Ph.D. Course Maps and Timeline

Full-Time Course Map (90 credit Hours)

Social Work Core Courses (31 credits)

YEAR ONE (16 Required Credits; Supplement with Required Electives)

YEAR TWO (15 Required Credits; Supplement with Required Electives)

Required Elective Courses (32 Credits)

32 credits of electives are required and can be selected based on students’ individual study plan. 16 credits must come from selected research electives, while the other 16 will be chosen from substantive area electives. Electives can be taken Years 1-3 but taking in Year 2 is recommended.

Selected Research Electives (16 Credits)

• one 4-credit research design course
• one 4-credit quantitative methods I (multivariate level) course
• one 4-credit quantitative methods II (advanced level) course
• one 4-credit qualitative methods II course

Substantive Area Electives (16 Credits)

• (choose based on your area of focus)

Dissertation (27 Credits)

All students must complete the dissertation.

View Ph.D. Program sample course map (Full-Time) (PDF) »

View Social Work course descriptions »

Part-Time Course Map (90 credit Hours)

Social Work Core Courses (31 credits)

View Ph.D. Program sample course map (Part-Time) (PDF) »

YEAR ONE (13 Required Credits; Supplement with Required Electives)

YEAR TWO (6 Required Credits; Supplement with Required Electives)

YEAR THREE (12 Credits)

Required Elective courses (32 Credits)

32 credits of electives are required and can be selected based on students’ individual study plan. 16 credits must come from selected research electives, while the other 16 will be chosen from substantive area electives. Electives can be taken Years 1-3 but taking in Year 2 is recommended.

Selected Research Electives (16 Credits; Year 1 through Fall of Year 2)

• one 4-credit research design course
• one 4-credit quantitative methods I (multivariate level) course
• one 4-credit quantitative methods II (advanced level) course
• one 4-credit qualitative methods II course

Substantive Area Electives (16 Credits)

• (choose based on your area of focus)

Dissertation (27 Credits)

All students must complete the dissertation.

View Social Work course descriptions »

Graduate Certificate in Gerontology

The Institute on Aging (IOA) offers the Graduate Certificate in Gerontology program.

Learn about the Graduate Certificate in Gerontology »

Ph.D. Program Timeline

Although the time needed to complete all requirements varies, in general students take four to five years to complete their Ph.D. degree.

In addition to completing course requirements and comprehensive exam, students are encouraged to start a research agenda as soon as possible. This includes exploring research areas, identifying research topics, getting to know the research community, attending professional conferences in a research area, and doing research and disseminating findings. An important first step towards achieving this goal is to start meeting with one’s academic adviser.

The following is a brief overview of milestones in the Ph.D. program sequence and the persons or groups who provide guidance along the way.