Doctor of Social Work

Frequently Asked Questions
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The DSW Degree

A Doctor of Social Work (DSW) is a practice-focused doctoral degree designed for experienced social workers who want to advance their expertise in leadership, education, policy, clinical practice, or organizational change. The DSW follows a practitioner-scholar model, applying existing research and advanced skills to solve complex, real-world problems.

A PhD in Social Work is research-oriented, while a DSW is more practice-oriented. Most DSWs focus on advanced clinical skills, leadership, teaching, or some combination of these. PhD students receive extensive training in research methodologies with the aim of contributing original research to the field as their primary career focus. DSW coursework focuses more on advanced practice with the aim of enhancing clinical social work and leadership skills.

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The program is designed to foster an equitable and inclusive learning environment which produces scholar-practitioners who are equipped to:

  • Use and critically evaluate research and engage in scientific inquiry
  • Develop and maintain substantive expertise in one or more areas of social work practice
  • Advance practice through leadership and innovative approaches, particularly in the field of social work education
  • Develop and disseminate practice-relevant research-informed knowledge through a variety of channels
 

Curriculum

UTA’s DSW program is focused on preparing seasoned social work practitioners to teach and lead in university contexts, though the skills you’ll gain are also applicable to other contexts such as clinical practice. Explore our curriculum here.

You can’t learn to ride a bicycle by simply reading about bicycles; you have to practice! The teaching practicum introduces DSW candidates to the social work instructor role through teaching a full in-person or online course. Students can be placed with the UTA School of Social Work for a paid Graduate Teaching Assistantship, or you may choose to teach at another pre-approved institution.

Capstone projects vary between DSW programs. At UTA, our capstone is designed to prepare you as an advanced practitioner-scholar who can effectively synthesize and contribute to the literature and translate research into impactful practices. The capstone process begins with a comprehensive capstone proposal, followed by:

Capstone I: Systematic Literature Review

  • Guides students through the process of conducting a comprehensive and systematic review of the existing literature on a specific social work topic of the student’s choosing. The course focuses on data extraction, evaluating sources, synthesizing findings, and identifying research gaps. Students will produce a complete systematic literature review manuscript.

Capstone II: Applied Project

  • Focuses on the execution of an advanced, practice-based project that addresses a real-world social work issue in a clinical, leadership, or social work education setting. Students will apply research findings and theories from their Capstone I work to develop and implement a significant project within their practice setting. By the end, students will present their applied project in an online showcase, demonstrating mastery as a scholar-practitioner.

This video provides an overview of the capstone process.

The University of Texas at Arlington is accredited by our regional accreditor, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The DSW Program is currently pending approval SACSCOC. UTA’s School of Social Work (SSW) has two Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited programs, our Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work programs. Historically, CSWE has not accredited any doctoral programs. They still do not accredit PhDs, but as of 2025, CSWE began awarding accreditation to existing DSW programs.

Existing DSW programs now have the option to pursue CSWE accreditation, although CSWE accreditation is currently not required for financial aid, licensure, teacher credentialing, or employment eligibility. CSWE has clarified in their Memo to the Profession that, given the evolving nature of practice doctorate accreditation, the accreditation status of a DSW program should not affect how graduates are evaluated.

Seeking CSWE program accreditation is a multi-year process, and UTA will not be eligible to begin the process until Summer 2026. Our best estimate for receiving "retroactive" accreditation is Fall 2027, meaning that only students who begin the program in Fall 2027 or later will be considered to have graduated from a CSWE-accredited DSW program. CSWE does provide recommended competencies and guidelines, which the UTA SSW follows closely. We have also aligned our curriculum with CSWE's practice doctorate accreditation guidelines.

Online Learning

Our DSW program offers the best of both worlds- the camaraderie of a cohort model with the flexibility to choose your section/instructor. All students follow the same set course sequence, ensuring that those who begin the program together progress as a group, fostering a strong sense of community. However, if multiple sections of the same course are offered, students have the freedom to select their instructor, allowing you to strategically enroll in classes with friends while maintaining autonomy in your learning experience.

No, this online, asynchronous DSW is designed with busy working professionals in mind. There are no required weekly meetings, but we encourage you to engage in optional online synchronous opportunities. Our program breaks down geographic and scheduling barriers, combining the flexibility you need with ample opportunities to create a sense community with your cohort, be intellectually challenged, and build your confidence to take the next step in your career.

Admissions

UTA’s DSW program is currently awaiting the final stages of approval, and we are excited to start as soon as possible. The first cohort is expected to launch in 2026, pending the timing of those final approvals. We will communicate the start date to those on the interest list as soon as it is finalized.

You do not need to collect and submit letters of recommendation yourself. The application will prompt you to list your recommenders' emails, and they will receive a direct link to submit their reference letter. You can, however, encourage your references to have their letter ready to go so that they can submit as soon as they are prompted by the system.

We allow limited, transparent use of AI in preparing your application. You may use AI for brainstorming, outlining, accessibility or language support, and limited editing (e.g., clarity, grammar, proofreading), but your submission must reflect your own thinking, experiences, and authentic voice. Do not use AI to write your admissions essay or substantial portions of it. 

Overuse of AI often removes the personal detail that strengthens applications. You are fully responsible for the accuracy and originality of your materials, and you will be asked to disclose how AI tools were used, if at all.

