Social Work - Leadership and Social Policy, Ph.D.
Dr. Shonda Lawrence
Program Director
Thayer Hall, Room 239
Telephone: (404) 880-6732
Credits: 64
CIP Code: 440701
Program Overview
The Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Social Work-Social Work Policy, Planning and Administration, and Social Science prepares individuals for careers in teaching, research, social policy analysis, human service management, and organizational development. The program seeks to increase the number of African-American and other underrepresented ethnic minority social work leaders at the doctoral level.
The purpose of the program is to implement a set of interdisciplinary teaching and learning experiences that will lead to the development of competent and motivated leaders in the global human enterprise. The Program adheres to the standards set forth by the Group for the Advancement of Doctoral Education (GADE) in Social Work. The program provides educational content in two areas:
- core courses in social policy, human service management/administration, organizational development, and research methods and statistics; and
- courses in a cognate area that students select from the graduate schools within the University.
Mission
The mission of the Doctor of Philosophy Degree Program in Social Work is to prepare students for social policy analysis, leadership in human service organizations, teaching, and research.
Vision
The vision of the Doctor of Philosophy Degree Program in Social Work is to become nationally and internationally recognized for competent social policy analysts, leaders of human service organizations, teachers, and researchers.
Program Goals
- To educate a diverse student population committed to the search for solutions to problems of poverty, social and economic injustice, sexism, racism, and other forms of oppression while preserving the heritage of African American people.
- To ensure through all teaching and research experiences, the core values and ethics of the profession, including the promotion of social justice, a responsibility to serve the oppressed and at-risk members of society. Further, to develop a strong commitment to fight inequality and oppression based on race, gender, age, class, sexual orientation, and disability rooted in one's capacity to grow and change.
- To enhance the role of research with an improved research infrastructure that acknowledges the contributions to mankind that could be made by increasing the number of graduates of color, who obtain doctoral degrees.
- To develop seamless partnerships with governmental agencies at all levels and the corporate community, both profit and non-profit, for the purpose of creating long-term sustainable funding opportunities for the school.
- To enhance and provide services to meet the social service needs of the community by maintaining ongoing linkages with other local, regional, national and international organizations, institutions, and governmental entities.
Program Objectives
- Prepare students for careers in teaching, research, social policy analysis, and leadership of human service organizations.
- Educate a diverse student population committed to the search for solutions to problems of poverty, social and economic injustice, sexism, racism, and other forms of oppression while preserving the heritage of African-American people.
- Ensure through all teaching experiences the core values and ethics of the profession; the promotion of social justice; a responsibility to serve the oppressed and at-risk members of society; and a strong commitment to fight inequality and oppression.
- Promote the role of research that acknowledges the contributions to humanity.
- Provide opportunities for students to engage in policy analysis that will enhance services to those who are oppressed.
Admissions Requirements
Priority Admission Application Deadline: November 1
General Admission Application Deadline: February 1
Admissions information can be found on the Whitney M. Young Jr., School of Social Work website SocialWorkPhDProgram@cau.edu, or you may contact or visit the school at 223 James P. Brawley Drive, SW, Atlanta, Georgia 30314, (404) 880-8399. Application for admission is made to:
Office of Graduate Admissions, 223 James P. Brawley Drive, SW, Atlanta, Georgia 30314, (404) 880-8765. Please visit the website for directions for completing the application at GraduateAdmissions@cau.edu.
In addition to University Graduate Admissions Requirements as published in this Catalog, applicants for the Social Work Policy Planning Administration and Social Science Doctor of Philosophy Degree Program must have:
- GPA 3.3 or higher
- The Master of Social Work Degree from a school accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
- Official transcript from all colleges and universities attended.
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores taken within the last five (5) years.
- Three (3) references from professional persons who can attest to the ability to complete a doctoral program in social work. References must include at least one graduate professor or professional supervisor.
- A Personal Statement clearly presenting the relevance of their professional experience in Social Work to their career objectives, including how the program focus of Social Work Policy Planning Administration and Social Science will prepare the applicant to meet these objectives and a reflection of how their research interests align with the school’s mission of social justice (3-5 pages).
- A writing sample that clearly communicates the applicant’s potential for integrative and critical thinking, the ability to appropriately use the literature (paraphrasing arguments, synthesis of ideas, citation practices utilizing APA), and an advanced ability to present a clear, logical, and a compelling written product (published article, chapter, book, master's thesis, unpublished research report, conference presentation, term paper written in a graduate course, training manual, grant application, legislative testimony).
- Curriculum Vitae/Resume
- Completed a minimum of two (2) years of professional experience in Social Work.
Only those applicants whose qualifications meet our minimum requirements and who have complete application files will be considered for admission. If you meet or exceed these requirements, we encourage you to continue with the application process. However, please keep in mind that meeting these requirements does not guarantee admission, only admission consideration. The admissions process is limited and competitive.
