You might wonder about what you can do with a Ph.D. in Social Work. Social workers typically assess the needs of individuals and families within communities. Social workers often have hands-on roles as providers of resources and services. Those with advanced degrees can take on leadership and management positions, overseeing and coordinating services at the organizational level. They’re also qualified to pursue roles as researchers and educators.
Is a Ph.D. in Social Work Program Right for Me?
Social workers typically earn master’s degrees as their terminal degrees, so you might wonder whether a Ph.D. in Social Work program is right for you. While earning a doctorate won’t lead to higher licensure, Ph.D. in social work programs may open doors to more advanced positions in social work, such as administrator or director positions.
Ph.D. in Social Work Program Benefits
A Ph.D. in Social Work may not be required for your career, but it does offer some important benefits as you break into the field. Here are a few of the top benefits you’ll likely experience when you pursue a Ph.D. in Social Work.
Career Benefits
A Ph.D. in Social Work offers a range of career benefits, including opportunities to craft policy, work in administration, and conduct research. You can also pursue a career as a professor or teacher, which allows you to support the growth of new social workers as they choose their path forward in the field.
Pursue a Career You Care About
You’re likely passionate about helping people. With a Ph.D. in Social Work, you’ll gain the level of knowledge and understanding that will directly impact the communities you care about. In addition, you can conduct research and further contribute to your work with a level of skill and expertise that you may not otherwise attain.
Make an Impact
A Ph.D. in Social Work allows you to have a more significant impact on all levels of policy and decision-making. It can allow you to teach, publish books and articles, and contribute more fully to the debate and public discourse related to social work.
What Is the Difference Between a DSW and a Ph.D. in Social Work?
A Ph.D. in Social Work varies from a Doctorate in Social Work in specific ways. A DSW focuses on practice, whereas a Ph.D. in Social Work focuses on theory. In a DSW program, you learn about social work practice, supervision, and applied research. A Ph.D. program is all about theoretical and scholarly research with educational practices.
What Is the Difference Between a Ph.D. in Social Work vs. Psychology?
The Ph.D. in Social Work varies from the Ph.D. in Psychology in several fundamental ways. Social workers work directly with individuals, families, and communities to address illness, age, unemployment, poverty, and abuse. Psychologists study abnormal and normal behavior as part of their analysis of the mind. They treat patients or explore the psychological reasons individuals act in specific (sometimes violent) ways. So, Ph.D. in Social Work vs. Psychology programs take a different approach to studying the human condition.
What Can You Do With a Ph.D. in Social Work Program?
A Ph.D. in Social Work opens up a range of possibilities for employment. You can conduct research independently or collaboratively in nursing, public health, health sciences, and other social and racial justice issues. After completing a Ph.D. in Social Work program, you can become a graduate teaching assistant. You develop a curriculum and better understand strategic approaches to matters covered in social work.
Ph.D. in Social Work Program Salary and Job Outlook
The median salary for someone with a Ph.D. in Social Work is $86,720. Opportunities for social workers should grow 13% from 2019 through 2029. The healthcare industry is becoming increasingly complex and therefore calls for more education. Pursuing a Ph.D. in Statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics could improve your earning potential by as much as 21%.
How Much Does a Ph.D. in Social Work Program Cost?
The average cost of a Ph.D. program is $100,000, although some degrees can range much higher. The more expensive programs typically involve extended time frames of up to eight years. The cost of Ph.D. programs at private universities is also higher than at public institutions.
Ph.D. in Social Work Program Scholarship Information
You can access various scholarship options as you pursue a Ph.D. in Social Work. You may be eligible for grants, financial aid, loans, and a range of savings programs if you meet the requirements based on your family, job, and active duty status. Each program offers a different level of scholarship funding, so you should check with the institution to find out more about what you’re eligible for.
Ph.D. in Social Work Program Requirements
While the requirements for Ph.D. in Social Work programs from different institutions will vary, the basics are the same. You’ll likely need to have the following to meet the requirement for the program.
- Master of Social Work (MSW) from an accredited school or Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) from an accredited school
- Official transcripts from every institution you’ve attended
- Completed application, including a personal statement or essay
- Scholarly article or writing sample that proves you have critical thinking and analytical skills
Depending on the institution, the program, and your area of emphasis or specialization, you may need to fulfill other requirements before being admitted to the Ph.D. in Social work program.
Common Courses in Ph.D. in Social Work Program
The courses for a Ph.D. in Social Work often involve social change strategies, research practice, and methodology. The classes you might need to take depending on your program and career goals include the following:
- Leadership and advocacy
- Quantitative research in social work
- Research practice and methodology
- Social change
- Social methods
- Social work data analysis
- Statistics and social sciences
- Theories of social work
Each program will have different course types, but you’ll likely need to take coursework in leadership, social work theories, and other research-related classes.
Ph.D. in Social Work Program Accreditation
The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) extends institutional accreditation for those programs with a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and a Master of Social Work (MSW). However, the CSWE does not currently offer accreditation for a Ph.D. in Social Work or a DSW in Social Work. While it may be possible that the CSWE will accredit doctoral programs in the future, no organization currently offers accreditation for social work doctoral programs.
How Long Does It Take to Complete a Ph.D. in Social Work Program?
A Ph.D. in Social Work typically takes three to five years to complete, depending on whether you’re a full-time or part-time student.