Program director
Kimberly Freeman
Prior to the late 1990s, the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) and the original Doctor of Social Work (D.S.W.) degrees were often viewed as parallel pathways for advancing scholarship in the social work profession. As Ph.D. programs became increasingly flexible and discipline-specific, they emerged as the dominant doctoral route for academic research careers, contributing to the temporary discontinuation of the D.S.W. in the United States.
Over the past decade, the Doctor of Social Work has re-emerged as a distinct, well-established, and nationally recognized practice doctorate within social work education. This renewed prominence reflects a broader movement across health and helping professions—including nursing, physical therapy, and speech-language pathology—toward practice-focused doctoral education. The contemporary D.S.W. responds to the profession’s growing need for advanced leadership, applied scholarship, and innovation in complex clinical, organizational, and community-based practice settings—areas that are not the primary focus of research-intensive Ph.D. programs.
Consistent with this evolution, the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) has formally established accreditation standards for Doctor of Social Work programs and opened the accreditation process nationwide. The modern D.S.W. provides a rigorous and intentional pathway for M.S.W.-prepared social workers to advance as scholar-practitioners and clinical leaders, equipped to design, implement, evaluate, and lead evidence-informed practice, organizational improvement, and systems-level change. As a result, the D.S.W. is now widely recognized as a critical doctoral degree supporting the profession’s contemporary practice, leadership, and workforce development needs.
The mission of the Doctor of Social Work (D.S.W.) program is to prepare experienced M.S.W.-level social workers to become scholar-practitioners who lead clinical innovation and promote equitable, inclusive care through practices that honor human dignity and challenge discrimination in all forms. Grounded in the core values of the social work profession, the program emphasizes applied leadership, scholarship, and teaching that respond to the needs of diverse populations and evolving global clinical practice.
The core expertise and skills of the D.S.W. program are to:
Students may apply for need-based financial aid, such as loans or other work-study programs on campus. Students accepted into the D.S.W. degree program are eligible for and encouraged to apply for the CSWE minority fellowships. See https://www.cswe.org/Centers-Initiatives/Minority-Fellowship-Program/MFP-Doctoral-Students.aspx for information.
For additional information regarding funding opportunities, see the SBH scholarship page linked here.
All doctoral degrees at Loma Linda University fall under the institution’s accreditation by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). While the Doctor of Social Work (D.S.W.) degree has not historically been accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the Council has completed its pilot phase and has formally opened the accreditation process for D.S.W. programs.
Loma Linda University’s D.S.W. program was intentionally designed to align with CSWE’s published accreditation standards and to meet all eligibility requirements for accreditation. In alignment with CSWE timelines, the department submitted its D.S.W. self-study for accreditation review on December 1, 2025 and remains fully committed to compliance with all applicable CSWE standards throughout the accreditation process.
Admission to the program is competitive and limited to 10 students per cohort. To be considered, applicants must submit a complete application by the published deadline; incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Applicants must meet Loma Linda University and School of Behavioral Health admissions requirements and demonstrate evidence of academic ability, professional comportment, and mature judgment. The Doctor of Social Work degree curriculum represents advanced study beyond the M.S.W. degree, and admission is based on an integrated evaluation of the following criteria:
Anti-discrimination policy:
The Doctor of Social Work program adheres to the policy of the university.
