Program: Doctor of Social Work, (DSW) - University of Memphis

Jun 06, 2025

2025-2026 GRADUATE CATALOG {Editing in Progress}

The Doctor of Social Work (DSW) degree is designed to further the education and enhance the practice and research skills of practicing social workers. The mission of University of Memphis’ DSW program will be:

The mission of the Doctor of Social Work (DSW) program is to prepare practitioner-scholars who can generate new social work knowledge and respond to increasingly complex practice environments. The DSW program seeks to enhance the professional skills of practicing social workers and prepare them for supervision, teaching, management, and data-driven decision-making.

Admission Requirements

A Master of Social Work from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
International applicants should submit Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Scores.
Submission of an academic writing sample.
Submission of transcripts from undergraduate program and MSW program.
A Professional Goal Statement. See program website for specific requirements.
A Professional Resume/CV.
Three letters of reference.
Two years of full-time post-MSW practice experience (or equivalent part-time experience).

Program Requirements

Minimum Required: 48 hours

Required Courses: 42 hours

Required Courses are as follows:

SWRK 8020 - Quantitative SW Research Credit Hours: (3)
SWRK 8030 - Qualitative Methods in Social Work Research Credit Hours: 3
SWRK 8040 - Advanced SW Theory ** Credit Hours: (3)
SWRK 8050 - Writing for Publication Credit Hours: (3)
SWRK 8100 - Developing Fundable Proposals** Credit Hours: 3
SWRK 8080 - Managing SW Practice Credit Hours: (3)
SWRK 8155 - Informatics & Data Driven Decision Making in Social Work Credit Hours: 3
SWRK 8175 - Reflective Supervision Credit Hours: 3
PADM 8600 - Sem Adm Theory & Ethics ** Credit Hours: (3)
SWRK 8102 - Social Work Statistics Credit Hours: 3
Electives Credit Hours: 12

Capstone: 6 hours

Students are required to complete a minimum of 6 hours of Capstone independent study.

SWRK 9000 - Dissertation Credit Hours: (1-6)
Or 9001 Capstone Credit Hours (1-6)

Retention Requirements

Students in the DSW program must comply with all retention standards of the Graduate School at the University of Memphis.
All students are required to maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00. Should the student’s cumulative GPA fall below that mark, a period of one semester will be allowed to correct the deficiency. Students failing to improve their GPA to an acceptable level in that time will be dismissed from the program.
No more than 6 hours of “C-,” “C” or “C+” will be applied toward meeting degree requirements. No grade of a D+ or lower will count toward the degree.

Graduation Requirements

Completion of all required coursework with no more than 6 hours of C grades.
Completion of a dissertation or capstone.