Written by Ann Feeney, SWG Rankings Team
Last Updated: May 2023

Earning a doctorate in social work (DSW) can open up exciting career options. This guide explains the different types of programs and what to look for, lists the best doctorates in social work, and gives you the information you need to find a program and apply. Explore the possibilities open to you today.

What to Look For in a Social Work Doctoral-Level Program

Accreditation

Accreditation is the most important measure of a program's value. If you do not already have a social work license, you must graduate from a program with Council on Social Work Education accreditation to earn the credential. Very few employers will consider hiring graduates of unaccredited programs. All the entries in this list of doctorates in social work hold accreditation.

Cost

Students should consider the total cost of fees and tuition, along with how financial aid can lower their overall investment. Factors affecting cost include the school's public vs. private status, eligibility for in-state tuition and fees, and whether you can work while studying.

Financial Aid

Students should research available financial aid through grants, scholarships, and loans. This funding may come directly from your school or external sources like the government and independent organizations. Especially at the graduate level, scholarships may include work opportunities, assisting faculty in research or teaching. You may qualify for government loan forgiveness if you work as a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) in a medically-underserved area after graduation.

Admission Requirements

Finally, consider the admission requirements when evaluating doctorate in social work programs. In addition to telling you how likely you are to receive admission, these requirements can offer a look into student and campus culture.

Featured Online Programs in Social Work

Research How to Become a Social Worker by State

Each state sets their social work licensing requirements. In some states, you can pursue licensure with a BSW, while others require a master's degree. Other requirements include getting the required experience and passing your state's social work licensure exam.

The Best Ph.D. in Social Work Programs

View our methodology to learn more about how we create school rankings.

University of California, Los Angeles

University of California, Los Angeles, widely recognized for its academic excellence, boasts 16 Nobel Laureates and 15 MacArthur Fellows among its alumni and faculty. The university enrolls over 45,000 students in its top-ranked undergraduate and graduate programs.

The Ph.D. in social welfare selectively admits a small cohort of students each year. The rigorous, individually tailored program features personalized instruction and applied research experiences. All students can receive financial aid packages that cover full tuition plus fellowships and paid teaching assistantships for the first four years.

Program: Ph.D. in Social Welfare
Campus: Los Angeles, California
Type: Public
Accreditations: WASC Senior College and University Commission
Tuition: $11,700 per year
Admission Requirements: MSW or master's in related field; official transcripts; three letters of recommendation; personal statement; statement of purpose; research essay; curriculum vitae; writing sample
Minimum Time Commitment: Four years
On-Campus Requirements: Yes

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Established in 1795, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) holds the title of the nation's first public university. Today, UNC offers 95 bachelor's, 104 master's, and 65 doctoral degrees.

This top-ranked doctorate in social work emphasizes social intervention throughout its curriculum. The plan of study includes a teaching practicum, a research practicum, and several courses outside the field of social work. Doctoral students can receive significant funding that covers tuition and health insurance, and stipends for teaching and research.

Program: Ph.D. in Social Work
Campus: Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Type: Public
Accreditations: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Tuition: $586 per credit for North Carolina residents; $1,602 per credit for out-of-state students
Admission Requirements: MSW or master's in a related field; official transcripts; statement of purpose; three letters of recommendation; curriculum vitae; two years of work experience in human services
Minimum Time Commitment: Four years
On-Campus Requirements: Yes

University of California, Berkeley

Ranked as one of the nation's top public universities, University of California, Berkeley, maintains its strong intellectual tradition in over 350 academic programs serving over 42,000 undergraduate and graduate students.

The Ph.D. in social welfare allows students to pursue a plan of study tailored to their interests that aligns with faculty members' research areas. The program provides three years of financial support to pay for tuition, fees, and health insurance, plus a yearly allowance for living expenses.

Program: Ph.D. in Social Welfare
Campus: Berkeley, California
Type: Public
Accreditations: WASC Senior College and University Commission
Tuition: $5,850 per semester
Admission Requirements: MSW or master's in related field; minimum 3.0 GPA; three letters of recommendation; examples of scholarship
Minimum Time Commitment: Three years
On-Campus Requirements: Yes

University of Chicago

Recognized among the best U.S. and global research universities, University of Chicago has claimed more than 90 Nobel Prize winners and over a dozen recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom in its 125-year history.

The highly selective Ph.D. in social work admits approximately eight students from the 100 applications received each year. Once admitted, all doctoral students qualify for a financial aid package that includes full tuition, health insurance, and a yearly stipend.