| Theory, analytical analysis, and social justice | ||
| SWCL 610 | Diversity Theory and Global Perspectives | 3 |
| SWCL 615 | Comparative Social Work History and Practice, Evidence-based Practice and Social Justice | 4 |
| SWCL 658 | Advanced Policy Analysis and Research | 3 |
| Clinical interventions | ||
| SWCL 630 | Clinical Interventions and Design | 3 |
| SWCL 650 | Neuroscience, Resiliency and Trauma-Focused Global Practice | 3 |
| Clinical leadership, management and program development | ||
| SWCL 626 | Program Design, Evaluation and Monitoring | 4 |
| SWCL 670 | Clinical Leadership I | 3 |
| SWCL 680 | Clinical Leadership II | 3 |
| Academic leadership and practice | ||
| SWCL 604A | Integrative Seminar: Academic Practice | 1 |
| SWCL 604B | Integrative Seminar: Academic Practice | 1 |
| SWCL 604C | Integrative Seminar: Academic Practice | 1 |
| Spirituality, ethics, and whole person care | ||
| RELE 524 | Bioethics and Society | 3 |
| RELR 540 | Wholeness and Health 1 | 3 |
| RELT 557 | Theology of Human Suffering | 3 |
| Research | ||
| SWCL 601 | Fundamental Statistics | 3 |
| SWCL 602 | Data Analysis and Applied Statistics | 3 |
| SWCL 654 | Research Methods I | 4 |
| SWCL 655 | Research Methods II | 4 |
| SWCL 660 | Implementation Science | 3 |
| Applied doctoral project | ||
| SWCL 689 | Applied Project Conceptualization | 2 |
| SWCL 690 | Applied Project I | 2 |
| SWCL 691 | Applied Project II | 2 |
| SWCL 692 | Applied Project III | 2 |
| SWCL 693 | DSW Project I | 4 |
| SWCL 694 | DSW Project II | 4 |
| SWCL 695 | DSW Project III | 4 |
| SWCL 696 | DSW Project IV | 4 |
| Total Units | 79 | |
Fulfills service learning requirement.
The Doctor of Social Work degree is awarded upon completion of all required coursework and the following non-course requirements:
Three (3) years (eleven [11] academic quarters) — based on full-time enrollment.
SWCL 601. Fundamental Statistics. 3 Units.
Focuses on basic, foundational behavioral statistics. Includes causality, levels of statistical measurement, frequencies distribution, measures of central tendency, dispersion, probability theory, normal distribution, t-tests, ANOVAs, and regressions.
SWCL 602. Data Analysis and Applied Statistics. 3 Units.
Provides a comprehensive introduction to utilizing data for diverse leadership applications. Engages students in identifying trends, tracking outcomes, evaluating programs, and making informed decisions based on data analysis. Emphasizes quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method approaches. Requires hands-on work with applied project data and case studies, actively involving students in data analysis and gaining a deeper understanding of real-world applications.
Prerequisite: SWCL 601.
SWCL 604A. Integrative Seminar: Academic Practice. 1 Unit.
The first of three seminars focusing on the art and science of social work education, developing a teaching philosophy, instructional teaching methodologies, grading, educational ethics, and student assessment.
Cross-listing: SPOL 604A.
SWCL 604B. Integrative Seminar: Academic Practice. 1 Unit.
The second of three seminars on careers in social work education. Focuses on course subject and curriculum development and participating in social work accreditation.
Cross-listing: SPOL 604B.
SWCL 604C. Integrative Seminar: Academic Practice. 1 Unit.
Third of three seminars on careers in social work education. Examines preparation for career opportunities in social work education, and role of faculty in institutional, school, and program engagement and governance. Discusses scholarship expectations, student advising, and mentoring. Guidance on applying and interviewing for positions.
Cross-listing: SPOL 604C.
SWCL 610. Diversity Theory and Global Perspectives. 3 Units.
Critically examines contemporary theories of diversity as seen through the lens of a global perspective, including intersectionality. Provides opportunity to apply these theories using a cultural humility framework for engaging diverse populations in clinical, policy, and research practice.
SWCL 615. Comparative Social Work History and Practice, Evidence-based Practice and Social Justice. 4 Units.
Compares philosophical and historical practice perspectives, addressing social justice and ecological well-being. Examines evidence-based, research-informed, and promising practices.
SWCL 620. Clinical Interventions I: Advanced Theories and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Interventions. 3 Units.
Examine advanced clinical theories that guide predominate interventions used in behavioral health. Emphasis on understanding foundational underpinnings of cognitive behavioral therapy as basis for interventions related to specific diagnosis and conditions.
SWCL 626. Program Design, Evaluation and Monitoring. 4 Units.
Addresses formative and summative evaluations using quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method designs. Emphasizes program evaluation and collaboration with stakeholders to ensure evaluation reports meet intended purposes. Includes program methods for the development of a consistent program design and evaluation plan. Utilizes assessment of program needs to address theory and adherence, process and performance, outcomes, impact, and efficiency in program design, evaluation, and monitoring.
SWCL 630. Clinical Interventions and Design. 3 Units.
