Department website: https://socialwork.ua.edu/academics/dsw/
Mission Statement of the DSW Program
The DSW Program at The University of Alabama is designed to increase specialization, independence, and leadership of social workers across systems and agencies in underserved communities. The program prepares advanced practitioners to lead efforts in promoting social and economic justice through service, advocacy, teaching, and research.
DSW Program
The Doctor of Social Work (DSW) Program at The University of Alabama School of Social Work provides experienced professional social workers with an enriching and transformative educational experience. Designed to cultivate visionary leaders and innovative scholar-practitioners, the program empowers graduates to lead with expertise, integrity, and a commitment to social change. Through a rigorous and supportive academic environment, students gain specialized knowledge, leadership skills, and innovative strategies to address complex social challenges, particularly in diverse and underserved communities. Rooted in a commitment to social and economic justice, the program prepares graduates to drive meaningful change across various practice settings.
DSW Program Curriculum
The DSW curriculum is designed for experienced professional social workers seeking to advance their knowledge and skills through a primarily online, three-year, part-time program. The offers two focus areas: Advanced Clinical Practice and Organizational Leadership.
Students enroll in two courses (6 credit hours) each fall, spring, and summer for the first two years. In the first year, they complete five core courses (15 credit hours) and one (3 credit hours) course in their selected focus area. The second year consists of seven courses (18 credit hours) within the focus area and two electives (6 credit hours). At the end of the second summer, students submit their Comprehensive Paper for approval. In the fall of their third year, students begin their Capstone Project (9 credit hours) under the supervision of their Capstone Project Committee.
To fulfill the academic requirements of the DSW degree, students must complete 45 credit hours of coursework, including the Capstone Project, and participate in three on-campus proceedings: an orientation and two summer residencies. Courses are primarily asynchronous, with 4–5 synchronous evening sessions per course. Synchronous session dates and times are provided at registration, two months before each semester begins. Students select their focus area at the start of the program. Focus areas do not appear on the official UA transcript.
Learning Outcomes for the DSW Program
Upon completing the DSW Program, graduates will be able to:
- Demonstrate Advanced Social Work Practice Skills - Apply evidence-based and theoretical frameworks in assessment, intervention and supervision at the micro, mezzo, and/or macro levels.
- Lead in Integrating Knowledge and Theory - Play an independent/leadership role in integrating advanced knowledge and theory on the social, economic, political, and philosophical conditions into health and human service delivery.
- Integrate Applied Research with Practice Knowledge - Integrate knowledge about research methodology with social work practice knowledge to develop and lead strategies for continued evidence-based practice, practice evaluation, and scientific knowledge-building.
- Disseminate Complex Information Effectively - To disseminate complex information about social work evidence, practice skills, scholarship, and interventions clearly and creatively to professional and academic audiences in written and oral formats.
- Develop Cutting-Edge Strategies - Identify, evaluate, and implement innovative and cutting-edge strategies to address complex social and health conditions.
- Advance Social Work Advocacy and Policy Practice Strategies - Lead teams to develop and implement social work advocacy and policy practice strategies to advanced clinical practice or organizational leadership, especially within the context of services for vulnerable and underserved communities.
- Innovate, Implement and Evaluate Programs - Independently develop, implement, and evaluate innovative interventions into practice that are theoretically and evidence-based.
Graduates of the Advanced Clinical Practice Focus Area Will be Able to:
- Demonstrate Advanced Clinical Expertise – Apply evidence-based and theoretical frameworks to assess, intervene, and evaluate complex clinical cases across diverse populations and practice settings.
- Integrate Ethical and Culturally Responsive Practices – Utilize ethical decision-making models and culturally responsive approaches to enhance client outcomes and promote social justice in clinical practice.
- Lead in Clinical Supervision and Consultation – Provide effective clinical supervision, mentorship, and consultation to social work practitioners, fostering professional development and ethical practice.
- Advance Clinical Research and Scholarship – Conduct and translate clinical research into practice, contributing to the development and dissemination of new knowledge in advanced social work practice.
- Influence Policy and Systemic Change – Advocate for policies and systemic reforms that enhance the accessibility, effectiveness, and equity of clinical social work services.
- Develop and Evaluate Clinical Programs – Design, implement, and assess clinical programs that address critical social issues, ensuring continuous quality improvement and sustainability.
