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University of Minnesota
Driven to Discover


College of Education and Human Development
CEHD Wordmark - Print Version

School of Social Work
105 Peters Hall
1404 Gortner Avenue
Saint Paul, MN 55108

Phone
: 612-625-1220
Toll Free: 800-779-8636
Fax: 612-624-3744
E-mail:

Written Preliminary Examination Information

The following resources provide PhD students with the current information to help fulfill their written and oral preliminary examination requirements.

Written Preliminary Questions:

The goals of the written preliminary exams are to evaluate a student's ability to:

  1. Demonstrate an understanding of knowledge and major theories in the core areas of social welfare and social work;
  2. Critically assess both the strengths and limitations of that knowledge;
  3. Integrate such knowledge in a scholarly manner;
  4. Take a stand and argue a position, going beyond the literature in unresolved areas; and
  5. Apply such knowledge and understanding to a specific area of interest.

Exam Competencies

Details information students need to know to be adequately prepared to respond to written preliminary examination questions.

Bibliographies for Exam