Syllabus
Doctorate in Social Work
DSW 800 Preparation for Doctoral Journey and Scholarly Writing
Credits - 2
Description
This course introduces students to a variety of theories to help support the doctoral journey. The importance of scholarly writing and literature review skills will also be emphasized.
Materials
Learning Objectives and Outcomes
By the end of this course, scholar-practitioners should be able to:
- Improve research, writing, research, organizational, time management, and public speaking skills required of doctoral-level students.
- Develop a literature matrix that aligns with the doctoral research project topic.
- Demonstrate appropriate academic writing and mechanics and adhere to APA 7 guidelines.
- Compose a literature review to synthesize working research topic information.
- Build a foundation for the doctoral research project by narrowing your topic and creating a literature review.
Assignments
Weekly Reflection Journals
Weekly reflection prompts provide an opportunity to process the Doctoral Journey.
Discussions
Several weeks will have one or two discussions where you will be required to make an initial post and respond to your peers. This is a great opportunity to connect with your peers.
Literature Matrix
You will have an opportunity to submit a Literature Matrix draft in week 3 and a second Matrix draft with additional sources in week 6. You will continue to add to and revise this matrix as you progress through the program, and it will help you build your Literature Review.
Concept Map
The Concept Map will be a visual representation of the major themes of your work; it will help direct your research and develop your Literature Matrix.
APA Style Quiz
This quiz demonstrates your ability to correctly cite and write in APA Style. You will be able to use the APA Publication Manual (7th ed.) as you take the quiz. Please note: this quiz is not factored into your final grade but helps you assess your citation skills.
Theme Synthesis
The Theme Synthesis Exercise helps to refine your research question(s) and prepare to write a literature review draft.
Literature Review
The Literature Review draft will consist of 10-15 pages and include a minimum of 20 scholarly sources.
Grading Policy
Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:
Grade Breakdown
| Assignment | Points |
|---|---|
| Academic Integrity Agreement | 1 |
| Weekly Journal Reflections | 18 (9 @ 2 pts each) |
| Discussions | 16 (8 @ 2 pts each) |
| Week 2: Draft Your Research Question | 6 points |
| Week 3: Literature Matrix | 10 points |
| Week 4: Concept Map | 7 points |
| Week 6: Literature Matrix - second submission | 10 points |
| Week 7: Theme Synthesis Exercise | 6 points |
| Week 8: Short Outline | 6 points |
| Week 10: Literature Review | 20 points |
| Total | 100 points |
Grade Scale
| Grade | Points Grade | Point Average (GPA) |
| A | 94 – 100% | 4.00 |
| A- | 90 – 93% | 3.75 |
| B+ | 87 – 89% | 3.50 |
| B | 84 – 86% | 3.00 |
| B- | 80 – 83% | 2.75 |
| C+ | 77 – 79% | 2.50 |
| C | 74 – 76% | 2.00 |
| C- | 70 – 73% | 1.75 |
| D | 64 – 69% | 1.00 |
| F | 00 – 63% | 0.00 |
Schedule
Spring Session Dates: January 14 – March 29, 2026
Week 1: Wednesday – Sunday
Week 2: Monday – Sunday
Week 3: Monday – Sunday
Week 4: Monday – Sunday
Week 5: Monday – Sunday
Week 6: Monday – Sunday
Week 7: Monday – Sunday
Week 8: Monday – Sunday
Spring Break Week: Monday – Sunday
Week 9: Monday – Sunday
Week 10: Monday – Sunday
Week 1: Entering the Doctoral Journey
Discussions
- Introduction Discussion Post and Peer Responses
- Doctoral Research Project
Assignments
- Weekly Reflection Journal: Starting the Journey
Week 2: Research Tools and Drafting a Research Question
Discussion
- Research Tools
Assignments
- Draft Your Research Question
- Weekly Reflection Journal: Identifying Strengths and Challenges
Week 3: Initial Literature Exploration
Discussion
- Working Study Topic
Assignments
- Literature Matrix: First Submission
- Weekly Reflection Journal: Time Management and Balance
Week 4: Concept Mapping Your Research Topic
Assignments
- Creating Your Concept Map
- Weekly Reflection Journal: Building a Scholarly Identity
Week 5: Growth Mindset and Feedback
Discussion
- Strategies for Productive Use of Feedback
Assignments
- Weekly Reflection Journal: Engaging with Research
Quiz
- APA Style
Week 6: Focused Literature Analysis
Discussion
- Document Management
Assignments
- Literature Matrix: Second Submission
- Weekly Reflection Journal: Feedback and Growth
Week 7: Synthesizing Information
Assignments
- Theme Synthesis Exercise
- Weekly Reflection Journal: Collaborating with Peers
Week 8: Structuring the Argument
Discussion
- Research Tools
Assignments
- Short Outline
- Weekly Reflection Journal: Resilience and Overcoming Obstacles
Week 9: Drafting and Peer Review
Discussion
- Seeking Feedback
Week 10: Literature Review
Assignments
- Literature Review draft
- Weekly Reflection Journal: Looking Ahead
Student Resources
Online Student Support
Your Student Support Specialist is a resource for you. Please don't hesitate to contact them for assistance, including, but not limited to course planning, current problems or issues in a course, technology concerns, or personal emergencies.