Graduates of the Organizational Leadership Focus Area Will be Able to:
- Demonstrate Strategic Leadership in Social Work Organizations – Apply advanced leadership theories and frameworks to drive innovation, ethical decision-making, and organizational effectiveness in social work settings.
- Develop and Implement Evidence-Based Policies – Analyze and influence social policies at organizational, local, state, and national levels to promote equity, social justice, and sustainable change.
- Advance Equity and Inclusion in Leadership Practices – Integrate culturally responsive and inclusive leadership strategies to foster diverse, equitable, and high-performing work environments.
- Enhance Organizational Performance and Sustainability – Design, implement, and evaluate programs and initiatives that enhance service delivery, financial sustainability, and long-term impact within human service organizations.
- Lead Advocacy and Systemic Change Efforts – Engage in macro-level advocacy efforts to address structural barriers and improve social service systems for vulnerable and marginalized populations.
- Foster Workforce Development and Professional Growth – Implement strategies for staff development, supervision, and organizational capacity-building to enhance professional practice and service quality.
The Goals of the DSW Program
- To provide a rich, supportive environment that enables a diverse group of students to pursue and attain their academic, professional, clinical and/or leadership goals.
- To prepare students to integrate theory, evidence, and critical thought to develop innovative solutions for complex challenging issues experienced by agencies and populations at the local, regional, national, and/or global levels.
- To prepare graduates to be innovative and successful educators of future social workers.
- To prepare practitioners to use social work research methodologies to evaluate practice and translate evidence-based interventions into practice settings.
- To prepare advanced practitioner-scholars to incorporate theory, research, practice, and policy to contribute to existing knowledge on social work practice and advance social justice.
- To develop stewards of the social work profession within interprofessional settings who apply and enforce ethical standards and address ethical dilemmas in health and social service systems.
- To prepare advanced social workers to be effective and ethical managers within clinical, administrative, and/or community settings.
- To prepare students to communicate evidence-based social work knowledge through teaching, scholarship, and professional writing.
Admissions
Admission to the DSW Program is determined by a committee of faculty members from within the School of Social Work, who will assess the entire composite of information gained from a variety of sources. Each applicant must meet the following criteria and/or provide in their application:
- An MSW degree from a CSWE-accredited institution (there are no exceptions to this requirement).
- A grade-point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (overall) in your MSW program.
- Three (3) years of post-MSW social work practice experience (there are no exceptions to this requirement).
- Currently practicing in the social work field.
- Three letters of recommendation are required for all applicants.
- At least two of these letters should come from professional sources (preferably from social workers, but may come from professionals in related disciplines).
- One reference may be from an academic source (e.g. former professor or department head).
- Applicants may choose to have all three references come from professional sources if an academic reference is not available.
- All references are due/uploaded by the deadline for an application to be complete and considered.
- Statement of Purpose: Instructions on what to include in the statement can be found here.
- Current resume or CV.
- Transcripts: In addition to the Graduate School’s requirements:
- Applicants should note that if they attended a community college where they completed 15 or more credit hours and later transferred to a different institution to complete their undergraduate degree, the graduate school requires that transcripts from both the community college and undergraduate degree-awarding institution be included with the application.
- All unofficial transcripts must be uploaded by the deadline for an application to be complete and considered.
- Applicants may be asked to complete an interview with a faculty member if there are questions regarding their application.
International Applicants
- The university will no longer accept applications to UA online programs from international applicants who are residing outside of the US.
- International applicants who are in the US on a valid visa type (for example, H-1B), will not be impacted.
- Please make sure that your transcript includes a grading scheme, especially if your university does not use a letter-based (e.g. A, A-, B) grading scheme.
- For applicants from countries other than Canada, you will be required to have your transcripts undergo the International Social Work Degree Recognition and Evaluation Service by the Council on Social Work Education. This must be completed before the deadline.
Note Regarding Social Work Licenses
The DSW coursework demands the practical application of course content in a real-world setting, making a social work license mandatory for applicants seeking admission to the Advanced Clinical Practice focus area. Due to differences across states in licensing requirements for macro social work practice, applicants to the Organizational Leadership focus area are not required to hold a social work clinical license.
Application Review and Admissions Decisions
Application Review Process. The Graduate School conducts an initial review of all applications to verify completeness and ensure they meet basic requirements. Complete applications that satisfy these requirements are then forwarded to the School of Social Work for further review. (See the Admissions Criteria section of this catalog for more information.)
