the exchange at the meeting, the committee makes a recommendation to help the student successfully complete the program. The review committee recommends to the Dean a plan to assist the student. If the committee reaches a finding that is not unanimous, a statement of majority and minority findings is written.

In some situations, a review committee may recommend that a student be dismissed from the program. In any case, the student may appeal to the Dean the review committee's recommendation. In all cases, the final decision is made by the Dean.