PhD Program in Social Work

BACKGROUND

The course of social work has been introduced as one introductory course/subject in the BA in Sociology program at Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP) since 1994. However, by realizing its vital roles in the welfare and development of the individuals, communities, and the nation, RUPP, with the support from the University of Washington, established the Department of Social Work and recruited the first cohort of undergraduate students in 2008. Moreover, to respond to the immediate need for strengthening the capacity of social workers currently working in the government, civil society and private sectors, RUPP also initiated cooperation with the Ewha Womans University (EWU), Republic of Korea to plan and establish a Master Program in Social Work. After a curriculum for this MA Social Work (MSW) program was elaborated in collaboration with the EWU academic experts, in 2009, the first cohort of Master of Social Work was launched at RUPP, Campus2. With the success of this MSW program, KOICA has also provided support to continue it from 2016 to 2022. During the last 10 years, this program has produced 69 MSWs; 19 graduates become instructors and 48 become practitioners in various NGOs and INGOs and make good impacts in their community and society. Additionally, the MSW program also conducted a pilot study for Cambodian welfare panel research, held three social work conferences each year, and published four social work textbooks and 1st volume of Cambodian Journal of Social Welfare. All of these achievements combined have been well accepted as the improvement of the practice of social work to address social issues in Cambodia.

Why Is Doctoral Level Training Necessary and Why in Particular for Social Work?

The Ph.D. course is an essential program for sustainable growth in Cambodia. According to a 2018 CDRI (Cambodia Development Resource Institute) report, the importance of post-secondary education is increasing in Cambodia, especially at the level of Master and PhD degree that represents only 8.55% and 0.56% of total post-secondary graduation. In addition, the survey and forum held with the local CSO practitioners still show the high interests in Social Work programs, especially Ph.D in Social Work. The CSO field still needs higher education and training for social workers and NGO workers to make more competent professionals. Therefore, RUPP is determined to establish a new doctoral degree program in social welfare to strengthen Cambodia's capacity to achieve social development. For this purpose, RUPP and Ewha Womans University jointly develop and operate this PhD program to improve the expertise of higher human resources in Cambodia.

Vision

To become a leading doctoral program in Social Work in Cambodia and the region, producing highly qualified scholars, educators, researchers, and practitioners who advance social welfare, promote social justice, and contribute to sustainable social development through evidence-based practice and innovative research.

Mission

The PhD Program in Social Work is committed to:

• Developing advanced human resources by preparing competent social work scholars, educators, and leaders equipped with specialized knowledge, ethical values, and professional skills to address complex social issues.
• Promoting high-quality research and knowledge generation that contribute to the development of social work theories, policies, and practices relevant to the Cambodian context and global perspectives.
• Strengthening professional practice and leadership in government institutions, civil society organizations, academic institutions, and the private sector through doctoral-level education and capacity building.
• Fostering partnerships and collaboration with national and international universities, professional organizations, and communities to enhance academic excellence and the advancement of social welfare.
• Advancing social justice and human well-being by advocating for the rights, dignity, empowerment, and inclusion of individuals, families, groups, and communities, particularly vulnerable and marginalized populations.
• Supporting Cambodia's sustainable development goals through the application of social work research and innovation in addressing emerging social challenges and improving the quality of life of Cambodian society.

Goal/Objectives

Grounded on the RUPP mission and goals, the Doctoral Program in Social Work aims to educate future researcher, scholars in social welfare with an emphasis on building social work knowledge and practice, research, and education in order to help students to play a pivotal role in social work profession and in developing social welfare in Cambodia. Social welfare is a practice-oriented discipline, studying professional and specialized methods geared towards addressing a wide spectrum of individual, family, community and social problems arising against the backdrop of modern industrial society. Social welfare education is based on theoretical research, understanding human behavior and social environment and their interactions, and it aims to nurture social welfare professionals equipped with expertise and values that would allow individuals, groups, communities and society as a whole to play their respective due relies properly. The specific education objectives are as follows:

In order to achieve the above goal, the program will commit to implement the following objectives:

-    To build capacity of Cambodian professions and researchers with advanced social work practices

-    To strengthen research capacity through research training, seminars, forums, and peer review

- To strengthen field-specific intense education and research to generate highly qualified professionals in various fields of social welfare

- To produce professional social workers with global leadership enhanced through participation in international exchanges and cooperation

Strategy

The program will be coordinated by the Vice-Dean, Dr. Keo Chanvuthy. Cooperation will be possible upon the agreement with institutions to jointly work on the project and its goals. The coordinator(s) will be assisted by the secretariat team’s expert on finance, public relations and logistical matters. All administrative and financial procedures will be under the same regulations, those implemented by Royal University of Phnom Penh. In cases of making arrangements for partnership, mutual agreements can serve as the basis for cooperation.

