Doctorate of Social Work (DSW)

The Doctorate of Social Work (DSW) is a prestigious degree that serves as a stepping stone to building a career in social work. This accelerated 45-credit program is designed to be completed in two years, including one summer session. Classes are conveniently scheduled on the Brooklyn campus one evening per week, with all classes featuring synchronous online instruction.

Program Overview

The DSW program at LIU is unique in that it offers students the opportunity to choose from three areas of specialization:

• Teaching in the Academy: This track prepares students to become professors of social work.
• Advanced Practice Management: This track prepares students to build a successful private practice and establish their own social work business.
• Organizational Leadership: This track prepares students to move up the career ladder in an organization.

Admissions

Applicants to the DSW program are required to have an MSW degree from a CSWE-accredited program. Please note that this program does not lead to licensure.

Plan of Study

The plan of study for the DSW program includes the following courses:

Fall I

• SWK 810: Epistemology: Theories of Knowledge (3 credits)
• SWK 850: Research I (3 credits)
• SWK 820: Mentorship (3 credits)

Spring I

• SWK 830: Social Justice, Policy and Ethics (3 credits)
• SWK 840: Evidence-Based Practice and Implementation Science (3 credits)
• SWK 835: Critical Imagination in Social Work (3 credits)

Summer

• SWK 845: Diversity, Inclusion, and Implicit Bias (3 credits)
• SWK 851: Research II (3 credits)

Fall II

• SWK 870: Capstone 1 (3 credits)
  • This course focuses on the formulation of the capstone topic.
• Specialization courses (6 credits)

Spring II

• SWK 871: Capstone II (3 credits)
  • This course provides students with the knowledge and skills to write a capstone proposal.
• SWK 872: Capstone III/Oral Defense (3 credits)
  • This course constitutes the culmination of the Doctoral program, where students complete their capstone project and present it in an oral defense.
• Specialization courses (6 credits)

Specializations

The DSW program offers three specializations:

Specialization 1: Advanced Practice Management

• SWK 828: Healthcare Financing and Legal Issues in Practice Management (3 credits)
• SWK 833: Management in Not-for-Profit, Public Administration, and Private Practice Settings (3 credits)
• SWK 825: Health Care Delivery Systems (3 credits)
• SWK 860: Supervision (3 credits)

Specialization 2: Teaching Social Work in the Academy

• SWK 818: Pedagogy of Higher Education (3 credits)
• SWK 808: Teaching with Technology (3 credits)
• SWK 817: Syllabus Development (3 credits)
• SWK 816: Teach a BSW or MSW course (3 credits)

Specialization 3: Organizational Leadership

• SWK 805: Theories of Leadership (3 credits)
• SWK 812: Conflict Resolution and Negotiation (3 credits)
• SWK 826: Grant Writing (3 credits)
• SWK 827: Program Evaluation (3 credits)

The DSW program at LIU is designed to fit the schedule and meet the needs of students while they earn a respected credential that can be a career game-changer.

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Overview:

• Founded in 1926 as the Brooklyn Law School
• Expanded to become Long Island University in 1954
• Currently has 6 campuses across New York State
• Enrolls over 20,000 students
• Notable achievements:
  • Ranked among the top 200 universities in the U.S. by U.S. News & World Report
  • Recognized for its strong programs in business, education, and health sciences
  • Home to the Arnold & Marie Schwartz College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, one of the largest pharmacy schools in the country

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Student Life:

Extracurricular Activities:

Over 200 student clubs and organizations, including academic, cultural, social, and recreational groups

Clubs:

Examples include the Student Government Association, the Black Student Union, and the International Student Association

Sports Teams:

NCAA Division I athletics in 16 sports, including basketball, football, and soccer

• Student Support Services:

  • Academic Advising
  • Career Counseling
  • Health and Wellness Center
  • Counseling and Psychological Services

• Campus Facilities:

  • Modern academic buildings
  • State-of-the-art athletic facilities
  • Student centers with dining, recreation, and study spaces
  • On-campus housing available at most campuses

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Academics:

• Academic Resources:

  • Over 100 undergraduate and graduate programs
  • Faculty of over 1,000 full-time and part-time professors
  • Research centers and institutes in various fields

• Teaching Methodologies:

  • Traditional lectures
  • Small group discussions
  • Hands-on learning experiences
  • Online and hybrid courses

• Academic Support Services:

  • Tutoring
  • Writing Center
  • Math Lab

• Unique Academic Programs or Initiatives:

  • Honors College
  • Global Studies Program
  • Experiential Learning Program

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Top Reasons to Study Here:

Reputation:

Ranked among the top 200 universities in the U.S. by U.S. News & World Report

Specialized Facilities:

State-of-the-art facilities for health sciences, business, and education

Industry Connections:

Partnerships with leading companies and organizations

Notable Alumni:

Includes politicians, business leaders, and entertainers, such as former New York City Mayor David Dinkins and actor Alec Baldwin

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Services:

Counseling:

Counseling and Psychological Services provides individual and group counseling, as well as crisis intervention

Health:

Health and Wellness Center offers medical care, vaccinations, and health education

Housing:

On-campus housing available at most campuses, including traditional dorms, apartments, and townhouses

Library Resources:

Over 1 million volumes in the university libraries, as well as access to online databases and research tools

Technology Support:

IT Help Desk provides technical assistance and support for students

Career Development:

Career Services offers resume writing, interview preparation, and job search assistance