Using Professional Assets to Build Intellectual Community Within an Online Social Work Doctoral Program: Lessons from a Team of Builders

Veronica L. Timbers, Baylor University
*Jennifer C. Hollenberger, Grove City College
T. Laine Scales, Baylor University
Madeline R. Stiers, Hope and Healing Center and Institute

https://doi.org/10.9743/JEO.2025.22.1.3

Abstract

For online doctoral students, learning the habits, cultures, and practices of the academy can be particularly challenging without informal, in-person interactions. As novice scholars and educators, engagement in the culture of the academy is an important component of the scholarly formation process. In this conceptual article, three online doctoral candidates and a faculty member report their own experiences of increasing engagement in the culture of the academy despite the physical distance of students. We suggest practical ways to move beyond the traditional delivery of intellectual content towards intentional, inclusionary scholarly formation of students in university life and collaborative research through technology. We also discuss how social work skills and knowledge of interpersonal communication, group work, human development theory, and advocacy can be used by students and faculty in thinking about and creating online doctoral programs in our field. In addition to benefiting doctoral programs, this article could also be of use to MSW programs seeking to support online students who express an interest in pursuing doctoral opportunities.

Keywords: online doctoral education, online education, social work education, online pedagogy, academic culture