Doctor of Social Work (DSW)
Doctor of Social Work
Unit: Kent School of Social Work (GK)
Department: Social Work
Program Website
Academic Plan Code(s): SW_ _DSWO
The Doctor of Social Work degree is intended to prepare social workers to assume advanced professional roles such as master practitioner, educator, administrator, policy practitioner, or leader in settings where social workers practice. The degree program will educate social workers holding a master's degree with at least two years of post-master's experience to become future practitioner scholars in teaching and social service leadership.
The overall goal of the degree program is to offer advanced education, training, and mentoring to social workers holding a master's degree with at least two years of post-master's experience who wish to become social work teaching faculty or leaders in public or private social service organizations throughout Kentucky, the nation, and abroad.
The integrated curriculum will equip students with both leadership and teaching skills so they will be able to assume either or both social service leadership and teaching faculty positions.
Admission Requirements
To apply to the Doctor of Social Work (DSW) program in social work, send the following materials by February 1 to:
Graduate School
Graduate Admissions
University of Louisville
Houchens Building, Room 105
Louisville, KY 40292
- Completed Graduate Admissions Application for Admission to the University of Louisville's Doctor of Social Work (DSW) Program offered in the Kent School of Social Work
- Application fee
- Official transcripts from each college/university attended, and documentation of the receipt of a master's degree in Social Work, e.g. MSW, MSSW, from a CSWE accredited program or international equivalent.
- Current Resume or Curriculum Vita
- Three letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the applicant's work and/or academic ability and performance such as current or former supervisors and instructors
- A writing sample demonstrating the applicant's writing and analytical ability
- Personal statement of goals for pursuing the Doctor of Social Work degree
- Two years of post-master's degree social work experience
- An interview after review of submitted application materials
- Master's GPA of 3.0 (note: applicants with a master's GPA of below 3.0 showing potential for success as demonstrated in their other submitted application materials and/or in the interview for admission into the Doctor of Social Work program will be given consideration for admission)
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| SW 730 | Social Service Leadership and Teaching & Learning: History, Philosophy & Current Practices | 3 |
| SW 731 | Ethics, Equity, and Social Justice: Theory and Practice | 3 |
| SW 735 Program Evaluation | 3 | |
| SW 736 Applied Social Serivce Leadership, Management & Practice | 4 | |
| SW 737 Program Planning, Finance and Budgets | 3 | |
| SW 738 Social Work Teaching & Learning: Theories, Methods & Assessment | 3 | |
| SW 739 Teaching in Social Work: Course Design, Instruction & Evaluation | 4 | |
| SW 740 Policy Analysis & Advocacy: Contemporary Issues | 3 | |
| SW 774 Implementation Science, Program Development, & Administration | 3 | |
| SW 775 Continuous Quality Improvement, Data Driven Decision Making, and Evidence Based Practice and Management | 3 | |
| SW 776 Research Methods | 3 | |
| SW 777 Integrative Seminar & Qualifying Assessment | 3 | |
| SW 778 Thesis/Capstone project | 6 | |
| Minimum Total Hours | 44 | |
Graduation Requirements
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 at program completion
- Successful completion of all courses in the curriculum plan
- Proficiency rating of at least 85% on the qualifying assessment
- Successful defense of a thesis or capstone project
- Completion of all school and university requirements for awarding of the degree
- Completion of the program within four years from the time of passing the qualifying assessment
