Social Work (Professional Doctorate) (DSW)
Please note that this programme has one entry point in late September of each year, and the normal deadline for applying is July 1st
Cardiff School of Social Sciences is one of the largest centres of social science research in the UK, with over half of all its research activity rated as either ‘world leading’ or ‘internationally excellent in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE). The School was ranked by the RAE at the top of UK universities for ‘Research Power’. This is a measure which combines research excellence and research capacity. This is a remarkable achievement, indicating a critical mass of active world class scholars across our large inter – disciplinary School. Around 300 students join the School each year to pursue postgraduate study in a range of social science disciplines. Much of our research involves collaboration with major universities and international agencies around the world. It also involves us in local contacts with policy makers and practitioners. This creative combination of interests and practices is the hallmark of the School.
Professional Doctorates aim to integrate academic and professional knowledge in new ways. A professional doctorate is designed to develop the capabilities of individuals to work within a professional context. In Cardiff School of Social Sciences we offer an integrated professional doctorate scheme within which education, health and social work professionals work together for some of the taught modules. The unique interprofessional learning allows students to reflect on both what is shared across professional boundaries and what is distinctive to their own occupational traditions.
The Professional Doctorate in Social Work is aimed at managers, trainers and a wide range of practitioners. It offers the opportunity to examine leading edge theories and research evidence in order to understand the social context of social work interventions and the impact they have on people’s lives.
Programme of Study
All students will be required to take 8 taught modules. As virtually all students will be part time, with substantial professional commitments, modules will normally be taught intensively over 2½ days with suitable pre and post reading and activities. Typically, students will receive reading materials one month prior to each module. Three different types of modules will be offered — compulsory, generic options and specialist options. Students will be required to take:
Five compulsory research training modules:
SIR023 Quantitative Research Methods
SIR024 Qualitative Research Methods
SIR026 Changing Modes of Professionalism
SIR004 Research and Evidence-Based Policy and Practice
Two compulsory specialist modules:
One generic optional modules:
SIR029 Public Sector Management
SIR040 Mainstreaming Equality: A Multi-Strand Approach
SIR042 Contemporary Developments in Equality Theory and Practice
Thesis
Once the taught modules are successfully completed, DSW candidates are assigned a supervisor and formally registered for their thesis.
Students will be required to submit work for annual progress reviews until they complete their thesis.
The thesis will be up to 50,000 words in length.
Period of Study
The normal expectation is for the taught element to be completed in two years, and the thesis to be completed within a further two years. The maximum time limit for the degree overall is 7 years.
Admission Requirements
The basic entry requirements are that candidates should possess a good first degree and normally a Masters degree; they should also have two or more years’ professional experience in a field appropriate to their chosen programme. As some of the assessments may require practice and evaluation in the workplace, it will normally be a condition of entry that applicants have access to professional settings in an appropriate professional field.
All students will be interviewed prior to admission; they will be counseled on the appropriateness of the course for their particular stage of professional development. Recruitment of students will comply fully with the University’s equal opportunities policy.
Candidates are also asked to submit a research proposal with their application to enable us to to identify potential supervisors early on. For guidance see the Guidance for Research Proposal in the Related Resources Section at the top of this page.
Application forms may be downloaded from the main postgraduate section of the web site.
They can also be obtained from:
Professional Doctorate Administrator
Email: socialscience-research@cardiff.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0) 29 208 70855
Extension: 70855
See this course on the University's Coursefinder website.