Top 5 Best Online Social Work PhDs (DSW Programs) 2023

Top 5 Best Online Social Work PhDs (DSW Programs) 2023
By Dave Tomar
Published:

Busy social service professionals can continue their eduction with a doctorate in social work. We rank the best PhD degree programs in social work.

Key Takeaways

  • There is a growing demand for social workers with advanced knowledge and practical clinical practice skills cultivated in doctoral programs.

  • While options are somewhat limited, students can earn a top-tier Doctorate of Social Work (DSW) online.

  • The best online doctorate in social work will have programmatic and institutional accreditation.

Featured Programs

There is a growing demand for clinical practice professionals in the social services, mental health support professions, and in education-based areas like curriculum development. Several universities now offer an Online Doctorate of Social Work (DSW) to students interested in running their own private practice, providing care in a clinical practice, or otherwise becoming a licensed clinical social worker.

DSW programs often cater to the needs of those already working in the field. This means that students seeking their doctorate must balance existing work and personal responsibilities with a challenging course of education. For many graduate students, online courses and a fully online program provide a way to achieve this balance.

For a look at how these online doctoral programs stack up against traditional on campus programs, check out our look at the Best Social Work Research Universities.

Or find out what your options are with a look at our full List of University Rankings.

 

Otherwise, read on and learn more about how you can complete a clinical social work doctorate program or social work PhD online...


About the Online Doctorate in Social Work Programs

Quality and credibility are important when it comes to finding an online doctorate in social work degree. The best online social work programs will have proper higher education accreditation:

  • Institutional Accreditation: Accreditation is vital for online doctoral programs. It signifies that the online PhD programs offered by the graduate school are in compliance with the standards of a Department of Education-approved accrediting body. A school must also be accredited in order to offer federal financial aid to its online doctorate candidates.

    • To learn more about financial aid, visit the Federal Student Aid website.This site has information about financial aid loans and grants, and repayment info.

    When looking for an online doctoral program, seek out options with accreditation from a colleges and schools commission in your region. This stamp of approval is critical for ensuring the quality and credibility of your online program.

  • Programmatic Accreditation: In addition to institutional accreditation, be sure that you are only considering online doctorate degree programs with programmatic accreditation. Any individual wishing to become a licensed clinical social worker must earn their graduate degree program a program with specialized accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
  • Carnegie Classification: The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, or as it is more commonly known, the Carnegie Classification, is a framework for categorizing all accredited, degree-granting institutions in the United States. Originally formulated in 1970 by The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, and administered through the University of Indiana’s Center for Postsecondary Research since 2014, the Carnegie Classification is “the leading framework for recognizing and describing institutional diversity in U.S. higher education.”

    • Under this classification, top research universities for doctoral degrees and PhD candidates are identified as either R2: Doctoral Universities for “high research activity” or R1: Doctoral Universities for “very high research activity.” Look for these classifications when considering options for your online doctoral programs.

Key Point: The best online doctorate programs in social work will have both institutional and programmatic accreditation.


Admission Requirements

Schools that offer online doctorate programs have different admission requirements. However, most online doctoral programs will carry the same basic threshold for admission for prospective students:

  • A completed online application
  • Official undergraduate college transcripts
  • A cumulative GPA of at least 3.0
  • GRE scores, MAT scores, or GMAT scores
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Personal interviews
  • Personal statement or essay
  • Plan of study

Key Point: In most cases, you’ll be eligible to enter a doctoral degree online after earning a bachelor’s degree. However, some specialized online doctoral and PhD programs may require you to have earned a master’s degree as well.

Curriculum and Courses

The curriculum and courses in your social work program will depend on the nature of your degree. Those pursuing a professional practice degree such as a DSW will likely learn practical skills such as how to treat mental health disorders whereas those pursuing a PhD may learn how to conduct scholarly research.

This is true for fully online doctorate degrees as well as hybrid degrees combining online education with traditional on-campus courses. Regardless of whether you complete a traditional, hybrid or online doctoral program, the typical time to completion is three to six years.

