Social Change
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Multidisciplinary Approaches to a New Kind of Social Justice
Advance your social work capabilities as a practitioner, educator, and researcher who can illuminate complex social issues with a holistic and interdisciplinary perspective. Guided by the philosophy that neglecting any one dimension compromises the whole, our Integrative Social Work online doctorate program is the nexus of social justice, community healing, individual growth, and policy change. Within the Integrative Social Work online Ph.D. curriculum, you’ll learn community-based approaches to social change, person-centered social work, mind-body-spirit approaches, how governments address public health issues, advocacy in the legal system, how to identify and address the needs of aging populations, and more. You’ll also deepen your commitment to social justice, develop greater self-awareness and cultural humility for oppressed populations, and advocate for policies that promote equity.
Specialized Studies Within Our Integrative Social Work Curriculum
Integrative Community Studies Specialization
Within the Ph.D. in Integrative Social Work curriculum, you will study community psychology, community development, and the transformative potential of community-based approaches to social change. You will fuse perspectives from psychology, sociology, public health, and organizational studies to address complex community issues while developing skills in community organizing, advocacy, and leadership.
Integrative Legal Studies Specialization
Within the Ph.D. in Integrative Social Work curriculum, you will deepen your understanding of topics such as the legal process, advocacy, family laws, child welfare laws, education and special education laws, mental health laws, and more. You will learn to provide advocacy in legal systems, promote regulatory change, develop community programs, and consult with organizations and individuals, through the lens of social justice.
Ph.D. in Integrative Social Work Job Outcomes
Upon graduation, you will have the skill set to work in a variety of roles in community organizations, higher education, nonprofits, government agencies, and beyond, including:
- University professor
- Clinical social worker
- Researcher
- Program director
- Policy adviser
- Community outreach director
Program Components
Admissions Requirements
Students entering the Ph.D. Integrative Social Work online program must have completed a master’s degree in social work, or other relevant master’s degree, from a regionally accredited college or university prior to enrollment. It is preferred that applicants have one to two years of professional experience prior to admission. Applicants will be judged on their overall ability to do graduate work, including academic writing.
Applicants for the Ph.D. in Integrative Social Work online degree must submit the following documents:
- An official transcript from an accredited university demonstrating successful completion with a 3.0 GPA or better, though exceptions may be made
- A personal statement
- Professional resume or CV
- An academic writing sample
- All applicants will be interviewed by a member of the Social Work faculty
Invest in Your Future
Saybrook University remains committed to keeping higher education affordable and accessible. Our Financial Aid Department is ready to offer guidance and support in determining suitable financial assistance tailored to your needs, including potential scholarship opportunities, grants, and more.
Cost
Saybrook wants you to have the information you need to make an informed decision about your academic and career aspirations. Our cost calculator provides an estimated cost of attending Saybrook to earn your Ph.D. in Integrative Social Work.
FAQs
Is it required to choose a specialization to complete the Integrative Social Work Ph.D. program?
Yes. A specialization is required to complete the degree program. The two online social work specializations for the Ph.D. program are Integrative Community Studies and Integrative Legal Studies.
Can I take longer than four years to complete the online Ph.D. in Integrative Social Work degree?
Typically, our students complete this coursework within three to four years, but each student can complete their credits at their own pace.
What are common social work career paths post-graduation from a Ph.D. in Social Work?
Graduates of Saybrook’s online Ph.D. in social work program go on to lead fascinating careers in positions that include clinical social workers, marriage and family therapists, social and community service managers, and many more.
What is the difference between a Master of Social Work (MSW) and a Ph.D. in Social Work?
A Ph.D. in social work exposes students to the theoretical and research nature of social work, while a master’s degree program prepares students for the direct practice elements of the profession. While both programs allow you to become a practicing social worker, a Ph.D. prepares you for more versatile and senior roles in the sector. Read more about the specific differences here.
Is the integrative social work program 100% online?
Yes, the Saybrook University social work doctorate is 100% online.
Sample Courses
Foundations of Integrative Social Work
This three-credit course presents foundational models and concepts for integrative social work through complementary paradigms, including integrative healthcare and integrative mental health care, interprofessionalism and multidisciplinary care, patient-centered and person-centered social work, a holistic, mind-body-spirit approach, lifestyle medicine, and the mindfulness and compassion-based approach. This course also examines the difference the various models make for the professional practice of social work, including clinical, administrative, and consultation work, and teaching in social work education.
Public and Community Health
This three-credit doctoral-level course will familiarize social work students with the concepts and skills needed in public health and community health. This course requires a shift to a community, national, and global perspective on health and disease, as cultural expectations, community practices, and widespread environmental factors shape individual behavior and health. Students in this class will gain understanding and develop skills in diagnosing community-based health concerns and understanding the complexities of community, national, and global trends that impact on health.
Public Policy and Social Work
This three-credit course addresses how public policy, the public health system, and the broader health care system function to promote health and treat illness, as well as how governments function to address public health issues. Major topics addressed will include the structure and function of federal and state level public policies, the public health care system in the United States, how those functions are provided for by law and financed by governments, the structure of the health care delivery system, and how it relates to the public health system.
Catalog
Please refer to our academic catalog for more information on the Ph.D. in Integrative Social Work program.
Career Outcomes
Saybrook University prepares you to make an impact in a variety of high-demand careers. Below, you will find possible career options and salaries associated with this degree.
Data is pulled by a third-party tool called Lightcast, which includes data from sources including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. Census Bureau, online job postings, and other government databases. The information below represents a regional and national career outlook related to this degree program*. Saybrook University is dedicated to assisting you in achieving your career goals.
*Many degree programs are intended to fulfill licensure requirements in specific states. The data shown here may not represent the state where you currently reside. For more information on how this program is applicable to the requirements of your state, please speak with your admissions specialist.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics annual data update
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University Learning Experience
Our Ph.D. in Integrative Social Work program is a 100% online program. While the core of this program is completed asynchronously, there are some synchronous, online features designed to deepen your educational experience. We call this a Virtual Learning Experience (VLE). In addition to the VLEs, you will begin your studies with a virtual Welcome Week. Welcome Week activities, including a program orientation, are held online during the week before the start of Fall and Spring semesters. In-person Community Learning Experiences (CLE) are also available for you to explore. CLEs are held every odd-numbered year. They are optional and not required to complete the program.
Integrative Social Work Faculty
Saybrook’s Integrative Social Work faculty are practitioner-scholars dedicated to advancing their field through continued practice and comprehensive instruction. Meet one of our faculty members below.
Core faculty, Ph.D. in Integrative Social Work program
- Extensive experience in social policy development, student retention, diversity, social justice, student equity, and more
- Conference presenter/panelist on issues such as African American male achievement, student athlete success, and graduation/retention
UNBOUND: Integrative Social Work
Advocate and lead with a person-centered, evidence-informed approach to social work and community well-being, where traditional principles meet holistic insights by earning your doctorate in social work or completing a social work certificate.
Profile, Students
Saybrook University Student Profile: Derek Kee-Haynes
For Derek Kee-Haynes, Saybrook’s humanistic approach makes space for decolonizing social work, because one size of social work doesn’t fit all.
Career Resources
Master’s vs. Ph.D. in social work: What’s the difference?
Ready to pursue a graduate degree in social work? Discover the differences between a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in social work here.