Innovations in Doctoral Education: Distance Education Methodology Applied

Abstract

This study evaluated the impact of a distance education program to meet the practice learning needs of first‐year doctoral students. The program, a six‐session case‐based telephonic seminar, was taught to 19 first‐year doctoral students. Evaluation of the program included self‐report quantitative and qualitative data gathered pre‐ and postseminar, as well as qualitative data gathered three months postseminar. Quantitative and qualitative analysis revealed increased reports of practice competencies by the conclusion of the seminar. Analysis also illustrated the importance of continued evaluation given the small sample size and pilot nature of this unique distance education program.

Keywords:

• distance education
• doctoral education
• social work
• case based teaching