Social Work Doctoral Degrees and Dissertations: 3 Tips for Planning
by Dr. Veronica L. Hardy, LCSW
Several years ago, I decided to return to school to attain a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy). Why did I make such a decision that would require an immense commitment of time and effort in my mid-thirties? Well, our NASW Code of Ethics promotes ongoing learning, as well as our licensure and credentialing boards. I also wanted to stay current in theory and practice skills, and I simply enjoy education. As a result, with these intentions in mind, I decided that a doctorate degree would meet all the career objectives for that stage of my life. To begin the process, I researched programs, the requirements, time frames, costs, and major assignments. What was one key assignment I came across? The doctoral dissertation, one of the primary requirements toward completing a PhD program.
Since I graduated, one of the most frequently asked questions I receive about doctoral programs pertains to the dissertation process. Many may want to pursue a doctorate degree as the next phase of their career journey, but they feel hesitant about revisiting terms such as qualitative and quantitative research, recalling descriptive and inferential statistics, conducting literature reviews, and writing in APA style. However, although I carried some of the same hesitancies, I found that the research courses in both my undergraduate and graduate programs provided a strong foundational knowledge about the research process. Believe it or not, that foundational knowledge, combined with the doctoral research courses, helped me reach the finish line. In addition, I enjoyed the professional growth process, as well as a self-discovery process that enhanced my awareness about the ways I could provide services that I had not previously considered. When I finished the dissertation, it was exciting to see how everything came together into one paper, and I continue to use the findings from my dissertation today.
If you are contemplating pursuing a doctorate degree and have questions about the dissertation or other research-based assignments, here are a few initial steps you could take to plan for the process.
1. Accountability Partners
Develop a small group of classmates with whom you can have periodic meetings and discuss your progress and obtain feedback. During my program, I met on a weekly basis with two classmates who had the same graduation timeline that I was planning to achieve. Our meetings were held using virtual methods – Skype was the primary method at the time. During those meetings, we each had time allotted to provide updates about our progress, address areas of difficulty, and to develop objectives that were to be accomplished by the next meeting. Accountability partners can be beneficial, allowing for reasonable time frames, objective feedback, and supportive discussion.
2. Alumni
Seek out and contact those who have successfully completed the dissertation process. Based on this person’s availability, they may welcome your specific questions about the process, share about the research methods they used, and introduce areas of consideration that you may not have considered. In seeking the help of alumni, show appreciation for their time and support.
3. Small Steps
Be sure to give a certain level of attention to your dissertation each day. This can be as little as 15 minutes toward accomplishing a task on your to-do list. If a daily schedule is not feasible because of work or family responsibilities, possibly schedule a couple days a week with an hour or more to work on tasks toward your project. Overall, determine what would be appropriate for your schedule, as every bit counts.
If you are interested in pursuing a doctorate degree as the next step in your unique career journey, determine ways to be intentional and strategic about moving toward your vision. Remember, the types of research-based requirements may vary depending on the program type (e.g., PhD, DSW), so do your “research” to learn each program’s process. Overall, enjoy the journey of professional growth and new opportunities for self-discovery.
Dr. Veronica L. Hardy, LCSW, is a Professor of Social Work at The University of North Carolina at Pembroke. Dr. Hardy is a social justice advocate, professional consultant, author, and mentor to new social workers and junior faculty members. She is the creator of The Social Work Lounge, a mentorship group facilitated via Facebook.