South African DPhil programs in Social Work

Just wondering if anyone has any experience with SA DPhil programs in Social Work? Several universities have programs. I'm wondering which programs are conducive to DL? I'm also wondering if there is a way to determine if SW schools in the US have profs with SA doctorates. I don't know any social workers who have done this.

Tom

 

Hi PatsFan - There is a PhD program in Social Work at UNISA but it has a residency requirement. I am currently enrolled in the PhD program in Social Work at the University of the Free State located in Bloemfontein, South Africa. I would be happy to answer any questions that you might have regarding that program. As to your question about teaching, I do not really intend to use my degree (if I ever finish the darn thing) in that way and so I've never investigated. I think I could safely say that it's not a common credential in the USA.
Jack

 

Congratulations on your return to the persual of your doctorate!

Is this a thesis only degree?

Thanks!

 

Never mind, I pulled up the site and now have my answer.

 

Yes, it is. My progress is glacial in its speed, one of the factors in my hesitancy in accepting the Moderators position. Despite all that I remain optimistic and marginally on task.
Jack

 

Thanks for the info. Jack. I did have a few questions: How does UFS compare to UNISA and SATS as far as "customer service?" Did you need an additional master's degree (with a thesis) to be accepted at UFS or was an MSW sufficient? Did you need to take a research class on-line or locally to obtain the tools to do the dissertation? What kind of assistance do you get from UFS in terms of training to do research? What's the topic of your thesis? Good luck!

Tom

 

Hi Tom - Just a few questions, eh? OK, here's what I've got:

I've never applied to UNISA or SATS so there are limits to my knowledge. I've had email correspondence with UNISA that was easy, prompt and helpful. I've never written to SATS but I hear they are quite responsive.

I applied to UFS with only my ALB and my MSW as credentials. Of course, I've got a killer resume featuring years of experience, zillions of hours of continuing ed credits and I wrote a monster essay (not required) explaining my interests.

I was not required to take additional research classes in order to enroll but I might need to take one or two in order to survive (gulp).

My advisor is great and offers lots of help. However, there's no training wheels on this bicycle.

My dissertation topic . . . it has got to do with kids, and mental illness and stuff. (Now where did I put that piece of paper? Oh no!!! I lost it again?!?! I may need to get back to you with the specifics on that one.
Jack

 

I admire that you're taking on such a challenge! I get the impression--right or wrong-- there is a fair amount of hand holding in the residency PhDs in the US in regard to dissertations. Guidance might be a better word. Keep us posted. I definitely want to hear how you end up working out any knowledge deficits
in the area of research. I wonder if US universities ever let students like yourself audit some of their research classes or dissertation seminars? It will be years before I consider taking on a PhD, but I'm fascinated, just the same. Now I better get back to my own academic adventures. Thanks again. Good luck.

 

A couple of thoughts, Jack. The first is the metaphor of the training wheels is absolutely terrific; it really hits the nail on the head. I take my hat off to you for embarking on such a daunting task. During disser times I kept my adviser close by and my stats consultant even closer. The ambiguity of having my advisor on another continent would be more than I could handle.

The second is don't worry about the "gulp" research courses. I made it through my MSW without taking a course in statistics. I had the basic course in social work research but not statistics. I discovered when I dove into the research end of the doctorate that I enjoy statistics. The trick for me was doing the problems. Even more than were assigned. I'd read the text and scratch my head, duh. Eventually, after doing enough problems, the concept always jelled.

Another thought is to see how many degrees of freedom your Department allows in terms of research design. Is it possible to do a qualitative study. Or, say, something like a delphi study or a single subject design. But, at the end of the day, I expect that with the cognitive mastery you show around here you'll get research just fine.

As an aside, did you use Norman Polansky's text on Social Work Research in your MSW program? Or, for that matter, his text on Ego Psychology?

D.

 

I have Eda Goldstein's Ego Psychology and Social Work and it is very interesting. I particularly like the chapter on "The Diagnosis and Treatment of the Borderline Client."

Borderlines were always my favorite clients. They are simply fascinating!

 

David,

Isn't the term "qualitative statistics" an oxymoroon?

The chair of my diss committee told me upfront that she would be no part of a study design that used qualitative methodology. This was no problem for me, since I had the MBA and was quite proficient in styx.

 

Jimmy,
Treat a "Borderline" - pray tell how?

 

This is the question of the psychotherapeutic ages, isn't it?

According to the Goldstein, the most important step is "developing and managing the working alliance," which includes "...establishing a therapeutic holding environment...dealing with primitive defenses and negative transference...and controlling regression and impulsive or destructive behavior."

I have been very successful with borderlines using the CBT method:

• 
  1. Challenging and decreasing dichotomous thinking
  
  2. Helping get emotional control
  
  3. Solidifying the relationship with the person
  
  4. Helping enhance self-esteem
  
  5. Supporting and encouraging without enabling

Of course this is basic Beck.

Oh my, it's almost 2 a.m. I am not responsible for any errors in this post, ha! Want to stay up a little longer to see what Rita is doing.

 

Howard,

Yes to oxymoron; right up there with jumbo shrimp.

Jimmy,

I rarely encounter BPD at this point in my career although my dissertation attempted to identify a psychophysiological mechanism for borderline splitting.

 

I would love to read this. If you will send me a copy, I will glady pay the postage.

 

Thanks for the interest, Jimmy. I think I’d rather let that piece of my history stay buried. Probably the best thing that can be said from a scientific perspective is it was a testimonial to my advisor’s intellectual curiosity and sense of academic freedom to endorse a psychophysiological-based dissertation for a counseling psychology student. It was a far out idea and the methodology was discredited in the intervening decades. Hemispheric specialization was hot at the time and I concocted the notion splitting is a manifestation of simultaneous, right hemisphere processing. I used conjugate lateral eye movement as a measure of hemispheric activation that was eventually discovered to have no validity. It was something I had a great deal of passion about and I spent an enormous amount of time collecting data one subject at a time. It’s a heck of a lot easier to use undergraduates. At the end of the day it had neither scientific nor statistical significance although huge personal significance … I finished.

 

Was this before all the work and theories about eye movement?

Your dissertation sounds like it was interesting, however.

 

I have been messing around with Western Governors University's M.A. in Educational Technology research domain. At least I understand what "qualitative" versus "quantitative" is. By the way. L.R. Gay's book on Educational Research is the best there is. Very clear explanations. Phil