Social Work
Dean: Dr. Michael Yellow Bird
Associate Dean(s): Dr. Maria Cheung (Undergraduate Programs); Dr. David Delay (Graduate Programs & Research)
Campus Address/General Office: 521 Tier Building
Telephone: 204-474-7050
Fax: 204-474-7594
Email Address: social_work@umanitoba.ca
Website: umanitoba.ca/social-work/
Academic Staff: Please refer to the Social Work website for Faculty information.

Ph.D. in Social Work Program Information

The Doctor of Philosophy program is an advanced degree, focusing on developing skills for research and teaching.

Admission Information

Admission to the Faculty of Graduate Studies

Application and Admission Procedures are found in the Academic Guide.

Admission requirements for doctoral students are found in the Doctor of Philosophy General Regulations section of the Guide.

Social Work Ph.D. Admission Requirements

Admission requirements to the doctoral program in Social Work include:

Master of Social Work degree, or equivalent, from an accredited degree-granting university, with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (B) (as defined by the University of Manitoba).

Minimum research competency in both qualitative and quantitative methods equivalent to the level required for the Masters of Social Work degree from the University of Manitoba, with a minimum grade of 3.0 (B) within the last 10 years. A student not meeting this entrance requirement may be recommended for conditional admission with the stipulation that the student take the necessary course or courses. The course or courses will be an additional requirement beyond the 24 credit hours required for the program.

Evidence of educational and professional experience that will indicate a capacity to undertake research-oriented post-graduate work. Applicants will be asked to submit a curriculum vitae.

The candidate is required to submit a two-page summary of their proposal for the PhD program, which includes:

1. Rationale for the proposed research
2. Research questions
3. A concise literature review of the topic
4. Proposed methodology for the research
5. Outline a plan to complete the research

The proposal should be clear enough that a potential faculty advisor can be identified and, in addition, the applicant must present a letter (email confirmation is acceptable) of an agreement with a proposed advisor who agrees to serve as the advisor.

Selection of students for admission is based on the recommendations of a Selection Committee of a minimum of three persons appointed by the Ph.D. Program Committee (for composition of this committee, please refer to the Faculty of Social Work) to evaluate each applicant’s qualifications and report on his/her suitability for Ph.D. studies. Acceptance is subject to approval by the Ph.D. Program Committee and the Graduate Programs Committee; however, the Graduate Programs Committee may delegate this responsibility to the Ph.D. Program Committee. Selection decisions made by the Faculty of Social Work are presented as recommendations that must be approved by the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

Advising

Each student must contract with an advisor upon admission. An advisory committee that includes the advisor and two additional members will be appointed to assist the student in devel­oping a study plan and to supervise the student’s research. All members of the advisory committee must be members of the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

Application Information

Students should complete and submit their online application with supporting documentation by the date indicated on the Social Work Ph.D program of study page.

Degree Requirements

The program consists of:

• 24 credit hours of approved 7000-level course work beyond the M.S.W. degree,
• a candidacy examination,
• a thesis proposal, and
• a Ph.D. thesis.

A minimum of two years of study (the Fall and Winter terms of the first and second year following admission) is required.

Candidacy

A candidacy examination committee will also be appointed when the stu­dent begins to prepare for the candidacy examination. This three-person committee, which includes the advisor, is responsible for administering the candidacy examination. The candidacy examination should be taken within a year of completion of coursework. The candidacy examination consists of a major paper on a topic within the student’s general area of study and an oral examination of the topic covered in the paper.

Dissertation Research

The student’s Ph.D. advisory committee, chaired by a thesis advisor, provides advice and guidance in the development of the proposal for the dissertation, and during the ongoing research phase. Normally, advisory committee members become members of the examining committee for the dissertation during the final examination for the Ph.D. degree.

Expected Time to Graduate: 4 years

Progression Chart

¹

Courses selected by the student in consultation with her or his advisory committee to further her or his specialized program of study. The main criterion for selection is the appropriateness of the methodologies covered in selected courses for the area of specialization being pursued. It is strongly recommended that courses focusing on both quantitative and qualitative methodologies be included. Course selection must be approved by the Ph.D. Program Committee.

²

Courses selected by the student in consultation with her or his advisory committee to establish expertise in a particular area of specialization defined as a field of policy, theory, practice or practice method. The course selection must be approved by the Ph.D. Program Committee.

³

Selection of Candidacy Committee. Proposal for Candidacy paper approved.

Registration Information

Students should familiarize themselves with the Faculty of Graduate Studies ‘GRAD’ courses applicable to their program. If you have questions about which GRAD course(s) to register in, please consult your home department/unit.

Students must meet with their faculty advisor to select and approve the courses before registering.

Regulations

Students must meet the requirements as outlined in both Supplementary Regulation and BFAR documents as approved by Senate.

Supplementary Regulations

Individual units may require specific requirements above and beyond those of the Faculty of Graduate Studies, and students should consult unit supplementary regulations for these specific regulations. 

Bona Fide Academic Requirements (BFAR)

Bona Fide Academic Requirements (BFAR) represent the core academic requirements a graduate student must acquire in order to gain, and demonstrate acquisition of, essential knowledge and skills.

All students must successfully complete:

• GRAD 7300 prior to applying to any ethics boards which are appropriate to the student’s research or within the student’s first year, whichever comes first; and
• GRAD 7500 within the first term of registration;

unless these courses have been completed previously, as per Mandatory Academic Integrity Course and Mandatory Research Integrity Online Course.

Students must also meet additional BFAR requirements that may be specified for their program.

General Regulations

All students must:

• maintain a minimum degree grade point average of 3.0 with no grade below C+,
• meet the minimum and not exceed the maximum course requirements, and
• meet the minimum and not exceed the maximum time requirements (in terms of time in program and lapse or expiration of credit of courses).

Courses

Social Work