General study programme for third level studies in social work, 240 higher education credits The curriculum was ratified by the Board of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Gothenburg on 27 March 2007, revised 30 January 2008, 2 February 2010, 1 June 2010 and 13 October 2011. 1. The programme s aim The programme s aim is to develop the knowledge and skills required to pursue independent research within social work and to contribute to development of knowledge within the subject through production of a scholarly thesis. The third level programme in social work also has the aim of developing the doctoral student s ability to apply the academic skills and knowledge gained in further research work or in other advanced professional work. In addition, the programme shall develop the doctoral student s communicational and pedagogical skills in expressing him/herself well verbally and in writing both within and outside the academic context. The doctoral student shall also have acquired knowledge in planning, leading and implementing research projects. The third level programme shall provide the opportunity for international contacts e.g. in the form of participation at research conferences and/or visits to foreign higher education institutions. The programme s specific goals, which must be fulfilled for a doctoral degree in social work to be awarded, are detailed below. In general the requirements detailed in the Higher Education Ordinance and the Degree Ordinance concerning degrees at third level apply. 1.1 Knowledge and understanding - demonstrate a breadth of knowledge in social work and systematic understanding of the research field, along with a depth of specialist, current knowledge within a well-defined part of the research field - demonstrate intimate knowledge of theory within the social and behavioural sciences, along with research methodology, scientific theory and analysis within the subject of social work. (indicate specific requirements for the subject) 1.2 Skills and capabilities - demonstrate the ability to conduct scholarly analysis and synthesis, and to independently critically review complex new social problems, social processes and processes of social change within the field of knowledge in social work - demonstrate the ability to identify and formulate research issues critically and with scholarly precision, and to plan, implement and present scholarly studies in social work using commensurate methods within given time parameters
- demonstrate the ability to critically review and evaluate scholarly studies in social work - demonstrate the ability to make a substantial contribution to development of knowledge within the selected field of research - demonstrate the ability to verbally and/or in writing present and discuss research and research findings in both national and international contexts in dialogue with researchers within social work and society in general - demonstrate the ability to identify a need for further research within the candidate s own research field in social work - within both research and education in social work, and in other advanced professional contexts and in dialogue with professionals and society at large, demonstrate the prerequisites to contribute to the development of society and to support others in their teaching. 1.3 Judgement and approach - demonstrate intellectual independence and an analytical approach to knowledge formation within social work - have the ability to appraise weaknesses and strengths in the candidate s own scholarly thesis - demonstrate scholarly honesty and the ability to make such ethical judgements relating to research that are required in research within social work - demonstrate profound insight into social work as a branch of scholarship, its possibilities and limitations in relation to vulnerable individuals and the group s living conditions and processes of social change at different levels of society. 2. Entry requirements Acceptance onto the programme requires applicants to have fulfilled criteria for general and specific entry requirements in accordance with the specifications in chapter 7 of the Higher Education Ordinance. 2.1 General entry requirements According to chapter 7, section 39 of the Higher Education Ordinance (HEO), general entry requirements comprise - completion of second level degree, - completion of course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, at least 60 of which at second level, or - in some other way to have acquired fundamentally equivalent knowledge inside or outside the country. 2.2 Specific entry requirements Acceptance onto a third level programme in social work requires the following: - degree in social studies, 210 higher education credits or fundamentally equivalent knowledge which was acquired in some way inside or outside the country. - adequate proficiency in both the Swedish language and in English to be able to assimilate research literature and courses at third level, and also for active participation in seminar activities. 3. Admission and selection Admission onto a third level programme in social work generally requires a special announcement.