A faculty committee from the School of Social Work evaluates forwarded applications and makes final admission recommendations to the Graduate School. The DSW Program Director is not involved in application evaluation or admission decisions.
Timeline. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis beginning in October each year. Priority applicants receive decisions in the fall, while remaining applicants receive decisions in the spring, within three weeks of the application deadline.
Notification. After the School of Social Work submits its admission recommendation, the Graduate School notifies applicants of the final admission decision. Shortly thereafter, admitted students receive correspondence from the DSW Program Director with important information about fall registration and on-campus orientation.
Important: Students who fail to register for fall courses risk having their acceptance rescinded.
See the Admission Criteria section of this catalog for more information.
Degree Requirements
The DSW degree requires a total of 45 credit hours, which includes core courses and focus area courses. Overall, the curriculum prepares practitioner-scholars to:
- 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; and
- develop and maintain substantive expertise in one or more areas of social work practice.
Coursework is typically completed during the first two years of the program. Additional degree components and requirements, such as the DSW orientation, first summer residency, comprehensive paper, second summer residency, capstone project, capstone presentation and oral defense, and capstone project report are described below.
| DSW Core Courses | Hours |
| SW 700 | Adv Theories on Oppression (First Year Fall Semester) | 3 |
| SW 701 | Research for Practice I | 3 |
| SW 702 | Research for Practice II | 3 |
| SW 705 | Adv Advocacy Policy Practice | 3 |
| SW 706 | Teaching Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SW 750 | Intro to Capstone Project | 1 |
| SW 751 | Capstone Proposal Ind Study | 2 |
| SW 799 | Capstone Project | 9 |
| Total Hours | 27 |
Focus Areas
Focused areas allow students to specialize in the of study within the broader DSW curriculum. They are designed for the student to gain expertise in a specific subfield of social work practice. The DSW program offers two focus areas in social work practice: Advanced Clinical Practice and Organizational Leadership. Students must select a focus area upon starting the DSW Program and complete the requirements of the focus area.
It is possible for students to change focus areas after beginning the program, though this may result in a delay in degree completion. If students decide to change their focus area before the start of their second year, it is possible that the disruptions may be minimal and no delay in degree completion will result. Since students are introduced to the first course in their focus area in the spring semester of their first year, a student deciding to switch their focus area will have to complete the first course in the new focus area.
Focus Area Requirements
Students will be required to complete 12 credit hours (four courses) and 6 credit hours (two courses) of electives for a total of 18 credit hours in their selected focus area.
| DSW Focus Area: Advanced Clinical Practice | Hours |
| SW 704 | Org Leadership Theory Practice | 3 |
| SW 730 | Lead Org Change | 3 |
| SW 731 | Lead Human Serv Dev | 3 |
| SW 732 | Ethics Comm Org Lead | 3 |
| 12 |
| |
| SW 733 or | Human Serv Finance Budgeting | 3 |
| SW 760 | Independent Study |
| SW 734 or | Workforce Leadership and Manag | 3 |
| SW 760 | Independent Study |
| 6 |
| Total Hours | 18 |
| Focus Area: Organizational Leadership | Hours |
| |
| SW 704 | Org Leadership Theory Practice | 3 |
| SW 730 | Lead Org Change | 3 |
| SW 731 | Lead Human Serv Dev | 3 |
| SW 732 | Ethics Comm Org Lead | 3 |
| 12 |
| |
| SW 733 or | Human Serv Finance Budgeting | 3 |
| SW 760 | Independent Study |
| SW 734 or | Workforce Leadership and Manag | 3 |
| SW 760 | Independent Study |
| 6 |
| Total Hours | 18 |
Electives
The program has two electives for each focus area. In the Advanced Clinical Practice focus area the students can enroll in SW 723 Complementary & Alt Therapies and SW 724 Social Work and Emotional Trauma, two electives offered in the Advanced Clinical Practice focus area. In the Organizational Leadership focus area, SW 733 Human Service Finance and Budgeting and SW 734 Workforce Leadership and Management are the two electives offered in the Organizational Leadership focus area. In addition:
- Students may take courses from the other focus area to satisfy their elective requirements. For example, a student in the Organizational Leadership focus area can take SW 703 Neuroscience in Clinical Practice in Social Work as their elective; similarly, an Advanced Clinical Practice student can take SW 734 Workforce Leadership and Management.