Questions? Visit the Student Support Social Work page
UNE Libraries:
- Library Access for all students: Your library login ID and password are the same as the ones you use to log into Brightspace.
- Social Work Databases: https://library.une.edu/library-materials/find/research-by-subject/social-work/
- Library Tutorial: Find an article
- Video Tutorials: https://library.une.edu/research-help/guides-tutorials/video-tutorials/
- Library Questions: Ask a librarian or phone library staff at (207) 602-2361 or (207) 221-4330.
Information Technology Services (ITS)
ITS Contact: Toll Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673
Accommodations
Any student who would like to request, or ask any questions regarding, academic adjustments or accommodations must contact the Student Access Center at (207) 221-4438 or pcstudentaccess@une.edu. Student Access Center staff will evaluate the student's documentation and determine eligibility of accommodation(s) through the Student Access Center registration procedure.
Online Peer Support
Togetherall is a 24/7 communication and emotional support platform monitored by trained clinicians. It’s a safe place online to get things off your chest, have conversations, express yourself creatively, and learn how to manage your mental health. If sharing isn’t your thing, Togetherall has other tools and courses to help you look after yourself with plenty of resources to explore. Whether you’re struggling to cope, feeling low, or just need a place to talk, Togetherall can help you explore your feelings in a safe supportive environment. You can join Togetherall using your UNE email address.
Information Technology Services (ITS)
Students should notify their Student Support Specialist and instructor in the event of a problem relating to a course. This notification should occur promptly and proactively to support timely resolution.
ITS Contact: Toll-Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673.
Career Ready Program
The College of Professional Studies supports its online students and alumni in their career journey!
The Career Ready Program provides tools and resources to help students explore and hone in on their career goals, search for jobs, create and improve professional documents, build professional network, learn interview skills, grow as a professional, and more. Come back often, at any time, as you move through your journey from career readiness as a student to career growth, satisfaction, and success as alumni.
Policies
Essential Academic and Technical Standards
Please review the essential academic and technical standards of the University of New England School Social Work (SSW): https://online.une.edu/social-work/academic-and-technical-standards-une-online-ssw/
Turnitin Originality Check and Plagiarism Detection Tool
The College of Professional Studies uses Turnitin to help deter plagiarism and to foster the proper attribution of sources. Turnitin provides comparative reports for submitted assignments that reflect similarities in other written works. This can include, but is not limited to, previously submitted assignments, internet articles, research journals, and academic databases.
Make sure to cite your sources appropriately as well as use your own words in synthesizing information from published literature. Webinars and workshops, included early in your coursework, will help guide best practices in APA citation and academic writing.
You can learn more about Turnitin in the guide on how to navigate your Similarity Report.
Technology Requirements
Please review the technical requirements for UNE Online Graduate Programs: Technical Requirements
Confidentiality Statement
Student and faculty participation in this course will be governed by standards in the NASW Code of Ethics relating to confidentiality in sharing information from their placement sites and practice experiences. Students should be aware that personal information they choose to share in class, class assignments or conversations with faculty does not have the status of privileged information.
Late Policy
Assignments: Late assignments will be accepted up to 3 days late; however, there is a 10% grade reduction (from the total points) for the late submission. After three days the assignment will not be accepted.
Discussion posts: If the initial post is submitted late, but still within the discussion board week, there will be a 10% grade reduction from the total discussion grade (e.g., a 3 point discussion will be reduced by 0.3 points). Any posts submitted after the end of the Discussion Board week will not be graded.
Please make every effort ahead of time to contact your instructor and your student support specialist if you are not able to meet an assignment deadline. Arrangements for extenuating circumstances may be considered by faculty.
Attendance Policy
6- to 8-week courses: Students taking online graduate courses through the College of Professional Studies will be administratively dropped for non-participation if a graded assignment/discussion post is not submitted before Sunday at 11:59 pm ET of the first week of the term. Reinstatement is at the purview of the Dean's Office.
10+ -week courses: Students taking online graduate courses through the College of Professional Studies will be administratively dropped for non-participation if a graded assignment/discussion post is not submitted before Friday at 11:59 pm ET of the second week of the term. Reinstatement is at the purview of the Dean's Office.
Student Handbook Online - Policies and Procedures
The policies contained within this document apply to all students in the College of Professional Studies. It is each student's responsibility to know the contents of this handbook.
UNE Course Withdrawal
Please contact your Enrollment and Retention Counselor if you are considering dropping or withdrawing from a course. Tuition charges may still apply. Students are strongly urged to consult with Student Financial Services, as course withdrawals may affect financial aid or Veterans benefits.
Academic Integrity
The University of New England values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable. For information about plagiarism and academic misconduct, please visit UNE Plagiarism Policies.
Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:
- Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
- Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
- Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
- Multiple submissions of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
- Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.
Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the Program Director. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations. Appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final. Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in the student handbook.