No, if you previously earned a degree from UTA, you generally do not need to submit your UTA transcripts. Your academic record is already on file with the university. During the application process, you will indicate prior attendance at UTA, which will trigger the university admissions team to pull your transcripts. 

However, if you have coursework from another institution or additional transcripts that may be relevant, you should submit those as requested.

First, you will submit your initial application form, which asks for things like your name, contact information, residency status, and previous academic institutions. 

Then you will have access to the applicant portal, where you complete all other application checklist items such as providing the contact information for your recommenders, uploading your admissions essay (statement of purpose), and unofficial transcripts. If you are accepted into the program, you will then be required to submit an official transcript from the institution(s) you previously attended.

Three years post-MSW social work practice experience is calculated in relation to the total number of hours of full-time and equivalent professional practice experience (roughly 6,000 hours). Social work practice experience is defined as providing social work services to individuals, families, groups, organizations, or communities. Social work services can include work in professional social work auspices under the supervision of professional social work supervisors, volunteer practice experience in a social service agency, and paid experience as a consultant in the areas of the individual’s practice expertise. It does not include academic appointments. The clock begins after graduating from an MSW program. Applicants who do not yet have three years of practice experience at the time of applying, but will by the start of the DSW program, will be considered.

Given the practical and applied nature of the DSW curriculum, it’s critical to have ample practice experience as a Masters or Clinical level practitioner to be successful in the program. This requirement also aligns our program to Council for Social Work Education (CSWE) accreditation standards, and we cannot offer exceptions. As you continue to gain experience, we encourage you to prepare for a DSW by pursuing opportunities to develop expertise in your field, engage with research where possible, hone your writing, take on leadership roles, solidify your career goals (if you want to teach, that's a great fit for our program!), consider a capstone focus, and identify references who can speak to your professionalism, academic aptitude, and social work skills.

Given the practice-oriented nature of the DSW, we expect that many successful applicants will hold current social work licensure. Although licensure is encouraged, it is not required. 

At this time, the DSW program is not able to accommodate most international applicants. This is a part-time program, which does not meet traditional student visa requirements such as the F1 visa. Please speak with a recruiter for more information.

Equivalent coursework completed at other recognized doctoral program in good standing may be transferred to the UTA DSW program after evaluation and approval. The number of transfer hours is limited to 25% percent of the total program hours (maximum of 11 credit hours). Transfer credit will be accepted only for organized courses in which the student received a letter grade of B or higher and an official transcript showing the course(s) and grade(s) is required. All work submitted for transfer credit must have been completed no more than six years before completion of the DSW degree program at UT Arlington.  To evaluate transfer credit, please send unofficial transcripts, course descriptions and course syllabi to the DSW program director.

Finances

We are proud to be among the most affordable DSW programs in the nation. UTA’s tuition estimator can help give you an idea of anticipated rates, though tuition may vary slightly from year to year. To use the estimator, select Graduate, Resident (with our Non- Resident Online Distance Education Program (NRODE), in-state and out of state rates are similar), Traditional, Regular, and then under Assign Credit Hours, select School of Social Work and either 6 (Fall/Spring) or 3 (Summer) to help you estimate costs.

This video tutorial explains how to use the Tuition Estimator.

Good news! In-state and out-of-state rates are very similar. In the Distance Learning Out-of-State Online program, your tuition and other costs will be much less than what a typical non-resident/out-of-state student would pay. Many students, especially depending on their local school options, will save 40% to 50% in tuition and fees. This video [https://uta.instructuremedia.com/embed/63375a00-5381-4abf-94c4-8138cbb896d9] explains more about the NRODE program.

All DSW students who successfully complete the Teaching Practicum will receive a $3,5000 Graduate Teaching Assistantship.

Although we cannot confirm UTA scholarships for DSW students at this time, this may be a possibility in the future.  Additionally, you are welcome to pursue other funding sources such as outside (e.g. national, cause-based) scholarships, student loans, veteran benefits, employer reimbursement programs, etc. The UTA Office of Financial Aid and Military & Veteran Services can provide more information.

Did you know UTA has been named Texas’ top public university for military service members and veterans and No. 5 across all American universities (according to the 2024 Military Times Best for Vets: Colleges list)? Military Times has ranked UTA as a top five institution for the past five years for its support and commitment to military-connected students.

For more information about utilizing your military benefits, please visit this [https://www.uta.edu/student-affairs/veterans] page.

Military & Veteran Services can provide more information.

Career Advancement

DSW graduates use the degree to advance in their current field or seek new opportunities. We are seeing an increase in the demand for social workers with the skills, knowledge, and professional credentials necessary to take on leadership roles. The UTA School of Social Work Doctor of Social Work program prepares students to answer the call and creates leaders who will help people and communities thrive. While those with DSW degrees leverage their expertise in a variety of settings, from clinical practice to community organizing, our program focuses on preparing students to teach and take on educational leadership roles.

It depends! A PhD is a research doctorate, while a DSW is a practice doctorate. While a PhD prepares graduates to be competitive for tenure-earning positions at high research productivity universities, the DSW is also a common pathway to becoming a professor. DSWs are often hired as:

  • Adjunct faculty (part time)
  • Full-time faculty with titles such as Clinical Professor, Professor of Practice, Professor of Instruction, Instructor, or Lecturer
  • Tenure-earning/tenured faculty roles at universities with fewer research demands

We encourage you to speak further with a recruiter to explore which degree best fits your career goals.