- Students may take one MSW-level (500+) course as an elective as long as it isn't a course previously taken in their own MSW curriculum.
- Students may also take one 500-level or higher course outside of the School of Social Work in a different graduate program across campus. Students must ensure that the course is open to students from other programs and also to distance learning students. Note that students are only allowed to take on master's-level course as an elective, so if one of their electives is a 500-level MSW course, their other elective must be at the 600-level or higher.
- Students may also consider taking an elective in a different institution, but it is important the student ensures the credits will transfer to the DSW Program.
- Students may also register for SW 760 Independent Study. It is the student's responsibility to fill out the necessary forms and seek permission from the identified instructor for the course.
Academic Advising, Mentors, and Capstone Project Committee Formation
Students have opportunities for mentoring and advising from multiple sources:
- DSW Program Director. Upon entering the DSW Program, students are academically advised by the DSW Program Director until the student identifies a chair for their Capstone Project Committee.
- Capstone Committee Chair. Students will identify a faculty member within the School of Social Work to serve as the chair of their Capstone Committee. This person must be a full member of the Graduate School Faculty and identified by the summer semester of their second year and will guide the student through their Capstone Project journey.
- Second Committee Member. Students are required to identify a second member of their committee, often with input from their chair. Second members of the committee may be: (1) Part-time and full-time instructors within the SSW, (2) faculty in other units across the University of Alabama, (3) faculty at other institutions, or (4) practitioners in the community with sufficient expertise. The second member does not have to be a social worker as long as their knowledge and skills will contribute to the students’ progress.
- Additional Advisors and Mentors. Students may identify additional mentors who are not formal members of their committee but will provide them with guidance in their academic and Capstone Project journeys. Additional mentors are optional.
Students receive support in assembling their committee members and other advisors. More information about assembling students' advising and mentoring teams can be found in the DSW Program Toolkit that is available to enrolled students.
Comprehensive Proposal Paper
Purpose. A Comprehensive Proposal Paper is a curriculum milestone that demonstrates a student’s understanding of a comprehensive body of knowledge within their focus area. Comprehensive Papers are solo endeavors that serve several purposes:
- It allows the student to demonstrate the acquisition of knowledge of the latest published research in the area of their specialization;
- It allows the student to demonstrate their familiarity with research/evaluation methods learned in their coursework and residencies.
- It allows the student to demonstrate that they possess the critical and analytic skills and knowledge needed to undergo a Capstone Project.
Format and Requirements. The Comprehensive Proposal is a single integrated document (25-35 pages, not including references) that includes three interconnected components:
- Social Work Practice Issue (approximately 10-12 pages)
- Intervention or Scholarly Approach (approximately 10-15 pages)
- Evaluation or Methodology Plan (approximately 5-8 pages)
This proposal demonstrates the student's ability to critically engage with literature, design evidence-informed interventions or scholarly projects, and plan rigorous evaluation or research methodologies. The proposal should directly inform the student's Capstone Project.
Comprehensive paper approval requires the signature of both members of the student’s committee. Once a student receives approval, the Chair will contact the DSW Program Director, who will have the Comprehensive Paper Approval Form circulated for signatures. Students are strongly encouraged to discuss their preliminary topic with their academic advisor, faculty mentor, or other faculty members who have expertise in the topic area to determine the appropriateness and feasibility of your proposed project.
More information about the Comprehensive Proposal can be found in the DSW Program Toolkit that is available to enrolled students.
Admission to Candidacy Requirements
Students who successfully pass their Comprehensive Paper and have completed all required non-capstone project courses (or are "in progress") may apply for Admission to Candidacy. The DSW Program Director will initiate this form.
Capstone Project
Purpose. Students are required to complete a Capstone Project to fulfill degree requirements for the DSW Program at the University of Alabama. This project is usually initiated during the student’s second or third year of the program and will require students to demonstrate core expertise and skills associated with doctoral-level social work practice, including:
- Advanced practice skills through innovative, evidence-informed approaches
- Critical evaluation and application of research and knowledge in social work
- Scholarly inquiry that reflects doctoral-level rigor and contributes to the profession
- Development and dissemination of practice-relevant knowledge
- Leadership in social work practice, education, and/or organizational settings
- Substantive expertise in one or more areas of social work practice
The Capstone Project should have direct implications for social work practice and is designed to be applied scholarship rather than a traditional research dissertation. Students are encouraged to discuss project ideas early with faculty and the DSW Program Director, and to focus course assignments on topics that can inform their Capstone work.
