University of Alabama DSW and PhD in Social Work Programs
The University of Alabama
DSWPhDPublicSchool of Social Work
What Social Work Doctorates Does University of Alabama Offer?
University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Alabama offers 2 social work doctorates: Doctor of Social Work (DSW) and PhD in Social Work, with the DSW online. Estimated DSW tuition is $19,800 before fees. The PhD is funded, with tuition covered and a stipend or assistantship.
Mandatory on-campus residencies in early June: 4 days in the first year and 5 days in the second year, plus a capstone presentation before graduation
Schedule
Part-time study offered
Credits
45 credits
Length
2 years of coursework followed by a Capstone Project that typically takes a year
Final project
Capstone Project: an intervention development, implementation and evaluation; a practice-focused thesis; or a first-authored manuscript in a peer-reviewed journal
Degree you need
MSW from a CSWE-accredited program
Practice experience
At least 3 years of post-MSW program experience
License
Applicants for the Advanced Clinical Practice Track should have a current social work license
GRE
No GRE requirement
Tuition
$440 per credit hour, not including additional feesProgram tuition, per credit. Source: socialwork.ua.edu, reviewed October 10, 2026.
Estimated tuition
$19,800$440 per credit times 45 credits, before fees.
Core PhD courses meet Mondays and Tuesdays during the day on campus in Tuscaloosa
Schedule
Full-time cohort
Credits
68 hours, including 18 hours of dissertation research
Length
Most students take 4 to 5 years; required course work takes 2 to 2.5 years
Final project
Dissertation
Degree you need
Completion of an MSW is required to graduate; applicants without an MSW may pursue the concurrent MSW/PhD
Practice experience
Post-MSW experience is not required but strengthens an application
GRE
GRE scores are not required
Funding
Admitted students are customarily funded for a minimum of three years, covering tuition, a stipend of about $1,900 per month during the fall and spring semesters, and health insurance
From University of Alabama's own program, admissions and tuition pages, reviewed October 10, 2026. Tuition changes each year; confirm fees with the school.
University of Alabama's practice doctorate 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. State licensing boards look at your MSW, which is where CSWE accreditation is required.
CSWE doesn't accredit research doctorates, so the PhD carries no CSWE status; PhD programs are covered by the university's institutional accreditation.
Social Work Doctorates Awarded at University of Alabama
research doctorates (PhD) awarded, 2022-23
6
practice doctorates (DSW) awarded, 2022-23
31
Federal completions data (IPEDS, CIP 44.0701) count 37 social work doctorates awarded by University of Alabama in 2022-23. By research doctorates, that places it 26th of 80 schools on this site that awarded any. These are awards conferred, not graduates or outcomes, and newer programs show none yet.
More Social Work Doctorates in Alabama and Bordering States
University of Alabama DSW and PhD: Common Questions
Is University of Alabama's DSW CSWE-Accredited?
University of Alabama's practice doctorate 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. State licensing boards look at your MSW, which is where CSWE accreditation is required.
Can You Earn University of Alabama's DSW Online?
Yes. Doctor of Social Work (DSW) (online; mandatory on-campus residencies in early June: 4 days in the first year and 5 days in the second year, plus a capstone presentation before graduation).
How Much Does University of Alabama's DSW Cost?
Doctor of Social Work (DSW): $440 per credit hour, not including additional fees, about $19,800 for 45 credits before fees.
Is University of Alabama's PhD in Social Work Funded?
PhD in Social Work: Admitted students are customarily funded for a minimum of three years, covering tuition, a stipend of about $1,900 per month during the fall and spring semesters, and health insurance.
What Do You Need to Apply to University of Alabama's DSW and PhD?
Doctor of Social Work (DSW): MSW from a CSWE-accredited program. At least 3 years of post-MSW program experience. Applicants for the Advanced Clinical Practice Track should have a current social work license. PhD in Social Work: Completion of an MSW is required to graduate; applicants without an MSW may pursue the concurrent MSW/PhD. Post-MSW experience is not required but strengthens an application.
Does University of Alabama Require the GRE?
Doctor of Social Work (DSW): No GRE requirement. PhD in Social Work: GRE scores are not required.
How Long Does University of Alabama's DSW and PhD Take?
Doctor of Social Work (DSW): 2 years of coursework followed by a Capstone Project that typically takes a year (45 credits). PhD in Social Work: Most students take 4 to 5 years; required course work takes 2 to 2.5 years (68 hours, including 18 hours of dissertation research).
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