Doctor of Social Work (DSW)

Doctor of Social Work
Unit: Kent School of Social Work and Family Science (GK)
Department: Social Work
Program Website 
Academic Plan Code(s): SW_ _DSWO

This program is completed entirely online.

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 three 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 three 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 and Family Science.
• 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 responding to the required writing prompt
• Personal statement of goals for pursuing the Doctor of Social Work degree

  • What is your purpose for pursuing the Doctor of Social Work (DSW)degree at this point in your career?

    What have you learned from your past academic and social work practice experience for you to be successful in the Doctor of Social Work (DSW)program?

    What are the primary challenges you anticipate and supports you will need from the DSW program to successfully complete the online program?

    The Kent School of Social Work strives for diversity, equity, and inclusion and is actively committed to becoming an anti-racist organization. What contributions, if any, do you see yourself making to these efforts as a DSW student in the Kent School of Social Work?

    The personal statement is expected to be between 2-3 pages, single spaced using 12pt Font.

• Three years of post-master's degree social work experience
• 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)

The admission process involves the following:

• DSW Admissions Committee review of application materials 
• Applicants may be interviewed per DSW Admissions Committee’s recommendations
• DSW Program recommendation to the Graduate School

Program Requirements

Practicum Experiences
Students complete two practicum experiences.  In the fall semester of the second year, students complete a leadership practicum concurrently with Applied Social Service Leadership, Management & Practice typically in the student's place of employment.  In the spring semester of the second year, students complete a teaching practicum concurrently with Social Work Teaching & Learning: Theories, Methods & Assessment. 

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

Doctoral Qualifying Assessment
The qualifying assessment allows students to demonstrate their abilities to apply and integrate their skills and readiness to address complex issues within capstone projects. 

Doctoral Capstone Project
After admission to candidacy, students complete an original capstone project under the supervision of a faculty mentor and other content expert mentors.  Students will defend their capstone projects.