Mar 28, 2024  
2012-2013 General Catalog 
    
2012-2013 General Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Social Work, Ph.D.


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Social Work


The PhD in social work is aimed at providing an advanced interdisciplinary degree that will equip graduates for important roles in policy analysis and development, research, and teaching. The period of study for the doctoral degree in social work is typically three to five years, but is not to exceed seven years.

The individualized program of study for each student will be developed in consultation with and approved by the student’s graduate advisory committee. The committee will include the student’s major advisor and at least two additional members of the graduate faculty such that the LSU Graduate School’s requirements of the LSU Graduate School for graduate committees are satisfied.

The degree requires students to:

  • Successfully complete 48 semester hours of study, including nine hours of dissertation, which must be completed within seven years from being classified as a doctoral student.
  • Maintain an overall grade point average of 3.00, with no grade less than “C” in any course offered for the degree.
  • Demonstrate mastery of a broad major field (i.e. social work) as evidenced by passing the General Exam.
  • Satisfactorily complete the exit requirement: the dissertation and the dissertation defense.

The curricular requirements include:

  • Successfully complete at least 48 hours of graduate level work maintaining an overall grade point average of 3.00, with no grade less than “C” in any course offered for the degree. No more than six hours of credit received with a grade of “C” can be counted toward the Ph.D. degree.
  • A minimum core requirement of 15 credit hours in social work foundation courses, 12 credit hours in research & statistics, 12 hours of interdisciplinary course work and at least nine hours of dissertation credit.
  • The student must pass a general exam consisting of a written exam and oral exam.

Applications for admission are received and evaluated by the department. Application to both the MSW and PhD programs consists of online application to the LSU Graduate School and supplemental materials to the School of Social Work. Applicants must adhere to the application deadlines established by the Graduate School and the School of Social Work. Students seeking admission must submit satisfactory credentials from previous study, acceptable GRE scores, and three letters of recommendation. International students whose native language is not English must also submit an acceptable TOEFL or IELTS score. When all admission requirements are met, full admission will be granted.

The MSW Program has a deadline date of March 31 and admits students for the fall semester of each year. Admission decisions are based on the applicant’s academic record, GRE scores, letters of recommendation, letter of intent, work and volunteer experience, as well as a personal interview. A genuine interest in people and emotional stability are also important qualifications for admission to the school. No academic credit is granted for work or life experiences.

The PhD Program has a priority deadline date of February 1 and admits students for the fall semester of each year. Applications received before February 1 will receive priority in admissions decisions; Applications received between February 1 and May 15 will be considered on a space-available basis; Applications received after May 15 cannot be guaranteed consideration for admission for the fall semester. Admission decisions are based on applicant’s academic record, GRE scores, personal qualifications, and proposed program of study.

For more information on admission to the MSW or PhD program, please visit our website at www.socialwork.lsu.edu

Admission to the MSW and PhD programs is granted by the school’s faculty on the basis of the applicant’s undergraduate record and personal qualifications. No academic credit is granted for work or life experiences. Admission requirements and procedures are described in the School of Social Work Bulletin and the Graduate Bulletin. Students enrolled in other divisions of the University who have appropriate standing may register for social work courses numbered below 5000 for which they have the specific prerequisites. Graduate students in other departments who have the necessary prerequisites may register for social work courses with the permission of the instructor and the director of the school. They may not register for social work practice or field internship courses.

The School offers an undergraduate minor in social work. For details, see earlier section in this chapter titled “Minor Field Requirements ”.

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