Last updated: February 2022

Candidates are prepared for leadership roles and are trained on innovation and management in areas of social work like social work administration, clinical social work, and child, family and school social work. Most online DSW programs require a form of residency or dissertation that helps form skills toward advancing a candidate’s professional career.

Information below was last retrieved in February 2022. Be sure to check the university’s website for the most up-to-date information.

Requirements for DSW Programs | DSW Program Details | Common Career Paths with a DSW Degree | What is the Difference Between an MSW and a DSW? | Doctorate of Social Work vs. Ph.D. in Social Work | FAQs

The academic requirements for DSW programs online are similar to those of other doctoral programs. However, most programs require some professional experience with social work following an applicant’s completion of a master’s program.

The educational requirements for a DSW differ by the institution offering the program. Eligible applicants for a DSW typically must have a master’s degree in social work (MSW), but in some cases, a master’s degree or doctorate in a related field such as nursing or public health is sufficient.

DSW candidates are generally required to have at least two years of post-MSW practice.

GRE and GPA requirements for DSW applicants also vary by institution, and whether or not the applicant has earned their MSW. In some cases, students who have earned their MSW are not required to take the GRE. However, many institutions require proficient scores in the exams.

DSW applicants should have an exceptional academic track record with a GPA that reflects their work. Though institutions generally require a GPA of at least 3.0 on the 4.0 scale, some programs require a GPA of 3.5 or higher.

Specific application requirements vary by institution, but commonly include:

Teaching institutions related to social work are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) Commission on Accreditation. The CSWE accredits BSW and MSW programs, recognizing the MSW as the terminal degree within the field of study. However, some regional accreditors want those who teach in the MSW program to earn their DSW or Ph.D. in social work. Additionally, many DSW and Ph.D. programs require an MSW from a CSWE-accredited institution.

As of February 2022, accreditation of doctoral programs is under pilot by the CSWE’s Commission on Accreditation.

Most students who seek a DSW often already have their professional careers and have full-time jobs. Most of the programs offer online, hybrid and on-campus options for students. Weigh the pros and cons of the different student experiences when considering which route is best for your situation. Consider the environment in which you’d like to practice social work, and if the DSW curriculum is the optimal learning experience for you.

Since most applicants for DSW programs require the ability to continue working full time, these programs generally offer flexible schedules—even for those students who prefer the more hands-on experience of furthering their education in person. These classes would have an executive-style structure with night classes two to three times per week.

Online DSW programs offer students even more flexibility by letting them do their coursework at home. While online DSW degree programs offer extra convenience, they do require that students attend residencies and sometimes present capstone projects in person. Therefore, in-person attendance will be required for at least a part of the program.

The cost of tuition varies greatly depending on which institution the applicant chooses to attend. Nearly all institutions offer financial aid and scholarships, but there are options—these can be found on the institution’s website. Additionally, more information and instructions on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) can be found on the FAFSA website.

The DSW curriculum is typically condensed into eight semesters over three years. Usually, the first year of the program establishes a strong foundation in social work that combines research, statistics and clinical theory. The second-year curriculum introduces students to applied, specialized studies that prepare them for teaching. The second year of the program is the last year of actual coursework for DSW students. Through the third and final year of the program, students will complete and defend their dissertation.

To see an example of some courses that DSW students might be required to take, as well as some related electives, check the university’s website.

The start dates for on-campus or online DSW programs vary by institution. Some schools offer start dates throughout the year during fall, spring and summer. Some institutions will start DSW courses twice a year, and some only once. If you have an institution in mind, check their website to find out more about their DSW start dates.

A Doctorate of Social Work (DSW) demonstrates you have a greater understanding of how to solve problems faced in the real world, such as bullying, child welfare and poverty. DSW programs are designed for working professionals who wish to have a greater impact in their practice. A DSW degree may also take an MSW one step further for social workers who want to excel in their area of practice, expand their spectrum of career opportunities in social work, and/or become more aware of policies that can directly impact their practice.

Social work administration includes working at the macro level of social work. Rather than focusing on one client, social work administrators focus on the future and success of the practice as a whole. Popular social work administration jobs include those with family or social service agencies, child welfare departments, school settings, hospitals, home healthcare agencies and probation agencies. Necessary skills for this line of work include active listening, organization, emotional intelligence, empathy and critical thinking.

