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May 26, 2026
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2026-2027 Graduate Catalog
Social Work Major, PhD
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 Return to: College of Social Work
The focus of social work education at the doctoral level is to foster the development of an attitude of scientific inquiry, knowledge of the scientific method, ability to extend the knowledge base of social work practice, and effective participation in leadership roles in social work education, research, and practice.
- Upon completion of the PhD program, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate expert knowledge in a focused substantive area relevant to social work.
- Conduct independent and original scientific research that advances knowledge in a substantive area.
- Communicate scientific findings in an effective way to a range of audiences (from lay persons to other scientists).
- Secure funding for a substantive research agenda.
- Teach students the knowledge, skills, and values they need to be proficient social workers in a substantive area.
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Campus Code
Knoxville Campus Note: The courses are available only in Knoxville. Students and their committees can develop a plan for completing their research in Nashville based on the availability of dissertation resources. Admissions Standards/Procedures
- The PhD program is designed for students who have completed a master’s degree in an accredited school of social work and have post-master’s social work/social welfare experience.
- Applicants who do not meet these requirements, but believe they have equivalent credentials should contact the director of PhD program for further information regarding admissions criteria.
- Submit online application to the Graduate Admissions Office.
Academic Standards
- Typically, the 34 graduate credit hours of foundation curriculum and 9 graduate credit hours of elective coursework are completed during the first two years of study.
- Dissertation research usually begins in the third year and is continued in the fourth year of study.
- While it is generally expected that the coursework will be completed on a full-time basis, dissertation research can be completed on a planned part-time basis.
Credit Hours Required
67 graduate credit hours beyond the master’s degree Required Courses
The foundation curriculum consists of coursework in research methodology and statistics, critical thinking, grant writing, and pedagogy. Semester 1 - Fall
Complete required UT TLI asynchronous teaching certificates. Must be completed prior to or concurrent with fall semester or during winter break. Must be completed before students can teach independently and prior to the end of spring semester 5. Semester 2 - Spring
Students who want to teach in spring semester 5 must arrange a GRA-GTA split by the end of spring semester 2 and register with TAMS.
Semester 4 - Fall
Students who want to begin working on the comprehensive exam in spring semester 5 should finalize their dissertation chair and committee prior to the beginning of spring semester 5. Winter Mini-Term (Optional)
This is an opportunity to take our teaching course with colleagues in the DSW
program. Optional, counts as an elective. Semester 5 - Spring
Students who have completed the teaching modules and teaching practicum can choose to teach independently for the first time this semester, if prearranged. Students who are ready can finalize dissertation committee and begin work on comprehensive exam. - Advanced Elective (research methods, statistics, substantive area) 3 credit hours
- Advanced Elective (research methods, statistics, substantive area) 3 credit hours
- SOWK 600 - Doctoral Research and Dissertation 1 -3 credit hours
Semesters 6 - 11
SOWK 600 - Dissertation Hours. Students must register for minimum of 6 hours while on a GRA and minimum 3 hours when not on GRA from this semester until graduation.
A minimum of 24 SW 600 Dissertation Hours are required. Students should schedule
hours based on expected graduation date. Students eligible for independent teaching. Semester 11 (spring) is the final semester for GRA support. Non-Course Requirements
- Two self-paced teaching certificate modules
- one must be from the Office of TLI, the Inclusive Teaching Certificate
- the other can be a certificate of the student’s choice from those offered at Office of TLI
- Two certificates plus completed practicum/consultation required for students to teach independently for the College
- Certificates should be concurrent with or prerequisites for practicum. Practicum can be completed during regular semesters, summer semester, or mini-terms
- Students are required to collaborate with the Teaching & Learning Innovation Center to complete the six-step consultation process** (Consultations | Teaching & Learning Innovation (utk.edu)) concurrently with the teaching practicum.
- A second teaching practicum can be taken as an elective.
- Students can partner with any full-time faculty in the College at either campus.
- All doctoral students are required to pass a comprehensive examination that consists of a scholarly paper, dissertation proposal, and professional presentation.
- The examination is administered by members of the comprehensive exam committee and is designed for the student to demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the major and cognate areas and the dissertation topic.
- In case of failure, the student may request a retake.
- The result of the second examination is final.
- Completion and satisfactory defense of the dissertation.
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Return to: College of Social Work
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