Are you a graduate student in public health, education, psychology, or a related field? The School of Social Work invites you to enrich your academic journey by enrolling in select PhD-level courses that will deepen your understanding of social systems, strengthen your qualitative and quantitative research skills, and offer valuable tools to help you grow as a scholar and practitioner.
Below is a list of the courses being offered Spring 2027. Those that are interested in enrolling can email the instructor of the course directly to express interest and request a permission number. Faculty contact information can be found by clicking on the instructor’s name in the descriptions below.
SSW 6413. Research IV: Multivariate Statistics II. (4 Credits)
In-person on Thursdays from 8:45 to 11:45 am with Nathanael Okpych
Building upon SSW 6412, focuses on the selection and application of appropriate statistical procedures to answer research questions or test hypotheses in social work research. Data reduction methods and analyses of discrete or categorical data and involves the extensive use of available statistical packages. While the course emphasizes the understanding of statistical testing, interpretation and written presentation of statistical results, knowledge of the mathematical formulae and assumptions underlying each statistical procedure may be required, and these are discussed in class.
SSW 6414. Research V: Qualitative Research Methods. (3 Credits)
In-person on Thursdays from 3:30 to 6:00 pm with Gio Iacono
Philosophical underpinnings, history, techniques and relevance to social work research of qualitative inquiry traditions such as biography, phenomenology, grounded theory, ethnography and case study methods. Although many of these techniques are also useful in social work practice, this course will focus on the use of qualitative methods for the purpose of expansion of the knowledge base of the profession. As such the course will emphasize techniques, standards of quality, verification, and other indicators of rigor as well as value an ethical issues. After completing this course students will be able to describe various approaches, set up research protocols, utilize qualitative data analysis software (e.g. NVivo), describe quality control techniques and specify standards for report writing.
SSW 6420. Critical Analysis of Historical & Philosophical Themes of the Profession (3 credits)
In-person on Thursdays from 11:30 am to 2:00 pm with Shannon Lane
Develops critical and historical understanding of social work knowledge, values and interventions. Social, economic, political and intellectual forces that influence the development of social welfare and professional social work. The role that conflicting ideologies and commitments in alleviating stress and suffering. Development and history of social work in the context of changing social, economic, political and intellectual environments.
For more information, contact: the SSW PhD Program at natalie.oconnor@uconn.edu