Change the World Like Brené Brown With a Ph.D. in Social Work

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Molly Shea July 29, 2019

Connect like author/storyteller/social worker/proud UH grad (and proud UH professor) Brené Brown with a Ph.D. in social work.

In this course, participants learn core principles, concepts, and methods of continuous improvement and explore the history of continuous improvement efforts. In a series of lectures, Master Black Belt in Six Sigma Shane Wentz, Ph.D., enables learners to enhance, optimize, and stabilize business processes and to augment quality control through varied methodologies. Participants gain the skills and knowledge to reimagine internal processes, engage in advanced problem-solving, and empower employees. The course covers high-level foundational principles of Lean, Six Sigma, and DMAIC processes before diving deep into Lean Six Sigma methods. Learners will analyze the tools of process mapping, Kaizen (a continuous improvement method/tool deemed a prerequisite for Lean transformation success), Lean (a continuous improvement philosophy that emphasizes streamlined workflows and reducing waste), and the process improvement methodology driving DMAIC: Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control.

Entrepreneurs fostering new ventures outside of well-developed entrepreneurial ecosystems like Silicon Valley face significant challenges. These markets are unlike Silicon Valley, and they will likely remain so. That doesn't mean they can't nurture and sustain new businesses. In transitioning markets that lack abundant private sector financing, creative approaches from government officials, donors, and business leaders can fill the void to support entrepreneurial activity. Northeast Ohio (where Cleveland and Case Western Reserve University are located) has become a laboratory for such innovative solutions. During our time together in this course, we will explore some of these creative approaches to promoting regional entrepreneurship. Northeast Ohio has seen a massive infusion of government and donor resources for over ten years. In that time, Northeast Ohio has promoted regional development (including job creation and follow-on funding) through alternative methods of financing startups. It has not been easy. The region has made progress, but it remains to be seen whether it has struck upon an enduring formula. A dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem takes many years, even decades, to develop. Government policymakers and donors typically seek quicker returns on their support programs, which makes long-term support for entrepreneurship challenging. This course includes case studies and first-person testimonials from entrepreneurs who have launched products and services ranging from medical devices to LED lights to whiskey. You will learn how these entrepreneurs discovered and procured resources from various programs and intermediary organizations. You will hear from business people still in the process of developing their companies as well as those whose ventures have flourished. Our focus will extend beyond Cleveland to selected markets around the world, including Greece, Vietnam, Tunisia, Argentina, Rwanda and China. You will learn about international incentives and other supports available to developing startups and small businesses across the globe. This course examines how different communities around the world approach implementing strategies and methods to support businesses. I will ask you to reflect on how to apply the principles we learn to growing entrepreneurship where you live. The social interactive features of the online platform will enable students from around the world to share ideas and learn from one another. Most MOOCs rebroadcast professors’ lectures; this course is different. Don’t expect to see me standing in front of the camera, talking and lecturing every module. Instead, the lectures will be relatively short in length. They have more of the feel of an engaging documentary than a static classroom setting. ## __What type of person takes the *Beyond Silicon Valley* course?__ - Active and aspiring businesspeople in communities looking to initiate new startup ecosystems or bolster existing ones - Current and prospective entrepreneurs who want to learn about funding sources, risk management, and the lifecycle of startups - Professionals who work in government agencies, nongovernmental organizations, philanthropic institutions, and various private funds that fund startups - Anyone curious about how to create and grow startup ecosystems outside the major tech hubs - The principles Beyond Silicon Valley teaches have been drawn from and applied to startups worldwide, from small villages to megalopolises. You'll study success stories spanning the globe from Vietnam to Kosovo to Botswana. ## __What will you learn in *Beyond Silicon Valley*?__ - How and where startups can find funding to get their businesses off the ground - What role government can play in encouraging startups and a healthy startup ecosystem - How anchor institutions such as universities and healthcare systems participate in startup ecosystems - How nongovernmental organizations support startups - How to raise funds from venture capitalists, angel investors, and accelerators - How to navigate challenging periods in the startup lifecycle - The importance of mentoring in successful startups

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Social Work Doctoral Programs and Careers

“Connection is why we're here; it is what gives purpose and meaning to our lives," author, storyteller, social worker, and proud University of Houston grad (and current professor) Dr. Brené Brown writes in the bestseller The Gifts of Imperfection.

For those captivated by connection, like Brown is, there’s no better way to explore it than by getting a doctoral degree in social work. Social work Ph.D. students study human behavior, psychology, social welfare, and more in an attempt to better understand what makes us tick, then use that information to create change. Some go on to teach and work in higher education, others continue to perform research, while some continue on to create policy and work for the government, think tanks, and corporations.

Brown’s star turn may have added a dash of glamour to the social work profession, but there’s a lot to consider before seeking out a Ph.D. Here’s what you should know.

