Social Work, D.S.W.
Contact
Christine Rogerson, Ph.D., MSW, LCSW
Director DSW Program
cizzi@une.edu
For program and curricula questions, as well as application information, please contact Online Social Work Enrollment at the College of Professional Studies at 1 (877) 863-6791 or locally at (207) 221-4143. We can also be reached via email at socialworkonline@une.edu.
Mission
The mission of the DSW program is to advance the profession of social work by preparing experienced professionals to become visionary leaders, educators, researchers, and administrators who drive social change and promote social justice. Rooted in the values and ethics of the social work profession, our program is dedicated to excellence, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and lifelong learning.
Vision
The vision of the DSW is to be a national leader in social work education, research, and administration, fostering excellence, community, and belonging. We aspire to educate ethical and inclusive leaders who drive positive change, promoting equity and social justice through innovative practice, research, and policy advocacy. With a commitment to community collaboration, mentorship, and lifelong learning, we aim to shape the future of the social work profession and empower the next generation of leaders to make a lasting impact on individuals and communities.
Accreditation
Institutional Accreditation
All programs at the University of New England are accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
Specialized Accreditation
The DSW Program is seeking candidacy for accreditation through the Council on Social Work Education.
Program Description
The DSW with an emphasis in Interprofessional Leadership is a 45-credit hour program that provides a comprehensive and advanced curriculum designed to equip social work professionals with the specialized skills needed for leadership and practice in interdisciplinary settings. The program emphasizes an IP approach to address complex social issues through the integration of social work principles alongside insights from diverse fields. Students engage in coursework and simulation experience covering advanced social work practice, interprofessional collaboration, organizational leadership, education, and research methodologies. The curriculum is structured to foster critical thinking, ethical decision-making, and effective communication across disciplines.
Academic and Program Standards
UNE'S DSW Academic Standards
The Doctorate in Social Work is a CSWE-aligned program. The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) uses core expertise and skills within its accreditation standards to ensure students can demonstrate essential skills in advanced practice and leadership. Practice doctorates (DSW) are intended to be innovative, allowing programs to ensure their program goals and curricula are diverse.
UNE's social work faculty is committed to fostering relationships with its students that encourage personal and professional growth. Its policies and procedures attempt to reflect this commitment to proactive and supportive communication. At the same time, students must recognize that the primary responsibility for a successful SSW education, both in and out of the classroom, rests with the student.
All students, including students with disabilities, must have the capacity to manage their lives and anticipate their own needs. Situations can arise in which a student's behavior and attitudes resulting from a disability or other personal circumstances present a problem which impairs the student's ability to meet the standards set forth, even after reasonable accommodations have been considered and, if appropriate, made by the program, all students must still meet the requirements set forth by the program.
All applicants, regardless of disability, will be held to the same admission standards. All enrolled students, regardless of disability, will be held to the same academic standards, understanding that all properly submitted requests for reasonable accommodation will be considered.
Transfer Credit
Upon acceptance, students may apply to transfer up to three courses (maximum of nine credits) into the Doctor of Social Work program. To request consideration for transfer credit, a student must provide an official transcript and a course syllabus for each course. Transfer credit is awarded at the discretion of The College of Professional Studies based on specific program details listed below. Requests for approval of transfer credit should be submitted to and will be granted at the discretion of the Program Director.
Transfer courses must:
- Be classified as graduate level.
- Have been taken within five years of application. Be worth three credits.
- Have been completed with a grade of B or better.
- Be equivalent to one of the required program courses or an elective course that meets the goals of the student’s education.
Experiential Credit
The DSW program does not grant academic credit for life experiences or previous work experience.
Admissions
See Online Admissions for more information.
Financial Information
Tuition and Fees
Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. Please consult this catalog’s Financial Information page for specific tuition and fees information.
Curricular Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Program Required Courses | ||
| DCN 825 | Adaptive Leadership | 3 |
| DSW 799 | Prep for Doctoral Journey & Scholarly Writing | 3 |
| DSW 801 | Policy, Advocacy and Social Justice | 3 |
| DSW 802 | Advanced Clinical Theory and Practice | 3 |
| DSW 803 | Advanced Clinical Theory and Practice II | 3 |
| DSW 805 | Technology Use in Social Work Practice and Leadership | 3 |
| DSW 806 | Transformative Leadership for Justice and Equality | 3 |
| DSW 810 | Integrating Social Work Research and Practice I | 3 |
| DSW 811 | Integrating Social Work Research and Practice II | 3 |
| DSW 815 | Interprofessional Ethics in SW Leadership | 3 |
| DSW 817 | Interprofessional Clinical Practice and Higher Education Leadership | 3 |
| DSW 820 | Doctoral Proposal Building & Defense | 3 |
| DSW 821 | Doctoral Research Project I | 3 |
| DSW 823 | Doctoral Research Project II | 3 |
| DSW 830 | Experiential Teaching & Learning | 3 |
| Total Hours | 45 | |
Scholar-practitioners who do not complete the collection and analysis of their data for the DSW Research Project by week 12 of DSW 821 will be asked to continue their DSW Research Project by enrolling in a one-credit continuation course. This course provides continued access to faculty and the full resources of the university, which are provided to all enrolled students and doctoral candidates. DSW scholar-practitioners who require more than one continuance will be asked to meet with their Senior Advisor, Committee Members, and the Program Director to establish a continuance plan. DSW Scholar-practitioners who require more than two continuances may be dismissed from the program.
Academic Policy
Minimum Grade Point Average
Matriculated graduate students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better. Failure to do so will result in academic probation and possible termination from the program. Any student receiving a grade below B- on any individual course has failed that course must re-enroll and repeat the course to achieve a grade of B- or better. Any student who receives a grade of F in two or more courses may be dismissed from the program. An F that is replaced through retaking the course does not count toward this policy.
Graduation
Candidates must fulfill all program requirements and are required to earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 to be eligible to graduate. All students must file an Application to Graduate with the registrar’s office via UNE Compass. Please see the Graduation FAQ for complete instructions and the answers to frequently asked questions.
Learning Outcomes
Core Expertise and Skills
- Advance practice through innovative approaches
- Use and critically evaluate research and knowledge
- Engage in scientific inquiry that reflects doctoral-level scholarship
- Develop and disseminate practice-relevant, research-informed knowledge through a variety of channels, such as teaching, scholarship, professional presentations, mentoring, and administration
- Provide leadership in social work practice and/or education
- Develop and maintain substantive expertise in one or more areas of social work practice
Program Goals
- Equip graduates with advanced interprofessional leadership skills to effectively guide organizations, communities, and systems in addressing complex social issues and promoting social change.
- Prepare graduates to excel as educators in higher education, employing innovative teaching methodologies and fostering inclusive environments.
- Develop graduates' capacity to conduct rigorous, practice-informed research that contributes to the evidence base of social work and informs policies and practices.
- Instill a commitment to ethical decision-making and interprofessional collaboration, ensuring that graduates lead with integrity and foster partnerships across diverse disciplines and sectors.