Spalding University · Louisville, Kentucky

Doctor of Social Work (DSW) in Leadership in Community Practices at Spalding University

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What Should You Know About Doctor of Social Work (DSW) in Leadership in Community Practices at Spalding University?

Doctor of Social Work (DSW) in Leadership in Community Practices is a practice doctorate (DSW) at Spalding University in Louisville, Kentucky, offered online (low-residency format; all courses taught with online synchronous and asynchronous instruction, with virtual classes on Saturdays). It requires 50 credit hours and takes two years. Final project: student-directed capstone that includes an original research project. At $850 per credit, estimated tuition is $42,500 before fees.

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How Doctor of Social Work (DSW) in Leadership in Community Practices Works

Degree
DSW
Format
Online
Residency and class meetings
Low-residency format; all courses taught with online synchronous and asynchronous instruction, with virtual classes on Saturdays
Credits
50 credit hours
Length
Two years
Final project
Student-directed capstone that includes an original research project
Focus areas
Leadership in Community Practices
Start terms
Fall

Admission to Spalding University's DSW

Degree you need
MSW from a CSWE-accredited institution, with a minimum 3.3 MSW GPA
Practice experience
Minimum of two years of post-MSW practice experience

What Spalding University's DSW Costs

Tuition
$850 per credit hour (2026-2027)Program tuition, per credit, 2026-27. Source: spalding.edu, reviewed October 10, 2026.
Estimated tuition
$42,500$850 per credit times 50 credits, before fees.

Add fees and federal loans to the Spalding University DSW estimate

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

How Doctor of Social Work (DSW) in Leadership in Community Practices Compares

  • Estimated tuition of $42,500 is the 8th lowest of 19 practice doctorates on this site with an estimate (median $45,000).
  • Its 50 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 ends in an applied capstone, as do 29 of the 38 practice doctorates on this site.

Is Doctor of Social Work (DSW) in Leadership in Community Practices at Spalding University CSWE-Accredited?

Doctor of Social Work (DSW) in Leadership in Community Practices isn't in CSWE's practice doctorate directory (captured September 30, 2026). CSWE began accrediting practice doctorates only recently: of the 38 DSW programs on this site, 4 are accredited and 11 are in candidacy or pre-candidacy.

Every CSWE-accredited and candidate DSW program

Similar DSW Programs at Other Schools

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

Doctor of Social Work (DSW) in Leadership in Community Practices at Spalding University: Common Questions

How Much Does Doctor of Social Work (DSW) in Leadership in Community Practices at Spalding University Cost?

$850 per credit hour (2026-2027) (2026-27). That works out to about $42,500 for 50 credits, before fees.

How Long Is Doctor of Social Work (DSW) in Leadership in Community Practices at Spalding University?

Two years, 50 credit hours, according to the school's program page.

What Do You Need to Apply to Doctor of Social Work (DSW) in Leadership in Community Practices at Spalding University?

MSW from a CSWE-accredited institution, with a minimum 3.3 MSW GPA. Minimum of two years of post-MSW practice experience.

Is Doctor of Social Work (DSW) in Leadership in Community Practices at Spalding University Online?

Yes. It is offered online: low-residency format; all courses taught with online synchronous and asynchronous instruction, with virtual classes on Saturdays.

Is Doctor of Social Work (DSW) in Leadership in Community Practices at Spalding University CSWE-Accredited?

Doctor of Social Work (DSW) in Leadership in Community Practices isn't in CSWE's practice doctorate directory (captured September 30, 2026). CSWE began accrediting practice doctorates only recently: of the 38 DSW programs on this site, 4 are accredited and 11 are in candidacy or pre-candidacy.

Compare Programs Like This One

Sources

  1. spalding.edu: Doctor of Social Work (DSW) in Leadership in Community Practices 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