PURSUE AN EDUCATION FOR GOOD
Walden’s commitment to positive social change is woven throughout the program’s coursework and projects.
PREPARE FOR YOUR CAPSTONE
Starting with the first course, you’ll build research and writing skills to help you kick off your capstone project with confidence.
CHOOSE YOUR FOCUS
Featuring three specializations, our DSW program gives you the flexibility to align your coursework with your career goals.
BUILD PRACTICAL SKILLS
Immersive learning technologies and online simulations allow you to sharpen your leadership and teaching skills.
Specializations
Walden’s Doctor of Social Work (DSW) program offers a variety of specializations to help you meet your personal and professional goals.
Admissions
Work one-on-one with an Enrollment Specialist who’ll guide you through every step—from choosing the right program to paying for your education.
Streamlined Admissions Process
Earning your Doctor of Social Work is a bold step forward on your professional path. Walden makes it easier with our streamlined admissions process that includes:
No application fee
Easy credit transfer
To be considered for this program, you must:
- Currently hold a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from a CSWE-accredited program with 3.0 GPA.
- At least 2 years full time and equivalent practice experience beyond the master’s degree. Resume will be required to document experience.
To apply, please submit your completed online application and transcripts. Please note that the materials you are required to submit may vary depending on the academic program to which you apply. More information for international applicants.
Doctoral Experience
How will I learn?
YOUR DOCTORAL JOURNEY
The path to your online doctoral program won’t be easy, but Walden is here to provide support, resources, and encouragement at every stage of your journey.
FOCUS ON YOUR PASSION
Get help choosing a doctoral research topic that reflects your interests. Learn how you can use the findings to create meaningful change.
ACADEMIC RESIDENCIES
Broaden your knowledge, engage with peers and faculty, and shape your professional identity during this valuable doctoral learning experience.
Tuition Breakdown
Walden offers tuition savings options that can make your goals more attainable. Discover savings opportunities through:
Tuition savings
Transfer credits
Grants and scholarships
Program Savings
Program Savings
Receive up to a $5,000 grant when you start an eligible doctoral program.
| Curriculum | Requirements | Cost | Total * | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition-Coursework | 58 quarter credits | $665 per quarter hour for coursework credits | $38,570^ | |
| Tuition-Doctoral Study/Project | 20–130† quarter credits | $665 per quarter hour for doctoral study/project credits | $13,300–$86,450* | |
| Program Fee | $180 per quarter | $1,620–$5,760* | ||
| Residency Fee | One Residency | $1,420 (virtual) $1,520 (in person: travel, lodging and other expenses are additional) | $1,420–$1,520 | |
| Estimated Range: | 2.5-Year | 8-Year | ||
| $54,910* | $132,300*+ | |||
| (assuming completion in a 2.5-year timeframe) | (assuming completion in an 8-year timeframe) | |||
These are ranges of what a student can expect in terms of time and tuition cost to complete a degree. It does not include other fees, nor is it adjusted for tuition increases over time. Walden faculty has concluded that generally students who do not complete their program in eight years are unlikely to complete and only allow students to exceed that time frame when a student petitions for an extension and provides good reason for the delay and assurances that obstacles to completion can be overcome. Time is calculated using the time allowed for each semester or unit that the student completes. Students are encouraged to work continuously during the program so as not to extend the time needed to complete the degree as work can become stale and students lose focus. Students who earn two grades of “Unsatisfactory,” who repeatedly drop a course before a semester or unit has been completed, or are unable to complete in the eight year time frame, should expect that they may be dismissed from the program. Walden believes that it is in the best interest of a student who is unable to complete the degree in the stated ranges to strongly consider withdrawal or obtaining a lesser degree.
Time to completion and cost are not estimates of individual experience and will vary based on individual factors applicable to the student. Factors may be programmatic or academic such as tuition and fee increases and/or the student’s transfer credits accepted by Walden; program or specialization changes; unsuccessful course completion; credit load per term; writing, research and editing skills; use of external data for their doctoral study/dissertation; and/or individual progress in the program. Other factors may include personal issues such as the student’s employment obligations; care giving responsibilities or health issues; part-time vs. full-time enrollment; leaves of absence; and/or other personal circumstances.
Tuition and fees are subject to change. Books and materials are not included. Students may incur additional costs for remedial writing assistance, if necessary.
