Doctoral Program Policy Governing Outside Courses PhD students in the School of Social Work are allowed to take doctoral level courses outside of the School for elective credit. In order to be approved, the courses must meet the following criteria:
1. The must be doctoral level courses. That is, they must be in a program that offers a PhD degree, and be approved by the “host” PhD department for their own PhD students.
2. They must be taught by someone with a PhD or equivalent degree
3. The course may be approved the student’s chair or advisor. Chairs should take into consideration the content of the course and how it “fits” with the student’s plan of study, goals and interests.
4. The Course cannot duplicate a course that is offered at UMB/SSW
Students who want to propose an “outside” course must submit the following: 1. a course description
2. evidence that the course is approved for PhD students in the “host” program
3. a course syllabus, and
4. course registration form with advisor/chair’s signature
to the Doctoral Program Director before the semester begins. The Doctoral Program Director will approve, disapprove, or refer to the DPC. If approved, the student will be given permission to register for the course. (If it is an “off-campus” course, the off campus registration form will be signed by the Doctoral Program Director). The Doctoral Program will keep a file of all approved “outside” courses. If a course has been approved in the past, the requirement of submission of a syllabus will be waived. (A list of previously approved courses will be put on the “Current Students” section of the PhD program webpage).
Students who want to take courses that do not meet the above criteria may submit the course description and syllabus to the Doctoral Program Committee for consideration. In such cases, students should submit a rationale for taking this particular course. (Note: the DOC meets monthly from September to June. Students who are interested in a course that is outside the basic criteria must plan well in advance to obtain DPC approval). After the course is completed, students who take “outside” courses must submit a description of the course, with an evaluation of the quality of the learning experience. This will be made available to other PhD students who might be interested in the course, and their advisors. top . | 
