A DSW vs PhD in Social Work: What Are the Differences

Social workers are crucial in improving the well-being of individuals, families, and whole communities. They are highly trained professionals who provide services such as counseling, therapy, case management, community development, etc., address social issues, support individuals going through challenging times, and advocate for vulnerable members of society. 

If you're a social worker or an aspiring one looking at options for furthering your knowledge and skills, consider earning a doctoral degree. Aside from making a lasting impact, you can choose between two doctoral options depending on your goals and aspirations. Those can be a DSW degree if you want to continue practical work or a PhD in social work if you like to work in academia. 

However, these aren't the only distinctions between a DSW vs. a PhD in social work. So join us as we unravel the differences between the two and how to determine which is better for you. 

What Is a DSW?

A doctorate in social work or a DSW is a terminal degree, meaning it's the highest academic award in social work. Pursuing a DSW allows licensed social workers to expand their skills and helps them seek leadership roles later. A DSW can be valuable even if you have a master's degree in public policy and community organization. Moreover, a DSW degree offers many specializations, such as criminal justice, addiction and social work, medical social work, social work administration, social work policy, family studies, and clinical justice. 

A DSW degree can take you about three years to complete. However, enrolling in a part-time program can take longer to complete. Still, it can be beneficial if you work while studying. 

What Is a PhD in Social Work?

A doctor of philosophy or PhD in social work is a highly regarded degree ideal for those interested in research and academic careers. Earning a PhD in social work trains you to conduct original research and develop unique practices and theories in the field. It opens many opportunities to work in higher education institutions, conduct research, work on policy changes, and serve in social work administration. 

PhDs in social work offer online and on-campus programs. Typically, earning a PhD in social work takes three to five years. However, the actual length depends on whether you're a full-time or part-time student, with part-time enrollment taking longer. 

DSW vs. PhD in Social Work

Program Scope and Coursework

DSW

Coursework can vary from program to program or school. You can nevertheless expect to use the existing research and data, advanced theory, and social work best practices to promote prevention and intervention strategies for social problems. Moreover, you'll learn how to apply theories to counseling practice, thus advancing your hands-on clinical experience, which is crucial in your career.  

PhD

Although the program scope and coursework depend on the school, our online PhD in social work program aims to prepare you to research, service, and teach within minority-serving institutions. Our curriculum includes courses in epistemology, demagogy, social welfare poly, qualitative and quantitative research, mixed methods research, and more.

In a PhD program, you can expect to focus on highly advanced research methods and apply said methods in the real world. Nearing the end of your studies, you may have to complete a capstone or a dissertation based on your original inquiries.

Admissions Process

DSW

Although enrolling in a DSW program may require a master's degree in an accredited college or university, it isn't limited to one in social work. You can enroll in a DSW program with a postgraduate degree in a relevant field, such as psychology or public health. Another requirement can be submitting a personal statement that includes your career goals and current practice. 

PhD

On the other hand, enrolling in a PhD in social work may require a master's degree in social work. Furthermore, you might be required to showcase your research evidence in the field.

Career Opportunities

DSW

After earning a doctorate in social work, you can find employment in correctional facilities, social work organizations, childcare welfare agencies, healthcare facilities, and schools. You can also incorporate your advanced skills in a private practice setting and have a lot of flexibility in administering therapy, such as art therapy and equine therapy. 

Moreover, a DSW degree can help you in roles such as: 

• Child Welfare Specialist
• Public Policy Manager
• Licensed Professional Counselor
• Managing Director

Job outlook: 7% growth

PhD

On the other hand, after earning a PhD in social work, you can find employment in academia, lead departments of social workers, or perform research for nonprofit organizations or government agencies. Career paths you can pursue with a PhD in social work include:

• University or College Professor
• Field Researcher
• Social Work Research Consultant
• Government Researcher

Job outlook: 8% growth

Salaries

DSW

The salary ranges for careers requiring a DSW depend on factors like industry, location, and experience. Some of the salaries of specific roles that require a DSW are:

• Child Welfare Specialist: $56,680
• Licensed Professional Counselor: $49,710
• Public Policy Manager: $131,692
• Managing Director: $138,220

PhD

As a PhD graduate, you can benefit from the high-paying research opportunities and teaching positions at colleges and universities. Salaries for various PhD roles can be:

• Professor: $80,840
• Research Scientist: $130,117
• Research Specialist: $58,746
• Research Consultant: $75,435

