The online Doctor of Social Work (DSW) is designed for experienced social workers to become practitioner scholars in teaching and leadership and take on roles such as faculty members in social work programs and program directors, administrators, policy practitioners, and other organizational leadership positions within social service organizations.
UofL’s Doctor of Social Work program can help you make a real difference in your community and the world. If you’re an experienced social worker ready to make a difference, the expertly-designed DSW curriculum will help you develop the skills you need to educate, innovate and implement just practices that promote academic, organizational and community change.
The Doctor of Social Work is offered by the CSWE-accredited Raymond A. Kent School of Social Work and Family Science at the University of Louisville.
Stronger cultural knowledge and stronger base to work from—available fully online.
Earn your graduate certificate in just 14 courses (44 credit hours).
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Social worker employment is expected to grow 16% between 2016 and 2026.
"This program transforms experienced professionals into scholars, teachers and organizational leaders positively impacting vulnerable and marginalized populations."
The essential knowledge, skills and credentials earned from a DSW equips you to advance your career and succeed as a social work postsecondary educator and/or leader. Most postsecondary social work educators work in public and private colleges and universities, professional schools, and junior or community colleges.
The 2019-2029 occupational outlook for postsecondary social work educators is expected to grow 9% nationwide, which is faster than the average national occupation growth rate and have a median annual salary of $80,790 (bls.gov).
Other career opportunities available to Doctor of Social Work graduates include:
The DSW is ideal for someone who wants to be an educator or take on a leadership position in a social service organization or within higher education. On other hand, a Ph.D. in Social Work will help students hone their research skills and prepare for conducting research while teaching at a college or university.
While you can become a faculty member with either degree, a DSW prepares you to become part of the education faculty with a central focus on teaching and service as opposed to research.
START YOUR APPLICATION REQUEST INFORMATION
Students interested in applying for the Fall 2023 cohort now have until May 12, 2023, to submit their application materials.
Preferred Application Deadline* | Term | Start Date |
---|---|---|
February 1- Extended to May 12! | Fall 2023 | August 2023 |
Send all materials to:
Graduate Admissions
University of Louisville
2211 S. Brook Street
Louisville, KY 40292
gradadm@louisville.edu
* The preferred deadline helps you complete the application process on time, be notified of acceptance and enroll before the term begins. We recommend you work on and submit your complete application in advance of the preferred deadline, as some application materials may take more time.
The online Doctor of Social Work is a 44 credit hour program that requires 6 credit hours of capstone coursework (2 courses, completed during the third, final, year of the program).
Year | Semester | Course List | Hours |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Fall | SW 730: Social Service Leadership and Teaching & Learning: History, Philosophy & Current Practice | 3 |
SW 731: Ethics, Equity, and Social Justice: Theory & Practice | 3 | ||
Spring | SW 732: Implementation Science, Program Development & Administration | 3 | |
SW 733: Continuous Quality Improvement, Data Driven Decision-Making, and Evidence Based Practice and Management | 3 | ||
Summer | SW 734: Research Methods | 3 | |
SW 735: Program Evaluation | 3 | ||
2 | Fall | SW 736: Applied Social Service Leadership, Management & Practice | 4 |
SW 737: Program Planning, Finance and Budgets | 3 | ||
Spring | SW 738: Social Work Teaching & Learning: Theories, Methods & Assessment | 3 | |
SW 739: Teaching in Social Work: Course Design, Instruction & Evaluation | 4 | ||
Summer | SW 740: Policy Analysis & Advocacy: Contemporary Issues | 3 | |
SW 741: Integrative Seminar & Qualifying Assessment | 3 | ||
3 | Fall | SW 742: Thesis/Capstone Project | 3 |
Spring | SW 742: Thesis/Capstone Project | 3 | |
Minimum Required Credit Hours | 44 |