Date of adoption: 03/05/2012 Revised: 24/10/2016 Ref. no: 2016/5405-4.1.1.2 Faculty of Social Sciences Third-cycle education at Linnaeus University is regulated by the Swedish Higher Education Act and Higher Education Ordinance and local guidelines for third-cycle programmes adopted by the University. The relevant decision-making bodies are set out in the University s decision-making and delegation policy. The general study plan for third-cycle programmes in Social Work includes two appendices with extracts from the Higher Education Ordinance and details of how the degree objectives of the third-cycle programme are to be met. General study plan for third-cycle programmes in Social Work The general syllabus for third-cycle programmes in Social Work was adopted by the Faculty Board for Social Sciences on 24/10/2016 and came into effect on 24/10/2016. Individual progress within the general study plan is monitored through the individual study plan. 1. Subject area The aim of the third-cycle programme in Social Work is to ensure that the student is equipped with the knowledge, skills and critical ability needed to independently plan, implement and record in writing academic study relevant to the topic of Social Work. The third-cycle programme in Social Work will also provide knowledge and skills in social science theory, behavioural science theory, research methods, philosophy of science and academic analysis. The programme has a specific focus on social conditions and their links with social interventions. 2. Programme objectives General objectives for the awarding of a doctoral or licentiate degree are regulated by the Higher Education Ordinance: see Appendix 1a. 3. Eligibility Students applying for third-cycle programmes must meet both general and specific entry requirements. In accordance with the regulations in chapter 7, section 35 of the Higher Education Ordinance, applicants must also be considered able to benefit from the programme in other respects: see Appendix 1b. 3a. General entry requirements General entry requirements are regulated by the Higher Education Ordinance: see Appendix 1b. 3b. Specific entry requirements Rules on permissible specific entry requirements are set out in chapter 7, section 40 of the Higher Education Ordinance: see Appendix 1b. The specific entry requirements for third-cycle programmes in Social Work leading to the award of a doctoral or licentiate degree are as follows: A minimum of 90 credits in the subject of social work or in subjects that are linked to the third-cycle programme, or equivalent knowledge acquired in some other way either within or outside Sweden Essential language skills in Swedish and English. 1
4. Assessment and selection criteria General rules on selection criteria and the basis of assessment are regulated by the Higher Education Ordinance: see Appendix 1c. Admissions are also regulated by Linnaeus University s local admissions system and Local regulations for education at third-cycle level. The assessment of an applicant s ability to benefit from the third-cycle programme takes in account the research expertise evidenced in academic work that the applicant has undertaken or participated in. A particular emphasis is placed on the quality of dissertations at first and second-cycle level. The assessment also takes account of the breadth and composition of the first-cycle qualification and how the processing body views the applicant s prospects. Assessors subsequently consider the relevance to Social Work and originality of the thesis and its feasibility within the given timeframe, i.e. the equivalent of four years of full-time education for a doctoral degree and the two years of full-time education for a licentiate degree. 5. Content and design of the programme The programme is delivered through seminars, supervision and courses. An important aspect of the programme is the student s participation and involvement in the department s research community by, for example, attending and actively participating in seminars, events for doctoral student and programme meetings. 5a. Doctoral degree A doctoral degree normally requires four years of full-time study and will be awarded on completion of a 240-credit programme, comprising a course element of 75 credits and successful completion of an academic thesis worth 165 credits. Courses The course element comprises both compulsory and elective courses. The choice of elective courses to be included in the degree is decided by the examiner in consultation with the student and principal supervisor. Compulsory courses Introductory course in social work 7.5 credits Courses in compulsory subjects Subject-specific theory formation 20 credits Methodology and research methods 15 credits Philosophy of science for doctoral students 7.5 credits Elective courses Elective courses within or outside of the subject 25 credits Doctoral thesis The thesis is worth 165 credits and must be written in Swedish and/or English. Quality assurance of the doctoral thesis project The student must select the subject of their doctoral thesis in consultation with their supervisors at the point of being admitted to the programme or, alternatively, during the initial phase of their studies. The subject should then be narrowed down and defined as early in the programme as possible. The student is expected to present extracts from their work at thesis seminars each year in years when there are no other seminars. 2
