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.
Primarily Online Program Format
45 Credit Hours
$480 Tuition Per Hour
Leading Change, Advancing Social Work Practice
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 focus area and an organizational leadership focus area 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 Deadline | March 1 |
| Orientation Required | Yes |
| Other Program Specifics | Required campus visits and access to a social work placement (work or volunteer) |
| Scholarships and Grants Available | Discover a range of scholarships and grants to support your educational journey |
Curriculum
The DSW program can be completed in three years and consists of 45 credit hours of coursework. Students will choose a focus area in advanced clinical practice or organizational leadership. The advanced clinical practice focus area includes coursework in advanced practice theory and techniques, research methods and clinical supervision and practice. The organizational leadership focus area 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 Focus Area (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 Focus Area (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
Campus Visit Requirements
Practice Location
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Contact Us
Program Information
Katie Montgomery
Admissions Representative 800-467-0227
katelynn.bama@ua.edu
Admissions Information
UA Online
800-467-0227
online@ua.edu