Ph.D. Student Development: A Conceptual Model for Research-Intensive Social Work PhD Programs

ABSTRACT

Social work PhD programs aim to attract students with the highest potential for being future stewards of the discipline. At research-intensive institutions, preparing students to be productive in the creation and dissemination of peer-reviewed scholarship, while securing extramural funding, is paramount. Limited literature describes the holistic programming, climate, and culture necessary for producing PhDs with the highest achievement in research productivity throughout their program and later in their academic careers. This paper introduces the PhD Student Navigation System, a student-centered, integrative model for effective student navigation through formal/informal structures, while enhancing research productivity, advising and mentoring, and leadership with outcomes ultimately resulting in socialization into the academy. Future recommendations for uptake in research-intensive social work PhD programs are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Doctoral education
• student development
• conceptual model
• PhD programs
• program administration
• research capacity development

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Peter Coogan, PhD., Communications Lab Coordinaor at the Brown School for his editing assistance on the final version of this article. We also acknowledge Ms. Courtney D. Williams for her helpful comments on the final version of the Figure included in the article.