TRANSFORMATIONAL WORK
EARN YOUR DOCTORATE OF SOCIAL WORK (DSW) DEGREE
WHY RUTGERS WHY NOW
The Rutgers DSW transforms seasoned clinicians into scholar-practitioners, creating acknowledged leaders in the field.
Building upon your rich practice experience, we help you develop and disseminate your original ideas through:
n Teaching
n Journal articles and books
n National and international conferences, and
n Innovative websites
Your clinical expertise is translated into groundbreaking case studies, qualitative research, and engaging websites [or “digital products”] that connect theory, research, and practice.
Our program prepares you to go to the next level: that of thought leader in the field of clinical social work.
Graduates are well-positioned to work in leadership roles, teach at colleges and universities, and collaborate across multi-disciplinary environments.
MISSION
The mission of the Doctorate of Social Work program is to transform experienced clinical social workers into leaders who promote individual, family, and community well-being and social justice in an increasingly diverse and global environment. Students develop and disseminate clinical knowledge through peer-reviewed journal articles, national and international conference presentations, teaching, supervision, and innovative digital projects.
Graduates of the DSW Program at the School of Social Work will:
1. Develop an area of expertise in the field of clinical social work.
2. Advance new scholarship in the field of clinical social work through the completion of a case study and qualitative research project.
3. Disseminate clinical social work scholarship through multiple modalities including the creation of a multi-media project, submission of original manuscripts to peer-reviewed journals, providing supervision, teaching and presenting at national and international conferences.
KNOWLEDGE DISSEMINATION THROUGH MULTIMEDIA PROJECTS
Third-year students produce a dynamic, interactive multimedia project (MMP) that synthesizes their scholarship, making their work accessible and useful to a global audience.
Our graduates learn to use video, audio, data visualizations, and other digital tools to create a website to connect with and serve their chosen clinical practice communities.
WRITING AND PUBLISHING INSTRUCTION
Our writing-intensive curriculum offers students the opportunity to engage in guided writing and revision with an experienced writing instructor.
Students will learn strategies for writing publishable material as they progress through the program, professionalizing and distinguishing themselves through their writing.
WEEKEND RESIDENCIES FOR WORKING PRACTITIONERS
DSW students attend in-person weekend residencies once a month for 9 months during the academic year, from August through May. The weekend residencies take place Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 9:00 AM-4:00 PM and each day consists of two three-hour modules. The program follows a cohort model where you will be learning and interacting with the same peers across your three years of attendance.
Each year’s curriculum is centered around instruction related to the year’s portfolio project. Other modules include substantive subject matter, including:
n Social Theory
n Social Justice and Diversity
n Teaching and Administration
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Prospective students must meet the following requirements in order to apply for the Rutgers DSW Program:
n MSW from a CSWE accredited program
n Minimum two years post-MSW experience
n LCSW preferred
n No GRE scored required
THE DSW APPLICATION
Prospective students must complete an online application through the Rutgers Graduate Admissions Office that includes official college/university transcripts, three letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and a writing sample.
To learn more, visit dsw.rutgers.edu or contact Program Director Dr. E. Goldblatt Hyatt at eg548e@ssw.rutgers.edu.
