Doctorate of Social Work (DSW) Online

Please note that our DSW program accepts applications on a rolling basis. Our admission waitlist fills quickly, so we suggest all applicants complete their applications sooner rather than later.

Admission to the DSW program is a competitive process. All applicants must have the following qualifications:

1. A master’s degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited school.
2. A minimum grade point average of 3.3 in both undergraduate and graduate study.
3. Three or more years of relevant post-master’s social work experience.

Applicants to the Doctor of Social Work program must submit the following documents with their electronic application:

• Statement of Interest - Three to five double-spaced pages that should address the following:
  • The origin and development of your interest in social work as a profession, including any significant influences or experiences.
  • What a DSW will do for you as a social worker, including how the degree will impact your career.
  • The ways in which you engage and will continue to engage in practice-based research during and after this program, including your specific areas of interest.
  • What you will do for the profession, including how the degree will enable you to impact individuals, your community, and/or your area of interest.
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV) - If you are unsure how to format your resume, feel free to reference our guide.
• Official Transcript(s) - One copy of official transcript(s) from each certificate, associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral level institution you have attended. 
  To be considered official, a transcript (1) must be sent directly from your institution to Tulane School of Social Work and (2) must show completion of coursework required for the degree, the degree earned, and the date of degree conferral.
  • If your overall GPA from your undergraduate degree-granting institution is 3.0 or higher, you are not required to submit transcripts from institutions where you received transfer credit toward your bachelor's degree.
• References/Recommendations - A minimum of two (2) Letters of Recommendation (LORs) must be received. The recommenders will submit the letters of recommendation directly into the application portal. Applicants should select two individuals who know them well and have agreed to write a recommendation. As an applicant, keep the following guidelines in mind:
  • If you are presently working or have been engaged in volunteer work in human services, one of the letters should be submitted by your supervisor or employer.
  • If you are currently only a student, the two (2) letters should be submitted by a faculty advisor or professor in your major area who is familiar with your academic work.
  • NO personal references (family, friends, social acquaintances, co-workers) will be accepted.
  • We ask that applicants have the name, title, professional email address, phone number, and relationship of each recommender on hand.
  • If you need guidance on asking for letters of recommendation, please review our helpful tips.

Reference/recommendation letters can be submitted via the application website, mailed to the TSSW Office, or emailed:

Tulane University School of Social Work #8906
127 Elk Place
New Orleans, LA 70112

tsswtranscripts@wave.tulane.edu

• Optional Materials:
  • Copies of any publications or research
  • A professional or academic writing sample

Please contact our enrollment team at onlinedsw@tulane.edu or (504) 252-0883 to learn more about upcoming Online DSW program dates and deadlines.

The DSW program does not offer transfer or course credit, including for work/life experience.

Review our International Student Admission Policy here.