Social workers help clients of all ages, working at government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and in private practices. They may specialize in child and family services, the healthcare field, or mental health. School social workers support students’ academic and social performance, while substance abuse social workers help clients cope with illnesses. Social workers use many of the same skills as counselors and therapists, helping clients manage problems in their daily lives.
During a doctoral program, social workers focus on a specialty within the field
With a bachelor’s in social work, graduates can work in social services and hold entry-level positions, while professionals with a master’s degree in social work can specialize in areas such as clinical social work. Many social workers earn a state license or certificates by meeting educational and work experience requirements. Social workers can also earn a doctoral degree and pursue advanced careers in academia or in the highest levels of administration.
During a doctoral program, social workers focus on a specialty within the field. Some doctoral candidates complete an original, research-based dissertation, while others focus on professional practice and gain advanced clinical experience. After graduation, doctors in social work often pursue jobs in academia or research. Most college-level teaching positions require a doctorate, as do many administrative positions in social services organizations.
Social Work Programs for You
Ph.D. in Social Work vs. Doctor of Social Work (DSW)
Students who enroll in post-master’s social work programs pursue either a Ph.D. in social work or a doctor of social work. While both degrees confer a doctorate in social work, the curricula of these degree tracks emphasize different skills and prepare graduates for different career paths. A Ph.D. in social work emphasizes research, and graduates typically pursue careers in academia as researchers or professors. In contrast, the DSW emphasizes practice, preparing social workers for leadership and administrative positions or for social work practice.
Earning Your Doctorate in Social Work Online
Many students prefer the flexibility associated with earning a doctorate in social work online. Enrolling in a social work doctoral program online allows learners to complete coursework from the comfort of their homes. Additionally, many programs let students access lectures and materials asynchronously, which may be especially beneficial to working professionals and individuals balancing school with family obligations. Online programs also tend to be less expensive, avoiding costs related to commuting and/or on-campus accommodations. In addition, many institutions offer discounted or in-state tuition for online students, regardless of where they live.
online students can typically access resources and academic advising remotely
Additionally, by choosing to pursue an online doctorate in social work, prospective students broaden their options. Rather than being forced to move to attend a top program, or being limited to local options, students open to enrolling in social work doctoral programs online can choose from the best programs across the country. Social workers interested in particular specialties or concentrations can attend a school out of state without disrupting the rest of their lives.
Students who earn a doctorate in social work online can typically complete any internship or research components locally at an approved site. Additionally, online students can typically access resources and academic advising remotely.
How Long Does it Take to Earn a Doctorate in Social Work Online?
Earning a doctorate in social work generally requires 3-5 years of full-time, post-master’s study. Some schools that host doctor of social work programs online offer accelerated tracks, which take as few as two years to complete, although Ph.D. tracks often takes closer to five years because doctoral students must complete an original, research-based dissertation. Most doctoral programs consist of 60-70 credits.
Courses in an Online Doctorate in Social Work Program
A doctorate in social work includes both coursework and substantial independent research. Doctoral students take classes that cover theory, policy, and quantitative research, which help participants identify potential research topics for their dissertations. Social work students may also take a class on teaching at the college level, preparing them to become professors.
Example Courses
| Social Work Theory and Practice | Doctoral students analyze the theories underlying social work practice in several specialties. Coursework may cover theoretical frameworks and evaluating outcomes and intervention methods. |
|---|---|
| Social Welfare | Courses on social welfare address development, implementation, and outcomes of public policy. Students may conduct a policy research project on a current issue in social welfare policy. |
| Quantitative Research | Students earning a doctorate in social work online must perform in-depth quantitative research; this course prepares learners to design and implement their own quantitative experiments and research projects. |
| Social Work Teaching Seminar | Many doctoral students in social work plan to teach at the college level after graduating. Teaching seminars address methods of teaching, course development, and the history of social work education. |
| Individual Research | Working with a faculty member, doctoral students in social work conduct research, perform a literature review, analyze data, and write a research report, which often takes the form of a dissertation. |
Job and Salary Outlook for Online Doctorate in Social Work Graduates
Several careers in the social work field require a graduate-level education. For example, licensed clinical social workers in most states must hold a master’s in social work. However, some positions also require a doctorate in social work. With a doctoral degree, social workers can assume academic positions and conduct research. Some leadership positions outside of academia also require a doctorate. In many areas, professionals with a doctorate in social work earn significantly more than workers who hold master’s-level positions. For example, social work professors earn close to $80,000 a year on average.
