Program Requirements

Program trainees develop curriculum plans for specializing in research on the prevention of mental health problems and/ or the promotion of mental health. The curriculum is interdisciplinary and provides depth in substantive, interventive, and methodological content.

Curriculum:

• All standing courses in the Social Welfare PhD Program.
• Additional graduate level social science and advanced research methods courses (one each) relevant to the trainee's substantive and methodological training objectives.
• Integrative seminar on prevention theory, methods, and issues (autumn, winter, and spring quarters each year in the program).
• Three-credit introductory course on Prevention Science.

Research Traineeships:

During each of the up to three years of the training program, trainees work closely with experienced faculty members in the conduct of research. These research experiences provide trainees with in-depth, project-based training and include a stipend, tuition waiver, and health benefits.

Supervisory Committee:

Supervisory Committees are composed of at least four members of the University of Washington doctoral faculty, at least two of whom must be from the School of Social Work. The trainee mentor and Supervisory Committee Chair must bemembers of the Training Program faculty (often the same individual fills both roles) unless an alternative is authorized by the Director.. Trainees are encouraged to include faculty from other departments who can enrich the interdisciplinary perspective within their area of study.

Program of Study and General Qualifying Examination:

Trainees undertake a program of study focused on issues in research related to prevention of mental problems and/or mental health promotion. Following successful completion of the first-year courses and comprehensive examinations, trainees embark on their program of study involving advanced coursework and the research and writing of the integrative paper, which serves as the written component of the General Examination. These efforts are overseen by the student's Supervisory Committee. Presentation of this paper to the Supervisory Committee serves as the official Oral General Examination.

Dissertation:

Trainees' dissertations focus on important questions and issues in research related to prevention of mental problems and/or the promotion of mental health..

Contact:

For more information about this program contact
the PhD Program Office, 206-685-1680 (phdmhpr@u.washington.edu).
Program Director: Paula Nurius, (nurius@u.washington.edu).