Current Landscape of Doctoral Education in Social Work: A Look at the PhD and DSW Programs

ABSTRACT

The 2020 GADE Director Survey aimed to understand program and student characteristics, support for students, curriculum focus and design, and students’ job search support and outcomes in PhD and DSW programs. In general, PhD programs focus on building students’ research capacities, including interdisciplinary research and leadership in higher education and research-oriented organizations, whereas DSW programs prepare students to contribute in the areas of clinical expertise, leadership in non-academic settings, and advancing social work practice at multiple levels. The program structure, curricula and graduation requirements are organized according to the distinct emphasis of each type of program. These findings have significant implications for doctoral programs as they navigate their strategic directions in the changing landscape of doctoral social work education.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Mo Yee Lee

Mo Yee Lee is Professor and PhD Program Director at College of Social Work, Ohio State University.

Ray Eads

Ray Eads is Assistant Professor at Jane Addams College of Social Work, University of Illinois Chicago.

Elizabeth Lightfoot

Elizabeth Lightfoot is Director and Foundation Professor at School of Social Work, Arizona State University.

Michael C. LaSala

Michael C. LaSala is Associate Professor and Director of the DSW Program at School of Social Work, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey.

Cynthia Franklin

Cynthia Franklin is Professor at Steve Hicks School of Social Work, The University of Texas at Austin.