| Course Registration
The writing and successful defense
of the dissertation is the final eligibility requirement for the
Ph.D. degree. Students
are judged on the basis of their potential for independent
scholarship and on the soundness of their work and its contribution
to the chosen
field of study.
Dissertation planning begins earlier
in the course of studies, but becomes more focused
after completion of the three social work method courses and
the field
of practice
tutorial. Additional
consultation and guidance is gained from the dissertation
seminar, students’ advisors and faculty members in their fields
of interest.
Social Work T8505.
Dissertation Seminar
1.5 credits
The dissertation seminar is taken in the third year
of the program. It is a working forum that permits students to
explore the process
of initiating their dissertation research with peers.
Students prepare and discuss an outline of their proposed dissertation
research,
develop an Institutional Review Board protocol for
the protection of human research participants, learn practical strategies
to managing
their dissertation writing, and become familiar with
a range of interpersonal, scholarly, and institutional resources
that can assist
in the dissertation process. While the dissertation
seminar is meant to assist students with their individual dissertation
work, the
seminar also emphasizes the development of collegial
relationships and peer review skills.
Social Work T9800.
Doctoral Research Instruction
6 credits
During
Doctoral Research Instruction (T9800), supervising faculty are expected to guide
the student in selecting a study topic, developing
an approved proposal, implementing
the research, and writing the dissertation. While registered for T9800, students maintain library
and computer privileges, and supervising
faculty are expected to be available for consultation.
Social Work T0003
Continuing Doctoral
Registration in Social Work
Once all other program requirements, including
T9800, are fulfilled, students must register
for Continuing Doctoral Registration
in Social Work (T0003). This registration
allows students to retain their full-time
status and all attendant privileges (library
and gym access, etc.) while completing their
dissertation. Students must register for T0003 and pay a fee every semester until they distribute the final draft of the dissertation.
Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) Degree
After
completing all requirements for the Ph.D. degree
(with the exception of the dissertation proposal
and dissertation), a student applies for the Master
of Philosophy, or M.Phil. degree, through the doctoral office. Upon receiving
the M.Phil., the student will
also engage for the first time with the Dissertation
Office (107 Low Library) where, once the M.Phil. is awarded,
a file (known
as “the blue folder” due to its trademark color)
is created. This file tracks a student's progress from the
dissertation proposal phase
through to the awarding of the Ph.D. degree. |