The typical components of your online social work program may include:

Foundational Courses

Students who complete DSW programs online will typically complete practical courses in areas like intervention strategies, evidence based practice, financial management, and more. Students who complete the PhD in social work will take courses focusing on areas like social work theoretical perspectives and academic research methods.

Examinations for PhD Candidacy

Online doctoral students pursuing their PhD are required to complete certain examinations to enter into PhD candidacy. This will typically occur after students complete one to two years of foundational courses.

Dissertation

In most cases, the central component of your doctoral program will be the completion of your dissertation or capstone project. After gaining status as a PhD candidate, you will typically work closely with a professorial advisor or mentor to develop an original research question.

This research question will form the basis of your dissertation—an ongoing project designed to address this research question through applied research. While you will work closely with your advisor or mentor, much of your dissertation will be rooted in your own research.

Oral Defense

Upon completion of the written portion of your dissertation—which will typically present the findings from your original research project—you will be expected to defend your findings. This “oral defense” will typically be conducted by a commission of professors and experts in your field. PhD candidates in some online degree programs may be able to conduct this defense via teleconferencing.

Teaching Requirements

Some online DSW and PhD programs will also include a teaching component, which will require you to work as an adjunct professor or teacher’s assistant in an undergraduate or graduate school. It may be possible for students in the online doctoral degree program to also serve teaching requirements by instructing online students.

Key Point: Social work programs vary depending on whether you are pursuing a PhD or DSW.


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Social Workers, Mental Health Professionals, and Other Careers for Graduates with an Online Doctorate in Social Work

Accredited online doctorate in social work programs are generally terminal degree programs. The same is true of the online PhD program in social work. This means that students who complete this online advanced degree are generally eligible for top positions in their field including those in the administration of home healthcare, long term care facilities, and other clinical settings.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the top 10% of earners among social workers earned more than $82,000 in 2021.

Working professionals who earn an accredited online doctorate may be eligible to work in the following areas.

  • Post-Secondary Teaching Positions
  • Licensed Clinical Social Workers
  • Social Justice Organizers
  • Grant Writing for Nonprofit Organizations
  • Public Policy Consultation

Key Points: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, students with a doctorate in social work will earn more than social workers with a bachelor’s or master’s degree.

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What’s the difference between online doctoral programs and online PhD programs?

Technically, a PhD is a type of doctorate degree. This means that all PhD candidates are doctoral students. By contrast, not all doctoral students are PhD candidates.

The primary distinction is that doctoral students are primarily focused on putting existing theories into practice. Depending on your chosen field, your online doctoral degree may require participation in an educational leadership program, engagement in clinical practice, work as a resident in a nursing program, and much more.

By contrast, PhD students are focused on creating new knowledge in their area of study. This usually means that PhD candidates are focused on introducing new theories, creating research projects around these theories, and presenting new findings that demonstrate a mastery of existing knowledge and the insight to introduce new ideas into the field.

Today, more working professionals than ever before are pursuing both online doctoral degrees and online Phd programs.


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The Best Online Social Work Doctorates

The online programs identified here include both online DSW programs for aspiring clinical social workers and online social work PhD program degrees, geared toward students building careers in research, postsecondary education, policy development, and more. Online degrees are ranked based on influence, with weighting for graduation rate and full-time online enrollment.

  1. #1

    University of Southern California

    Los Angeles , CA
    #13 50 Best Private Grad Schools 2023 #16 Best Universities in the US Ranked for Prospective Students in 2023 #18 50 Best Graduate Schools Ranked for Prospective Students in 2023 #2 Best Private Colleges in California 2023
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $62K

    Acceptance

    13%

    Graduation

    92%

    Student body

    38K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1435/32

    What is University of Southern California known for?

    University of Southern California’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Students pursuing their PhD at USC are in good company. More than 28,000 students—well over half the student population—are pursuing graduate level degrees at the research intensive institution. Indeed, USC is identified among R1: Doctoral Universities, those distinguished for very high research activity. Specialized opportunities include USC’s online Doctorate of Social Work Program (DSW).

