Predatory Doctoral Programs: Warnings for Social Workers

ABSTRACT

Many MSW-level social workers make the decision to earn a doctoral degree in social work or a related field. A large number of so-called predatory doctoral programs lack rigor or much academic substance and are ultimately of little value in advancing one’s career. This article describes the characteristics of legitimate social work doctoral programs, and offers some warning signs associated with predatory doctoral programs. It is hoped that MSWs seeking the doctorate will avoid pursuing questionable doctoral degrees and opt to earn the doctorate from a reputable institution. Our Code of Ethics states that social workers should not claim credentials or qualifications they are not entitled to, and acquiring and using a bogus doctoral degree violates this standard.

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Notes on contributors

Bruce A. Thyer

Bruce A. Thyer is Distinguished Research Professor at Florida State University and Extraordinary Professor with the Optentia Research Group, North West University.