Develop your leadership. Strengthen your organization. Create change that lasts. Our online DSW program is designed for experienced social work professionals ready to lead, innovate, and transform the future of human service organizations.

You’ve dedicated your career to strengthening and supporting people, communities and organizations. Now it’s time to lead on a larger scale. The Doctor of Social Work (DSW) specializing in organizational administration and leadership prepares experienced professionals to lead with confidence, navigate complex organizational challenges, and drive meaningful change in communities and systems. Designed for working professionals, our fully online, part-time program blends advanced social work practice with the business expertise and leadership skills needed at the executive level.

Program Overview

The DSW specializing in organizational administration and leadership is an advanced practice degree for professionals ready to lead at the highest levels of human service, nonprofit, and public-sector organizations. Grounded in equity, social justice, and ethical leadership, the program equips you to influence policy, strengthen organizations, and drive innovation across systems of care and support.

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 advances the professional’s ability to translate knowledge into action—bridging the gap between research and practice to create lasting organizational and community impact.

Graduates from the University of Illinois will be prepared to:

• Direct nonprofit, governmental, and human service 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.

Program Highlights

• Fully Online – Asynchronous coursework paired with weekly live sessions.
• Part-Time, Flexible Schedule – Designed for professionals balancing work, life, and study.
• 3-Year Completion – Two and a half years of coursework plus a final capstone semester.
• Interdisciplinary Excellence – Offered in collaboration with the internationally renowned Gies College of Business.
• Leadership-Focused Curriculum – Courses develop expertise in governance, finance, HR, policy, fundraising, and strategic communication.