Online Doctorate of Social Work
Reach Your Highest Potential With a Doctor of Social Work Online
100% Online
As Few As 3 Years
54 Credit Hours
$885 per Credit
Request More Information
Complete this form to receive information about coursework, admissions, tuition and more.
Benefit From Guidance, Resources and Support Throughout Your DSW Degree
- Apply By: 08/14/2026
- Start Class: 08/25/2026
Earning your doctorate of social work online with DSU means joining a highly supportive community of mentoring faculty, dedicated staff and motivated peers. With optional in-person and virtual events, you will be able to connect and network with like-minded social work professionals. This DSW degree is designed to transform experienced social workers into innovative leaders, ready to pioneer social change in fields like teaching and research.
Program Details
- Prepare for high-impact social work roles in academia
- Mentoring faculty who know you by name
- Learn in an intimate cohort model
- No entrance exams required
- Delaware’s #1 supplier of social workers of color1
More Information About This Program
Click on each tab below to learn additional details regarding the program requirements and features.
Curriculum
Elevate Your Practice With Curriculum Designed to Challenge You
As Few As 3 Years
54 Total Credits
Our rigorous curriculum is taught by active social work practitioners and designed for seasoned social work professionals pursuing their final academic milestone. Anchored in the CSWE-endorsed values of dignity, inclusion and scientific inquiry, this online social work doctorate prepares you to become a leader in the field.
Throughout this DSW degree, there are required synchronous class meetings which can be completed virtually or on campus, depending on your preference and location. During your final three courses, you will propose, write and defend a capstone project to demonstrate to the DSW Capstone Committee your doctoral-level understanding of social work.
How Does Delaware State’s Online DSW Degree Stand Out?
Pursue Your Doctorate With a Close-Knit Community
This doctoral program features a cohort model, allowing you to progress alongside a small, supportive group of peers also seeking their DSW.
Create a Specialized Social Work Elective Course
In SCWK 821, you will design an elective course — from learning outcomes to activities to class policies — covering your chosen social work area.
Learn From a Curriculum That Values Your Lived Experience
As a proud HBCU, our curriculum respects your identity, affirms the Black perspective and teaches social work concepts within key cultural context.
Admission Requirements
Don’t Wait – Apply for Your Online Social Work Doctorate Today
Application Deadline 08/14/26
Start Date 08/25/26
If you hold a Master of Social Work from a CSWE-accredited program and maintained a graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher, you are likely eligible for this doctorate of social work online program. Take a look at the table below to see the necessary documents and other items the DSU admission team requires.
| Online Application Form | Apply Now |
|---|---|
| Degree and Minimum GPA | A Master of Social Work degree from a CSWE-accredited program with a minimum cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale |
| Transcripts | Send official transcripts from each college or university attended |
| Transfer Credits | You may apply up to nine applicable credits to your graduate degree program |
| Official Test Scores | No GMAT, GRE or other test scores required |
| Additional Requirements |
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International Students
DSU offers an empowering community to students from around the world. In addition to the basic admission requirements, you’ll submit the following items with your application. Be sure to apply at least 90 days before classes start so that you have ample time to fulfill these requirements.
| Visa | Only F-1 visas are accepted for international admission to degree programs. If you’re an F-1 transfer student, we require a copy of your I-20 form upon admission |
|---|---|
| Financial Documentation | International applicants must submit proof of funds to cover at least their first year of study. If living with a friend or relative in the U.S., students must submit additional documentation such as an affidavit of free room and board with supporting documents. For financial documentation, international students must forward the required financial evidence to the Office of International Affairs |
| Transcript Evaluation | Transcripts must be evaluated by a recognized credential evaluation agency (such as WES or ECE) and sent to DSU |
| Standardized Test Scores | Acceptable tests include TOEFL, IELTS, SAT, ACT or ELI |
Begin Your Journey to Delaware State University
Each student follows a unique path to DSU, and we’re here to make your journey a success. Visit our Admissions Hub to explore the steps you’ll complete when applying for an online program. You can also learn about transferring credits, using military benefits and taking the next step as an international student.
