School of Social Work
Doctor of Social Work Overview
Illinois’ online Doctor of Social Work (DSW) is a 36-credit-hour program with asynchronous coursework and weekly live sessions designed for experienced social work professionals seeking to advance in organizational and executive leadership in nonprofit, public-sector, and human service organizations., programs, and systems of care.
In the School of Social Work, you’ll develop advanced expertise in organizational leadership, strategic decision-making, policy, finance, human resources, fundraising, and governance. The practice-focused curriculum emphasizes applying research and evidence to real-world challenges, helping you develop solutions that strengthen organizations, improve programs, and advance systems of care.
While social work Ph.D. programs typically emphasize research and scholarship, Illinois’ DSW focuses on applying research and evidence to professional practice. Graduates will be prepared to take on leadership roles and address complex challenges across organizations, programs, and systems of care.
Program Highlights
- Fully online: Complete asynchronous coursework with weekly live sessions.
- Designed for working professionals: Study part time while continuing your professional practice.
- Approximately three years: Complete the program in about three years.
- Cohort-based learning: Build connections and collaborate with experienced social work professionals throughout the program.
- Interdisciplinary leadership education: Develop leadership and management expertise through coursework offered in collaboration with Gies College of Business.
- Practice-focused capstone: Apply what you learn to a real organizational or community challenge.
What You’ll Learn
Through the DSW curriculum, you’ll develop skills in:
- Organizational and executive leadership
- Strategic decision-making
- Organizational management
- Policy and systems leadership
- Finance and budgeting
- Human resources
- Fundraising
- Governance
- Evidence-informed social work practice
Career Opportunities
The DSW prepares you for leadership positions across nonprofit, public-sector, and human service organizations. Potential career paths include:
- Executive director
- Senior administrator
- Program director or manager
- Organizational consultant
- Policy and systems leader
- Nonprofit leader
- Human services administrator
Whether you’re advancing within social work, moving into organizational leadership, or preparing for executive leadership, the DSW gives experienced professionals the opportunity to apply advanced social work knowledge to complex organizational and community challenges.
Apply
Ready to take the next step toward a Doctor of Social Work degree?
- Application Deadlines – Review the application deadlines to determine when to apply.
- Admission Requirements – Explore the admission requirements for the DSW program.
- Begin Your Application – Start your application to the DSW program today.