Program: Ph.D. in Social Work
Campus: Chicago, Illinois
Type: Private
Accreditations: Higher Learning Commission
Tuition: $49,734 per year
Admission Requirements: MSW or master's in related field; official transcripts; four letters of reference; curriculum vitae, candidate statement; academic writing sample
Minimum Time Commitment: Four years
On-Campus Requirements: Yes

Florida State University

Located in Florida's capital city of Tallahassee, Florida State University (FSU) administers over 300 undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs in 18 colleges. FSU's doctorate in social work, established in 1974, has built a national reputation for its emphasis on research methods and adult pedagogy.

The university's Ph.D. in social work encourages doctoral students to conduct research independently and with faculty, collaborate on articles for publication, present their work at national conferences, and teach courses in the college of social work.

Program: Ph.D. in Social Work
Campus: Tallahassee, Florida
Type: Public
Accreditations: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Tuition: $479 per credit for Florida residents; $1,111 per credit for out-of-state students
Admission Requirements: MSW, official transcripts, minimum 3.0 GPA; GRE scores, three letters of recommendation; curriculum vitae; statement of purpose; writing sample
Minimum Time Commitment: Four years
On-Campus Requirements: Yes

University of Georgia

Created by the Georgia State Assembly in 1785, the University of Georgia (UGA) is the nation's first state-chartered university. UGA's doctorate in social work offers specializations in gerontology, women's studies, qualitative studies, quantitative methods, and nonprofit management and leadership.

The Ph.D. program encourages faculty-driven and independent research leading to publication. Doctoral students can receive four years of financial assistance in the form of research and teaching assistantships and fellowships.

Program: Social Work, Ph.D.
Campus: Athens, Georgia
Accreditations: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Tuition: $8,698 per year for Georgia residents; $24,676 per year for out-of-state students
Admission Requirements: MSW; two years of professional social work experience preferred; minimum 3.5 GPA; curriculum vitae; statement of goals; scholarly writing sample; three letters of recommendation
Minimum Time Commitment: Four years
On-Campus Requirements: Yes

University of South Florida

Located in the Tampa Bay region, the University of South Florida (USF) enrolls over 50,000 students in undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs across 13 colleges.

USF's doctorate in social work offers an interdisciplinary curriculum focusing on five key areas of social work: societal change and innovation, global issues, health, behavioral health, and leadership and business. Doctoral students may qualify for renewable tuition waivers, depending on available funds and satisfactory progress in the program.

Program: Ph.D. in Social Work
Campus: Tampa, Florida
Type: Public
Accreditations: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Tuition: $7,840 per year for Florida residents; $15,863 per year for out-of-state students
Admission Requirements: MSW or master's in a related field; minimum 3.5 GPA; two letters of reference; personal statement; professional writing sample; curriculum vitae; interview
Minimum Time Commitment: Four years
On-Campus Requirements: Yes

University of Texas at Austin

Since its establishment in 1883, University of Texas at Austin has developed into a top-ranking research university supporting over 52,000 undergraduate and graduate students across 18 schools and colleges.

The 47-credit Ph.D. in social work provides students with an interdisciplinary perspective emphasizing advanced research methods and statistical analysis. In addition to completing coursework, comprehensive exams, and dissertation research, this rigorous program requires each doctoral candidate to submit a first-authored manuscript to a peer-reviewed scientific journal.

Program: Ph.D. in Social Work
Campus: Austin, Texas
Type: Public
Accreditations: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Tuition: $1,400 per credit for Texas residents; $2,022 per credit for out-of-state students
Admission Requirements: MSW or master's in a related field; official transcripts; minimum 3.0 GPA, minimum grade of B on a college-level statistics course; three letters of reference; narrative statement; writing sample; work experience in human services
Minimum Time Commitment: Four years
On-Campus Requirements: Yes

Florida International University

Designated as a top-tier research institution, Florida International University (FIU) ranks among the 10 largest universities in the nation, enrolling over 56,000 students.

As the flagship program of the school of social work, FIU's Ph.D. in social welfare boasts the fastest completion rates and highest retention rates among all social work doctoral programs in the country. Each Ph.D. student explores a social problem and an intervention area that provide the foundation for their dissertation research.

Program: Ph.D. in Social Welfare
Campus: Miami, Florida
Type: Public
Accreditations: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Tuition: $4,101 per year for Florida residents; $9,015 per year for out-of-state students
Admission Requirements: MSW or master's in a related field; official transcripts; minimum 3.5 GPA; GRE scores; three letters of recommendation; two writing samples; personal statement; interview
Minimum Time Commitment: Three years
On-Campus Requirements: Yes

University of Washington

Established in 1861 before Washington became a state, the University of Washington (UW) has developed into a top-ranked public research institution. UW receives more federal research funding than any other university in the country.

