Policy Practice

Description

Walden’s Online Doctor of Social Work (DSW) program dedicated to advanced social work professionals prepares you to help society address its most pressing challenges. Become an advocate for social justice and become a recognized leader in your field. Enhance your ability to address challenges and make a difference in the well-being of individuals, families, and communities. Benefit from a curriculum based on the latest research and modern practices in social work, Walden’s DSW program provides an opportunity for relevant learning. Engage in an action research project in which you put your knowledge and skills to work to address a real-world problem.

Choose from multiple specializations to align your studies with your interests, including Medical Social Work, Addictions and Social Work, and Clinical Expertise. Acquire the skills to evaluate, design, and execute social welfare programs that make a positive difference.

The DSW program at Walden allows you to expand your practice to new populations and pursue leadership roles in social work agencies and organizations. Advance your career while making a significant and positive impact on public welfare in various settings, including schools, government agencies, and mental health organizations.

The Doctor of Social Work program includes seven specializations:

• Addictions and Social Work
• Criminal Justice
• Disaster, Crisis, and Intervention
• Family Studies and Interventions
• Medical Social Work
• Policy Practice
• Social Work Administration

Why choose the Policy Practice specialization?

The Policy Practice specialization offers an insight into effective policy and sustainable change that result in the successful collaboration with legislators, lobbyists, organizations, and other groups. This specialization can help you advance the quality of life in society by identifying community needs and learning best practices for working with stakeholders on pressing social policy issues. Analyze the key factors that influence decision making related to social change. Learn how to engage and communicate with local, state, and federal governments.

Study outcomes

Graduates of this program will be prepared to:

Utilize current research, practices, and theory to promote prevention and intervention strategies.

Employ various research and statistical tools.

Evaluate the role of research and evaluation in social work.

Critically evaluate the history of social work, its mission, and core values.

Promote social change by collaborating with leaders, agencies, and universities to advocate for policies.

Apply ethical decision making and practices in social work.

Career options

With a Doctor of Social Work (DSW) from Walden, you can gain the skills needed to become an advanced practitioner. This doctoral degree program can also prepare you to become a leader in designing, implementing, and assessing social welfare programs and policies.

A DSW can prepare you to pursue roles at the forefront of the social work profession:

• Leader in agencies and organizations
• Program director
• Evaluator of social work practice and agencies
• Supervisor in social work organizations

Contents

Completion Requirements

• 77 total quarter credit hours
  • Core courses (36 cr.)
  • Specialization courses (15 cr.)
  • Clinical seminar (6 cr.)
  • Action research project (20 cr.)
  • One 6-day residency

Time to completion may vary by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable.

Lecturers

Walden’s School of Social Work and Human Services features a distinguished faculty of scholars, researchers, and professionals with public and private sector experience who share a commitment to teaching. They blend academic theory with first-hand knowledge to enrich your learning experience and to broaden your perspectives on the latest issues and best practices.

Requirements

Admission requirements for Walden’s programs vary but generally include the following:

• Official transcript(s)
• Transfer of credits based on a course-by-course evaluation of relevant transcripts
• A master's degree or higher
• Applicable test scores
• Completed online application
• Employment history
• List of transfer credits

English Language Requirements

IELTS band: 6.5 TOEFL paper-based test score : 550 TOEFL iBT® test: 79

Work Experience

At least 3 year(s) of work experience is required.

Three years of related professional or academic experience

Technological Requirements

Computer and internet access.

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Want to improve your English level for admission?
Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• Flexible study schedule
• Experienced teachers
• Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

More

Accreditation

At Walden, our goal is to help you reach yours. From your first inquiry about your online program, through every step in your studies, you can benefit from our wide range of student support services designed to help you succeed in attaining your degree online.

Founded in 1970, Walden University is a global leader in student-centred online education. A regionally accredited institution in the United States, Walden University attracts a community of extraordinary students and faculty from around the world.

Our quality online programs feature nationally recognized experts, accomplished faculty, and visionary leaders—all professionals who are dedicated to upholding the university’s high academic standards.

Mission

Walden University’s mission is to provide a diverse community of career professionals with the opportunity to transform themselves as scholar-practitioners so that they can effect positive social change. Three values—quality, integrity, and student-centred approach—are at the core of the university. A commitment to these values demands high standards of excellence, uncompromising openness and honesty, and primary attention to the progress of our students.

Credentials

Accreditation is an important hallmark of quality. When evaluating credentials, employers and universities often look for applicants who earned their degrees from accredited universities.

Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association. The North Central Association is one of the six regional accrediting associations recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. The North Central Association is a U.S. membership organization for educational institutions that was created to develop and maintain high standards of academic excellence.