University of Kentucky DSW and PhD in Social Work Programs
CSWE candidacyDSWPhDPublicCollege of Social Work
What Social Work Doctorates Does University of Kentucky Offer?
University of Kentucky in Lexington, Kentucky offers 2 social work doctorates: Online Doctorate in Social Work (DSW) and Ph.D. in Social Work, with the DSW online. CSWE lists the practice doctorate as in candidacy. Estimated DSW tuition is $33,180 before fees. The PhD is funded, with tuition covered and a stipend or assistantship.
One synchronous Residency Week, with an asynchronous alternative available
Credits
42 credits
Length
2-3 years
Final project
Capstone project embedded throughout coursework and supervised by a Capstone Mentor
Degree you need
MSW from a CSWE-accredited program; minimum 3.0 graduate GPA (3.5 strongly encouraged)
Practice experience
Two years of post-MSW experience in the social work/human services field
GRE
No GRE required
Start terms
Spring, Summer
Tuition
$790 per credit hour for all online DSW students regardless of residence, plus a $10 per credit hour distance learning feeProgram tuition, per credit. Source: socialworkonline.uky.edu, reviewed October 10, 2026.
Estimated tuition
$33,180$790 per credit times 42 credits, before fees.
CSWE status
CandidacyCSWE practice doctorate directory, September 30, 2026.
From University of Kentucky's own program, admissions and tuition pages, reviewed October 10, 2026. Tuition changes each year; confirm fees with the school.
Blank cells: the school's pages don't give that figure.
How University of Kentucky Compares
Estimated tuition for Online Doctorate in Social Work (DSW) is $33,180, the 3rd lowest of 19 practice doctorates on this site with an estimate (median $45,000).
Online Doctorate in Social Work (DSW) requires 42 credits; the median practice doctorate on this site requires 48.
Online Doctorate in Social Work (DSW) asks for 2 years of post-master's practice, against a median of 2 among DSWs that state a figure.
University of Kentucky states that its PhD students are funded, like 46 of the 77 social work PhDs on this site.
University of Kentucky's practice doctorate is in CSWE candidacy (directory captured September 30, 2026): it is working toward accreditation and is not yet accredited.
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 Kentucky
research doctorates (PhD) awarded, 2022-23
5
practice doctorates (DSW) awarded, 2022-23
93
Federal completions data (IPEDS, CIP 44.0701) count 98 social work doctorates awarded by University of Kentucky in 2022-23. By research doctorates, that places it 38th 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 Kentucky and Bordering States
University of Kentucky DSW and PhD: Common Questions
Is University of Kentucky's DSW CSWE-Accredited?
University of Kentucky's practice doctorate is in CSWE candidacy (directory captured September 30, 2026): it is working toward accreditation and is not yet accredited.
Can You Earn University of Kentucky's DSW Online?
Yes. Online Doctorate in Social Work (DSW) (online; one synchronous Residency Week, with an asynchronous alternative available).
How Much Does University of Kentucky's DSW Cost?
Online Doctorate in Social Work (DSW): $790 per credit hour for all online DSW students regardless of residence, plus a $10 per credit hour distance learning fee, about $33,180 for 42 credits before fees.
Is University of Kentucky's PhD in Social Work Funded?
Ph.D. in Social Work: Scholarships, fellowships and assistantships available.
What Do You Need to Apply to University of Kentucky's DSW and PhD?
Online Doctorate in Social Work (DSW): MSW from a CSWE-accredited program; minimum 3.0 graduate GPA (3.5 strongly encouraged). Two years of post-MSW experience in the social work/human services field. Ph.D. in Social Work: An earned master's degree from an accredited institution.
Does University of Kentucky Require the GRE?
Online Doctorate in Social Work (DSW): No GRE required.
How Long Does University of Kentucky's DSW Take?
Online Doctorate in Social Work (DSW): 2-3 years (42 credits).
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