According to chapter 7 of HEO, selection among applicants shall be conducted in consideration of ability to complete the programme. In addition, the department s expertise and supervisory resources within the doctoral student s provisional research specialisation are taken into account. Applicants are required to enclose the following as underlying material: - essays and degree projects plus other relevant publications - certificates relating to other relevant qualifications, e.g. participation in research, evaluation or development work - a presentation of research interests or research assignments and the focus of the proposed thesis project. Essays, degree projects and other relevant publications are assessed according to the following quality criteria: - ability to formulate, demarcate and analyse the research assignment in the essays in question - ability to present research results in writing The decision regarding admission is taken by the Board of the Department of Social Work at the University of Gothenburg after preparation in the department s Postgraduate Studies Board. 4. The programme s content and structure The third level programme in social work comprises 240 higher education credits and concludes with the doctoral examination. The option is available to take a licentiate's examination after 120 higher education credits if the requirements specified in the Higher Education Ordinance s degree ordinance concerning licentiate degrees are fulfilled. Third level programmes consist partly of courses that are subsequently examined, and partly of individual research work leading to a scholarly thesis. Within the framework of their programmes, doctoral students shall also take part in seminar activities and, unless there are specific reasons, contribute to the department s joint activities. 4.1 Thesis work Doctoral students shall present and report on how their thesis work is proceeding at at least four seminars: - in connection with selection of thesis topic (idea seminar) - when the thesis plan is ready (plan seminar) - when sections of the thesis are ready (half-way seminar) - when the entire thesis manuscript is ready, 3-6 months before the estimated date of the public defence (final seminar) An external examiner must be used at the final seminar. In addition the doctoral student is required to participate in seminars, which concern the work of other doctoral students and act as faculty examiner for other doctoral student s work. 4.2 Courses The programme comprises a course component of 65 higher education credits. The courses in the third level programme in social work shall cover the following two areas: - scientific theory and research methods, incl. research ethics - theory within the social and behavioural sciences with relevance for social work Of the 65 higher education credits the doctoral student shall attain at least 20 higher education credits within each area. 20 higher education credits comprise an optional element, which means that the doctoral student decides
her/himself whether to attain these credits through further courses in the above mentioned areas or through courses in other relevant areas. Other courses are decided in consultation with the supervisor. The remaining 5 credits are an obligatory course in teaching and learning in higher education. Of the 32,5 higher education credits that are required for the licentiate degree, the student shall attain at least 10 higher education credits in each of the two areas mentioned above. 7,5 higher education credits comprise an optional element. The remaining 5 credits are an obligatory course in teaching and learning in higher education. Assessment of knowledge on the courses that are delivered in the Department of Social Work takes place in the form in which the examiner, in consultation with the students, deems to be appropriate. It is also possible for the individual doctoral student, in consultation with the supervisor and examiner, to create individually adapted courses of study. Irrespective of form, the doctoral student s course results are given either as a pass or a fail grade. If the doctoral student receives a fail grade for a normal examination, she/he will be given at least one further opportunity to pass any exam in connection with the course. Other courses are decided in consultation with the supervisor. If doctoral students are permitted to include higher education credits from previous programmes this must be specifically indicated in the individual curriculum, according to applicable rules of the Faculty. 4.3 Thesis and public defence At the heart of the programme is the writing of a scholarly thesis in which the doctoral student advances knowledge within the research field. In accordance with the rules detailed in the Higher Education Ordinance for doctoral and licentiate degrees respectively, the thesis shall be defended at a public defence and seminar respectively. The thesis, which encompasses 175 higher education credits, can be formulated either as a unitary, continuous work (monograph) or as a compilation of scholarly papers (compilation thesis). Approval for a thesis with two or more authors requires the individual doctoral student s contribution to be presented in such a way that it is possible to assess it individually In accordance with the rules detailed in the Higher Education Ordinance for doctoral and licentiate degrees respectively, the thesis shall be defended at a public defence and seminar respectively. The seminar at which the licentiate dissertation of 87,5 higher education credits is defended is led by an examiner, who also appoints a faculty examiner. The thesis, respectively dissertation, is either passed or failed. Grading takes into account the contents of the thesis, respectively dissertation, and its defence at the public defence, respectively dissertation seminar. 5. Supervision Two supervisors shall be appointed for each doctoral student, one main supervisor and one assistant supervisor. The main supervisor shall be employed at or co-opted by the University of Gothenburg. At least one of the supervisors shall be qualified for appointment to a readership and at least one of the supervisors shall have completed supervisor training. The doctoral student is entitled to supervision as stipulated in the individual curriculum (see below). Doctoral students who request it have the right to change supervisor. 6. Individual curriculum An individual curriculum is drawn up for each doctoral student in connection with admission, in accordance to the template of the Faculty. The curriculum is established after consultation with the doctoral student and his/her supervisor.
The individual curriculum shall be followed up on least one occasion per year. The follow-up shall set out clearly how the programme is progressing. Doctoral student, supervisor and head of department shall confirm in writing that they have studied the individual curriculum and any alterations made to it. 6.1 Timetable and finance plan The individual curriculum shall contain a timetable with an accompanying finance plan for the entire period of the programme up to the planned date for the public defence. 7. Miscellaneous You are referred in general to applicable legislation, guidelines at the University of Gothenburg and at the Faculty of Social Science. Details of relevant rules and regulations are available at www.samfak.gu.se.