Social Work Doctoral Programs in North Carolina: Expert Guide for 2025
92% of online psychology, education, and social sciences students see positive returns from their advanced degrees. Doctoral programs have become a valuable stepping stone for social work professionals who want to advance their careers.
A Doctor of Social Work (DSW) needs an investment of $30,000 to $60,000, but the career rewards make it worthwhile. A Ph.D. in Social Work may have other funding options that make this an attractive option. Social workers in North Carolina can expect to earn $62,810 on average each year. Most doctoral degree programs take three years to finish. Working professionals can benefit from flexible learning options available in online DSW programs.
This piece provides detailed information about accredited programs at North Carolina’s leading universities and online options if you are unable to attend on-campus or you specifically want a DSW. These insights will help you choose the right path for your professional growth.
The DSW vs. PhD in Social Work: Understanding Your Options
Before exploring specific programs, it’s important to understand the distinction between the two main doctoral pathways in social work:
- Doctor of Social Work (DSW): A practice-focused doctorate designed for experienced practitioners who want to become advanced practitioners, leaders, administrators, and policy designers. DSW programs emphasize applying research to improve social work practice.
- PhD in Social Work: More research-oriented and academically focused, preparing graduates primarily for careers in research and education. These programs tend to be more theoretical in nature.
For practitioners seeking to enhance their clinical skills and take on leadership roles while remaining in practice settings, the DSW is often the better choice.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill PhD Program
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has been a leading institution for social work education since 1993. The university offers high-quality doctoral-level training that has helped more than 100 students earn their Ph.D. in Social Work. This achievement makes UNC Chapel Hill stand out among accredited DSW programs in North Carolina.
Program Overview and History
The doctoral program at UNC focuses on social intervention that includes policy, program, and direct practice interventions. These elements work together to affect the entire field of social welfare. The program recognizes that different intervention levels work together rather than separately. Students who graduate become social work scholars and educators ready for careers in academic, research, and policy settings. They help build knowledge in their profession both nationally and internationally.
Many doctoral programs focus on clinical applications, but UNC’s doctoral curriculum builds and tests theories that guide social interventions. This approach attracts candidates who want to pursue scholarly activity and applied research instead of improving clinical skills.
Curriculum Structure and Specializations
The doctoral pathway requires students to complete 45 credit hours before advancing to candidacy. The detailed curriculum has:
- Teaching practicum to build educational skills
- Research practicum for hands-on experience
- Courses within and outside the School of Social Work
- Specialized study areas that shape assignments and research experiences
Doctoral candidates can choose extra courses that support their dissertation research after their fourth semester. They make this choice with their advisor’s help. Students learn research methodology and data analysis throughout the program. These skills help them tackle both basic and applied research questions in social work.
Admission Requirements and Application Process
To join UNC’s doctoral program, you need:
- Master of Social Work degree from a CSWE-accredited institution (a master’s in a related field might work too)
- Two years of work experience in human services (special cases might not need this)
- Proof of strong academic performance
- Dedication to social work profession’s values, goals, and purposes
- Strong interest in social intervention research
Students must submit their complete application through UNC Graduate School. The package needs an application fee, official transcripts, statement of purpose, three or more recommendation letters, current CV, and TOEFL scores for international students. North Carolina residents also need to submit a residency form for tuition purposes.
Faculty Expertise and Research Areas
The School of Social Work has 27 tenured and tenure-track faculty members. Seven hold distinguished or chaired professorships, and more than 65 clinical and research faculty members support the program. The social work faculty showed their research strength by securing over $12 million in grant funding in 2011.
Faculty members specialize in several key areas:
- Child, Youth, and Family Well-Being
- Economic Security
- Health, Mental Health, and Behavioral Health
- Older Adults and Long-term Care
- System and Service-Level Research
These varied specializations help doctoral students find mentors who match their research interests and promote shared scholarly growth.
Career Outcomes for UNC Chapel Hill Ph.D. Graduates
UNC-Chapel Hill graduates have bright career prospects. More than 95% find full-time jobs or continue their education within six months after graduation. Their Carolina education gives them skills that employers value highly, leading to competitive salaries across industries.
UNC alumni work in many fields from finance and technology to healthcare and public service. Most doctoral program graduates choose careers in scholarly activity and research at academic institutions or policy organizations.
Graduates become part of a strong community of more than 360,000 Carolina alumni worldwide. This network creates valuable connections and chances for professional growth. Such a large alumni community shows why UNC Chapel Hill attracts both students and employers who want to make their mark in social work and related fields.
North Carolina A&T and UNC Greensboro Joint Ph.D. in Social Work
The Joint Ph.D. in Social Work is an innovative doctoral program collaboratively offered by North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (NCA&T) and the University of North Carolina Greensboro (UNCG). This unique partnership brings together two historically significant institutions – NCA&T, a historically Black college or university (HBCU), and UNCG, the historical women’s college of the UNC system.
