The DSW is a part-time, online program that is convenient for working professionals.
The DSW program focus areas include:
Trauma-Informed, Neuroresponsive Practice
Leadership.
The core curriculum is designed to provide students with expertise in linking social work practice theory to conducting trauma-responsive practice, utilizing research for policy-making decisions, executive leadership in human service organizations, teaching and leadership in educational institutions, and the dissemination of practice knowledge to the practice community through scholarship, publications, conference presentations, multimedia content, and digital engagement.
The online DSW program requires a minimum of 44 credits. This includes 14 courses over the course of 7 semesters (3-credits courses, 42 credits total) and a 2-credit Doctoral Capstone Continuous Matriculation (semester 8).
Doctoral Capstone includes a conceptual practice advance manuscript submitted for publication to a peer-reviewed journal and defended online before the student’s Doctoral Capstone Committee and other attendees.
Part-Time Program
Students can begin the program in the Fall or the Spring semester each year. The program is year-round, including Summer semesters, and takes 32 months (8 semesters) to complete. Each semester, students enroll into 2 consecutive online courses (3 credits each, 6 credits total). Students take 7-week courses one at a time, with only one 2-hr synchronous online class per week (Wednesday OR Thursday evenings 7-9pm ET; attendance with visual presence is mandatory).
Upon successful completion of the 14 core curriculum courses, in their last semester, students formally move into Doctoral Candidacy and engage in independent scholarship focusing on their Capstone (SW-799 Continuous Matriculation, 2 credits). It is expected that students can complete their Capstone requirements in one semester. However, additional semester(s) of SW-799 may be needed if the Capstone requirements are not fully met within one semester, with a maximum of 2 additional semesters.
Hybrid Learning Collaborative Event
During their second year of study, students are required to attend a one-time, 2-day, hybrid Learning Collaborative event taking place virtually and on Barry University campus in Miami Shores, FL. This event is designed to provide students with opportunities to explore ideas and formulate strategies for the development of their Capstone, deepen their trauma-informed knowledge and skills, and collaborate with each other and the Faculty.