Capstone Project Options. Students design their Capstone Project in consultation with their committee and the DSW Program Director. While most projects align with one of the options below, students may propose alternative projects for committee approval. All options integrate advanced practice skills with scholarly methods.
- Option 1: Practice-Focused Thesis. Students undertake a research or evaluation project that advances social work practice knowledge. This may include developing or modifying interventions and evaluating their feasibility, acceptability, or effectiveness.
- Option 2: Review of the Evidence or State of the Science. Students conduct a systematic review or synthesis of evidence regarding an aspect of social work practice.
Capstone Defense Presentation
Before submitting the final Capstone report, students must complete a defense presentation that is formally announced at least two weeks in advance. Students may present in-person or virtually, though both committee members must attend. Capstone defenses are generally public, though students may work with their committee to determine audience size and scope.
During the defense, students will present background, methods/approach, findings, and implications of their project, followed by a question-and-answer session. Students should determine presentation format, length, and guidelines with their committee in advance.
Following the defense, the committee chair provides formative feedback on presentation performance and recommendations for revisions to the written report. This evaluation is separate from the formal approval process for the final Capstone report.
Capstone Project Report
Students must submit a final written report by the Graduate School deadline for their intended graduation semester. Students choose between two reporting formats: a Traditional Thesis Report or submission as a First-authored Peer-reviewed Manuscript. Students must use the DSW Capstone Report Template when formatting their final report. After the student's committee members have approved the final Capstone Report, they must be sent to the DSW Program Director for submission to the UA Library's open-access Institutional Repository.
More information about the Capstone Project, topic and format options, and example topics can be found in the DSW Program Toolkit that is available to enrolled students.
The Capstone Project Presentation and Oral Defense
The Capstone Project Oral Defense is a scheduled presentation where students:
- present their Capstone Project;
- describe how the project and its findings have implications for social work practice, education, and/or research;
- respond to questions regarding their project; and
- receive feedback from the committee members about their final report.
Defense presentations can be virtual or in-person. It is the responsibility of the student and committee to make the arrangements for the defense presentation and provide the DSW Program Director with details about the defense so an announcement can be made. Students successfully complete their Capstone Project requirement for the DSW Degree after the defense presentation is complete and members of their committee approve the final report.
More information about the Capstone Project defense can be found in the DSW Program Toolkit that is available to enrolled students.
Additional Program Components and Requirement
On-Campus New Student Orientation
The two-day DSW New Student Orientation is designed to introduce incoming doctoral students to the program’s structure, expectations, and resources while fostering a sense of community and academic preparedness. Sessions and workshops will focus on program essentials, including an overview of the curriculum, milestones, and academic policies, as well as introductions to faculty, mentors, and key administrative staff. Day Two emphasizes professional development and networking
On-Campus Summer Residencies
During the summer residency in their first and second years, students attend an on-campus experience in Tuscaloosa. Students completing their first year of the program attend for four days and those in their second year of the program attend for five days. During their time on campus, students:
- Engage in workshops focused on advancing practice, research, and scholarship
- Meet with faculty, peers, and the DSW Program Director for mentoring and advising
- Complete activities designed to advance progress on their comprehensive paper and capstone project
- Students in their second year of the program prepare a 5-minute thesis (5MT) presentation about their Capstone Projects.
Students are responsible for their own travel arrangements. Participation in both residencies is required for their degree, though students may be excused in documented cases that include:
- Significant medical condition experienced by the student and/or immediate family member.
- Death of an immediate family member.
- Required military service.
- Unexpected travel delays or cancellations when using public transit.
More information about residencies can be found in the DSW Program Toolkit that is available to enrolled students.
Requirement for Continuing Social Work Practice
Students are expected to be actively practicing social work throughout their time in the DSW Program, either through paid employment or volunteer work. The practice setting for students is not provided by the School of Social Work Field Office and students are expected to meet this requirement on their own.
