Special Notification
- No application fee required.
- Cost of attendance details are available on this page.
- DSW applicants must hold U.S. citizenship. Preference will be given to residents of California. Applicants from other approved states will be considered as space permits. See this page for the list of approved states.
- The DSW program is an online program. Courses use a combined synchronous and asynchronous format.
Program Description
The online Doctor of Social Work (DSW) degree is an 79-quarter unit, 3-year program designed to meet the needs of post-master's social work professionals desiring to advance their careers in the areas of clinical leadership and practice innovation. Loma Linda University's internationally and nationally recognized faculty will guide experienced and accomplished social work practitioners to become 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 within a global practice environment.
Program Length
3 years (11 quarters)
Possible Careers
Clinical leadership; upper administration in large public and community-based non-profit agencies; behavioral health research and evaluation; health care administration.
Admissions Requirements
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:
- M.S.W. degree or equivalent (e.g., M.S.S.W.) from a program accredited by CSWE
- A minimum of four years of professional social work experience following receipt of the M.S.W. degree
- A minimum GPA of 3.5 is required. Applicants with a GPA between 3.3–3.49 may be considered for admission under exceptional circumstances, with evidence of advanced academic ability and readiness for doctoral-level study.
- License to practice clinical social work, or documented progress toward licensure, is required
- U.S. citizenship
- Structured essay
- Personal statement
- Structured Zoom interview, including a brief writing sample completed during the session
- Three letters of recommendation (academic and professional)
Prerequisites
An MSW from a CSWE-accredited university and a minimum of four years’ experience post-MSW.
Discipline Accrediting Agency
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 (DSW) 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 DSW programs.
Loma Linda University's DSW 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 DSW self-study for accreditation review on December 1, 2025 and remains fully committed to compliance with all applicable CSWE standards throughout the accreditation process.
State Accrediting Agency
Loma Linda University is regionally accredited by the WSCUC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges [WASC] Senior College and University Commission).
Expected Cost of Attendance
The following estimated cost of attendance is based on full-time attendance for the number of months enrolled per academic year. Estimated amounts may vary based on a number of factors. Students may use these estimates when applying for financial aid.
Required Program Costs
Academic Year 2026-2027
Other Educational Costs
Non-required costs that can be funded with scholarships/loans.
Notes
- No quarterly enrollment fees for online students.
- Estimated amounts are for the academic year specified only. Amounts are based on full-time attendance for the number of months enrolled per academic year. International students need to calculate 12 months of living expenses based on these amounts.
- Amounts are expected to increase each year consistent with inflation in the professional education sector.
- To qualify for financial aid, most students must be enrolled at least half time in an aid eligible program and be taking degree requirements. Half time is 6 units in a quarter for undergraduate programs and 4 units in a quarter for graduate programs.