Our Doctorate of Social Work (DSW) program was developed with practitioners in mind. This high-quality, rigorous program prepares practitioners to navigate the complexities of a contemporary practice landscape by providing education and experiences congruent with advanced practice proficiency among specialized populations.
Our DSW program utilizes an innovative Core Plus model that offers students a flexible, affordable, and efficient way to earn their degree. Courses are taught online through asynchronous models with the exception of residency week during the summer which is taught synchronously. An asynchronous option is offered for those who cannot be in attendance. The Core Plus approach offers flexibility, allowing learners to progress through the program at their own pace, while the cohort model and residency week foster support via concentrated time with classmates and faculty. Beyond the core curriculum, students will select one of four concentrations: Administrative Leadership, Clinical Social Work, Social Work Education, or Military Behavioral Health.
Social workers with DSW degrees are often leaders in the profession in areas of practice, policy, and scholarship and are well-qualified to serve in higher-level administrative positions. Many also assume academic positions and make substantive contributions to the knowledge base of the profession. Graduates from our DSW program are uniquely poised to excel and advance in a competitive job market and make the most of forecasted growth within the social work profession.
From start to end, students can complete the DSW degree full-time in two years, or part-time in three years. The preparation will contribute to fostering the development of a cadre of practitioners adeptly trained to address social challenges in the Commonwealth and beyond.
Courses are taught online through asynchronous models with the exception of residency week during the summer which is taught synchronously. An asynchronous option is offered for those who cannot be in attendance.
CoSW is home to several unique research centers and labs, including the Training Resource Center, Interdisciplinary Research Center on Children and Families, Kentucky Kinship Resource Center, Self-Care Lab, Suicide Prevention and Exposure Lab, and Military Behavior Health Lab. DSW students can leverage these entities for unique learning and research opportunities.
The work for this project is embedded in the course work and is conducted under the supervision of a Capstone Mentor.
Using an innovative Core Plus Model, our DSW program affords students an efficient and affordable way to earn their degree. From start to finish, students can complete the DSW degree in two to three years, depending on full-time or part-time status.
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Concentration options
Year Program
Our Doctorate of Social Work (DSW) program was developed with practitioners in mind.
Compulsive Lying explores why a child may lie compulsively. It identifies strategies and offers resources designed to assist children and their families dealing with this issue. After completing this training,
Helping Foster & Adopted Children Transition to a New School will assist foster/adoptive parents in preparing to enroll a child in a new school. It will also provide practical tips
New Placements: Preparing & Adjusting Family Roles will help foster and adoptive parents introduce new placements into their existing family units. It gives ideas and strategies on how to prepare
Turn Your Goals into Reality Explore our Doctorate of Social Work (DSW) program during an online info session. Registration link is at the end of the event listing, under 'Website'.
