DSW Info Sessions

Ready to learn more about the Doctor of Social Work (DSW) program? Register below for an upcoming info session.

Info sessions are hosted online through Zoom. During the session, we will discuss the program, curriculum, application and admission timeline.

DSW Info Session Dates and Registration Links

Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025
noon to 1 p.m. CT
Register for the Nov. 18 info session

Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026
noon to 1 p.m. CT
Register for the Jan. 20 info session

KU DSW Information

About the Online DSW at KU

The online Doctor of Social Work (DSW) program at the KU School of Social Welfare is designed to produce expert practitioner-scholars who go on to teach, supervise and mentor.

42 credit hours
100% online, with classes held every other Saturday
Complete the program in 2 years full-time or 3-4 years part-time study
Designed for working professionals
Complete a Capstone Project for this practice-centered DSW degree

DSW Admissions and Application

Admission to the KU DSW program requires:

A master's degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program or a Canadian Association for Social Work Education (CASWE) accredited Master of Social Work Program
Minimum of three (3) years of clinical or macro practice experience beyond the master’s degree in social work

The admissions application for Fall 2026 is open from October 2025 to February 2026.

Learn more about the DSW application process and application requirements.

DSW Program Information

DSW Program Contacts

Tara Combes

Senior Graduate Academic Advisor
MSW Advisor - Advanced Standing Online (Jayhawk Global)
DSW Advisor - Online (Jayhawk Global)

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Edward Scanlon

DSW Program Director
Associate Professor

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DSW Stories

National conference presentation highlights KU DSW program

DSW Program Director Ed Scanlon highlighted the KU DSW program's focus on translating research to practice during a national conference presentation. “We build on what is called implementation science to help our graduates become leaders in community and agency settings as idea disseminators - people who translate research into practice," Scanlon said.

Graduating DSW Spotlight: Sharilyn Ray

Sharilyn Ray will be in the first cohort of students to graduate from KU's online Doctor of Social Work (DSW) program. Ray, who is the founder and CEO at Restoration Family Services in Wichita, entered the program with decades of experience in social work.

Why pursue a DSW at KU? Hear from current students

Student Spotlights: Doctor of Social Work (DSW) program

Gaining leadership experience, applying research to their day-to-day work, and building advocacy skills are some of the reasons KU DSW students give for joining the program. Watch video interviews with students about why they chose the online DSW at KU.

Read all stories