What is a Ph.D. in Social Work?

In the discipline of social work are two broad components: the practice of social work and the knowledge base of social work. Doctoral education is social work has for its main purpose the preparation of social work educators, researchers and scholars who will contribute to the scientific knowledge base and transmit that knowledge through teaching and the professional literature. The doctorate in social work is thus an academic degree, not a practice degree. The doctorate in social work builds on the MSW’s practice base and seeks to contribute to professional social work practice enhanced knowledge and enhanced, tested intervention approaches.

Because they are not practice credentials, social work doctorates are not regulated by accreditation bodies (other than the bodies that accredit the universities that house Schools and Departments of Social Work). Thus the nearly 70 U.S. and Canadian social work doctoral programs in North America vary widely in their specific missions, goals, emphases, credit loads, curriculum, and basic organizational format.

Although most doctoral programs in social work do not seek to directly build practice skills, many programs do seek to advance practice-centered research and scholarship, and the teaching of social work practice. Barry University’s program is one such program. Knowledge for practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities is our emphasis.

Almost all North American social work doctoral programs grant the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). A small number of programs grant the Doctor of Social Work or Social Welfare (D.S.W.). There is no practical difference between these two degrees; both center on preparing social work scholars, researchers, and educators.

The social work doctorate does not establish social work licensure eligibility in and of itself; only the MSW, and in some states, the BSW, qualify social workers for licensure.