| Advanced Clinical Practice Concentration | Hours |
| SW 703 | Neuroscience in Clinical Pract | 3 |
| SW 720 | Clinical Supervision Ethics | 3 |
| SW 721 | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy | 3 |
| SW 722 | Assess Diagn Clin Prct | 3 |
| SW 723 | Complementary & Alt Therapies | 3 |
| SW 724 | Social Work and Emotion Trauma | 3 |
| 18 |
| 27 |
| Total Hours | 45 |
| Organizational Leadership concentration | Hours |
| SW 704 | Org Leadership Theory Practice | 3 |
| SW 730 | Lead Org Change | 3 |
| SW 731 | Lead Human Serv Dev | 3 |
| SW 732 | Ethics Comm Org Lead | 3 |
| SW 733 | Human Serv Finance Budgeting | 3 |
| SW 734 | Workforce Leadership and Manag | 3 |
| 18 |
| 27 |
| Total Hours | 45 |
Transfer Credit
Requirements for Transfer Credits
Students who have completed doctoral coursework at other universities may request that a portion of their previously-earned credits be transferred towards their completion of the DSW degree at UA. Evaluation of credit for transfer will not officially be determined until the student is enrolled in the UA Graduate School and the UA School of Social Work. Acceptance of credits requires the approval of the School of Social Work and the UA Graduate School. The Graduate School has policies for transfer credits.
Requests for transfer credits will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and must conform to the guidelines established by the DSW Program Committee in addition to Graduate School requirements:
- Credits should be from another doctoral degree program (PhD, EdD, DSW).
- Coursework that does not overlap with or duplicate required courses if the DSW curriculum may generally be accepted as transfer credits for electives.
- Requests to transfer credits that would replace required DSW courses will receive more scrutiny to make sure they align appropriately with required courses.
- Since the DSW Program allows students to take up to one MSW-level course as an elective, up to 3 credits of master's level coursework will be considered as long as they are not credits earned for the MSW degree that students are required to have to be eligible for the DSW Program. It must be coursework that was taken in addition to the required master's degree.
Transfer Credit
The following process has been established for reviewing and approving transfer of credits:
- Students must initiate a request for transfer credits using the Graduate School form.
- The student must also submit the syllabus for each course transfer request directly to the DSW Program Director for review. Transfer requests without a course syllabus will not be approved.
- The Graduate School reviews the student’s initial request and forwards the request to the DSW Program Director if it meets the Graduate School’s requirements.
- The DSW Program Director will approve transfer credits that clearly follow the guidelines outlined above. Any request that is unclear whether it meets these guidelines will be reviewed by the DSW Program Committee.
- Transfer credits that meet the DSW Program guidelines for replacing elective courses will be approved by the DSW Program Director, with consultation of the DSW Program Committee, as needed. Requests for transfer credits that would replace required courses for the program will be reviewed and approved by the DSW Program Committee.
- The DSW Program Director or DSW program assistant will initiate the final approval form.
Students are cautioned that the DSW Program curriculum is designed so that the work completed in its courses contribute to their Comprehensive Paper and Capstone Project. Therefore, transferring credits to replace DSW courses could possibly delay student progress on those requirements. Students are strongly recommended to discuss transferring credits with their advisor and/or the DSW Program Director.
Comprehensive Paper Requirement
To move forward to working on the Capstone Project, you are required to successfully complete a Comprehensive Paper assignment. There are a number of purposes that the Comprehensive Paper serves:
- It allows you to demonstrate the advanced social work knowledge and research/evaluation methods learned in your coursework and residencies.
- It allows you to demonstrate that you have acquired the skills and knowledge needed to complete your Capstone Project.
- Its format serves as the design for the final Capstone Project.
There are three options for the Comprehensive Paper. You must select one. You should select the option that best fits in with your educational, capstone, and career goals. Full descriptions of the three Comprehensive Paper options can be found in the DSW Program Handbook.
To prepare for their Comprehensive Paper, students must identify a Chair for their Capstone Project Committee before the end of spring semester during their second year. Ideally, students will identify a second member of their committee at the same time, though students may require more time to identify the second member during the summer of their second year. This is the committee that will review and approve students' Comprehensive Papers and Capstone Projects.
You should strive to have your Comprehensive Paper approved by the end of the summer semester of your second year so you can start their Capstone Project at the beginning of your third year. However, you can submit your paper for review and approval at any time before this point if you feel that your Comprehensive Paper is ready for review. If more time is needed, you can submit your paper after your second summer, though this may delay the start of your Capstone project.
You may have to submit several drafts of the Comprehensive Paper, have multiple meetings with committee members, receive feedback from the committee, and incorporate requested edits to the paper before it is deemed successfully approved. When the members are prepared to approve the Comprehensive Paper, the student should meet with the committee for additional feedback and support in moving forward. You should submit drafts first to your chair before submitting them to the second member of your committee for review.
