If you hold an MSW, or a master of social work degree, you may be interested in taking the next academic step and pursuing a doctorate in social work.

Social work doctoral programs are typically offered in two formats:

The Ph.D. and DSW are both social work doctoral programs that allow graduates to gain more specialized knowledge in the field and pursue different job opportunities.

Students may struggle with deciding which of these two doctoral degrees in social work is the better option.

By laying out the basics, we can discover the difference between them and determine which program is the right fit for you.

What is a Ph.D. in social work?

A Ph.D. in social work is a doctoral program focused on research, education, social work policy, administration, and planning.

With a Ph.D. in social work, graduates are well-equipped to contribute to the ongoing academic conversation around social work through in-depth research and leadership skills.

A Ph.D. in social work elevates professionals in the field and develops key skill sets. Ph.D. programs in social work often maintain a focus on:

  • Evaluating social work methodologies
  • Conducting personal research in social work
  • Applying public research to contemporary issues
  • Assessing and synthesizing social work practices, interventions, and theories

Common career paths for graduates with a Ph.D. in social work include:

  • Training and development manager
  • Social work educator or professor
  • Researcher
  • Consultant

What is a DSW, or doctor of social work?

A doctor of social work degree, or DSW, offers students advanced training and practice in the field of social work. This education may involve research work but typically focuses on the application of social work principles and theory into leadership roles.

Common career paths for graduates with a DSW include:

  • Human services director
  • School social worker
  • Social work administrator
  • Advanced practice social worker
  • Nonprofit executive or administrator

The difference between a DSW and a Ph.D. in Social Work

While both result in doctoral degrees, there are some key distinctions between a DSW and Ph.D. in social work, including:

  • A Ph.D. in social work focuses more on developing students as researchers in the field. In contrast, a DSW is more practice oriented, focusing on clinical practice or social work applications.
  • A DSW prepares the student for administrative and leadership roles in the field, while a Ph.D. prepares the student for roles in academia in social work.

While both degrees hold many similarities, these are the most fundamental differences between them. Understanding these differences—and the most common resulting career paths—can help a student make the best choice for their education.

Interested in pursuing a graduate degree in social work? Saybrook University’s Integrative Social Work Ph.D. program combines the time-honored traditions of social work with the values of social justice and social transformation. Learn more here.