    • The University of Southern California is great for students who:

      Plan to pursue career opportunities in the Los Angeles area. Some estimates identify USC as the largest employer in the region as well as a top contributor to the labor market.

    • The University of Southern California might not be the best fit for students who:

      Are seeking a more intimate academic experience. USC is a massive school in an urban environment.

  2. #2

    University of Tennessee

    Knoxville , TN
    #1 Best Public Colleges in Tennessee 2023 #1 Most Affordable Colleges in Tennessee 2023 #2 Best Grad Schools in Tennessee 2023 #2 Best Colleges in Tennessee 2023
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $13K

    Acceptance

    75%

    Graduation

    72%

    Student body

    28K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1221/28

    What is University of Tennessee known for?

    University of Tennessee’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    The University of Tennessee offers an array of online doctoral pathways into advanced clinical practice in social work including its Doctor of Social Work online program (DSW).

    • The University of Tennessee is great for students who:

      Enjoy a party atmosphere. The Greek system and the school’s football program play a major role in shaping the campus culture at the University of Tennessee.

    • The University of Tennessee might not be the best fit for students who:

      Are seeking a more intimate environment. University of Tennessee is a large campus, which can make it challenging to make friends at first.

  3. #3

    Baylor University

    Waco , TX
    #1 Best CCCU Colleges and Universities 2023 #4 Best Online Christian Colleges and Universities for Doctoral Degrees #10 50 Best Christian Colleges and Universities 2023 #2 Best Christian Colleges in Texas 2023
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $50K

    Acceptance

    57%

    Graduation

    82%

    Student body

    18K

    What is Baylor University known for?

    Baylor University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Baylor University is noted for several accredited online programs, including its research-based online PhD in Social Work. Baylor’s program is unique for its emphasis on the development of leaders and educators, as opposed to clinical practitioners of social work.

    • Baylor University is great for students who:

      Are seeking a beautiful campus with thoughtful architecture. Students describe Baylor’s main campus as warm and welcoming.

    • Baylor University might not be the best fit for students who:

      Have financial constraints. Baylor University is a comparatively costly private institution.

  4. #4

    University of Kentucky

    Lexington , KY
    #1 Best Grad Schools in Kentucky 2023 #1 Best Public Colleges in Kentucky 2023 #1 Best Research Universities in Kentucky 2023 #1 Most Affordable Colleges in Kentucky 2023
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $13K

    Acceptance

    94%

    Graduation

    68%

    Student body

    25K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1175/25

    What is University of Kentucky known for?

    University of Kentucky’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    University of Kentucky is a strong draw for PhD candidates, enjoying classification among R1: Doctoral Universities, institutions noted for their very high level of research activity. Kentucky also holds the distinction of offering numerous top-ranked online doctoral programs such as its Doctor of Social Work online (DSW).

    • University of Kentucky is great for students who:

      Are looking to get involved. Students who attend the University of Kentucky praise the extremely wide variety of clubs, activities, and on-campus events.

    • University of Kentucky might not be the best fit for students who:

      Are looking for a quiet, intimate campus. Students note that Greek life and sporting events are a major part of the culture at this large institution.


  6. #5

    Bryn Mawr College

    Bryn Mawr , PA
    #17 50 Best Small Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2023 #20 50 Best Liberal Arts Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Pennsylvania 2023 #3 Best Small Colleges in Pennsylvania 2023
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $56K

    Acceptance

    39%

    Graduation

    87%

    Student body

    1K

    What is Bryn Mawr College known for?

    Bryn Mawr College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Bryn Mawr College is noted for its distinctive online Ph.d in social work program. Students in its Doctoral Program in Social Work (PhD) will conduct research, develop leadership skills, and prepare for roles in higher education.

    • Bryn Mawr College is great for students who:

      Seeking a balance between a beautiful campus and a nearby city. Though Bryn Mawr is in a quiet Pennsylvania suburb, it is only a short train ride from Philadelphia.

