LEAD THE CONVERSATION DOCTORAL PROGRAM
A PROGRAM AS DEDICATED AS YOU ARE
WHY SMITH COLLEGE
For those ready to elevate clinical social work, Smith College School for Social Work offers a Ph.D. program that prepares you to lead the conversation on some of the world’s most pressing social issues. Combining research with constant examination of theory, the program will provide you with the knowledge and credentials for academia, or public or private practice and enable you to become a valued mentor to new generations of your profession. Our low residency program focuses your energy on academics each summer while you immerse yourself in research and clinical practice in cities and towns across the country throughout the rest of the year.
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Number of students in an average doctoral class.
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The number of months you will spend in Smith SSW’s residency program. A postresidency period follows in which you will focus on your dissertation research.
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IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE EXPANSIVE RESULTS
ACADEMICS
The most active minds in clinical social work come to the Smith College School for Social Work to accelerate their careers and deepen their professional impact. They enrich the educational experience and bring deep insight to academic discussions.
Your program will include specialized courses in clinical theory, research methods and teaching philosophy to help you prepare for your career, whether it be a position in academia or clinical leadership.
YOUR DISSERTATION
You will complete an individual doctoral dissertation devel oped in close consultation with your research adviser. Your dissertation can address any issue relevant to clinical social work. This allows you the chance to make new, independent contributions to the knowledge base of the field.
ADVANCE YOUR KNOWLEDGE IN:
• Clinical theory and practice with individuals, families and small groups, using psychodynamic and social theories
• Social work research, including both qualitative and quantitative methods as well as advanced statistics
• The philosophical foundations of contemporary social work practice
• Social work education
• Social policy as related to clinical practice and mental health
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WORK TOWARD EQUITY LEAD FOR CHANGE
CULTURE
In every classroom and program, we hold fast to principles of social justice and anti-racism.
We examine the impact of unequal power structures in the clinical work environment. We evaluate and conduct research with an anti-racism lens to gain a deeper understanding of how biases impact everything from the interpretation of research to the delivery of care, and we’ll prepare you to lead a career committed to improving outcomes for all communities.
DEVELOP THE SKILLS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Clinical social work is a career that demands intellectual rigor and compassion in equal measure. It requires a specialized skill set— the capacity to care about the issues facing society and the drive to solve them. You know this better than most. We do too.
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Number of years it takes most students to complete the program.
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The number of days you’ll spend each week working in depth with clients during your two clinical internships.
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ACCELERATE YOUR CAREER DEEPEN YOUR IMPACT
INTERNSHIPS
There are two kinds of internships you will need to complete during the program: clinical and research. In your two, eight-month clinical internships, you will deepen your study of clinical theories and practice, and apply those with a range of clients. In your research internship, you’ll choose from three options: affiliate with ongoing research outside of SSW, collaborate with an SSW faculty member on their research project or propose a new project.
Whether your goal is to teach and conduct research in an academic position, work with people navigating the paths through trauma or build healthier cultures within organizations, we have the expertise and spirit of inquiry to help you appraise clinical theories, engage systemic issues and propel solutions.
OUTCOMES
Many of our graduates go on to become leaders in clinical social work. From tenure track faculty posi tions to innovative clinical research, social work practice and policy, our graduates create work lives that permit them to use their skills in a variety of ways.
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READY TO APPLY?
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At Smith SSW you are never a number. Our staff is available to answer any questions you may have from your first inquiry through your application. Our online application makes getting started easy. Go to ssw.smith.edu/applyPhD and take the first step today. GET IN TOUCH: • 413-585-7950 • sswadm@smith.edu • ssw.smith.edu/PhD • Chat with admission between 9 a.m.–4 p.m. on Google Hangouts at sswadm@smith.edu! DEADLINES Application deadline: February 1 Financial Aid deadline: March 1* * though early application is strongly encouraged
SMITH’S COMMITMENT TO FINANCIAL AID
We have a deep commitment to access and affordability for all students qualified to join the Smith SSW community. We know that student success can be tied to financial security and we continue to be dedicated to developing scholarship endowments and expanding resources which can provide living stipends and often even field awards.
Visit ssw.smith.edu/affordingPhD to learn more.
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Lilly Hall, 23 West Street, Northampton, MA 01063 413-585-7950 | ssw.smith.edu