Kentucky Schools Compared
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 Kentucky
- 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
- Practice experience
- Minimum of two years of post-MSW practice experience
- Tuition
- $850 per credit hour (2026-2027)Program tuition, per credit, 2026-27. Source: the school's program page, reviewed October 2026.
- Estimated tuition
- $42,500$850 per credit times 50 credits, before fees.
- Residency and class meetings
- 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
- Practice experience
- Two years of post-MSW experience in the social work/human services field
- GRE
- No GRE required
- 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: the school's program page, reviewed October 2026.
- Estimated tuition
- $33,180$790 per credit times 42 credits, before fees.
Lexington · Public
PhDFunded
- Funding
- Scholarships, fellowships and assistantships available
Louisville · Public
DSWOnlineNo residency
- Residency and class meetings
- No campus residency is required
- Credits
- 41 credit hours (44 minimum total hours including the candidacy requirement)
- Length
- Most students finish by the spring semester of their third academic year; up to six years allowed
- Final project
- Capstone project (a dissertation is not required)
- Practice experience
- Minimum two years of post-master's social work experience
Louisville · Public
PhDOn campusFunded
- Credits
- 57 credit hours
- Final project
- Dissertation, after a comprehensive examination
- Practice experience
- Two years of post-master's work experience preferred
- Funding
- Research assistantships, teaching assistantships, and Graduate School scholarships and assistantships are available for incoming full-time students
Online DSW Programs Open to Kentucky Residents
23 online practice doctorates at schools outside Kentucky 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 Kentucky residents before you apply.
Compare every online DSW program
Online and Hybrid Social Work PhDs for Kentucky Residents
10 social work PhDs at schools outside Kentucky are offered online or in a hybrid format. Funded programs are listed first.
Social Work Doctorates in States Bordering Kentucky
- Loyola University ChicagoChicago, IL · PhD
- University of ChicagoChicago, IL · PhD
- UICChicago, IL · PhD
- University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignChampaign, IL · DSW and PhD
- Indiana University-IndianapolisIndianapolis, IN · PhD
- Saint Louis UniversitySaint Louis, MO · PhD
- Mizzou (University of Missouri)Columbia, MO · PhD
- WashU (Washington University in St. Louis)Saint Louis, MO · PhD
- Case Western Reserve UniversityCleveland, OH · PhD · not admitting now
- Ohio State UniversityColumbus, OH · PhD
- University of Tennessee, KnoxvilleKnoxville, TN · DSW and PhD
- University of MemphisMemphis, TN · DSW
- Norfolk State UniversityNorfolk, VA · PhD
- VCURichmond, VA · PhD
- West Virginia UniversityMorgantown, WV · PhD
Social Work Doctorates Near Kentucky Cities
Social Work Doctorates in Kentucky: Common Questions
How Many Social Work Doctorate Programs Are in Kentucky?
5 at 3 schools: Spalding University (DSW), University of Kentucky (DSW and PhD) and University of Louisville (DSW and PhD).
Are Kentucky's DSW Programs CSWE-Accredited?
University of Kentucky (candidacy) is in CSWE's practice doctorate directory (captured September 30, 2026). CSWE began accrediting practice doctorates only recently, and PhD programs aren't CSWE-accredited.
Can Kentucky Residents Earn a DSW Online?
Yes. 23 online DSW programs at schools outside Kentucky accept students nationwide; the lowest estimated tuition among them is $19,800 at University of Alabama. Confirm the school can enroll Kentucky residents before you apply. Compare online DSW programs.
Can You Earn a PhD in Social Work Online From Kentucky?
10 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 Kentucky?
Estimated tuition for Kentucky DSW programs that publish a rate and credits runs from $33,180 at University of Kentucky to $42,500 at Spalding University, before fees.
Compare Programs Beyond Your State