The Thesis

The Thesis is an original piece of scholarly research on a topic that has been selected by the student and approved by the supervisor and the student’s Supervisory Committee. The thesis is a major undertaking that reflects the highest standards of scholarship and that makes a significant contribution to knowledge and practice in the field of social welfare and the profession of social work.

The organization of the entire PhD program (required courses, elective courses, and Comprehensive Exam) is intended to guide the student in pursuing areas of social work theory and research, which will provide the background for the formulation of the Thesis Proposal. The student works closely with the supervisor in selecting a thesis topic that can be feasibly researched within a one- to two-year timeframe.

The Thesis Proposal is generally developed in consultation with the supervisor and is subsequently submitted to the Supervisory Committee for their review and feedback. Once the thesis proposal is ready for formal approval, the supervisor convenes a meeting for the Thesis Proposal Defense. Students will advance to candidacy once they have successfully completed of the Thesis Proposal Defense.

Once approved, the student carries out the proposed thesis research with the support and guidance of the supervisor and the Supervisory Committee. When completed, the Supervisory Committee approves the thesis and an application for its defense at an Oral Examination is made through the office of the PhD Program Director. Completion and successful defense of the Thesis are required before the doctoral degree can be conferred.

Once the Thesis has been completed and received the approval of the Supervisory Committee, the student proceeds to the Oral Examination that is administered by the School of Graduate Studies. Copies of the completed dissertations are housed in the FIFSW and may be signed out. Please see the Administrative Coordinator, Admissions and Programs (ACA), Angela Umbrello, for assistance in this regard.