^This assumes students successfully complete their coursework on the first attempt.
† Based on a 2.5-year minimum completion requirement and an 8-year maximum timeframe as outlined in Walden academic policy.
*Tuition and fees will be higher if students petition to extend the 8-year maximum timeframe or choose to take more expensive elective courses.
+Tuition and time to complete may be reduced if transfer credits are accepted, or if you receive grants, scholarships or other tuition discounts. For a personalized estimate of the number of your transfer credits that Walden would accept, call an Enrollment Specialist at 844-642-0198.
Program Outcomes
Specialization Learning Outcomes
As a graduate of our DSW program, you will be prepared to:
- Identify social work practice gaps through the use of theory, current research, and best practices.
- Demonstrate the ability to employ a variety of research approaches to understand or address social work practice problems.
- Synthesize research related to social work interventions, social programs, and the social work practice knowledge base.
- Critically evaluate social problems and social work practice gaps from a culturally aware, ethical, and empirically-driven perspective.
- Demonstrate the ability to collaborate with a variety of stakeholders to advocate for social change.
- Demonstrate the ability to collaborate with a variety of stakeholders to advocate for policies and practices that advance the economic and social well-being of culturally diverse clientele.
- Demonstrate advanced knowledge and skill in a specialized area of social work
Doctor of Social Work Program Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes
Walden’s Online Doctor of Social Work (DSW) FAQ
A: A DSW degree program prepares you to be an authoritative advocate for social justice. Career options include leader in agencies and organizations, program director, evaluator of social work practice and agencies, or supervisor in social work organizations. Career options may require additional experience, training, or other factors beyond the successful completion of this degree program.
The amount of time it takes to complete your DSW will depend on how long you work on your doctoral capstone research project. DSW students must complete a minimum of 78 quarter credits, and the minimum amount of time required to complete the coursework and capstone project is 2.5 years. Students have a maximum of 8 years to complete their doctoral degree requirements.
Social Work Month is celebrated each March. According to the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), the month serves as an opportunity to highlight the important contributions social workers make to society. Walden University’s own Dr. Barbara Solomon, a well-known professional in the field, is identified by the NASW as a NASW Pioneer and is recognized in the California Social Work Hall of Distinction. Walden named its School of Social Work in honor of Dr. Barbara Solomon in recognition of her impact on the social work profession and her service to Walden as a longtime board member.
High-quality social work degree programs will offer diverse focus areas or specializations to provide a more direct path toward making a difference in your particular area of interest. When you enroll in Walden University’s Doctor of Social Work (DSW) program, you can choose from three specializations, including:
- Advanced Clinical Practice and Supervision
- Impact Leadership in Social Work Administration
- Social Work Education
The different specializations can guide where you work and what type of job you might take. And while each specialization centers on a different aspect of the social work field, they share similar strengths including foundational studies, the development of scholarly research skills, practical exercises, and opportunities for field experiences.
Earning an advanced degree in social work, such as a Doctor of Social Work (DSW) degree, can prepare you for a variety of roles, including medical social worker, depending on your training and experience. Professionals serving in this capacity are critical to our healthcare system, helping patients understand their medical diagnoses and navigate the system so that they get the care and assistance they need. Medical social workers also work closely with doctors and nurses to understand how an illness or disease may affect a patient’s mental or emotional health. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of healthcare social workers is expected to increase 11% by 2028, adding more than 81,200 new jobs.1
1Source: www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm
If you’re ready for a career devoted to making a difference in people’s lives, social work is a great field and you have two great degrees at the doctoral level from which to choose. To determine which program better aligns with your interests and goals, it’s helpful to look at the differences. In a PhD program, students focus on advancing their skills as researchers and typically seek careers in academia. Students who choose to pursue their Doctor of Social Work (DSW) degree focus more on how research can be applied to social work programs and policies, as well as the key leadership and management skills needed to improve their practice. To summarize, a PhD better prepares you to teach, while a DSW prepares you for a professional career in the field.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment in the field of social work is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations from 2018 to 2028.1 This growth is projected to include a variety of roles within the field, and a DSW can help prepare you for many—if not all—of them. These roles include:
- Leader in agencies and organizations
- Mental health and substance abuse program director
- Social work agency evaluator
- Supervisor in social work organizations
1Source: www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm
Career options may require additional experience, training, or other factors beyond the successful completion of a DSW degree program.