Online PhD in Social Work Degree Programs

An online PhD in social work or doctorate in social work (DSW) leads to careers in training in research and policy analysis in social work, social services, and human services.

DSW or PhD degrees prepare students to conduct research or focus on policy analysis in academic and non-academic research centers. Overall, there difference between a DSW and a PhD in social. The only difference is that some social work graduate schools simply prefer one term to the other. Doctoral degrees in social work are primarily developed for experienced social work and human services practitioners who wish to enhance their social services careers by increasing their knowledge and training in research and policy analysis as it relates to the profession. Typically, doctoral degrees in social work take two to four years beyond the masters in social work (MSW) in order to earn the Doctor of social work degree. Social work practitioners who choose to complete doctoral degrees are usually seasoned professionals who are interested in moving into research and teaching arenas.

Online PhD in Human Services Degree Programs

• Ph.D. in Human Services - Clinical Social Work
• Ph.D. in Health Services - Course-based - Community Health Education & Advocacy
• Ph.D. in Health Services - Self-Directed - Community Health Education & Advocacy
• Ph.D. in Human Services
• Ph.D. in Human Services - Counseling
• Ph.D. in Human Services - Disaster, Crisis, and Intervention
• Ph.D. in Human Services - Family Studies and Intervention Strategies
• Ph.D. in Human Services - Human Services Administration
• Ph.D. in Human Services - Self-Directed
  Ph.D. in Human Services - Social Policy Analysis and Planning

Capella University

• DSW - General Social Work
• PhD - General Human Services
• PhD - Social and Community Services

Social Work Education and Training

The PhD in social work degree program prepares students in the practice of social welfare administration and counseling, and other areas which focus on the study of organized means of providing support services for vulnerable populations and individuals.

This includes instruction in social welfare policy, case planning, social counseling, case intervention strategies, social work administrative procedures and regulations. Social work courses address specific areas like child welfare, family services, probation and rehabilitation services, employment services, and disability counseling.

The social work curriculum is organized around courses that focus on the philosophy of science and practice of social work, advanced research methods, analysis of human services policy, as well as important trends and issues. Candidates choose to specialize in gerontology, children and families, mental health. Some programs require candidates to complete an internship as part of their program.

Some advanced courses that students in the PhD in social work program take are:

• Statistics and Data Analysis
• Qualitative Research Methods
• Understanding Human Behavior, Development, and Change
• Clinical Practice
• Integrating Public Policy issues and Outcomes Into Social Work Research

As with most doctoral programs, the online PhD in social work is a research degree, where students are required to write conduct original research and write a dissertation as well as which extensive research projects that take more than a year to complete. Much of the coursework in DSW and PhD programs emphasizes quantitative and qualitative research methodology and analysis.

Social Work Careers

Some social work jobs include working in foster care, rape crisis centers, working with probation officers, suicide hot lines etc. Caseworkers are in direct contact with their clients. Many social workers are certified to work in counseling, while many counselors are licensed to do social work.

The main difference between the two is that counselors are usually more specialized in talking and working through tough issues with individual patients, while social workers often work with populations, in more community-based situations.

You work directly with counselors and healthcare managers, nurses, etc to provide social services. Social Workers provide support, counseling and advice to people with depression, disability, substance abuse and homelessness. With a career in social work, you provide people the support and practical tools by specializing in:

• Child Social Work
• Clinical Social Work
• Family Social Work
• Medical Social Work
• Substance Abuse Social Work
• Social Work Policy Maker
• School Social Work

Estimated Income and Projected Career Outlook

According to the United States Bureau of Labor statistics (BLS), the social workers entry income is around $32,500. A mid level social worker with some years of experience earns about $47,5000 and those with extensive experience earn $52,500 to $56,700 as of 2008. According to the BLS, the social work profession is expected to grow by 16% between 2008 and 2018. Graduate with an online PhD in social work or Doctor of Social work can expect to earn more.

Online PhD in social work degree programs and human services degrees