Concept seminar Planning seminar Interim seminar Final seminar A presentation of the research topic and the planned content and execution of the thesis project is given during the first semester. Planning for the doctoral thesis, including detailed information about the topic and aim of the thesis and provisional details of theory, methods, secondary literature and framework, is presented during the second semester. A draft of the thesis should be put forward by the student at approximately the halfway point in the programme. A final seminar, with an external commentator, takes place when the thesis is considered to be essentially complete. The final seminar is monitored by the examiner for the purpose of assessing the quality of the thesis manuscript. Before the application for a public defence is submitted to the faculty, the examiner will examine the manuscript to assess its quality. This examination is undertaken in consultation with the supervisory council and must be completed at least a month before the application for a public defence is submitted. If the examiner considers the thesis to be of sufficiently high standard, an Application for public defence of thesis is submitted. Defence of the thesis will involve an external reviewer, three regular members of the examining committee and one deputising member of the committee. Work on the thesis must be monitored by the supervisors and examiner and the supervisory council advised via the individual study plan. 5 b. Licentiate degree A licentiate degree normally requires two years of full-time study and will be awarded on completion of a programme of at least 120 credits, comprising a course element of 37.5 credits and successful completion of an academic thesis worth 82.5 credits. A licentiate thesis must be defended at a public seminar. Courses The course element comprises both compulsory and elective courses. The choice of elective courses to be included in the degree is decided by the examiner in consultation with the student and principal supervisor. Compulsory courses Introductory course in social work 7.5 credits Courses in compulsory subjects Subject-specific theory formation 7.5 credits Methodology and research methods 7.5 credits Philosophy of science for doctoral students 7.5 credits Elective courses Elective courses within or outside of the subject 7.5 credits Licentiate thesis Licentiate students must complete an academic thesis worth 82.5 credits. The thesis must be based on independent research and be of a high academic standard. The thesis must be written in Swedish and/or English. Quality assurance of licentiate thesis projects The student must select the subject of their licentiate thesis in consultation with their supervisors at the point of being admitted to the programme or during the initial phase of their studies. The subject should then be narrowed down and defined as early in the programme as possible. 3
Concept seminar Planning seminar Interim seminar Final seminar A presentation of the research topic and the planned content and execution of the thesis is given during the first semester. Planning for the licentiate thesis, with detailed information about the topic and aim of the thesis and provisional details of theory, approach, secondary literature and framework, is presented during the second semester. A draft of the thesis should be put forward by the student at approximately the halfway point in the programme. A final seminar, with the involvement of a postdoctoral external commentator, is held when the thesis is considered to be essentially complete. The final seminar is monitored by the examiner for the purpose of assessing the quality of the thesis manuscript. Before the application for a licentiate seminar is submitted to the faculty, the examiner will examine the manuscript to assess its quality. This examination must be completed at least a month before the application is submitted. If the examiner considers the thesis to be of sufficiently high quality, an Application for licentiate seminar is submitted. An external reviewer and a chair of the licentiate seminar will be appointed in accordance with Alternative 2 in Linnaeus University s Local regulations for education at third-cycle level. The licentiate thesis will be graded by the doctoral examiner except where the examiner is the student s deputy supervisor. Where this is the case, another person must be appointed to grade the thesis. Any alternative assessor will be subject to the same requirements as the doctoral examiner. Progress on the thesis must be monitored by the supervisors and examiner and the supervisory council advised via the individual study plan. 6. Title of qualification The discipline of Social Work awards philosophy titles in relation to third-cycle programmes. 7. Transitional rules relating to earlier general study plan A doctoral student admitted to study following an older general study plan can complete the programme in accordance with this plan provided that the current Higher Education Ordinance is complied with. Doctoral students admitted to study in accordance with an older syllabus for third-cycle Social Work may change to the current general syllabus. 8. Possibility to obtain a partial qualification Appendix 1. Extract from Higher Education Ordinance Appendix 2. Meeting the degree objectives for third-cycle programmes in Social Work 4
Appendix 1. Extract from Higher Education Ordinance 1a) Qualifications ordinance 1b) Eligibility 1c) Assessment and selection criteria 1d) Admission 1e) Individual study plan 1a) Qualifications ordinance Higher Education Ordinance Annex 2 Qualifications Ordinance For a doctoral degree to be awarded, the following objectives must be met: Knowledge and understanding For a doctoral degree, the third-cycle student shall - demonstrate broad expertise in and systematic understanding of the research field as well as advanced and up-to-date specialised knowledge in a defined area of this field, and - demonstrate familiarity with research methodology in general and the methods of the specific field of research in particular. Competence and skills For a doctoral degree, the third-cycle student shall - demonstrate a capacity for scholarly analysis and synthesis as well as to review and assess new and complex phenomena, issues and situations independently and critically, - demonstrate the ability to identify and formulate issues with scholarly precision critically, independently and creatively, and to plan and use appropriate methods to undertake research and other advanced tasks within predetermined time frames, and to review and evaluate such work, - demonstrate through a thesis the ability to make a significant contribution to the advancement of knowledge through their own research - demonstrate the ability, in both national and international contexts, to present and discuss research and research findings