Rutgers University · New Brunswick, New Jersey

Doctor of Social Work (DSW) at Rutgers University

DSWOn campusCSWE candidacyClinical

What Should You Know About Doctor of Social Work (DSW) at Rutgers University?

Doctor of Social Work (DSW) is a practice doctorate (DSW) at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey, offered on campus (nine onsite weekend residencies and two online residencies per year). It requires 54 credits and takes 3 years. Final project: portfolio (case study, qualitative research project and multimedia project) in place of a traditional dissertation. CSWE status: candidacy.

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How Doctor of Social Work (DSW) Works

Degree
DSW
Format
On campus
Residency and class meetings
Nine onsite weekend residencies and two online residencies per year
Schedule
Full-time cohort
Credits
54 credits
Length
3 years
Final project
Portfolio (case study, qualitative research project and multimedia project) in place of a traditional dissertation
Focus areas
Clinical social work
Start terms
Fall

Admission to Rutgers University's DSW

Degree you need
An earned MSW from a CSWE-accredited program (graduate GPA of 3.6 or higher; explanatory statement accepted below the threshold)
Practice experience
Minimum 2 years post-MSW experience
License
LSW required; LCSW preferred
GRE
No GRE scores required

From socialwork.rutgers.edu, reviewed October 10, 2026. Check start dates, deadlines and current tuition with the school before you apply.

How Doctor of Social Work (DSW) Compares

  • Its 54 credits compare with a median of 48 across practice doctorates that state credits.
  • It asks for 2 years of post-master's practice; the median among practice doctorates that state a figure is 2.
  • It doesn't require the GRE, like 13 of the 38 practice doctorates on this site.
  • It ends in an applied capstone, as do 29 of the 38 practice doctorates on this site.

Is Doctor of Social Work (DSW) at Rutgers University CSWE-Accredited?

Rutgers University's practice doctorate is in CSWE candidacy (directory captured September 30, 2026): it is working toward accreditation and is not yet accredited.

Every CSWE-accredited and candidate DSW program

Other Social Work Doctorates at Rutgers University

Similar DSW Programs at Other Schools

Practice doctorates sharing a format with this one, closest in estimated tuition first.

Doctor of Social Work (DSW) at Rutgers University: Common Questions

How Long Is Doctor of Social Work (DSW) at Rutgers University?

3 years, 54 credits, according to the school's program page.

What Do You Need to Apply to Doctor of Social Work (DSW) at Rutgers University?

An earned MSW from a CSWE-accredited program (graduate GPA of 3.6 or higher; explanatory statement accepted below the threshold). Minimum 2 years post-MSW experience. LSW required; LCSW preferred.

Does Doctor of Social Work (DSW) at Rutgers University Require the GRE?

No GRE scores required, according to Rutgers University's admissions information.

Is Doctor of Social Work (DSW) at Rutgers University Online?

No. It is offered on campus: nine onsite weekend residencies and two online residencies per year.

Is Doctor of Social Work (DSW) at Rutgers University CSWE-Accredited?

Rutgers University's practice doctorate is in CSWE candidacy (directory captured September 30, 2026): it is working toward accreditation and is not yet accredited.

Compare Programs Like This One

Sources

  1. socialwork.rutgers.edu: Doctor of Social Work (DSW) program page, reviewed October 10, 2026
  2. Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), practice doctorate program directory, captured September 30, 2026

Every program on this site was checked on the school's own website in October 2026. CSWE status for practice doctorates comes only from the Council on Social Work Education's own directory, and program size from U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS) doctoral completions. Sponsored listings are labeled as ads and never change which programs we list or how we rank them. How we verify programs