Research involves the mastery of skills needed to design and conduct a systematic, empirical,
objective, public, and critical investigation of a social welfare problem or issue. Doctoral
students graduate with the capacity to frame a question about a social welfare issue or problem
that can be evaluated or examined using social science research methods. Their dissertation
research may be descriptive, designed to develop a theory, or intended to test a hypothesis. The
typical doctoral student has a prospectus approved within 2 years of completing coursework and a
dissertation defended within 5 years of completing coursework, although many complete all
requirements sooner. Through the dissertation, students demonstrate the ability to conduct
independent research and to make appropriate use of quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods of
analytical techniques. The majority of our doctoral students present research at professional
conferences and author or co-author a publishable-quality article for a peer-reviewed journal
during their time in the Doctoral Program. In the first two years of the full-time program, up to
15 hours each week are devoted to a paid individualized research fellowship matching student's
interests with a faculty member's research projects. Specialized, funded research mentorships,
available for both the Full-Time and Part-Time formats, are also available for students who
wish to work with an individual faculty member on a specific research topic.
Recent dissertation topics include aging knowledge and perceptions of older adults, medicare
supplemental insurance purchasing decisions, factors associated with self-neglect in older adults,
the relationship of government and non-profits during welfare reform, quality of relationships in
the caregiving process among families of women with substance use or dual disorders, and the
meaning of culture in family preservation and kinship care services.
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