Ph.D. Program Goals & Benchmarks

Learning Goal 1 for Students: Attain marked ability, scholarship, and research skills in a broad field of learning 

Assessment of student achievement of Goal 1: 

• Grades in graduate courses 
• Qualifying examinations assessing depth and breadth of knowledge 
• Review by faculty of student progress with close advising and mentoring 
• Presentation at a professional conference 

Roles of School of Social Work in helping students to achieve Goal 1: 

• Periodic review of curricular offerings and assessment tools by the Program Director, Ph.D. Executive Committee, and Ph.D. Faculty 
• Evaluate teaching effectiveness of instructors in doctoral courses. If effectiveness is below expectations, work with instructors to improve effectiveness 
• Seek funds for the support of students presenting papers in professional conferences 
• Provide seminar series in topics related to the development of scholarship and research skills, including development of conference presentations and publications

Learning Goal 2 for Students: Engage in and conduct original research 

Assessment of graduate student achievement of Goal 2: 

• Preparation of and defense of Ph.D. dissertation proposal 
• Critical reading of dissertation by committee of graduate faculty members and a committee member from outside the faculty of the Rutgers social work graduate program 
• Public defense of dissertation 
• Submission and acceptance of peer-reviewed articles and conference papers based on the area of dissertation research
• Achievement of students as evidenced by professional placement, selection for conference presentations, peer-reviewed publications and individual internal and external funding attainment. 

Roles of School of Social Work in helping graduate students to achieve Goal 2: 

• Provide early introduction to research methods and opportunities for research 
• Provide opportunities to present research and receive feedback 
• Provide comprehensive advising and assist in the identification of mentors 
• Provide supplemental funding for doctoral student travel to present research at conferences 
• Promote a community and learning climate conducive to goal achievement, including student focused seminar series; computer lab; social events to facilitate interaction and exchange among social work Ph.D. students 

Learning Goal 3 for Students: Prepare to be professionals in their discipline 

Assessment of graduate student achievement of Goal 3: 

• Review papers/publications, presentations, and external or internal funds awarded
• Completion by students of certificate, workshops, or noncredit course in the Rutgers Teaching Assistance Project (TAP) 
• Aggregate evaluations of teaching effectiveness of graduate student instructors 
• Collection of placement data 
• Participation by each student in SSW Professional Development Seminar 

Roles of School of Social Work in helping students achieve Goal 3: 

• Promote programs associated with the Teaching Assistant Project (TAP) 
• Encourage enrollment in TAP Introduction to College Teaching I and II 
• Host and promote professional development programs in such areas as human subjects research, library use, presentation skills, development of CVs, use of research tools, and proposal writing 
• Develop or enhance programs related to job and networking skills, including activity in professional societies and preparation for necessary certifications 
• Acquaint students with non-academic career opportunities 
• Assemble network of Ph.D. alumni with jobs in research and academia to serve as network contacts 
• Provide workshops on academic job search 
• Promote student and Ph.D. faculty advisor attendance at social work professional conferences of the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR)