Doctorate in Clinical Social Work

Applications for Fall 2025 are now closed. Please check back for the Fall 2026 application.

Enhancing Clinical Leadership Skills In
Academia | Supervision | Practice Theories | Anti-Oppressive Practice

The NYU Silver DSW Program in Clinical Social Work is a practice-oriented doctoral degree designed to prepare professionally licensed students for leadership roles in academic and agency settings. By promoting practice-relevant scholarship, graduates will develop new clinical social work knowledge to advance anti-oppressive praxis toward human rights and social justice.

Building on the NYU Silver School of Social Work’s reputation for excellence in clinical social work education, the DSW Program offers theoretical, evidence-based practice, research, and policy coursework. Additionally, the program provides writing workshops and a choice of a teaching or supervisory internship geared towards the enhancement of advanced clinical practice knowledge and skills. The unique aspects of the program are designed to develop clinical academic leadership skills, prepare students to produce publishable papers under the direction of an advisor, and present at professional conferences.

“At NYU Silver, we believe DSW scholars and practitioners that situate their work in an anti-oppressive lens is critical to the profession of social work - and its ability to move liberatory theory to action.”

Kirk “Jae” James, LMSW, DSW Clinical Assistant Professor and DSW Program Director

“I always knew that there was a book I wanted to write, but the DSW program helped me to find my voice. It gave me a lot of clarity and it also gave me the time, energy, and focus to be accountable to finish it.”

Gillian O’Shea Brown, DSW ’21    

“It is so exciting to have this space where you can explore your topic, and it is a privilege to be able to work with the faculty. What the program is doing is enabling me to propel my career.”

Jessica Chock-Goldman, DSW ’21    

“I have had great experience, rigorous training, many excellent mentors, and have leadership and visionary development skills to share. Certainly, earning my DSW helped me ascend to my current post and will open doors to further opportunities.”

Lena Greene, DSW ’18