The goals and objectives of the School for Social Work PhD Program are derived from the mission of the School — to advance the aims of the profession through education for excellence in clinical social work practice and the development of knowledge. The primary goal of the PhD program is to prepare advanced clinical practitioners/scholars to be able to contribute to the knowledge base of clinical social work practice.
The practitioner/scholar is trained in critical thinking and in the integration and application of psychological theory, social theory, policy, practice, and research methods. The program’s objectives focus on preparing social workers to become 1) advanced clinicians through the development of clinical understanding as well as conceptualization and engagement skills at an advanced level of clinical and research competence, 2) scholars and researchers contributing to the development and dissemination of knowledge related to clinical social work practice and research, and 3) faculty members and leaders in clinical social work. Each area of our PhD program stresses a relationship-based and culturally responsive stance grounded in a commitment to facilitate anti-racism within our program and the Smith College School for Social Work community.
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