Rhode Island · Verified October 2026
Social Work Doctorate Options for Rhode Island Residents
Where Can Rhode Island Residents Earn a DSW or PhD in Social Work?
No school in Rhode Island offers a DSW or PhD in social work, so residents study online or in a nearby state. 26 online DSW programs and 10 online or hybrid PhDs at schools elsewhere accept students from any state. The closest campuses are in Connecticut and Massachusetts, including Southern Connecticut State University, University of Connecticut and Boston College.
Online DSW Programs Open to Rhode Island Residents
26 online practice doctorates at schools outside Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island residents before you apply.
| Program | Credits | Est. tuition | CSWE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Doctor of Social Work (DSW) at University of AlabamaAlabama · Residency | 45 | $19,800 | |
| 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 |
Online and Hybrid Social Work PhDs for Rhode Island Residents
10 social work PhDs at schools outside Rhode Island 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 | ||
| Ph.D. in Social Work at Alabama A & M UniversityAlabama | Online | 58 | |
| Online PhD in Social Work at Simmons UniversityMassachusetts | Online | 45 |
Closest Social Work Doctorates to Rhode Island
These schools are in states that border Rhode Island.
- Southern Connecticut State UniversityNew Haven, Connecticut · DSW
- University of ConnecticutStorrs, Connecticut · PhD
- Boston CollegeChestnut Hill, Massachusetts · PhD
- Boston UniversityBoston, Massachusetts · PhD
- Simmons UniversityBoston, Massachusetts · DSW and PhD
- Smith CollegeNorthampton, Massachusetts · PhD
Social Work Doctorates in Rhode Island: Common Questions
Can Rhode Island Residents Earn a DSW Online?
Yes. 26 online DSW programs at schools outside Rhode Island accept students nationwide; the lowest estimated tuition among them is $19,800 at University of Alabama. Confirm the school can enroll Rhode Island residents before you apply. Compare online DSW programs.
Can You Earn a PhD in Social Work Online From Rhode Island?
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.
Compare Programs Beyond Your State
- Online DSW ProgramsOpen to residents of every state
- Online PhD in Social WorkMostly online research doctorates
- Most Affordable Online DSWRanked by estimated tuition
- Fully Funded PhD ProgramsTuition covered plus a stipend
- DSW vs PhD in Social WorkWhich doctorate fits your goals
- Social Work Doctorates in Connecticut2 programs
- Social Work Doctorates in Massachusetts5 programs
- All StatesEvery state's options
Sources
- Official program pages of the schools listed, reviewed October 2026
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), practice doctorate program directory, captured September 30, 2026