Alabama · Verified October 2026

DSW and PhD in Social Work Programs in Alabama

Where Can You Earn a Doctorate in Social Work in Alabama?

2 schools in Alabama offer 3 social work doctorates: 1 practice doctorate (DSW) and 2 PhDs, at Alabama A & M University and University of Alabama. 2 can be completed online. Estimated tuition for Doctor of Social Work (DSW) at University of Alabama is $19,800 before fees. 1 PhD states full funding. Alabama residents can also choose from 25 online DSW programs at schools in other states.

Researched and edited by Taylor Rupe · Updated October 10, 2026

schools in Alabama: 2
DSW programs: 1
PhD programs: 2
offered online: 2
online DSWs open to residents: 25

Alabama Schools Compared

School	Degrees	Formats	CSWE (DSW)	Est. DSW tuition	PhD funding
University of AlabamaTuscaloosa · Public	DSW and PhD	Online, On campus		$19,800	Funded
Alabama A & M UniversityNormal · Public	PhD	Online

From each school's own pages, reviewed October 2026. CSWE status from CSWE's practice doctorate directory, captured September 30, 2026; CSWE doesn't accredit PhD programs. Blank cells: the school's pages don't give that figure.

Every Social Work Doctorate in Alabama

Ph.D. in Social Work at Alabama a &Amp; M University

Normal · Public

PhDOnlineLive online classes

Residency and class meetings: Hybrid-synchronous (meeting bi-weekly) and synchronous (meeting weekly) online classes
Credits: Minimum of 58 credit hours, including dissertation hours
Final project: Dissertation
Practice experience: Substantial experience in responsible social work, internships or other positions either during or subsequent to the master's program

Doctor of Social Work (DSW) at University of Alabama

Tuscaloosa · Public

DSWOnlineResidency

Residency and class meetings: 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
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
Practice experience: At least 3 years of post-MSW program experience
GRE: No GRE requirement
Tuition: $440 per credit hour, not including additional feesProgram tuition, per credit. Source: the school's program page, reviewed October 2026.
Estimated tuition: $19,800$440 per credit times 45 credits, before fees.

PhD in Social Work at University of Alabama

Tuscaloosa · Public

PhDOn campusFunded

Residency and class meetings: Core PhD courses meet Mondays and Tuesdays during the day on campus in Tuscaloosa
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
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

Online DSW Programs Open to Alabama Residents

25 online practice doctorates at schools outside Alabama are open to new students nationwide. These are the 8 with the lowest estimated tuition, one per school; programs without an estimate follow alphabetically. Confirm that the school can enroll Alabama residents before you apply.

Program	Credits	Est. tuition	CSWE
Online Doctor of Social Work (DSW) in Social Welfare at University at BuffaloNew York	39	$31,200
Online Doctorate in Social Work (DSW) at University of KentuckyKentucky · Residency	42	$33,180	Candidacy
Doctor of Social Work (DSW) at Millersville University of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania · Residency	48	$33,312
Doctor of Social Work (DSW) at Barry UniversityFlorida · Live online classes	50	$35,000
Doctor of Social Work (DSW) at Kutztown University of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania · Residency	48	$36,864
Doctor of Social Work (DSW) at University of KansasKansas · Live online classes	42	$41,790
Doctor of Social Work (DSW) in Leadership in Community Practices at Spalding UniversityKentucky · Residency	50	$42,500
Doctor of Social Work (DSW) at Walden UniversityMinnesota · Residency	59	$43,070	Accredited

Compare every online DSW program

Online and Hybrid Social Work PhDs for Alabama Residents

9 social work PhDs at schools outside Alabama are offered online or in a hybrid format. Funded programs are listed first.

Program	Format	Credits	Funding
PhD in Social Work at Baylor UniversityTexas	Online		Funded
Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work (Ph.D.) at Norfolk State UniversityVirginia	Online and on campus	54	Funded
Online PhD in Social Work at Our Lady of the Lake UniversityTexas	Online	54	Funded
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Social Work at University of Oklahoma-Norman CampusOklahoma	Online	40	Funded
PhD in Social Work at West Virginia UniversityWest Virginia	Hybrid	53	Funded
PhD in Social Work (Hybrid) at Adelphi UniversityNew York	Hybrid
Online PhD in Social Work at Simmons UniversityMassachusetts	Online	45
PhD in Social Work at Walden UniversityMinnesota	Online	63

Social Work Doctorates in States Bordering Alabama

Social Work Doctorates Near Alabama Cities

Social work doctorates near Montgomery1 in-person programs in Alabama

Social Work Doctorates in Alabama: Common Questions

How Many Social Work Doctorate Programs Are in Alabama?

3 at 2 schools: Alabama A & M University (PhD) and University of Alabama (DSW and PhD).

Are Alabama's DSW Programs CSWE-Accredited?

None of Alabama's practice doctorates is in CSWE's practice doctorate directory (captured September 30, 2026). CSWE began accrediting practice doctorates only recently, and most DSWs nationally haven't completed the process.

Can Alabama Residents Earn a DSW Online?

Yes. 25 online DSW programs at schools outside Alabama accept students nationwide; the lowest estimated tuition among them is $31,200 at University at Buffalo. Confirm the school can enroll Alabama residents before you apply. Compare online DSW programs.

Can You Earn a PhD in Social Work Online From Alabama?

9 social work PhDs at schools elsewhere are offered online or in a hybrid format. The other 67 of the 77 social work PhDs on this site are campus-based, and campus PhDs are the ones most likely to state full funding. Compare online PhD programs.

How Much Does a DSW Cost in Alabama?

Doctor of Social Work (DSW) at University of Alabama has an estimated tuition of $19,800 before fees.

Compare Programs Beyond Your State

Sources

Official program pages of the 2 Alabama schools listed, reviewed October 2026
Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), practice doctorate program directory, captured September 30, 2026