authoritatively in speech and writing in dialogue with the academic community and society in general, - demonstrate the ability to identify the need for further knowledge, and - demonstrate the capacity to contribute to social development and support the learning of others either through research and education or in another advanced professional capacity. Judgement and approaches For a doctoral degree, the third-cycle student shall - demonstrate intellectual independence and academic integrity as well as the ability to make judgements about research ethics, and - demonstrate in-depth insight into the possibilities and limitations of research, its role in society and the responsibility of the individual for how it is used. Higher Education Ordinance Annex 2 Qualifications Ordinance For a licentiate degree to be awarded, the following objectives must be met: Knowledge and understanding For a licentiate degree, the third-cycle student shall 5
- demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the field of research including current specialist knowledge in a defined area of this field as well as in-depth knowledge of research methodology in general and the methods of the specific field of research in particular. Competence and skills For a licentiate degree, the third-cycle student shall - demonstrate the ability to identify and formulate issues with scholarly precision critically, independently and creatively, and to plan and use appropriate methods to undertake a limited piece of research and other advanced tasks within predetermined timeframes in order to contribute to the advancement of knowledge, and to evaluate this work, - demonstrate the ability in both national and international contexts to clearly present and discuss research and research findings in speech and writing in dialogue with the academic community and society in general, and - demonstrate the skills required to participate independently in research and development work and to work independently in some other advanced capacity. Judgement and approaches For a licentiate degree, the third-cycle student shall - demonstrate the ability to judge the ethical aspects of their own research - demonstrate insight into the possibilities and limitations of research, its role in society and the responsibility of the individual for how it is used, and - demonstrate the ability to identify the personal need for further knowledge and take responsibility for their ongoing learning. 1b) Eligibility Higher Education Ordinance chapter 7, section 35 To be admitted to third-cycle programmes, the applicant must 1. meet the general and specific entry requirements laid down by the higher education institution, and 2. be deemed to have the ability to benefit from the programme in other respects. General entry requirements Higher Education Ordinance chapter 7, section 39 A person meets the general entry requirements for third-cycle programmes if they 1. have been awarded a second-cycle qualification, 2. have satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second-cycle, or 3. have acquired essentially the equivalent knowledge in some other way either in Sweden or abroad. The higher education institution may grant an exemption from the general entry requirements for an individual applicant where there are special circumstances. Specific entry requirements Higher Education Ordinance chapter 7, section 40 Any specific entry requirements must be essential to enable students to benefit from the programme. The requirements may relate to 1. knowledge acquired from one or more higher education programmes or equivalent programmes, 2. specific professional or vocational experience, and 3. language skills or other essential conditions determined by the programme. 6
1c) Assessment and selection criteria Higher Education Ordinance chapter 7, section 41 When choosing between applicants who meet the requirements laid down in sections 35 & 36, the institution must take into account the ability of applicants to benefit from the programme. The institution decides the assessment criteria to be used in determining the ability to benefit from the programme. However, the ability of an applicant to transfer credits from previous programmes or to be credited for professional or vocational experience may not in itself give that applicant priority over other applicants. 1d) Admission procedures Higher Education Ordinance chapter 7, section 37 Decisions on admissions are made by the higher education institution. A person wishing to be admitted to a third-cycle programme shall apply within the time prescribed and in compliance with the procedures laid down by the institution. When an institution is in a position to admit one or several third-cycle students, it shall make relevant information available by advertising or some equivalent method. However, information does not need to be made available 1. where a doctoral student is to complete the programme in the context of employment with an employer other than the institution, 2. where a doctoral student has previously commenced third-cycle studies at another institution, or 3. in other similar special circumstances. Ordinance (2006:1053). Higher Education Ordinance chapter 7, section 38 A higher education institution that has been entitled to award third-cycle qualifications within an area may permit a third-cycle student who has been admitted to another university or higher education institution to transfer without a new admission process to the institution to continue their programme and be assessed. This only applies, however, if the student has completed the major part of his or her third-cycle studies at the higher education institution in the study area in which entitlement to award third-cycle qualifications has been granted. The statement in the first paragraph is to apply similarly to a higher education institution that in having been granted the title of university is entitled pursuant to chapter 1, section 11 of the Higher Education Act (1992:1434) to award third-cycle qualifications. Ordinance (2010:1064). 7