Examines cutting-edge evidence-based practice applications supporting services for populations with compound needs in hard-to-service complex communities and systems. Divides content into three areas including clinical interventions, program design, and clinical measures to assess clinical outcomes and service delivery impact.
SWCL 640. Clinical Interventions III: Trans-modular Methods for Complex Systems. 3 Units.
Innovative trans-modal evidence-based practice applications supporting services for populations with compound needs in hard to service communities and systems. Impact on consumer outcomes and health disparities addressed.
SWCL 650. Neuroscience, Resiliency and Trauma-Focused Global Practice. 3 Units.
Examines neuroscience framework and bio-ecological research that underpin resiliency and trauma-informed methods. Emphasis on identifying intervention models that are ethno-racial adaptive and provide evidence of transformative sustainable results.
SWCL 654. Research Methods I. 4 Units.
Presents advanced quantitative research methods, emphasizing experimental and quasi-experimental designs. Examines specific methodologies used in conducting research in the area of social work research. Includes topics of measurement issues, research design, sampling, and statistical interpretation. Addresses survey research, time-series designs, and more advanced techniques.
SWCL 655. Research Methods II. 4 Units.
Presents advanced qualitative and mixed research methods, emphasizing selected qualitative and mixed research methodologies specific to clinical and health-services research. Covers topics including theoretical bases for conducting qualitative research; research design; data gathering, including interviewing, observation, archival and historical research, and data analysis and writing. Introduces various methods for integrating qualitative and quantitative methodologies.
SWCL 658. Advanced Policy Analysis and Research. 3 Units.
Presents conceptual and analytical requirements of policy analysis and research. Examines integration of behavioral, political, economic, and sociometric frameworks for understanding human conditions that support the development of formal policy arguments and policy research for sustained change.
SWCL 660. Implementation Science. 3 Units.
This course introduces students to the interdisciplinary field of Implementation Science. Students will learn key principles, theories, frameworks, and strategies for applying implementation science to social work practice.
SWCL 670. Clinical Leadership I. 3 Units.
Knowledge and skills for effective management of clinical systems, supervision, management and evaluation of clinical teams, and educational andragogy.
SWCL 680. Clinical Leadership II. 3 Units.
Examines principles of executive leadership in highly charged and large-scale outcome environments, including role and methods of guiding strategic planning, financial management and judgement, cost/benefit analysis, resource development; and informatics.
SWCL 689. Applied Project Conceptualization. 2 Units.
Provides an opportunity to work with a student's project chair in writing a concept paper used to guide the development of their applied DSW project proposal. S.W. program.
Prerequisite: Completion of year 1 of D.
SWCL 690. Applied Project I. 2 Units.
Development of DSW Applied Project Proposal with a focus on the literature review.
SWCL 691. Applied Project II. 2 Units.
Development of DSW Applied Project Proposal with a focus on the introduction and method sections.
Prerequisite: SWCL 690.
SWCL 692. Applied Project III. 2 Units.
Completion of the Applied DSW Project proposal.
Prerequisite: SWCL 690, SWCL 691.
SWCL 693. DSW Project I. 4 Units.
Requires conducting a program evaluation, needs assessment, or a supported research project as determined by applied DSW project objectives.
Prerequisite: SWCL 690, SWCL 691, SWCL 692.
SWCL 694. DSW Project II. 4 Units.
Requires analysis of a program evaluation, needs assessment, or supported research project as determined by applied DSW project objectives.
Prerequisite: SWCL 693.
SWCL 695. DSW Project III. 4 Units.
Requires analysis of a program evaluation, needs assessment, or supported research project as determined by applied DSW project objectives.
Prerequisite: SWCL 694.
SWCL 696. DSW Project IV. 4 Units.
Requires completion and submission of the final version of students' applied DSW projects. Students must demonstrate mastery of their chosen topic as well as its relevance to leadership in clinical social work.
Prerequisite: SWCL 695.
SWCL 785. Externship I: DSW Project Portfolio Development. 2 Units.
Requires students to engage their organizational and professional learning networks to support the development of their DSW Applied Project Portfolio.
Prerequisite: Completion of Year 1 of DSW Program.
SWCL 786. Externship II: DSW Applied Project Development. 2 Units.
Provides experiential learning designed to support students' completion of IRB processes, initiation of data collection, or proposed program design.
Prerequisite: SWCL 785.
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