Doctor of Social Work (DSW)
Social Work
Program Overview
Our Doctor of Social Work (DSW) program is a dynamic, three-year program tailored for busy professionals. What sets our DSW apart is its focus on advanced clinical social work, emphasizing evidence-based practice, clinical leadership, and applied research. As one of the first Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)-accredited in the U.S., this professional practice degree equips you for advanced clinical and leadership roles. Through a one-week campus residency and flexible, fully-online coursework, you’ll build lasting relationships with your cohort and enhance your knowledge and skills without having to sacrifice your existing responsibilities and clinical work.
Why Should You Earn a Doctorate in Social Work?
Through our program, you gain practical, applied skills in a format built to fit in with your work schedule.
- Clinical Practice and Leadership Focus: While some DSW programs emphasize broad social work administration, UT’s curriculum is specifically built around advanced clinical social work — including neuroscience for clinical practice, advanced evidence-based practice for addictions and dual diagnosis, clinical supervision and consultation, and applied research. This clinical depth is what practicing LCSWs need to take their work to the next level.
- Designed for Working Clinicians: Our DSW students are experienced LCSWs who continue full-time clinical practice throughout the program. On average, UT DSW students have been out of their MSW program for 12 years and have held LCSW licensure for nine years. You’ll apply what you learn in real time, gaining new clinical skills and leadership competencies that immediately enhance your practice.
- Applied Research Project: The DSW research project is a practice-focused, applied project — not a traditional academic dissertation. You’ll identify a real-world challenge in your organization or community and develop an evidence-based solution. This approach means you graduate with something immediately applicable to your career, not a document that sits on a shelf.
With extensive training in these areas, you’ll be equipped to enter advanced roles where you can make a difference for people in need, including:
- Advanced Clinical Practice
- Clinical Director
- Healthcare Social Work Administrator
- Nonprofit/Social Services Agency Executive Director
- Policy Director/Advocate
- Private Practice
- Social Work Professor
Rooted in Ethical Excellence
Our DSW program is founded on the principles outlined in the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics. The curriculum reflects the latest standards, emphasizing self-care, cultural competence, and a steadfast commitment to the mission and core values of the social work profession.
Admission Requirements
- Master’s degree in social work from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education
- 3.0 minimum cumulative graduate GPA
- Three years of post-MSSW/MSW clinical practice experience
- Demonstrable information technology skills
- Applicants whose native language is not English must have TOEFL scores of at least 550 on the paper test or 80 on the internet-based test or a 6.5 overall band score on the IELTS.
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Featured Courses
The DSW program spans eight semesters of rigorous coursework, with students enrolling in two classes per semester. Following a structured course sequence, you’ll complete six courses over the first three semesters before writing and defending your Capstone I paper. The program concludes with the completion of your Capstone II paper in the final semester.
Using a developmental framework, this introductory course will provide an overview of brain structure and function across the lifespan and associations with cumulative risks, adverse childhood experiences, social determinants of health, and enriching environmental experiences. We will review the neurobiological stress response, epigenetics, neurocognitive and affective development, the neural circuitry of various mental health conditions, and the impact of treatment.
Examines the biopsychosocial/cultural factors associated with addictive behaviors and co-occurring mental health disorders. Focus is placed on case-conceptualization, assessment, and evidence-based interventions for multiply diagnosed clients.
Designed to develop professional capabilities required for clinical leadership practice in a variety of areas. There is a heavy emphasis on developing practical skills such as teaching and supervision techniques.
Selection of a research topic, preparation of a literature review, identification of a research question(s), development of a research proposal, and presentation of an oral defense of the research proposal.
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