Comprehensive paper approval requires the signature of both members of their committee. Once a student receives approval, the advisor will contact the DSW Program Director, who will have the Comprehensive Paper Approval Form circulated for signatures. Ideally, students will have their paper approved by the end of summer semester their second year, though the timeline for students to successfully pass their Comprehensive Papers will vary from student to student. Some students may successfully complete their papers before the summer of their second year and it is also common for students to require additional time to successfully pass their Comprehensive Paper.
Capstone Project
You are required to complete a final Capstone Project in order to fulfill all of the requirements for obtaining the DSW Program at the University of Alabama. This Capstone Project may be initiated during the third year of the program and will require you to demonstrate advanced knowledge and skills (depending on the scope of the project) in evidence-based social work practice, theory, and research/evaluation.
The topics and scope of Capstone Projects will vary, due to the varying social work practice settings where DSW students currently practice within. In general, the Capstone Project is not designed to be a dissertation
You are encouraged early in your DSW studies to discuss your ideas for the Capstone Project with faculty and the DSW Program Director. Also, you should consider how your individual course assignments may focus on topics that can inform or contribute to your Capstone Project.
You have three options for the Capstone Project and must choose one. Full descriptions of the three Capstone Project options can be found in the DSW Program Handbook. Note that none of these options should be compared to a PhD dissertation, where the primary goals and assessment for these projects focus on advanced research methodologies. While DSW students must learn and demonstrate an understanding of research and evaluation methods, the Capstone Project reflects an intersection between advanced practice skills and research methodologies.
At the conclusion of their Capstone Project, you will have to submit a final written report and complete either an on-campus or virtual defense presentation of your project. You must use the DSW Capstone Project Report Template for final approval. All virtual presentations must comply with University Graduate School policy.
Capstone Project approval requires the signature of both members of the Capstone Project committee. Approval may be obtained after you successfully complete the defense presentation. Once you receive approval, your advisor will contact the DSW Program Director, who will have the Capstone Approval Form circulated for signatures. Students who choose to publish a peer-reviewed article for their Capstone Project must also have the Capstone Project Authorship Contribution Form. Final versions of the Capstone Project Report must be submitted to the DSW Program Director before the Graduate School deadline for graduation in any given semester. These deadlines can be found here: https://graduate.ua.edu/current-students/student-deadlines/
Ideally, students will have their final Capstone Project Report approved by the end of summer semester their third year, though the timeline for students to successfully pass their Capstone Project will vary from student to student. Some students may successfully complete their papers before the summer of their third year and it is also common for students to require additional time to successfully pass their final Capstone Project.
Capstone Committee Formation
The purpose of the Capstone Project Committee is to guide the student through the Comprehensive Paper and Capstone Project requirements. Students may select members of their Capstone Committee based on the individuals' social work area of expertise, expertise in research and evaluation methodologies, or some other skill/expertise that will be helpful for the student in developing, implementing, and writing the report for their projects. School of Social Work faculty have a wide range of areas of expertise, including: children's services, health and human service management, aging, policy, rural populations, school social work, criminal/juvenile justice, social work and health care, and behavioral health. Second committee members may not necessarily be a social worker or have obtained a doctorate degree if their area of expertise is relevant to the student's work.
Upon entering the DSW Program, students are assigned an academic advisor to help them plan course work. In their first year, the student's initial advisor will be the DSW Program Director until another advisor is identified. If the student finds that another faculty member may be doing work more related to their area of practice, advisor assignments may change. Usually, though not always, this advisor will become the student’s Capstone Project Advisor or second committee member. When the student begins work on the Capstone Project proposal, the advisor will take primary responsibility, along with the second committee member, for further technical and professional assistance and guidance. The same faculty member may serve as advisor and committee member throughout the DSW Program Committee doctoral program of study.
All members of Capstone Project Committees must be members of the Graduate Faculty. Those who serve as Committee Chairs must be full-time faculty within the School of Social Work who have full/associate member Graduate Faculty status and be appointed at the rank of Assistant Professor or higher. Instructors within the school of social work, as well as faculty and practitioners outside of the School of Social Work and University of Alabama are also eligible to serve on Capstone Committees. In such cases, the DSW Program Director must submit a request that they be accepted as members to the University Graduate Faculty. To do so, the student must send the Director a copy of the individual’s CV and a statement on why their expertise will be supportive in the Capstone Project process. Students should consult with their Chair before selecting an external second member. Students should also evaluate whether an external committee member may pose a conflict of interest for them.
