Clinical Leadership — D.S.W.

Program director
Larry Ortiz

Prior to the end of the 1990s, two doctoral degrees (the Ph.D. and original D.S.W.) were viewed as interchangeable modes of advancing the scholarship of the social work profession. However, flexibility in the articulation of discipline-specific Ph.D. programs led to preference for the Ph.D. doctorate over the D.S.W. degree, finally resulting in the complete elimination of the D.S.W. degree in the United States.  Over the last decade, there has been growing recognition by social work professionals and educators that a practice doctorate for social work addresses the expansion of much-needed applied scholarship in ways not being achieved by social work Ph.D. programs. Thus, the role, importance, and a new vision of the practice doctorate in social work has been articulated and follows the journey seen in other fields such as nursing, physical therapy, speech, and audiology. As such, the D.S.W. degree in its re-articulated content provides a pathway for M.S.W.-level social workers to further their development as scholar practitioners, providing leadership and innovation in applied social work practice.

Mission statement

The mission of the Doctor of Social Work program is to transform experienced M.S.W.-level social workers into scholar practitioners capable of advancing clinical social work practice knowledge and innovation through applied scholarship, leadership, education, and the promotion of social justice in support of whole-person care in an increasingly diverse and global practice environment.

Program goals

The goals of the D.S.W. program are to:

1. Prepare doctoral-level social work scholar practitioners with expertise in clinical leadership.
2. Equip students with the understanding and skills needed to develop, implement, and disseminate knowledge and innovation in behavioral health practice and social work education.
3. Equip students to be transformative leaders in the integration and promotion of social justice in behavioral health services and social work education.

Program learning outcomes

By the end of the program, the graduate should be able to:

1. Conduct systematic inquiry that adheres to scholarly conventions.
2. Use and critically evaluate—at an advanced-level—evidenced-based, research-informed, and promising practices.
3. Develop and disseminate clinical practice and educational innovations and knowledge that reflect the inherent values of the social work profession.
4. Demonstrate expertise in behavioral health clinical leadership that advances social work practice and education.
5. Demonstrate expertise in the application of mission-focused learning that promotes and integrates social justice in practice as well as education delivery and innovation.

Financial assistance

Students who are accepted into the D.S.W. degree program may apply for work-study with the Department of Social Work and Social Ecology. Students may also apply for need-based financial aid, such as a loan 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 information regarding funding opportunities, see Student Aid in the financial polices section of this CATALOG.

All doctoral degrees at Loma Linda University fall under the institution’s regional accreditation by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). D.S.W. degrees are not currently accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Albeit the Council has approved standards for accreditation and is beginning to pilot the standards prior to engaging in the formal accreditation of D.S.W. programs. Loma Linda’s D.S.W. program is committed to the accreditation standards currently published by CSWE and is following the minimum program criteria to be eligible for consideration of future accreditation by CSWE. The D.S.W. program at Loma Linda University has been designed to meet these criteria from inception and will apply for CSWE accreditation once available.

Applicants must meet Loma Linda University and School of Behavioral Health admissions requirements, and give evidence of academic ability, professional comportment, and mature judgment. The Doctor of Social Work degree curriculum represents advanced study over and above the M.S.W. degree. Admission is based on an integrated evaluation of the following criteria:

• M.S.W. degree or equivalent (e.g., M.S.S.W.) from a program that is accredited by the CSWE
• A minimum of four-years professional social work experience post receipt of the M.S.W. degree
• A minimum M.S.W. G.P.A. of 3.3
• Writing assessment, GRE general test: The analytical writing section score must equal 4.0 or higher, or applicant can demonstrate proficiency in professional writing as evidenced by first authorship on a professional publication. Due to issues associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, the GRE General Test is waived for all 2022-2023 applicants to doctoral programs in the School of Behavioral Health. Please do not submit GRE scores through ETS or report your scores in any application materials as they will not be taken into consideration.
• License to practice clinical social work is preferred
• Structured essay
• Structured oral interview with program
• Curriculum vitae
• Three letters of recommendation (academic and professional)

Pre-entrance clearance:

• Health clearance

Anti-discrimination policy:

The Doctor of Social Work program adheres to the policy of the university. 

¹

Courses in this section are not taught online.

²

Previous life, work, or academic practicum experiences cannot not be used to meet this requirement. Externships are developed and assigned by the program faculty.

³

Fulfills service learning requirement.

Non-course requirements

The Doctor of Social Work degree is awarded upon completion of all required coursework and the following non-course requirements:

• An oral defense and the A=applied D.S.W. project
• Submission to the Program and School of Behavioral Health the final approved copy of the applied D.S.W. project document(s).

Normal time to complete the program

Three (3) years (eleven [11] academic quarters) — based on full-time enrollment including two summer externships