In this article, we'll cover:

Possible fields and career paths for a doctorate in social work
Prerequisites for a doctorate in social work
Top schools for a doctorate in social work
The qualifications needed to pursue this degree

Possible fields and career paths for a doctorate in social work

Social workers aspiring to the doctorate level may find information on two specific degree type. Here's how they compare:

A Doctor of Social Work (DSW) is a practice-oriented degree. It's newer to the field—that is, if you count the 1940s as "recent." Most graduates go on to work in the field, supervising other social workers or engaging in higher-level practice.
A Social work Doctor of Philosophy (social work Ph.D.) is more research-oriented. These graduates often take on the following roles:

Professor

Some MSWs and licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) teach in university social work programs, but most tenured social work professors have a doctoral degree. Those extra years of school and research give social work PhDs a better understanding of the field, and, typically, a specialization. Brown, for example, specializes in and teaches classes on shame and vulnerability—just one of many options for a social work Ph.D.

Lead researcher

Leading social work research typically requires a Ph.D. as well. While some master’s students may assist with studies, those creating and spearheading the studies are usually Ph.D. students and social workers with a doctoral degree. If you dream of a career spent crunching data, like Brown, it’s worth considering a Ph.D.

Human services director, policy developer, therapist

While many with social work PhDs build careers centered around academia, that’s not always the case. Some go on to work for corporations, helping establish company culture and ensure employees’ health and well-being. Others might go on to a career in government, working to improve social work-informed policy. Some might go on to practice as therapists, with more education than their LCSW colleagues. Whatever the career path, a doctoral degree will help establish credibility and will certainly never hurt.

Prerequisites for a doctorate in social work

Master's degree: While there’s no one path to a social work PhD, a Master’s in Social Work (MSW) is the most obvious foundation for students seeking possible fields and career paths for a doctorate in social work. It lays the social work education groundwork for a doctoral degree, teaching basic research skills, a policy background, as well as the tenets of social work practice. While some schools have joint MSW and Ph.D. programs, most schools require a master’s degree for admission. Other degrees that serve as a stepping stone include a master of psychology, a master of counseling, and a master of education.
GPA: Students are often required to provide transcripts showing academic performance, including an acceptable grade point average (GPA). Many schools, such as New York University, require a minimum master’s degree GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4-point scale.
GRE scores: Though some schools are bucking the trend, most programs require these scores for consideration. The test can give schools a better understanding of an applicant’s writing, analytical and qualitative skills, which all come into play during a Ph.D. program. Students for whom English is not their first language, or who earned a degree at a non-English school, will likely have to submit Test of English as a Foreign Language, or TOEFL, scores.
Hands-on experience: Applicants should have a solid grasp of the field through internships, practice, and research experience in social justice, social welfare, evidence-based practice, and mental health.
Specialty: Applicants should also have a practice area in mind, as well as a reason for pursuing a degree beyond the typical MSW. Ph.D. programs are incredibly competitive, and a convincing argument can set you apart.

Top schools for a doctorate in social work

There’s no "one size fits all guide" for choosing the right grad school, but there are resources that when combined, will help you create a list of the top schools for a doctorate in social work to best suit your interests and skills—and succeed throughout your program.

If you're seeking a grad school with a killer reputation, there are a number of reputable doctorate programs to choose from here:

Despite the increasing number of MSW students establishing social welfare careers through online programs, major universities do not offer opportunities for PhD distance learning since programs require rigorous in-person research, teaching, and working closely with an advisor.

Commitment required for a doctorate in social work

The good news: Many doctoral degrees are partly, if not fully, funded. The not-so-good news: Completing one can take nearly a decade. While a Ph.D. can be an incredible credential, it’s not a decision to be made lightly.

How funding happens

Many schools offer full funding for doctoral students, comprised of fellowships, teaching stipends and more. The University of Michigan, for example, offers five years of full tuition and a modest living stipend to its doctoral students, thanks to a mix of awards, assistantships, and instructorships. Funding only covers the essentials, but PhD students are often able to earn their degree without amassing student loan debt. Those with existing debt from bachelor’s and master’s degrees are often able to freeze the loans until graduating from an accredited program. That said, many schools do not offer full funding or only offer funding for a certain number of years. Students might consider working part-time as social workers while pursuing a Ph.D., taking out loans, or seeking out independent grants and fellowships.

How the timeline works

Social work students should plan on completing a Ph.D. within 4 to 7 years, depending on previous degrees, course load, and dissertation time. College graduates hoping to speed up the process might look for dual MSW/Ph.D. programs, while MSW students should speak with their advisors about preparing for Ph.D. applications. A is a serious undertaking: Those planning on practicing clinical social work, working, say, with at-risk children rather than data points, might consider pursuing an MSW as their terminal degree

Exams and certifications to complete a doctorate in social work

While completing a Ph.D. program, students will likely have to complete a qualifying exam— typically a published research paper—after completing core coursework. After passing the qualifying exam, doctoral students will go on to complete and defend a dissertation, a process that can take years and typically involves a high-stakes presentation before a committee.

Students seeking exams and certifications to complete a doctorate in social work will likely be familiar with the education, credentialing, and licensing required at the MSW and LCSW levels due to how they overlap. Because a Ph.D. in social work is not a clinical degree, there’s no doctorate-level licensure test that graduates must pass. Those with social work PhDs who wish to practice must take master’s level licensure tests, becoming LMSWs and potentially LCSWsafter a certain number of years. If a Ph.D. student is already licensed as a social worker, that same licensure carries over after earning a doctorate degree. Some Ph.D. grads continue to practice as clinical social workers, which typically requires licensure as an LCSW, but most go on to social service careers as researchers, scholars, and educators.

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