Social workers weighing the benefits of a master’s degree versus a doctorate in social work can learn more about social work careers available to professionals who hold a master’s degree.
Social Work Teacher, Postsecondary
Postsecondary teachers, also known as professors, work at colleges and universities where they instruct students in all areas of social work. Many professors also conduct research and publish their findings in academic journals.
Salaries and Job Outlook for Social Workers
| Occupation | Minimum Degree Required | Employment | Annual Mean Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social Work Teacher, Postsecondary | Doctorate | 12,430 | $74,560 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), May 2017
Top-Paying Settings for Postsecondary Teachers
| Setting | Salary |
|---|---|
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools; State | $79,340 |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools; Private | $77,170 |
| Junior Colleges; Local | $76,890 |
| Junior Colleges; State | $56,030 |
Source: BLS, May 2016
Licensing and Certification for Social Work Graduates
After earning a graduate degree in social work, many workers complete the licensing and certification process to become licensed professionals. Clinical social workers, for example, must hold a license to practice in most states. These licensing requirements vary by state, although many require social workers who interact with clients to hold a license.
Some jobs may require a state license
While enrolled in a doctor of social work program, graduate students should research the licensing requirements that apply to their future career path, whether in academia, research, or administration. Some jobs may require a state license. Social work graduates who want to apply for a license typically need to submit their academic transcripts, pass an examination, and, in some cases, earn a minimum number of hours of professional experience.
In addition to the licensure process, social workers can pursue various certifications. Earning a specialized certificate acts as a marker of distinction, demonstrating a social worker’s advanced skills in a particular area. While certification is not required for most social work careers, it can help professionals obtain competitive positions and/or increase their salaries. Because certification requirements vary depending on the specialization, aspiring social workers should research the benefits of earning a certificate in their concentration.
Additional Social Work Resources
Explore Scholarships for Social Work Students
Check out this guide to find the social work scholarships right for you. We list scholarships for social work master’s students, scholarships for social work majors, and social work doctoral students.
Professional Organizations
Professional social work organizations connect social workers across the country and world and offer many valuable networking opportunities and resources for students and graduates. Explore our guide to finding the right social work organization for you.
Resources
Whether you are an aspiring social work student or a seasoned social worker already in the field, there are many resources available to support, encourage, and develop your professional knowledge and insight into the social work field. Browse our list of must-have resources for every social worker.
Accreditation for an Online Social Work Program
When choosing a social work program, prospective students should be sure to check the program’s accreditation status. Accreditation signals a program’s commitment to best educational practices, and nearly all state social work licensing organizations require professionals to hold a degree from an accredited program.
In social work, the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) evaluates social work programs in terms of the quality of instruction, credentials of faculty, and student learning outcomes. CSWE accreditation assures students and future employers that graduates gain important social work skills. Many employers and state licensing boards only accept degrees from CSWE-accredited programs. Social workers interested in pursuing a doctorate in social work online should choose a program with CSWE accreditation. The organization maintains a directory of online social work programs that it accredits.
In addition to specialized program-level accreditation, students need to check an institution’s accreditation status. Regional accreditation tends to be considered more prestigious than national accreditation. Students at higher education institutions with regional accreditation qualify for federal financial aid, and credits earned at a regionally accredited college or university transfer to other schools more easily.
Doctorate in Social Work Programs
Schools