Are you an experienced social work professional looking to amplify your impact and lead significant change? A Doctorate In Social Work (DSW) program is designed to equip you with the advanced skills and knowledge necessary to tackle complex social challenges and become a leader in the field. This program is tailored for individuals who are passionate about developing practical, applied solutions to issues affecting vulnerable and marginalized populations.
Program Highlights
This rigorous DSW program cultivates both practitioner and scholar attributes in its students. By embracing scholarly habits and utilizing methodological tools focused on innovation and change management, you will emerge as an effective leader capable of driving social progress. The curriculum is structured around three core areas:
- Deep Problem Analysis: Focusing on defining and understanding the Grand Challenges for Social Work.
- Innovative Solution Design: Developing and implementing creative and impactful interventions.
- Executive Leadership Skills: Mastering leadership in human service organizations and community settings.
The program is designed for completion in approximately three years, or nine semesters, with the final three semesters dedicated to an in-depth Capstone Project.
Curriculum Overview
The DSW curriculum is built around experiential learning and application. A key component includes Design Laboratory courses where you will apply theoretical models to address the Grand Challenges in Social Work, as defined by the American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare. Coursework includes:
- Strategic Innovations for the Grand Challenges
- Leading and Managing Large Complex Systems
- Data-Driven Decision Making in Social Services
- Leading Public Discourse
- Communication and Influence for Social Good
- Design Laboratory for Social Innovation I & II
- Financial Management for Social Change
- Application of Implementation Science
- Executive Leadership
- Research Methods
- Capstone Project
Capstone Project: Your Pathway to Impact
The Capstone Project is a cornerstone of the doctorate in social work program. It serves as a demonstration of your acquired expertise, culminating in a tangible prototype ready for real-world application. This could take the form of a business plan, a large-scale grant proposal, or a comprehensive organizational redesign. You will be challenged to apply social innovation principles to a significant problem aligned with the Grand Challenges, developing an actionable and innovative solution. This project, akin to a dissertation, allows you to synthesize and showcase the knowledge and skills gained throughout your doctoral journey.
Career Trajectory with a DSW
Earning a doctorate in social work opens doors to advanced leadership and management positions across diverse sectors. Graduates are prepared to lead and innovate within various settings, including healthcare, public policy, business, and military organizations. A DSW degree positions you as a social innovator, ready to lead and implement impactful change within your chosen field.
