Hurdle or Building Block Comprehensive Examinations in Social Work Doctoral Education

Based on material from a survey of social work doctoral program directors, this paper examines the comprehensive examination process (also called "qualifying" or "preliminary") as part of doctoral level preparation for social work research and teaching. In the directors' vie...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of teaching in social work Vol. 21; no. 1-2; pp. 19 - 37
Main Authors Furstenberg, Anne-Linda, Nichols-Casebolt, Ann
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Taylor & Francis 01.01.2001
Subjects
Doctoral Degrees
Doctoral education
Doctoral postgraduate education
Doctoral Programs
Examinations
Qualifications
qualifying examinations
Social work
Social Work Education
Social Workers
Tests
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Summary:Based on material from a survey of social work doctoral program directors, this paper examines the comprehensive examination process (also called "qualifying" or "preliminary") as part of doctoral level preparation for social work research and teaching. In the directors' views, examinations serve two main purposes: testing students' mastery of knowledge and skills and assisting students' learning and progress toward the dissertation. Directors expressed many concerns, however, about the success of the exams in achieving these objectives. The findings can stimulate social work educators to consider the relative merits of these two aspects of methods for evaluating student outcomes, not only for doctoral education but for baccalaureate and master's level education as well.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-1
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ISSN:0884-1233
1540-7349
DOI:10.1300/J067v21n01_03