Consider Featured Online Social Work Programs
University of Southern California - Doctor of Social Work (DSW) - Study part time without attending classes on campus.Social work is an incredibly influential field in the U.S. Professionals that are interested in being providers of important services, advocates for social change, or researchers responsible for positively changing the field should consider PhD programs in the field of social work.
Students that choose the educational path for their learning experience can focus on the historical changes and developments in the field in an effort to educate upcoming social work professionals during their degree programs.
The PhD option for social work students can provide you with the experience and practice you need to pursue careers associated with growth and development in this field. Our team of educational experts has put together this guide to help you learn more about this program and what is requires of learners enrolled.
Consider a Featured Online Social Work Program
| School / Program | Online Program / Entry Reqs | Advanced Standing Availability / Course Information |
|---|---|---|
| University of Southern California | ✔ Online | Offered part time. Complete the online DSW program in 28 months. Learn More |
Typical Courses for a PhD in Social Work Program
Since the online PhD program was designed for future researchers and social work educators, a lot of the curriculum may be focused on building skills for problem solving and policy practice. Courses like Design and Data Analysis for Researchers can provide you with insight into appropriate data collection procedures for research projects, as well as design measures for finding accurate and relevant results.
Theory for Applied Social Sciences can also be a beneficial course for students within this program. Since theory often dictates that processes by which professionals engage with clients in the field, future educators and research specialists can benefit from familiarizing themselves with various social theories.
One of the most commonly found courses in doctoral-level social work programs is Social Welfare Policy. The policies set forth for social work professionals often drive action and planning within all social fields, making it incredibly important for members of the social work field.
In this course you may be tasked with applying policy to common situations at work, reading case studies and analyzing proper use of policy, and defining policy according to what you have learned throughout the course. This course among many others can help bring together many of the practical and research-oriented topics learned during the PhD program.
Additionally, courses focusing directly on research such as Research Methods and Systematic Research for Scientific Inquiry may be included within your curriculum depending on your institution of choice. This is in hopes that students can leave their program with the skills needed to identify needs, suggest change programs, and test their theories through accurate scientific research.
Thesis
The PhD program is unique for collegiate learners in that it often requires additional independent research as part of the overall degree requirements. While you search for online programs to enroll in, you should check in to the thesis requirements for each.
The thesis requirement can have varying directions at different universities, with most requiring an original research project that has been well-researched, designed, and completed prior to the end of your program.
Your university may provide a structured outline of what is expected, with instructional classes on how to meet each requirement during your PhD program. Others can provide one-on-one mentors that work with students as they develop their initial research question up until their final submission.
Some students in social work degree programs choose a current social problem that is easily researched and develop an intervention or social change model for presentation to their thesis review board. The work that you submit can be reviewed by an internal thesis review team, requiring that you defend your research during the review process.
Progression through the online PhD in Social Work program may include continuous work on your thesis project, with some programs requiring that you complete it over the course of 2-3 different classes. Universities typically offer you a lot of support and even mentors throughout the process.
Social Work Career Options
Once you have completed the journey towards your PhD in Social Work, you may be able to cash-in on your investment through a wide variety of careers in the social work field. An intriguing aspect about the PhD program is that it can help you gain access to careers in education, research, or even social work leadership.
Current job openings for PhD in Social Work holders can include Social Services Director, which can include leadership within certain sectors of community social work programs. This career may have different title variations such as Community Service Director and Family Service Director.
Colleges, universities, and non-profit organizations may also employ PhD holders to help educate students and professionals on various social work policies, procedures, and methods. This is one of the most popular sectors of employment for PhD graduates, since it can influence the success of social work professionals in the field.
At the government level, social work research may be a large component in the constantly changing social environment. PhD holders in Social Work can organization and implement research programs to find effective social interventions or services suggested for various social problems.
Regardless of which field you plan to pursue after graduating, the PhD in Social Work can provide you with valuable skills that can be applied in many diverse professional areas. Your engagement in this program can result in years of a fulfilling career within your community or beyond it.