1e) Individual study plan Higher Education Ordinance chapter 6, section 29 An individual study plan shall be drawn up for each doctoral student. The plan will contain the undertakings made by the student and the institution and a timetable for the student's study programme. It will be agreed following consultation with the student and their supervisors, and will be regularly reviewed and amended by the university as necessary after consultation with the student and their supervisors. The period of study may be extended only in special circumstances. Special circumstances include absence due to illness, leave of absence for military service or for an elected position in a trade union or student organisation, or parental leave. Ordinance (2010:1064). 8
Appendix 2. Meeting the degree objectives for third-cycle programmes in Social Work Doctoral degree in Social Work The general degree objectives set out in Appendix 1 will be met through participation in the three main components of the third-cycle programme: courses, seminars and thesis preparation. Courses The third-cycle programme in Social Work comprises three compulsory specialist courses and a compulsory introductory course. Compulsory course Introductory course in social work (7.5 credits) The course, which can partly be completed through independent study, contains the following elements for which credits can be awarded: - introduction to third-cycle studies at the Department of Social Work, Linnaeus University - participation in international conferences, and - participation in collaborative projects and in teaching, completion of ethical vetting application and serving as an external reviewer. The course aims to ensure that students are able to achieve the objectives in the qualification ordinance in respect of their ability to present and discuss their research and research findings verbally and in writing, and with authority, in both national and international contexts in dialogue with the scientific community and society as a whole. The objectives in the qualifications ordinance also require students to demonstrate a capacity to contribute to social development and support the learning of others both through research and education and in other advanced professional capacities. The course is constructed such that a student can be credited for any prior knowledge held that meets the objectives of the qualifications ordinance. The chair of the supervisory council acts as the examiner. The course may be combined with other introductory courses. Courses in compulsory subjects - Subject-specific theory formation (minimum 20 credits): aiming to provide the student with knowledge of modern and classic theory formation within the subject. - Methodology and research methods (minimum 15 credits): aiming to provide the student with a broad knowledge of academic methodology and methods relevant to research in Social Work. - Philosophy of science for doctoral students (minimum 7.5 credits); aiming to provide the student with a broad knowledge of the theoretical and philosophical basis of research in Social Work. Elective courses Elective courses within or outside of the subject (minimum 25 credits) Elective courses may consist of in-depth subject study, research methodology or theory formation particularly relevant to the thesis topic, with the aim of providing specialist knowledge of the specific research field. In respect of the degree objectives, the compulsory and elective courses generally provide more specialised study of the subject and methodological approaches, promoting extensive expertise in and systematic understanding of the research field, in-depth and current specialist knowledge of part of the research field, familiarity with academic approaches and a knowledge base relating to academic analysis and synthesis and the assessment of complex new phenomena, issues and situations. 9
Seminars and conferences Students are encouraged to take part in high-level seminars and other seminars run by the Department of Social Work. Regular third-cycle seminars include concept, planning, interim and final seminars for all third-cycle students. As part of the compulsory course, students must review the seminar texts of other third-cycle students and provide verbal comments of both a constructive and critical nature. During the course, the student will present and discuss their research at at least one international conference and will also discuss their own research with professionals so as to increase knowledge of collaboration within the field of Social Work. Summary of how the degree objectives of the third-cycle programme in Social Work will be met Demonstrate a broad knowledge of previous research in the field of research and demonstrate insight into contexts and relationships important in Social Work by undertaking a doctoral thesis. Demonstrate an ability to identify, structure and analyse relevant problems and issues in Social Work by undertaking the thesis and compulsory courses. This is to be achieved by providing evidence of a deeper knowledge of academic methodology and a high level of familiarity with the selection and application of different methods of designing a study and for gathering and analysing empirical data from the field of study. Demonstrate an ability to review new and complex processes relevant to Social Work independently, creatively and critically through active participation in seminars and preparation of the thesis. Independence will be demonstrated through the independent preparation of a thesis in the form of a monograph or by contributing the introductory chapter of a compilation thesis. Independence will also be evidenced through the inclusion in the introductory chapter of declarations of authorship for all articles in a compilation thesis. Demonstrate an ability to present and discuss research authoritatively in dialogue with the academic community and society in general through active participation, both verbal and in writing, in at least one international conference relevant to Social Work. If the work on the thesis is wholly or partly reported in English, a national conference may be attended instead of an international conference. Participate in deliberations on research ethics and