The UW School of Social Work offers a Ph.D. program in social welfare that fosters collaborative faculty-student interaction and mentoring through small cohorts. Doctoral students receive financial support during the first four years of study through internal, external, federal, and private funding sources.

Program: Ph.D. in Social Welfare
Campus: Seattle, Washington
Type: Public
Accreditations: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Tuition: $17,436 per year for Washington residents; $31,128 per year for out-of-state residents
Admission Requirements: MSW or master's in a related field; official transcripts; successful completion of an undergraduate statistics course; curriculum vitae; scholarly and professional statement; scholarly writing sample; three letters of recommendation
Minimum Time Commitment: Four years
On-Campus Requirements: Yes

What to Expect in a Social Work Ph.D. Program

Coursework

The curriculum in a doctorate in social work prepares you to pursue leadership roles as a practitioner, researcher, or teacher. Some Ph.D. programs have specialties, while others offer a more general approach. Courses generally cover research methods, theory and practice of social change, program and agency administration, and behavioral science.

Program Length

Most doctorates in social work cover approximately 40-60 credits in about 3-5 years of full-time study. Some programs may only require two years.

Field Placement

Depending on the state and program, you may need to complete a field placement. Other programs do not include formal placements but may require dissertation research projects to include components based on original work in the field.

Prepare for Licensure

Many doctorates in social work require that you have experience as a licensed social worker, requiring a license to apply. Some programs consider students with master's degrees and experience in a related field, such as counseling or public health, for admission. In these cases, a doctorate in social work meets state licensing requirements.

What Can You Do With a Doctorate in Social Work

A doctorate in social work can prepare you for virtually any career in social work, including teaching in a college or university, high-level research, and administration. The Ph.D. and DSW are terminal degrees, meaning there is no higher education level in this field. Some doctorates in social work have specialty tracks, such as public administration or policy analysis and development, to prepare students for these careers.

Careers with a Doctorate in Social Work

Medical Social Worker

Medical social workers typically work in hospitals and consider patients' social determinants of health, such as a safe place to live and access to food. A medical social worker with a doctorate in social work may lead a team or department of medical social workers.

Average Salary (May 2023): $59,310

Research Director

These professionals research various social work interventions and the likely effects of proposed policies. They may work for research institutions, nonprofits, or government agencies. This role requires expertise in data modeling, statistics, and other analysis tools.

Average Salary (May 2023): $109,260

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

An LCSW works directly with clients. They are licensed to diagnose certain mental health conditions and provide counseling. An LCSW with a doctorate in social work may lead a team or agency.

Average Salary (May 2023): $62,600

Professor of Social Work

These educators teach in colleges and universities. Typically, they conduct research and publish their findings, with most employers expecting expertise in research methodology.

Average Salary (May 2023): $89,830

Learn more about social worker careers in our comprehensive career guide.

How Much Can You Make With a Social Work Doctoral Degree?

The salary you can earn with a doctorate in social work depends primarily on location and professional role. Though there is relatively little recent research on social work salaries by degree, the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) found that those with master's in social work (MSW) degrees earn typically $13,000 more than individuals with bachelor of social work degrees in 2017.

Social workers with doctorates in social work, including Ph.D. and DSW degrees, earn $20,000-$25,000 more than professionals with MSWs, on average.

Frequently Asked Questions About Getting Your Doctorate in Social Work Degree

What are the benefits of a doctorate in social work?

A doctorate in social work is a terminal degree in the field, which prepares you for any role in social work, including practitioner, administrator, researcher, and professor. This degree can help you make system-wide changes in the field of social work or in communities by leading agencies and publishing research.

What is the difference between a Ph.D. in social work and a doctor of social work degree?

A Ph.D. in social work generally focuses on research and analysis, while a DSW applies evidence-based practice in real-world contexts. Both degrees provide graduates with a full grounding in research methods.

Does a Ph.D. pay more than a master's?

According to the NASW, workers with doctorates in social work make approximately $20,000-$25,000 more than individuals with MSWs. However, geographic location may play a role, since the organizations that hire doctorates tend to be in areas with higher cost of living figures.

What do people do with a Ph.D. in social work?

People with doctorates in social work often lead departments of social workers, teach in higher education, or perform research for government agencies or nonprofit organizations. Individuals with Ph.D. degrees are more likely to work in higher education or nonprofit think tanks.

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