Program Mission
The program’s mission is focused on preparing doctoral students to engage in scholarship aimed at eliminating social, economic, environmental, and health disparities, with a particular emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion. This mission reflects both institutions’ commitment to social justice and community engagement.
Program Structure
Students enrolled in this joint program receive the benefits and privileges of both campuses. Upon completion, the doctoral degree includes the seals and official signatures from both universities, highlighting the truly collaborative nature of this program. The curriculum is designed following a practitioner/scholar model, preparing graduates for success in both academic and non-academic career paths.
Research Focus
The Ph.D. curriculum encourages students to explore various research methodologies, including:
- Quantitative approaches (survey research, secondary data analysis)
- Qualitative methods (interviews, phenomenological inquiry)
- Mixed methods research
- Community-engaged research approaches
Students are encouraged to use elective courses to explore specialized areas of interest or develop expertise in particular research domains. This flexibility allows doctoral candidates to tailor their education to their specific career goals and research interests.
Program Foundation
Built on the cornerstones of diversity, multicultural responsiveness, and community engagement, the Joint Ph.D. program leverages the rich historical traditions of both institutions. This foundation creates a unique learning environment that prioritizes inclusive research and scholarship aimed at addressing critical social issues.
Program Options
The program offers both full-time and part-time options, with suggested course sequences available for each path. This flexibility makes doctoral education accessible to working professionals and traditional students alike.
For those interested in pursuing this doctoral program, application information and additional resources are available through both institutions’ websites.
For social work professionals in North Carolina seeking to advance their careers through doctoral education, the path may seem challenging since North Carolina technically doesn’t offer in-state Doctor of Social Work (DSW) programs. However, online DSW programs provide excellent alternatives that are accessible regardless of geographic location.
Walden University’s Online DSW Program
Walden University offers a comprehensive online DSW program that is particularly accessible for North Carolina residents. Key features of this program include:
Program Features:
- Flexible Online Format: The program is designed for working professionals, allowing you to earn your doctorate without career disruption.
- Specialization Options: Students can choose from three specializations:
- Advanced Clinical Practice and Supervision
- Impact Leadership in Social Work Administration
- Social Work Education
- Professional Focus: The program prepares students as advanced practitioners who can design, implement, and assess social welfare programs and policies for diverse community needs.
- Academic Residency: The program includes a four-day academic residency designed to enhance clinical work, critical thinking, research, and scholarly writing skills while providing networking opportunities.
- Action Research Model: Students employ action research methodologies to develop practical solutions to real-world social problems.
Benefits of Pursuing an Online DSW Program
For North Carolina social work professionals, online DSW programs offer several advantages:
- Career Advancement: A DSW degree positions you as a leader in the field and an authoritative advocate for social justice, opening doors to advanced practitioner roles and high-level management positions.
- Specialized Expertise: Through specializations, you can deepen your knowledge in a particular area of social work practice that aligns with your career goals.
- Enhanced Job Security: The social work profession is projected to grow 12% from 2020 to 2030—faster than the average for all occupations—with particularly strong prospects for clinical social workers.
- Increased Earning Potential: Social workers with doctoral degrees can earn $20,000 to $25,000 more annually than those with only Master of Social Work (MSW) degrees.
- Accessibility: Online programs eliminate geographic barriers, allowing North Carolina residents to access top-tier education without relocating.
Considerations When Choosing an Online DSW Program
When evaluating online DSW programs, North Carolina residents should consider these factors:
- Accreditation: Ensure the institution is accredited by recognized accrediting bodies. Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.
- Program Structure: Consider how the program balances online coursework with any required in-person components.
- Dissertation or Capstone Requirements: Understand the final project requirements and how they align with your professional goals.
- Faculty Expertise: Research the qualifications and specialties of program faculty.
- Support Services: Evaluate what academic support, technological assistance, and career services are available to online students.
- Cost and Financial Aid: Compare tuition rates and explore available scholarships, grants, and assistantships.
Expanding Your Options Beyond North Carolina
Although North Carolina may not have in-state DSW programs, several respected institutions beyond Walden University offer online DSW programs accessible to North Carolina residents. The University of Pennsylvania, for example, offers a highly regarded hybrid DSW program that combines online learning with limited campus immersion experiences.
Pursue Advanced Social Work Education in NC Today
The absence of in-state DSW programs in North Carolina need not be a barrier to advancing your education and career in social work. Online DSW programs, particularly Walden University’s offering, provide accessible, rigorous pathways to doctoral education without geographic constraints. By carefully researching program features, requirements, and alignment with your professional goals, you can select an online DSW program that helps you become a more effective practitioner, leader, and change agent in the social work profession.
For North Carolina social workers looking to make a greater impact in their communities while enhancing their career prospects, online DSW programs represent a valuable opportunity to achieve the highest level of professional practice in social work.