Eligible Applicant

• Hold a Master's degree from a recognized university in social work, or related fields.
• Applicants from other disciplines may be considered subject to faculty review and completion of prerequisite courses if required.
• Demonstrate English language proficiency at an intermediate level or higher.
• Professionals from government agencies, private companies, NGOs, and international organizations are encouraged to apply.

Application Process

-        All the applicants for PhD program are required to submit to Academic Office the following documents:

o   The Certified transcripts of completed M.A or transcript of an equivalent accredited degree in the field social work or related fields.

o   The application form

o And English Certificate (at least 550 for TOEFL/ 6.0 For IELTS, an equivalent internationally recognized test or passing English test organized by the Academic Office)

-        All the applicants are asked to submit and defend the research proposal.

-   After passing the entrance exam, each applicant should immediately confirm and officially enroll at the Academic Office. They will be considered as giving up their study if they fail to do so.

-   All the successful applicants should pay the tuition fee before the deadline set by RUPP. 

-    All the applicants are asked to contribute $ 30 as the application fee and entrance exam.

Duration of Program

Studying an Associate's doctoral degree in Social Work, a respective student is required to take 3-6 years or 54 credits of course.

-   Each PhD program has 6 semesters equivalent to 3 years.

- It consists of 54 credits: 21 credits for subject studies, 18 credits for writing and defense of dissertation, 15 credits for presenting in scientific forums; personal holding of seminars; and publication of research articles at local and international journals.

Programs Description

A. Preparatory Subjects = 9 study credits

-  Introduction to Social Work (3 credits)

-  Social Work Theories (3 credits)

-  Human Behavior and Social Environment (3 credits)

B. Subject Studies =21 Study Credits

1. Augmentation Subjects: Tools for Thinking and Research = 6 study credits

o   Quantitative Research Methodology (3 credits)

o   Qualitative Research Methodology (3 credits)

2.  General Orientation and Examination Subjects (= 9 study credits)

o   Social Issues Seminar (3 credits)

o   Curriculum Development and Pedagogy (3 credits)

o   Research Methodology for Social Work (3 credits)

3. Doctoral Tier Subjects (= 6 credits)

o   Clinical Social Work Seminar (3 credits)

o   Social Welfare Policy Seminar (3 credits)

C. Writing and Defense of Dissertation = 33 study credits

-  Defense of Detailed Research Proposal (3 credits)

-  Publication of Research articles at the national or international level (6 credits)

-  Participation in Scientific Forums Involving the Making of a Presentation (3 credits)

-  Personal Holding of Seminars (3 credits)

-  Dissertation (18 credits)

                     Total of Doctoral Level Credits = 54 study credits

In addition to ordinary classroom studies, students will participate in attending lectures connected to key problems and recent breakthroughs in Social Work.  Renowned speakers will be invited to provide lectures, including, for example, senior officials from state institutions and civil society, expert (foreign) consultants and researchers, as well as domestic and foreign professors coming from well-known research institutes and universities around the planet.

Grading System

1. Lecturing staff will:

a. Establish procedures for receiving and recording assignment submission, for downloading (if necessary) or for marking on screen and include instructions on these procedures in Course Outlines.

b. Ensure that as part of the assessment procedure described in the Course Outline, instructions are provided to students as to the format for submission and the appropriate software needed

2.      Examination papers must:

a. Be appropriate to the course outcomes.

b. Contain questions which are fair, appropriate to the level of the course and answerable in the examination setting.

c.  Use commonly accepted terminology and language appropriate to the course.

d.  Be of a duration appropriate to the demands of the questions.

e.  Have completed the quality control process.

3.      Marks and grades:

a. Students must be informed of their numerical mark and/or grade for every component of assessment in the course.

b. The final assessment mark for each student in a course shall be determined on the scale of 0 to 100% and be represented as the appropriate letter grade.

c. Students are allowed to take the make-up once only for each course, and the make-up grade shall not be higher than “C”.

Professional/Career

After getting the Ph.D. Degree in Social Work the graduates will expect to get the career opportunity as follow:

-                Professional researcher

-                Professor in social work

-                Advisor to the development project

Contact Information:

• Email: keo.chanvuthy@rupp.edu.kh
• Phone Number: (855) 12 533 767
• Address: Campus 2, RUPP