interact with other players through the introductory course elements on participation in teaching on university programmes and the writing of the ethical vetting application, and through the work on thesis preparation. The student will also play an active role in advanced professional contexts relevant to social work through their work on thesis preparation and/or compulsory courses. Thesis preparation Several elements involved in the preparation of the thesis will help the student meet a number of degree objectives. From the start of the programme, through their work on the research plan for the thesis, the student will develop the ability to identify the need for further knowledge, critical thinking, independence, scholarship and creativity, and will also learn the need to identify issues and formulate questions. Through their work on the thesis, the student will also develop their ability to conduct research that can make a significant contribution to the advancement of knowledge, and also their ability to plan, understand, value and use the knowledge that emerges and takes shape. In addition, the student will develop the ability to employ appropriate methods to conduct research and undertake other skilled tasks. Annual review of the student s individual study plan will help to ensure that this is achieved within the stated timeframe. Throughout the period of thesis preparation, the supervision process will assist the student to develop their ability to demonstrate intellectual independence and academic 10
integrity and their capacity for academic analysis and synthesis, so that the degree of intellectual independence increases as the work progresses. Licentiate degree in Social Work The general degree objectives given in Appendix 1 will be met through participation in the three main components of the third-cycle programme: courses, seminars and thesis preparation work. Courses The third-cycle programme in Social Work includes three compulsory subjects in which the student must attend courses. The compulsory research course is designed to achieve the degree objectives for a doctoral degree but is also compulsory for students admitted to a licentiate degree programme as the course can subsequently be put towards any future doctoral degree. Compulsory course Introductory course in social work (7.5 credits) The aim and contents of the course are described above under Doctoral degree in social work. Courses in compulsory subjects - Subject-specific study in theory formation (minimum 7.5 credits): aiming to provide the student with knowledge of modern and classical theory formation within the subject. - Methodology and research methods (minimum 7.5 credits): aiming to provide the student with a broad knowledge of academic methodology and methods relevant to research in Social Work. - Philosophy of science for doctoral students (minimum 7.5 credits); aiming to provide the student with a broad knowledge of the theoretical and philosophical basis of research in Social Work. Elective courses Elective courses within or outside of the subject (minimum 7.5 credits) Elective courses may consist of in-depth subject study, research methodology or theory formation of particular relevance to the thesis topic, with the aim of providing the student with specialist knowledge of the specific field of research. With regard to the degree objectives, the compulsory and elective courses generally provide more specialised study of the subject and methodological approaches in a defined part of the research field. They also provide in-depth knowledge of academic methods, particularly in relation to the specific field of research. Seminars and conferences Students are encouraged to take part in high-level seminars and other seminars run by the Department of Social Work. Regular third-cycle seminars include concept, planning, interim and final seminars for all third-cycle students. As part of the compulsory course, students must review the seminar texts of other third-cycle students and provide verbal comments of both a constructive and critical nature. During the course, the student will present and discuss their research at at least one international conference and will also discuss their own research with professionals so as to increase knowledge of collaboration within the field of Social Work. Thesis preparation Several elements involved in the preparation of a thesis in Social Work help the student meet a number of degree objectives. From the start of the programme, through their work on the research plan for the thesis, the student will develop their ability to identify a need for knowledge through critical thinking, scholarship and creativity, as well as through identifying issues and formulating questions. In 11
their work on the thesis, the student will demonstrate the skills and ability to plan and use appropriate methods to conduct a limited piece of research work and undertake other skilled tasks within the stated timeframe, thus contributing to their ongoing learning and their ability to evaluate their work. As a result, the student will gain the ability to identify their need for knowledge and to take responsibility for their ongoing learning. Through their work on the thesis, the student will also develop their ability to participate in research that can make a significant contribution to their ongoing learning, and also their ability to plan, understand, value and use the knowledge that arises and takes shape. The student will, in addition, develop their ability to use appropriate methods to conduct research and undertake other skilled tasks. Annual review of the student s individual study plan will help to ensure that this is achieved within the stated timeframe. Throughout the period of thesis preparation, through the supervision process and seminars where thesis texts are presented, evaluated and discussed, the student will develop the ability to demonstrate academic integrity and make ethical judgements about the research and the ability to demonstrate insight into the possibilities and limitations of research, its role in society and the responsibility of the individual for how it is used. 12