Note: During matriculation, students must be continuously enrolled at the Whitney M. Young, Jr. School of Social Work. Any lapse in enrollment will require the student to apply for re-admission to the degree program.
International Students
Clark Atlanta University encourages the enrollment of students from other countries. In addition to meeting the regular requirements for admission, the applicant must receive a minimum score of 500 on the paper examination or 173 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Additional policies and services related to international students, international exchange, and Immigration and Naturalization Services can be found in the CAU Graduate Catalog
Student Learning Outcomes
Students pursuing the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Social Work will:
- Apply social work policies and practices in planning, program administration, and evaluation of government and/or social service organizations at local, national and international levels that promote social justice.
- Identify and effectively communicate solutions to problems of poverty, social and economic injustice, sexism, racism, and other forms of oppression.
- Create and implement social service programs to meet the needs of diverse populations.
- Integrate the Afrocentric Perspective into research to promote best practices in social work education, policy and practice.
- Demonstrate proficiency and cultural competence as social work educators.
Degree Requirements
In addition to the University Graduate Degree Requirements as published in this Catalog, students pursuing the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Social Work Policy, Planning, and Administration, and Social Science must complete a minimum of sixty-four (64) credit hours, including core courses, cognate courses, elective courses, and dissertation research.
Core Course Requirements: 33 Credits
Required courses during the first and second years include social work administration theory, organizational development, policy, research methods, and statistics. The third year is primarily devoted to the completion of cognate and elective courses. After all course work is satisfactorily completed, students must complete qualifying examinations prior to enrolling in dissertation research. Transfer courses must be approved by the Program Director and Associate Dean.
Core Courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CSSW 900 | Historical Analysis of SW... | 3 |
| CSSW 901 | Soc Wel & Prof SW Pol,Pl & Dev | 3 |
| CSSW 910 | Research Methods | 3 |
| CSSW 911 | Descriptive & Inferential Stat | 3 |
| CSSW 912 | Multivariate Statistics | 3 |
| CSSW 913 | Doctoral Seminar I | 3 |
| CSSW 914 | Doctoral Seminar II | 3 |
| CSSW 920 | Organizational Development | 3 |
| CSSW 921 | Planned Change in Complex Org | 3 |
| CSSW 930 | Critique & Analysis of Mgmt.. | 3 |
| CSSW 931 | Analysis & Dev of Adm Models.. | 3 |
| Total Hours | 33 | |
Cognate Courses: 9 Credits
A Cognate courses are courses other than social work that individually and collectively enhance the depth of understanding of the student's chosen research area and or area of interest. These are graduate-level courses from other disciplines within the University or at another accredited institution of higher learning. Cognate courses expose the student to interdisciplinary training. Students choose cognates under the advisement of the major professor and with the approval of the student's Doctoral Advisory Committee (DAC).
Cognate Courses from Other Disciplines (DELETE)
School of Education (Educational Leadership) (DELETE THIS SECTION)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Cognate | ||
| CEDA 600 | Admin. of the Urban School Sys | 3 |
| CEDA 601 | Strategic Plan. for Sys. Refor | 3 |
| CEDA 709 | Sem. in Strategic Leadership | 3 |
| CEDA 719 | Sem. in Instructional Leadersh | 3 |
| CEDA 729 | Sem. in Organizational Leaders | 3 |
| CEDA 739 | Seminar in Pol./Comm. Ldrship | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| CEDA 612 | Student Personnel Admin | 3 |
| CEDA 614 | Staff Personnel Administration | 3 |
| CEDA 620 | Eco. of Educational Equity | 3 |
| Total Hours | 27 | |
School of Arts and Sciences (Political Science) (DELETE THIS SECTION)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Cognate | ||
| Blacks & the Amer Pol System | ||
| Comparative Politics | ||
| Comparative Political Systems | ||
| Politics of Revolutionary.. | ||
| International Politics | ||
| International Organizations | ||
| International Relations | ||
| Theory and Methodology | ||
| Afr Amr Political Thought | ||
| Feminist Theory | ||
| US Government and Politics | ||
| American Federalism | ||
| Women in Political Seminar | ||
| U.S. Constitutional Law | ||
| Urban Politics | ||
| Black City Politics | ||
| Urban Politics | ||
| Political Demo & Urban Change | ||
| Total Hours | 0 | |
School of Arts and Sciences (Public Administration) (DELETE THIS SECTION)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Cognate | ||
| CPAD 501 | Public Admin-Survey the Field | 3 |
| CPAD 505 | Formulation of Public Policy | 3 |