    • Bryn Mawr College might not be the best fit for students who:

      Do not prefer to attend an all-girls college. While students can take co-educational courses through partnerships with nearby schools like Swarthmore College and the University of Pennsylvania, the Bryn Mawr campus is all-female.

  7. #6

    University of Memphis

    Memphis , TN
    #2 Best Public Colleges in Tennessee 2023 #2 Most Affordable Colleges in Tennessee 2023 #3 Best Grad Schools in Tennessee 2023 #3 Best Colleges in Tennessee 2023
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    95%

    Graduation

    54%

    Student body

    17K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1095/22

    What is University of Memphis known for?

    University of Memphis’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    University of Memphis is noted for several excellent online social work programs, including its Online Doctorate of Social Work Program (DSW).

    • University of Memphis is great for students who:

      Are looking for a surrounding area with tons of stuff to do. Students note that the Memphis metro area offers many restaurants, shops, nightlife and cultural opportunities.

    • University of Memphis might not be the best fit for students who:

      Are looking for a traditional residential campus. Many students refer to University of Memphis as a commuter school, where many people leave campus on the weekends.

  8. #7

    Our Lady of the Lake University

    San Antonio , TX
    #19 The Best Catholic Colleges and Universities Ranked for 2023

    Tuition + fees

    $30K

    Acceptance

    66%

    Graduation

    35%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    975/17

    What is Our Lady of the Lake University known for?

    Our Lady of the Lake University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Our Lady of the Lake University is noted for its excellent social work programs, including its Online PhD in Social Work.

    • Our Lady of the Lake University is great for students who:

      Enjoy the intimacy of a small campus. Students speak highly of the modest class sizes and the personal attention they receive from their professors.

    • Our Lady of the Lake University might not be the best fit for students who:

      Require a great deal of administrative support. Students note that some of the student support services are not as fast or responsive as desired.

Other Options for Aspiring Social Workers

Students considering an online doctoral in Social Work should also check out the best on-campus options to compare features like cost, curriculum, acceptance rate, and more.

  1. #1

    New York University

    New York , NY
    #8 50 Best Private Grad Schools 2023 #9 50 Best Graduate Schools Ranked for Prospective Students in 2023 #10 Best Universities in the US Ranked for Prospective Students in 2023 #13 Best Universities in the World 2023
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $57K

    Acceptance

    13%

    Graduation

    87%

    Student body

    49K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1455/32

    What is New York University known for?

    New York University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  2. #2

    University of Southern California

    Los Angeles , CA
    #13 50 Best Private Grad Schools 2023 #16 Best Universities in the US Ranked for Prospective Students in 2023 #18 50 Best Graduate Schools Ranked for Prospective Students in 2023 #2 Best Private Colleges in California 2023
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $62K

    Acceptance

    13%

    Graduation

    92%

    Student body

    38K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1435/32

    What is University of Southern California known for?

    University of Southern California’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  3. #3

    University of California, Berkeley

    Berkeley , CA
    #1 Most Affordable Colleges and Universities in the U.S. 2023 #1 50 Best Public Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2023 #1 50 Best Public Grad Schools 2023 #1 Best Value Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2023
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $14K

    Acceptance

    14%

    Graduation

    93%

    Student body

    43K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1420/32

    What is University of California, Berkeley known for?

    University of California, Berkeley’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  4. #4

    University of California, Los Angeles

    Los Angeles , CA
    #3 Most Affordable Colleges and Universities in the U.S. 2023 #3 50 Best Public Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2023 #3 50 Best Public Grad Schools 2023 #3 Best Value Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2023
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $13K

    Acceptance

    11%

    Graduation

    92%

    Student body

    46K

    What is University of California, Los Angeles known for?

    University of California, Los Angeles’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  5. #5

    University of Washington

    Seattle , WA
    #4 Most Affordable Colleges and Universities in the U.S. 2023 #5 50 Best Public Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2023 #5 50 Best Public Grad Schools 2023 #7 Best Value Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2023
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    53%

    Graduation

    84%

    Student body

    44K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1326/30

    What is University of Washington known for?

    University of Washington’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

Check out the complete Online Program Ranking List.

 
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