DSW or Ph.D.: Which doctoral-level degree path in social work is right for you?
With the launch of UofL’s new online Doctor of Social Work (DSW)—our first ever online doctorate program—there have been some great questions from prospective students about the difference between a DSW and a Ph.D. in Social Work, as well as how students can ensure they’re choosing the right program to meet their education and career goals.
The short answer is that a DSW is ideal for someone who wants to be an educator or take on a leadership position in a social service organization or within higher education. On other hand, a Ph.D. in Social Work will help students hone their research skills and prepare for conducting research while teaching at a college or university.
The long answer is that there is much more than just that to consider. Check out our comparison breakdown below.
DSW vs. Ph.D. in Social Work: Quick Comparison Chart
If your goal is to be a university faculty member, which program is right for you?
You can be a faculty member with either degree. With a DSW, you’re more likely to become part of the education faculty with a central focus on teaching and service. With a Ph.D., your focus would be conducting research while teaching. If you’re primarily interested in teaching social work, then the DSW will prepare you specifically for your career goal.
Learn more about the fully online DSW program at UofL.
The DSW is currently pending Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education approval and will begin formally accepting applications in July of 2021.
So far, I have taken 6 EM courses which all have helped me tremendously at work especially when investigating product quality issues. The EM program at UofL goes beyond explaining the body of knowledge. The EM courses teach you about various tools & techniques and how to apply them in real world applications. At the end of each course, I feel that I am equipped with new powerful tools to help me perform better at work and grow in my career. I have used these tools to investigate supplier quality issues with surgical instruments that could result in a product recall. This requires me to gather information and analyze the data immediately.
Offered through the College of Business, UofL’s 
Dr. Nat Irvin, II, is an author, innovator, futurist, teacher, composer, and former radio and television commentator. Dr Irvin serves as Assistant Dean of Thought Leadership and Civic Engagement, Woodrow M. Strickler Chair and Professor of Management Practice for the University of Louisville’s College of Business. He teaches graduate courses in the future of management, leadership, and team dynamics. Dr. Irvin has engaged the leadership and management teams of several groups and organizations, including Fortune 100 companies in strategic conversations focused on the significant social, political, economic, technological and environmental trends and events that will drive the mid-to-long term future. Dr. Irvin is a graduate of the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy and a Master’s degree in Media Arts. An accomplished composer, he also holds a Doctorate of Musical Arts degree in Music Composition from the University of North Texas and is a graduate of the Institute for Educational Management, Harvard University Graduate School of Education.