Doctor of Social Work
The Doctor of Social Work degree develops knowledge and leadership skills to design, evaluate, and implement effective programs and policies that empower individuals, families, and communities. With a commitment to excellence, this program for working professionals builds upon strengths, enhances critical thinking, formalizes knowledge, increases leadership capacity, and deepens understanding of research methods to expand, integrate, and evaluate existing professional knowledge.
Yes, you are doctorate material.
You can earn your doctorate and reach the top of your game—without putting your life or career on hold. Add to your existing expertise by earning your Doctor of Social Work (DSW) at one of the longest-standing and top-ranked social work programs in the country. There’s nothing you can’t do once you have your DSW.
Our flexible DSW program is designed for professionals looking to support communities as leaders in program management, university professorship, or nonprofits, local and beyond. In just 2.5 short years, get the prestige of a Tulane doctoral degree and join a network of thousands of well-connected alumni. Study online or on-campus for once-monthly class meetings (held on weekends to accommodate your career!) with a diverse and supportive cohort. Plus, our week-long Summer Immersion program gives you an excuse to visit New Orleans.
The sooner you start, the sooner you can increase your capacity to define and shape social change.
DSW candidates must have an MSW and at least 3 years of post-MSW practice experience.
Talk with an enrollment advisor and get all your questions answered! Call 504-266-0699 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. CST, or email us any time.
On-Campus
30 months
Do social work the New Orleans way at our downtown campus, and take advantage of our Downtown Studies Scholarship. As the oldest social work program in the South, we've been serving communities here for over 100 years, and we're excited for you to join us.
Online
30 months
Get the prestige of a Tulane degree from the comfort of your home. Our classes are synchronous to preserve that classroom feel. Plus, get a feel for New Orleans with our week-long Summer Immersion.
Advance Your Practice and Leadership Opportunities
This applied degree is designed with focused coursework and mentorship for those seeking leadership roles in program management, university curriculum, and nonprofits. You’ll build on the experience you already have to help communities with organization management, advanced practitioner learning, and policy evaluation—ultimately helping to define and shape social change.
You can earn your DSW while maintaining your career—and your life. Meet one weekend a month on campus or online, and complete your DSW in 28 months. The program includes community-based and remote projects so you can reach the next level in your career without taking time off work.
Apply Your Coursework with Real-World Training
Our program augments classroom study with a truly experiential approach that allows you to explore what matters most to you and your community. In-depth coursework is focused on an area of your choosing—all culminating in a final project that benefits individuals and communities in empirical ways.
Work Alongside Diverse Figures in Your Field
By joining a DSW cohort, you’ll partner with other talented doctoral candidates and our nationally recognized faculty—all of whom derive expertise from years of experience in supporting communities with dignity and contextual understanding.
Warm Community, Accepting Culture, Strong Character
At Tulane, we focus on what matters most: people. We know you have families, friends, and responsibilities to look after, and we would never do anything to get between that. Keeping individuals at the center of everything we do allows our graduates and their communities to thrive.
Our DSW program's student body is younger and more racially diverse than the national average, per the Counsil on Social Work Education's demographic survey.
Meet Our Current Students
No matter who you are, you'll find a place at Tulane.
What About Our Grads?
Within six months of graduation...
say they would recommend TSSW
were employed in relevant fields
received a raise or title change
There’s Nothing You Can’t Do with a DSW
Our DSW graduates leverage prior work experience and use it in high-profile roles as professors, policy advocates, and practitioners. A third of our alumni make upwards of $105,000/year — almost double the national average.
Real people, real problems, and real solutions are at the heart of our DSW program. You’ll take a truly collaborative approach, working alongside talented doctoral candidates and diverse faculty. Add to your existing expertise and apply it to a new role — or build upon the position you held before and during the program.
Immerse Yourself in the Culture of New Orleans
During their first summer semester, all our DSW students participate in a week-long residency here in NOLA. This hybrid program allows our online students to interface with their professors and peers in person and provides our cohort of working professionals a dedicated time for professional and academic development.
Make connections with alumni at our DSW mixer, meet and study with your online classmates in person, and see the city we love so much for yourself.
A degree designed just for you.
Our DSW meets one weekend a month, making it perfect for people like you. Don't put your professional or personal life on hold for your education — choose a doctoral degree program that works for your busy life.
Make your dreams reality in just 2.5 years. Our graduates go on to #DoWorkThatMatters in C-suites, sought-after private practices, academia, and beyond. The time to join Tulane's century-long social work legacy is now.
| Doctor of Social Work Class Load, Fall Start | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Spring | Summer | |
| Year 1 | 9 hours | 9 hours | 9 hours |
| Year 2 | 9 hours | 9 hours | 9 hours |
| Year 3 | 2 hours | CONGRATS, YOU'RE A DOCTOR! | |
Devin Williams, LCSW-S, LICSW-S
DSW '24
"Prior to the Tulane DSW program, I had not had many opportunities to learn from professors and social work experts who look like me. Seeing Black professors gave me the nudge that I needed to continue to strive for excellence."
Justin T. Guy, MSW, LCSW-BACS, CCM
DSW '25
"My experience in Tulane's DSW program has been transformative. From the moment I was accepted, I've been welcomed and embraced with love, support, and community. I strongly advocate for this program and recommend it to anyone pursuing not only a doctorate degree but also a place to discover, become, and do work that matters."
Deslie Bonano-Broussard, LCSW, BCD
DSW '23
"The professors at TSSW have all been so supportive and encouraging that I quickly learned I could successfully walk this journey. Their caring interactions with students have further supported my future aspirations to be an educator."
We are Doctors of Social Work
Advancing Social Work Practice & Leadership
Advancing Social Work Practice & Leadership is a video series to highlight the work of Tulane School of Social Work's DSW candidates. Tulane's DSW degree develops knowledge and leadership skills to design, evaluate, and implement effective programs and policies that empower individuals, families, and communities. Through this program, DSW candidates pursue an area of interest that enhances their critical thinking and adds to the resources available to the social work profession.
Take the Next Step!
For more details about graduate programs through Tulane School of Social Work, complete our information request form. If you're ready to take the next step, apply today!