Clinical social work involves using methods of treatment and prevention to address mental illness. Clinical social workers require a clinical social work license, make sure to check with your state requirements and whether the program you’re looking at has a clinical track. Clinical social workers pursue careers in a variety of settings to provide services and treatments to individuals, groups and families. They apply their knowledge on analysis, diagnosis and treatment of mental health. This social work career is known for its variety of roles and career paths. Popular careers in clinical social work include child, family and school, substance abuse and medical social work. Necessary skills for this line of work include social perceptiveness, organization, cooperation, relaxation and active listening.

A DSW is the next step in social work education after the MSW. The primary difference between the two degrees is the career options they create. A DSW program online expands the knowledge a student gains as they earn an MSW and, in many cases, this expands the opportunities available to those social workers who’ve completed their DSW—including making them more qualified to teach in the field of social work.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, social worker jobs are expected to grow at a faster pace than average in the coming years. There are, however, some differences in career options for those who’ve earned a DSW as opposed to an MSW.

MSW programs ensure students have the tools to become successful social workers within multiple work environments. A DSW is a much more research-focused program that advances students’ capabilities by providing them with the knowledge necessary to take on leadership roles in the industry. This ultimately sets students up to affect social change on a greater scale.

Salary information retrieved from O*Net Summary Report for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers and Social Work Teachers: Postsecondary

Please refer to our social worker salary guide as well as our article on the highest paying social work jobs for more information.

As is the case with accreditation, the highest level of licensing within social work comes with the MSW—there is no specific licensure at the doctoral level. The reason is that the CSWE’s Commission on Accreditation focuses on accrediting institutions that prepare their students for practicing social work.

Some social workers opt to gain some real-world experience and obtain their MSW licensure before looking into social work doctoral programs. Students can, however, choose to start a DSW program immediately upon earning their MSW if this better fits their career goals in social work, provided that the institution they apply to does not require professional experience.

See our guide on the difference between the two licensure paths: LMSW vs. LCSW

A Ph.D. in social work is primarily a research-based degree while a DSW offers advanced training in a specific area of social work with more hands-on experience. A DSW degree ensures that the qualified candidate will gain extended knowledge of problem-solving skills to help create and advocate for a better society. Ph.D. social work candidates may conduct an extensive amount of research that provides advancement in social work careers.

A student who has earned a DSW is equipped to deal with problems as both a social worker and researcher. When a social worker gets to the doctoral level, the disciplines they previously studied are built upon in a research-intensive setting to enable them to positively impact social work on a macro level.

The main difference between DSW and Ph.D. programs is the emphasis on clinical practice vs. research, respectively. The Ph.D. program is more traditional in that it prepares students for an academic environment within social work, and doctoral candidates prepare a dissertation.

Students who earn their Ph.D. in social work will have a much more research-driven career in this environment. Online DSW program students, on the other hand, typically complete a capstone project or residency program to gain direct or closely related experience to their future role. Their careers will likely involve more day-to-day social work, making a difference at the individual and family level.

Requirements for DSW admission vary by university. Even so, candidates must have a master’s degree to pursue a doctoral degree. Some programs require a MSW while others require a master’s degree in similar areas of study such as an advanced degree in Public Administration (MPA), Public Health (MPH), Nursing (MSN), Public Policy (MPP), Business Administration (MBA), Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) or any professional doctorate.

If you are looking to earn an accredited MSW online, check out our full list of CSWE-accredited online MSW programs, or see our Guide to Online Social Work Degrees.

The length of a DSW program varies by school. Some programs offer an accelerated 24-month program that includes completing a residency and capstone project. Other universities may offer similar part-time options or full-time enrollment tracks. Most DSW programs take two to five years to complete.

Most programs require a certain amount of professional experience to be admitted.

There are full-time and part-time options offered, depending on the university. Most programs are designed for professionals who work full time and participate in the program simultaneously.

DSW programs are not yet accredited by the CSWE, but the Commission on Accreditation (COA) has piloted accreditation for practice doctoral programs for Fall 2021.

This page includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.

Last updated February 2022.