Doctor of Social Work
DSW COURSEWORK
The first stage of the DSW program is the major coursework. The purpose of this coursework is to prepare doctoral students in the practice areas of advanced clinical social work intervention with an integration of executive organizational leadership in workforce development as well as social work education and training. The coursework stage of the DSW program consists of 33 credit hours (out of 42 total credit hours) over 3 semesters full-time (out of 5 total program semesters). Coursework is facilitated online in 8-week, asynchronous sessions. Students must complete all DSW coursework before scheduling the oral exam. Doctoral students are required to take one 3-credit elective in an area of interest during their time in the program before completing the Oral Exam.
DSW RESIDENCY
The purpose of the DSW Residency is to prepare and support the doctoral student in the following areas:
- acculturation to doctoral studies;
- facilitation of cohort cohesive and connection;
- intensive connection to doctoral faculty; and
- mentorship facilitation through intensive and purposeful time with Mentor of Record to establish and evaluate mentorship plans.
DSW residency will take place in person with virtual facilitation available (if necessary). There will be two three-day DSW residency retreats. They will take place in the following format:
- Retreat 1: Year 1, Fall Session 1, Intro. Seminar.
- Retreat 2: Year 2, Fall Session 2, Capstone Seminar.
In the first DSW residency retreat, students will receive an intensive orientation to the doctoral program. They will also connect with their Mentor of Record to establish their mentorship plans. There will also be opportunities for students to connect with their cohort peers for educational and networking-based gathering. In the second DSW residency retreat, students will receive an intensive orientation to the capstone process. They will also connect with their Mentor of Record to evaluate their mentorship plans. There will also be opportunities for students to connect with their cohort peers for additional networking-based opportunities.
DSW ORAL EXAM
The second stage of the DSW program is the oral exam. The purpose of the DSW oral exam is to demonstrate advanced knowledge of required coursework as well as advanced social work theories and concepts related to advanced clinical social work practice. The oral exam serves as entrance into the doctoral candidacy phase of the program and initiation of the DSW capstone process. The oral exam will be administered through a live virtual presentation and facilitated by the DSW Program Director. The oral exam will then be evaluated by the 4-member doctoral committee, consisting of three approved social work faculty members (the Capstone instructor, DSW Program Director, and the DSW Faculty mentor of record) and one member from outside the department or external to the university.
The Oral Exam will assess for mastery of course concepts and CSWE educational competencies. Students will be expected to prepare for the oral exam defense through a comprehensive review of their completed major assignments across the academic curriculum. Students will be assessed in the following areas:
- discuss mastery of course-related theory integration, assessment, evaluation, etc.;
- how these assignments provide a foundation for future advanced trauma informed social work practice;
- how the course work has prepared them for professional readiness in advanced clinical social work practice at the doctoral level;
- capstone topic of interest; and
- their professional career goals.
DSW CAPSTONE PROCESS
The third stage of the DSW program is the capstone process. The purpose of the capstone process is to develop knowledge and expertise in the student’s field of practice that integrates mastery of program knowledge, skills, values, and cognitive/affective processes. The capstone is designed to incorporate components of knowledge, theory, and skills ascertained in the coursework sequence of the DSW program.
CAPSTONE STUDY PROPOSAL
The capstone proposal consists of one of the following five practice areas: grant or policy proposal, research study, or program or curricular development. The DSW Capstone study proposal will consist of the following components:
- Capstone Seminar: An approved project concept identification. This concept will be approved by the DSW faculty mentor of record.
- Capstone I/II: A written proposal consisting of a literature review, relevant theory, and evidence-based research justifying their proposal concept along with methodological approach. (The complete written capstone, including evaluation, will be approximately 25-30 pages in length.)
- Capstone III: Finally, an oral defense of the proposal to the doctoral committee.
The capstone will be evaluated by the 4-member doctoral committee. Upon successful completion of all required DSW program components, students will attain the DSW degree.
Curriculum Requirements for the Doctorate of Social Work
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SW 700 | Introduction to Doctoral Social Work Seminar | 3 |
| SW 710 | Introduction to Advanced Clinical Practice | 3 |
| SW 715 | Advanced Trauma Informed Assessment | 3 |
| SW 720 | Neuroscience and Trauma | 3 |
| SW 730 | Advanced Clinical Evaluation I- Quantitative Methods | 3 |
| SW 731 | Advanced Clinical Evaluation II – Qualitative Methods | 3 |
| SW 740 | Advanced Trauma-Informed Clinical Supervision | 3 |
| SW 750 | Advanced Clinical Elective | 3 |
| SW 800 | Pedagogy and Curriculum Development | 3 |
| SW 810 | Executive Leadership and Organizational Development | 3 |
| SW 820 | Introduction to Capstone Seminar | 3 |
| SW 821 | Capstone I - Background Development | 3 |
| SW 822 | Capstone II - Proposal Development | 3 |
| SW 823 | Capstone III - Oral Defense | 3 |
| Total Hours | 42 | |
Doctoral students will be admitted through a cohort model in Fall semester of each academic year. The following is a list of admissions criteria for entrance into the UNA’s DSW program:
- Minimum of 3 years post MSW social work practice experience
- MSW transcript from CSWE-accredited program
- MSW GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Resume or CV
- Personal Narrative Essay
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Term | Hours | |
| Session 1 | ||
| SW 700 | Introduction to Doctoral Social Work Seminar | 3 |
| SW 710 | Introduction to Advanced Clinical Practice | 3 |
| Session 2 | ||
| SW 715 | Advanced Trauma Informed Assessment | 3 |
| SW 720 | Neuroscience and Trauma | 3 |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Spring Term | ||
| Session 1 | ||
| SW 730 | Advanced Clinical Evaluation I- Quantitative Methods | 3 |
| SW 731 | Advanced Clinical Evaluation II – Qualitative Methods | 3 |
| Session 2 | ||
| SW 740 | Advanced Trauma-Informed Clinical Supervision | 3 |
| SW 750 | Advanced Clinical Elective | 3 |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Summer Term | ||
| SW 750 | Advanced Clinical Elective 1 | 3 |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall Term | ||
| Session 1 | ||
| SW 800 | Pedagogy and Curriculum Development | 3 |
| SW 810 | Executive Leadership and Organizational Development | 3 |
| Session 2 | ||
| SW 820 | Introduction to Capstone Seminar | 3 |
| Doctoral Candidacy Attained via Oral Exam | ||
| Hours | 9 | |
| Spring Term | ||
| Session 1 | ||
| SW 821 | Capstone I - Background Development | 3 |
| Session 2 | ||
| SW 822 | Capstone II - Proposal Development | 3 |
| DOCTORAL DEGREE ATTAINED via Oral Defense | ||
| Hours | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 42 | |