AdmissionsTuition & Aid
What’s the Cost of the DSU Online DSW?
Calculate your cost for attending Delaware State University Use our tuition calculator to help you estimate your total tuition costs.
Your online Doctor of Social Work is more than a terminal degree; it’s a strategic step toward more career opportunities and higher earning potential. Review the table below to understand how DSU’s online tuition positions you for long-term professional success in social work and related fields.
| Cost per Credit Hour | $885 |
|---|---|
| Total Number of Credit Hours | 54 |
| Total Estimated Tuition | $47,790 |
| Additional Fees |
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| Other Costs to Budget For | The estimated tuition does not include expenses incurred during the online program |
Supporting the Ambitions of Military Students
DSU is proud to support the educational goals of active-duty and veteran service members. Here, you’ll receive guidance for your mission to continue your education, and you can make the most of the benefits available through the Department of Veterans Affairs. Plus, learn how you can receive credit for the knowledge and skills gained through your military service.
Tuition & Financial Aid
When you succeed professionally, your entire community rises with you. Knowing that education plays a central role in that success, DSU offers cost-effective tuition so that financial barriers don’t stand between you and your goals. Visit our Tuition and Aid page to learn how to make online education fit your budget.
Tuition Details
Explore Opportunities in Leadership, Academia and Research
Prepare for career advancement beyond direct social work practice when you earn a doctorate of social work online from Delaware State, a university recognized for excellent online programs.2 This terminal degree demonstrates your high level of expertise in social work and related topics, positioning you for a wide range of leadership opportunities in higher education, research and more. Employer demand for social work experts is on the rise,3 and you can set yourself apart with a DSW online program.
Take the Next Step in Your Social Work Career
Postsecondary Teachers $83,980 per year4
Federal, State and Local Government Social Workers $94,260 per year5
“The DSW program has been truly life-changing for me. It strengthened my leadership, expanded my clinical and research skills, and opened doors I never imagined: teaching opportunities, consulting work, community partnerships and panel invitations. This program has given me clarity, confidence and a stronger vision for the kind of leader and change agent I want to be.”
–Armina Domingue, LMSW, Current Doctor of Social Work Student
What You’ll Learn
As a nationally acclaimed HBCU,6 Delaware State’s curriculum is grounded in cultural context and global perspectives. Become a leader in equitable, practice-informed social change when you deepen your understanding in the following key areas:
- Theoretical and methodological approaches
- Historical and modern social work theories
- Societal assumptions and their implications
- Advanced social work policy analysis
Program Outcomes
- 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
Learn From Faculty Who Believe in Your Potential
Our faculty will welcome you like family and provide personalized mentorship to bring your goals to life. They understand your perspective and experiences — after all, many of our instructors walked similar paths before becoming leaders in their fields. Rely on their professional expertise as you prepare to advance in the career that interests you.
Dr. Amy D. Habeger, PhD, MSW, LCSW, DSW Program Director and Associate Professor
Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Amy D. Habeger, PhD, MSW, LCSW
Dr. Habeger earned her doctorate in organizational leadership from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore in 2017, in which her dissertation topic was “Professional Adaptation: Investigating Clinical Social Workers in Integrated Primary Care – A Leadership Study.” She is a licensed social worker and an active member of the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and the National Association of Social Work (NASW).
Sources
- State of Delaware. Office of Management and Budget, Budget Development and Planning. “FY27 Governor’s Recommended Operating Budget – Higher Education.” Retrieved February 20, 2026, from https://budget.delaware.gov/budget/fy2026/documents/narratives/dsu.pdf.
- Forbes. “Best HBCUs With Online Degrees of 2026.” Retrieved February 20, 2026, from https://www.forbes.com/advisor/education/online-colleges/best-hbcu/.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook. “Social Workers.” Retrieved February 18, 2026, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook. “Postsecondary Teacher.” Retrieved February 20, 2026, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/postsecondary-teachers.htm.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook. “Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.” Retrieved February 20, 2026, from https://www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes211029.htm.
- U.S. News & World Report. “Delaware State University Rankings.” Retrieved February 20, 2026, from https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/delaware-state-university-1428.