The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign School of Social Work is proud to introduce its Doctor of Social Work (DSW) specializing in organizational administration and leadership. Designed for experienced professionals working across the nonprofit and human services sectors, this fully online, part-time program integrates social work values with advanced leadership, management, finance, and organizational strategy to prepare professionals to lead complex human services organizations and drive systems change.
The DSW is a practice-focused doctorate that emphasizes the application of research, theory, and evidence to improve real-world practice, programs, and policies. Unlike the PhD in Social Work, which centers on generating new research and scholarly theory, the DSW prepares experienced professionals to translate evidence into action—strengthening organizations, improving systems, and creating lasting community impact.
Graduates from the University of Illinois will be prepared to:
- Direct nonprofit, governmental, and human services organizations.
- Serve as program managers, executive directors, or senior administrators.
- Lead large-scale change initiatives in complex service systems.
- Consult with organizations on governance, finance, and program improvement.
The inaugural cohort will begin in Fall 2027. Visit the DSW website to learn more about the curriculum, admissions requirements, and program details. https://choose.illinois.edu/register/?id=91a0a171-bd6c-467a-b152-310618736821 to receive program updates and be notified when applications open during the Fall 2026 semester.