About the Programme
Doctor of Philosophy in in Social Work Qualification code: 8CE R01 Faculty specific rules and requirements of the programme:
a) Admission to this programme/curriculum takes place after obtaining the master’s degree in social work on NQF level 9.
b) Consideration will be given to the student’s previous academic performance. (Candidates must have achieved an average of 65% in the master’s degree).
c) Completion of an academic literacy test or equivalent assessment to demonstrate reading and writing ability may be required, the final scores of which should be above 60%.
d) Each applicant will be subjected to a selection interview conducted by the post graduate panel of the subject group. For this purpose, a structured interview schedule will be used, and the average of panellist’s ratings will serve as selection criterion.
e) Submission of a shortened (draft) research proposal will serve as final selection criterion.
f) Students registering for this programme/curriculum should supply proof of registration as a social worker according to the Act on Social Service Professions (Act 110 of 1978).
g) Prospective applicants may have to complete and pass a short refresher course in research methods.
Researcher Focus Area Description Contact Details Prof Carlien van Wyk Child Participation Social work, play therapy, children’s participation in the context of children’s rights, child protection
Prof Mariette van der Merwe
Trauma Trauma, marginalised populations, visual data collection Research on victims of crime (gun violence, stabbing-related violence, rape, school violence, elder abuse, migrant trauma, gender-based violence)
Mariette.VanDerMerwe@nwu.ac.za
Dr Issie Jacobs
Environmental Social Work Climate change issues, disaster management, family relational well-being
Dr Susanne Jacobs
Resilience, Psycho-Social Well-being, and Strenghs-Based Researc Relational Health Strengthening, restoring, and preserving communities
Prof Lizane Wilson Child Sexual Abuse Prevention, Community Engagement The prevention of sexual violence against children is increasingly being prioritized as a global priory, but is still a neglected area. When multiple risk factors are present in a community, the children in this community are even more prone to become victims of CSA
Dr Marelize Vergottini School Social Work My research focus is on school social work, wherein all roles and psychosocial challenges are unpacked. The three systems within the education system, learners, educators and parents of caregivers form part of this area of focus.
Prof Elmien Crofford Child Protection My research focus is on tackling the complex challenges faced by child protection social workers in South Africa. Through research, we explore the different levels, factors, and stakeholders within the child protection system to identify what hinders effective child protection. Through both PhD and master’s research, our goal is to uncover these obstacles and develop practical solutions to address them.
My personal background and professional training are in child protection social work, and my teaching and research focus align with this field. I collaborate with other researchers in supervising the students involved in this work. We prioritize ensuring that our findings are widely disseminated through key conferences and academic journals. Our goal is to make an impact on the child protection system, empower child protection social workers, and advocate for their needs so they can effectively perform their work, ultimately improving outcomes for every vulnerable child depending on this system.
Dr Lucé Pretorius
The social service profession is dedicated to improving human well-being and meeting the basic needs of all people. We champion the empowerment of the vulnerable, disadvantaged, and impoverished. However, we must consider the implication and challenges involved in achieving this. Who bears the responsibility for ensuring the safety and well-being of our frontline social service professionals? It's time we pose the question: "Who safeguards those who are entrusted with safeguarding others?”
For any additional queries please contact Prof Wim Roestenburg via email wim.roestenburg@nwu.ac.za Application Process
Potential Supervisors and Research Areas
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