Doctor of Social Work

The Doctor of Social Work (DSW) is a research degree that will enable experienced practitioners in social work to develop excellence in practice research and practice development, review and develop theoretical approaches to the changing context of welfare, articulate new forms of practice appropriate for the new century, be qualified to take on leadership roles in the profession and in human services and be identified with continuing professional education at the University of Sydney.

This professional higher degree will encompass three activities: directly relevant coursework, practice development research at a high standard, and a research thesis of 50,000 words which links the other two components in an extended piece of writing and analysis. Such a pattern is intended to develop the student for leadership in practice, teaching or practice research.

The combination of social work and social policy units of study provides the foundation for the School of Social Work's intellectual focus on equity, social justice and social empowerment in its teaching and research.

The School has a broad range of pure and applied research interests such as specific population groups (including women, the young, migrants and Aboriginal Australians); theories of social work practice; comparative studies of welfare policy and practice in a range of sociocultural settings (including Europe and Asia); the history and theory of the welfare state; a range of social welfare issues and social policy areas.

Staff maintain a broad range of community involvements, including sitting on local, state and national advisory boards, serving on community welfare organisations' boards, and providing advice to a range of welfare agencies.

The Doctor of Social Work is a research degree requiring 3-4 years of full time study (3-8 years of part time study), structured as follows:

Year 1

Students complete core coursework; two units of study in research, one in social practice and one in social policy.

Students also complete elective coursework; one unit of study in social work practice and/or social policy, and one unit from a range of units which may include those cross-listed with other departments.

Year 2

Students undertake a thesis and doctoral seminar.

Year 3

Students continue with their thesis and doctoral seminar.

In finding a supervisor, you are advised to use our enquiry form.

Furthermore, our website provides a comprehensive list of the key research interests of our staff. You can also search our directory.

Students may enter the program

• directly
• as Probationary A
  (students in this category are enrolled in the DSW degree and must take the unit of study SCWK 6902 - Social Research, and achieve a result of 70% or above, and the unit of study SCWK 6908 - Authorised Independent Study and Report, and obtain a result of 80% or above. The candidate must meet these conditions in the first 12 months of the program or part-time equivalent to proceed with the DSW).
• as Probationary B
  (students in this category are enrolled initially in the Master of Social Work degree and must undertake both the unit of study SCWK 6902 - Social Research, and one other approved postgraduate unit of study, with a final result of 70% or greater in both. They must also enrol in the unit of study SCWK 6908 - Authorised Independent Study and Report, and obtain a result of 80% or above. If the candidate meets these conditions in the first 12 months of their candidature, or part time equivalent, then they will be transferred to the DSW program.)

depending on their level experience and previous qualifications. The precise entry requirements are listed on our pathways to higher research in Social Work page.

Local Students

No fees are necessary for local students undertaking a research degree.

International Students

International 2008 fees are AUD$19,440 p.a. (for a year of full time study - 48 credit points or equivalent).

Comprehensive information about international fees is available from the International Office.

Additional information for International applications is also available from this website.

Please note these fees may increase in subsequent years.

If you've got a question about this degree program, please ask it via our enquiry form, or contact the coordinator Dr Fran Waugh.