Online and Distance Degrees > Degree Programs > Doctor of Social Work (DSW)

Doctor of
Social Work (DSW)

Primarily Online

Program Overview

Prepare yourself for advanced social work practice and leadership through this primarily online Doctor of Social Work (DSW) degree program. In as little as three years of study, you can equip yourself for specialized practice, public and nonprofit agency management or teaching future social workers.

Program Format
Primarily Online
Credit Hours
45
Tuition Per Hour
$440

Enhance Your Social Work Practice and Make a Difference

This highly selective DSW program is cohort based and allows you the benefit of enhanced collaboration and networking with peers. The program offers an advanced clinical practice track and an organizational leadership track so you can tailor your coursework to your professional goals.

In addition to completing online coursework, students are required to participate in residency programs on the UA campus, which last four to five days each summer. Students will also need to have a work or volunteer practice location where they can apply the concepts they are learning in a social work setting.

Application DeadlineMarch 1
Orientation RequiredYes
Other Program SpecificsRequired campus visits and access to a social work placement (work or volunteer)

Curriculum

The DSW program can be completed in three years and consists of 45 credit hours of coursework. Students will choose a concentration in advanced clinical practice or organizational leadership. The advanced clinical practice track includes coursework in advanced practice theory and techniques, research methods and clinical supervision and practice. The organizational leadership track curriculum hones your leadership and management skills for organizational and community settings.

Please note that courses are subject to change. You can learn more about the DSW Program by visiting the UA Graduate Catalog.

DSW Core Courses (27 hours)

SW 700 Advanced Theories in Oppression and Disparities
SW 701 Research for Clinical and Community Practice I
SW 702 Research for Clinical and Community Practice II
SW 705 Advanced Advocacy and Policy Practice
SW 706 Teaching Social Work Practice
SW 750 Introduction to Capstone Project (1 hour)
SW 751 Capstone Preparation – Project Proposal (2 hours)
SW 799 Capstone Project (up to 9 hours)

Advanced Clinical Practice Track (18 hours)

SW 703 Neuroscience in Clinical Practice
SW 720 Clinical Supervision and Ethics
SW 721 Cognitive Behavioral Theory
SW 722 Assessment and Diagnosis in Evidence-Based Clinical Practice
SW 723 Complementary and Alternative Therapies
SW 724 Social Work and Emotional Trauma

Organizational Leadership Track (18 hours)

SW 704 Organizational Leadership Theory and Practice
SW 730 Leadership and Organizational Change
SW 731 Leadership in Human Service Development
SW 732 Ethics in Community and Organizational Leadership
SW 733 Human Service Finance and Budgeting
SW 734 Human Resource Management in the Healthcare, Public, and Nonprofit Sectors

Admission

The application deadline for fall is March 1. Students must meet the following minimum requirements prior to starting the DSW program:

GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for their last completed graduate degree program
Hold a MSW degree from a CSWE-accredited program
Have at least 3 years of post-MSW program experience
Complete a Statement of Purpose
Students whose first language is not English must submit an official score report for the TOEFL or the IELTS; the minimum TOEFL score for admission is 79 and the minimum IELTS score is 6.5

It is also recommended that prospective students review the Application Checklist.

Program Orientation

Prior to the start of the program all students are required to attend a one-day, on-campus orientation. This unique opportunity allows students to meet faculty and network with other DSW students. Students who do not attend orientation may be administratively withdrawn from the program.

Campus Visit Requirements

Students are required to come to UA’s main campus in Tuscaloosa four to five days each summer — in years one and two for residencies and in year three to present their capstone project.

Practice Location

The majority of courses require students to apply the concepts they’ve learned to a social work setting. Students must be working or volunteering in a professional setting that will allow the student the ability to apply coursework for the duration of the program.