Social Work, DSW
Overview
for the degree of Doctor of Social Work in Social Work
The Doctor of Social Work (DSW) program is an advanced practice doctorate designed for experienced social work professionals seeking leadership roles in social service organizations. The curriculum integrates coursework in nonprofit leadership, human resource management, financial planning, grant writing, and program evaluation, equipping graduates with the skills to drive innovation and sustainability in the field. Emphasizing evidence-informed decision-making and strategic organizational management, the program culminates in a capstone project addressing a critical social services issue.
Degree Requirements
for the degree of Doctor of Social Work in Social Work
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| SOCW 577 | Leadership Foundations & Governance | 4 |
| SOCW 578 | Ethical & Adaptive Leadership | 4 |
| SOCW 582 | Social Service Policy & Regulation | 4 |
| SOCW 583 | Financial Planning & Stewardship | 4 |
| SOCW 586 | Grant Writing & Strategic Fundraising | 4 |
| SOCW 587 | Technology and Innovation in Social Services | 4 |
| SOCW 588 | Data Informed Leadership Seminar | 4 |
| SOCW 590 | Capstone Planning & Design | 4 |
| SOCW 591 | DSW Capstone | 4 |
| ACCY 500 | Accounting Measurement, Reporting, and Control | 4 |
| BADM 509 | Managing Organizations | 4 |
| BADM 589 | Project Management | 4 |
| Total Hours | 48 | |
Other Requirements
| Master degree required for admission? | Yes |
| Minimum 500 level hours required | 12 |
| Minimum GPA | 3.0 |
| Preliminary Exam | Required |
| Final Capstone | Required |
| Final Examination | Required |
Learning Outcomes
for the degree of Doctor of Social Work in Social Work
The Doctor of Social Work (DSW) program is grounded in the practitioner–scholar model and designed to prepare advanced social work practitioners to develop, translate, and advance social work practice knowledge. The curriculum emphasizes the integration of scholarship and leadership in applied settings, preparing graduates to generate and apply knowledge that advances equity, justice, and systemic change across human service systems.
Each course in the DSW program includes clearly defined learning objectives and aligned assignments that reflect one or more of the program’s overarching outcomes. These outcomes serve as the guiding framework for curriculum design, course sequencing, and assessment, ensuring that learning builds progressively from foundational leadership competencies to applied systems-level expertise demonstrated through the Capstone project.
Collectively, the six DSW Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) form the foundation for the program’s curriculum map, providing a coherent structure for both teaching and evaluation across all courses.
Upon completion of the DSW program, students will be able to:
- Advance Practice through Innovation: Design, implement, and evaluate innovative approaches to practice that promote equity, justice, and effectiveness in social work and human service settings.
- Critically Use and Evaluate Research and Knowledge: Identify, assess, and apply research-informed knowledge to complex social work practice problems; evaluate the quality and relevance of existing literature and methodologies to improve service delivery and organizational effectiveness.
- Engage in Doctoral-Level Scientific Inquiry: Conduct rigorous and ethical inquiry that demonstrates doctoral-level scholarship, including conceptualization, methodological design, data analysis, interpretation, and translation of findings into practice contexts.
- Disseminate Practice-Relevant Knowledge: Develop and communicate original, practice-relevant knowledge through scholarly writing, teaching, professional presentations, mentoring, or administrative practice that advances the mission and values of social work.
- Provide Transformational Leadership: Exhibit ethical, inclusive, and adaptive leadership in social work practice, education, or administration that reflects integrity, critical reflection, collaboration, and a commitment to continuous learning and systems improvement.
- Cultivate and Maintain Substantive Expertise: Demonstrate and sustain deep expertise in one or more areas of advanced social work practice, contributing to the profession’s body of knowledge and the betterment of communities through ongoing inquiry and engagement.
Contact Information
for the degree of Doctor of Social Work in Social Work
Director of DSW Planning & Development: Melissa Iverson
School of Social Work website
School of Social Work Faculty
1010 W. Nevada St., Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 333-2261
socialwork@illinois.edu