The DSW Program Director or DSW Program Assistant will circulate the Capstone Committee form via Docusign.
Admission to Candidacy Requirements
Students who successfully pass their Comprehensive Paper and have completed and/or are registered for all of their required non-Capstone Project coursework may advance to candidacy. The DSW Program Director or DSW Program Assistant will initiate this form, which will be submitted to the UA Graduate School.
Continuous Enrollment Policy
Please refer to the Graduate School Policy.
Time Limits for Degree Completion Requirements
Please refer to the Graduate School Policy.
Student Progress Requirement
There may be cases where a student is dismissed from the program for reasons that include: (a) Failure to meet academic standards set by the Graduate School (Please see below); (b) Failure to meet professional preparedness standards, as determined by the School of Social Work; or (c) Academic misconduct.
Additional Academic Requirement
Due to the fact that the DSW program is primarily a distance program, there is not residency requirement for enrolled students to complete their coursework. However, during the summers in years 1 and 2, DSW students must attend on-campus residency programs. These residencies will last 4 days in year 1 and 5 days in year 2. The residencies will take place during the first 2 weeks of June each summer.
During residencies, students will travel to campus and attend workshops and trainings each day. The workshops will supplement the content learned in courses and also include opportunities to meet with faculty in-person for feedback on coursework and/or support in advancing through the DSW program.
Attendance for On-campus and Synchronous Activities
DSW students enrolled in the program must make arrangements to participate in the on-campus activities that are planned as part of the program, such as the on-campus orientation and annual residency retreats. Students must also participate in all synchronous activities required from their classes. Failure to do so may result in termination from the program. Excused absences for on-campus requirements will only be granted in extreme circumstances. Such cases include:
- Significant medical condition experienced by the student and/or immediate family member.
- Death of an immediate family member.
- Required military service.
- Unexpected travel delays or cancellations when using public transit (Planes, trains, and bus).
Note that documentation will be required for an excused absence. In some cases, students may be asked to make-up assignments that was missed during the on-campus content.
Requirement for Continuing Social Work Practice
Students are expected to be actively practicing social work throughout their time in the DSW Program, either through paid employment or volunteer work. The practice setting for students is not provided by the School of Social Work Field Office and students are expected to meet this requirement on their own.
Academic Misconduct Information
Please refer to the Graduate School policy.
Withdrawals and Leave of Absence Information
Please refer to the Graduate School policy.
Academic Grievance Information
Students who have concerns about issues that are having a negative impact on student learning or barrier to student achievement may report these concerns to the DSW Program Director. The DSW Program director will consult with the Associate Dean for Student Services for consensus in how to address the issue.
When reported concerns regard quality of instruction, the DSW Program Director will:
- consider the number of students being impacted and the context of the issue (e.g., Title IX complaint, quality of course content) when formulating a response;
- encourage students to discuss the issue with the instructor directly, if deemed appropriate for students to do so;
- follow-up with the instructor to discuss the course;
- discuss the matter with School of Social Work and university departments, as deemed appropriate; and
- follow-up with the student(s) afterwards to see if the issue has been resolved.
Students who do not believe that the issue has been resolved may file a subsequent grievance with School of Social Work Grievance Committees or university offices, as deemed appropriate.
Students should be aware that full-time university faculty typically instruct their courses under the shared assumption of academic freedom. As a result, there are significant limits on instructional changes that the administration can require a faculty member to make at the request of administration. Therefore, it is strongly encouraged that students document issues they report in writing and also emphasize feedback in the Student Opinions of Instruction (SOIs). Student feedback and SOI reports will be reviewed by the DSW Program Director as well as the Associate Dean for Student Services and Dean of the School of Social Work (when appropriate) to determine if issues reported should be used in future decisions about DSW course instruction. Students should understand that a number of factors are considered in making course instruction decisions and students’ complaints are only one of these factors. Students should also understand that complaints about individual course instructors will not be discussed or handled by the DSW Program Committee.
Please refer to the Graduate School information.
Grades and Academic Standing
Please refer to the Graduate School policy.
Graduate School Deadlines Information
Please refer to the Graduate School information.
Application for Graduation Information
Please refer to the Graduate School policy.
