Social Work Doctoral Program Administration: Current Status, Information Needs, and Capacity to Address Persistent Critiques

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this article is to identify doctoral administration and education standards, practices, policies, and related gaps in knowledge, and consider them in the context of persistent social work challenges. A literature review was conducted, and focus groups were convened at the 2016 conference of the Group for the Advancement of Doctoral Education in Social Work, focusing on cultural climate; faculty, staff, program, and higher administration; student admissions; student preparation; and student products. Major themes from the study include doctoral education remains understudied and unexplored, existing research is outdated, and focus groups fill research gaps and provide practical solutions. Findings suggest strategies for those in doctoral education to be better informed and simultaneously shape the profession.