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Role of Doctoral Study in the development of Social Work as a Profession: Croatian Experience

Doctor's degree in social work is still rare among practitioners and the university community. However, if social work is to grow as a profession and academic discipline, development of doctoral studies is necessary. In Croatia, the doctor’ s degree in social work can be obtained from 2002, through a tree-year program (180 ECTS), established as the first scientific postgraduate study in social work. During the doctoral study the postgraduate students are trained for independent scientific- research work. Emphasis is given on methodology, particularly to action and evaluation research, and specific studies in social work such as participative research where the personal involvement of clients in all stages of the research process can contribute to their empowerment. Particular attention is paid to the fundamental theories, values and ethical principles in the field of social work. Positive results of the introduced doctoral study are: increased number of published scientific papers in the field of social work, bigger interest for qualitative methodology and clients’ participation in research work. It is our goal to secure that the doctoral dissertations in social work are not only to remain as « property» of the university community, but to represent a contribution to better understanding of the profession among clients, practitioners as well as wider public. Challenges and issues concerning introduction of doctoral study will be discussed from the prospective of mentors/teachers and students.

social work education; doctoral study;

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