This new KIN VIP Support Group will begin as a 12-week pilot Support Group and will provide a community of support for kinship caregivers who have been impacted by a
Citizen Review Panels (CRPs) are groups of caring volunteers that work to improve the well-being of children, families, and communities across Kentucky. To learn more about CRPs or join a
Strategies for Parenting Teens will provide an overview of adolescent development and common questions and challenges presented by youth who are in foster care or were adopted. This training will
Healthy Boundaries in Teenage Relationships explores healthy and unhealthy dating behaviors. It is designed to assist caregivers in identifying warning signs that a teen may be involved in an abusive
CORE TEEN (Critical On-going Resource Family Education) Session 4 Nurturing Youth’s Cultural / Racial / Ethnic Needs and Sexual Orientation / Gender Identity February 29, 2024 6:30 PM-9:00 PM EST
Did you know just about every state has a Social Work Lobby Day hosted by National Association of Social Workers? In Kentucky that day is March 5 and the College
Citizen Review Panels (CRPs) are groups of caring volunteers that work to improve the well-being of children, families, and communities across Kentucky. To learn more about CRPs or join a
This new KIN VIP Support Group will begin as a 12-week pilot Support Group and will provide a community of support for kinship caregivers who have been impacted by a
Citizen Review Panels (CRPs) are groups of caring volunteers that work to improve the well-being of children, families, and communities across Kentucky. To learn more about CRPs or join a
Celebrate with your fellow alumni! The SWAA is pleased to provide a limited number of complimentary tickets to the UK Men’s Basketball Game versus Vanderbilt at 9 PM on March
Citizen Review Panels (CRPs) are groups of caring volunteers that work to improve the well-being of children, families, and communities across Kentucky. To learn more about CRPs or join a
CORE TEEN (Critical On-going Resource Family Education) Session 5 Understanding and Managing Youth’s Challenging Behaviors – Part 1 March 7th, 2024 6:30 PM-8:30 PM EST Via Zoom Stephanie Spires 2
Citizen Review Panels (CRPs) are groups of caring volunteers that work to improve the well-being of children, families, and communities across Kentucky. To learn more about CRPs or join a
Citizen Review Panels (CRPs) are groups of caring volunteers that work to improve the well-being of children, families, and communities across Kentucky. To learn more about CRPs or join a
Children with Oppositional Defiant Disorder, or ODD, often struggle with defiant behaviors in which they challenge caregivers, break rules, lose their temper, even becoming frequently angry or annoyed. For these
This new KIN VIP Support Group will begin as a 12-week pilot Support Group and will provide a community of support for kinship caregivers who have been impacted by a
CORE TEEN (Critical On-going Resource Family Education) Session 6 Understanding and Managing Youth’s Challenging Behaviors – Part 2 March 14th, 2024 6:30 PM-9:00 PM EST Via Zoom Joy Harris Edwards
Citizen Review Panels (CRPs) are groups of caring volunteers that work to improve the well-being of children, families, and communities across Kentucky. To learn more about CRPs or join a
Embark on a journey of academic excellence with our PhD program in Social Work. Engage with our distinguished faculty and staff while delving into cutting-edge research across a myriad of
Citizen Review Panels (CRPs) are groups of caring volunteers that work to improve the well-being of children, families, and communities across Kentucky. To learn more about CRPs or join a
This new KIN VIP Support Group will begin as a 12-week pilot Support Group and will provide a community of support for kinship caregivers who have been impacted by a
Monthly Staff Meeting for Centers & Labs Training Resource Center Staff. The meeting is held the 3rd Wednesday of Each Month at the Training Resource Center. This is an in-person
Explore our Master of Social Work (MSW) program during an online info session. Registration link is below, under 'Website' The UK Difference Our MSW program is an Advanced Generalist program
Pursue your Passion for the Greater Good Explore College of Social Work’s newest Criminal Justice program during our online info session! REGISTER HERE The UK Difference Graduates from our
Please join us as we discuss the upcoming Master of Science in Criminal Justice program! This info session will be held virtually over Zoom. Please register by using the link
Are You Wildly Passionate About Social Work? Explore the Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW) program during an online info session. REGISTER HERE The UK Difference Graduates from our
CORE TEEN (Critical On-going Resource Family Education) Session 7 A New Suitcase of Parenting Knowledge and Skills March 21, 2024 6:30 PM-8:30 PM EST Via Zoom Stephanie Spires 2 credit
Citizen Review Panels (CRPs) are groups of caring volunteers that work to improve the well-being of children, families, and communities across Kentucky. To learn more about CRPs or join a
Kentucky's Children's Justice Act Task Force (CJA) is a group of professionals with knowledge and expertise related to the criminal justice system and child welfare. They work to enact meaningful
This new KIN VIP Support Group will begin as a 12-week pilot Support Group and will provide a community of support for kinship caregivers who have been impacted by a
Citizen Review Panels (CRPs) are groups of caring volunteers that work to improve the well-being of children, families, and communities across Kentucky. To learn more about CRPs or join a