| CPAD 506 | Human Resources Management | 3 |
| CPAD 507 | Public Budgeting and Finance | 3 |
| CPAD 508 | Info. Mgnt. Sys. for Public Ad | 3 |
| CPAD 510 | Prog Design, Imple & Eval. | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Select nine credit hours of electives | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 27 | |
Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Human Resources | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Labor Management Relations | ||
| Strategic Human Res. Planning | ||
| Humanitarian and Disaster Mgnt | ||
| Community and Economic Development | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| State & Local Gov't Finance | ||
| Prin of Comm. & Econ Dev | ||
| Thesis Research | ||
| International Administration | ||
| Select two of the followiing: | 6 | |
| Comparative Administration | ||
| Intl. Dev. Administration | ||
| Housing and Comm. Dev. Policy | ||
| Electives in Urban Administration | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Applied Urban Management | ||
| Public Management | ||
| Grant Proposal Writ. and Mgnt. | ||
| Electives in Public Policy Analysis | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| State & Local Gov't Finance | ||
| Public Management | ||
| Fundamentals of Social Policy | ||
| Sustainable Urban Management | ||
School of Art and Science (Criminal Justice) (DELETE THIS SECTION)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Cognate | ||
| CSCJ 502 | Contemporary Theo.in Soc&Crim | 3 |
| CSCJ 514 | Law Enforcement Admin. | 3 |
| CSCJ 516 | Judicial Process: Court System | 3 |
| CSCJ 517 | Correctional System | 3 |
| CSCJ 518 | Delinquency & Juvenile Justice | 3 |
| CSCJ 613 | Independent Study | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Select three of the following: | 9 | |
| Classical Theo. in Soc. & Crim | ||
CSCJ 520 | ||
CSCJ 571 | ||
| Cultural and Ethnic Relations | ||
| Comparative Criminal Just Syst | ||
| Selected Topics Seminar II | ||
| Total Hours | 27 | |
School of Art and Science (Sociology) (DELETE THIS SECTION)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Cognate | ||
| CSCJ 501 | Classical Theo. in Soc. & Crim | 3 |
| CSCJ 502 | Contemporary Theo.in Soc&Crim | 3 |
| CSCJ 520 | 3 | |
| CSCJ 521 | 3 | |
| CSCJ 563 | 3 | |
| CSCJ 564 | 3 | |
| Electives | ||
| Select three of the following: | 9 | |
CSCJ 531 | ||
CSCJ 553 | ||
| Deviant Behavior | ||
| Social Stratification | ||
CSCJ 565 | ||
| Total Hours | 27 | |
Electives: 9 Credits
While students have the freedom and flexibility to choose whatever electives they prefer (across any relevant discipline), they are encouraged to consider those courses that best complement their cognate area.
Qualifying/Comprehensive Examination
Upon completion of 33 semester credit hours of core course work, students are eligible to take the comprehensive examination. This examination, constructed by the Ph.D. Program faculty assesses the student's knowledge of research methods, statistical analysis, policy, administration, and theoretical framework.
Oral Prospectus (See WMYJSSW Student Doctoral Dissertation Manual)
Dissertation Research: 12 Credits
Dissertation Consultation (1) Credit
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CSSW 995 | Dissertation Research | 12 |
| CSSW 996 | Dissertation Consultation 1 | 1 |
| Total Hours | 13 | |
- 1
Required only for the student who has completed 12 hours of Dissertation Research but has minor corrections to make.
Dissertation Defense
The student will defend the dissertation to members of the dissertation committee and invited guests.
Social Work, Ph.D.
The plan of study is incorrect. I will email the correct plan of study for the Social Work Ph.D. Program.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | |
| CSSW 900 | Historical Analysis of SW... | 3 |
| CSSW 910 | Research Methods | 3 |
| CSSW 913 | Doctoral Seminar I | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| CSSW 901 | Soc Wel & Prof SW Pol,Pl & Dev | 3 |
| CSSW 911 | Descriptive & Inferential Stat | 3 |
| CSSW 914 | Doctoral Seminar II | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Second Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| CSSW 912 | Multivariate Statistics | 3 |
| CSSW 920 | Organizational Development | 3 |
| CSSW 930 | Critique & Analysis of Mgmt.. | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| CSSW 921 | Planned Change in Complex Org | 3 |
| CSSW 931 | Analysis & Dev of Adm Models.. | 3 |
| CXXX XXX | Cognate Course I | 3 |
| CXXX XXX | Cognate Course II | 3 |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Third Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| CXXX XXX | Cognate Course III | 3 |
| CXXX XXX | Cognate Course IV | 3 |
| CSSW XXX | Graduate Elective V | 3 |
| CSSW XXX | Graduate Elective VI | 3 |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 60 | |
CSSW 995 Dissertation Research Total: 12
CSSW 996 Dissertation Consultation (to be taken as needed upon completion of 12 hours in CSSW 995 Dissertation Research)
Dissertation Research is taken during the time needed to complete the dissertation. The course is offered as a 3 or 6 hour course