Skills

DSW

Pursuing a DSW allows you to develop the advanced skills necessary to become an influential community leader and practitioner. Some of those skills are the following:

• Empathy: The most essential skill is showing empathy for all individuals you encounter. Empathy also allows you to determine each person's needs based on their unique experience.
• Advocacy: Being a social worker promotes social justice and empowers individuals and communities. Moreover, advocating allows you to represent and argue for the vulnerable members of society and connect them with the resources and opportunities they need. 
• Patience: Another vital skill in social work is being patient with individuals and the complex circumstances they find themselves in. Through patience, you'll be able to understand the situations people are in and avoid any hasty decisions that can lead to errors and poor outcomes. 
• Cultural Awareness: Working in the social work sector means working with people from diverse backgrounds. So, you must be respectful and responsive to different cultural beliefs and practices. 

PhD

With a PhD in social work, you'll get to work in academia or research, developing specific skills that empower you to contribute valuable knowledge in the field. Some of those skills are:

• Data Collection: Working as a researcher in the field means gathering and analyzing data within the social work context. Data collection can include interviews, observations, surveys, records, or databases. 
• Problem-Solving: Becoming a field researcher involves problem-solving skills when identifying survey design issues, interpreting survey results, and adjusting survey questions. Moreover, you need problem-solving skills when resolving personnel issues. 
• Report Writing: Report writing skills allow you to explain your work, provide important and systematic information, and make a case for taking a particular course of action. 
• Organization: Working as a researcher, you'll have to manage large amounts of information, research findings, and literature, so you must possess excellent organizational skills to make analyzing and synthesizing the data easier later on.
• Logical Reasoning: You must utilize critical thinking and logical reasoning to understand complex social issues and derive meaningful conclusions. This involves evaluating assumptions, arguments, evidence, and perspectives, challenging and improving social work practice.

Should I Pursue a DSW or a PhD in Social Work?

While both pathways are valuable in the social work sector, they help you achieve different goals in the field, so you'll find one that better fits you. So, how do you determine if a DSW or a PhD is better for you?

When choosing between them, you should consider several factors, such as 

• Career Goals: If you want to advance to leadership roles in policy advocacy, social work administration, or clinical social work, a DSW will suit you better. However, if you want to become a postgraduate teacher or become a researcher, a PhD would be a better fit for you. 
• Personal Strengths: If you excel in hands-on practice, such as clinical practice (therapy, counseling, or clinical supervision), a DSW may be a good fit. On the other hand, if you possess strong analytical and critical skills, which are crucial for designing and executing research studies, a PhD might be better suited to you. 
• Impact: When determining which degree is better for you, you should also determine which is the preferred area of impact within the field of social work. Suppose you want to directly help people at a personal and community level, analyze the latest public policy initiatives, or manage a social work organization. In that case, a DSW degree might be better for you. In contrast, if you want to impact the social work field by producing findings that improve social work practice and pass your knowledge and skills to the next generation, a PhD in social work might be the degree you want to pursue. 

Ultimately, your decision should depend on your aspiration and how you envision impacting the advancement of social work, either by research or practical work. 

The Bottom Line

A DSW and a PhD in social work can help you positively impact individuals, families, and communities. By earning a DSW, you can have direct contact with people and help them through their challenging times or rise through the ranks and take on leadership roles to implement the best social work practices. On the other hand, by earning a PhD, you can conduct research on how to improve social work practice, or you can positively impact the field by shaping the new generations of social workers. 

As both options differ in focus, you'll find other differences in career options, salaries, growth opportunities, and the skills needed to succeed. So let these differences and factors like career goals, personal strengths, and preferred areas of impact guide you to the right option for you. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Is a PhD better than a DSW?

This depends on your career goals, personal strengths, and what area you want to focus on after your studies. A PhD might be better for you if you want to focus on educating the next generation of social workers and want to do independent research in the field. In contrast, a DSW might be better if you seek leadership roles in social work.

Is it worth getting a DSW degree?

Pursuing a DSW degree can be worthwhile if you’re interested in applying your highly advanced skills in the social work sector. Moreover, a DSW allows you to advance further in your career and have more control over organizational policy and administrative duties. Thus, you can be at the front lines of positive changes in the sector.

Is a social work PhD worth it?

Pursuing a PhD in social work is worthwhile for many reasons. Firstly, a PhD in social work broadens your scope of practice and helps you stand out in the sector. A PhD also enables you to become a postsecondary teacher in colleges and universities. Lastly, it helps you positively impact others' lives by allowing you to advocate for individuals.