PhD in Clinical Social Work

ICSW’s doctoral program, with both Onsite and Distance Learning options in a three year course of study designed for working clinicians, emphasizes the application of psychodynamic theory to a broad range of practice settings.

As the nation’s first and only accredited, independent institution to offer a doctoral program in clinical social work, we make distinct contributions to this vibrant and rewarding field. Our Dissertation Library is the result of hours of hard work from passionate students. Our students graduate with a PhD in social work, prepared to become leaders in the field of clinical social work.

Our curriculum is strategically designed to enable students using their own cases as a basis for learning. After completion of coursework, students experience incomparable support at every step of the dissertation process.

ICSW is one of the most highly specialized - and unique - graduate institutions in the United States. Our social work PhD program contains extensive student resources to assist PhD candidates in all matters. As a fully accredited, independent graduate school, we have one overarching mission: to train and develop clinician-scholars in the theory and practice of contemporary psychodynamic psychotherapy, at both the Master’s and Doctoral levels.

In our doctorate of social work program, we assume that each person is complicated and entirely unique and that it’s our role as psychotherapists to try to help each person understand themselves fully and profoundly and to appreciate that complexity as the outcome of multiple factors from both the past and present. We emphasize the need to use the psychotherapeutic relationship itself as a tool not just for understanding, but also for healing.


PHD IN CLINICAL SOCIAL WORK

The ICSW PhD in Clinical Social Work is a 3-year (full-time) pre-candidacy program followed by the completion of a dissertation. ICSW utilizes a cohort model with small class sizes and an unparalleled amount of one-to-one consultation with our expect faculty of master clinicians. The PhD program can be completed in the Distance format (hybrid program), or on campus.

Doctorate in Clinical Social Work Curriculum Overview 

The Clinical Practicum

The Clinical Practicum, along with classroom learning, is intended to enhance students’ competence in thinking about and doing psychodynamic work. The Practicum provides an experience‐near learning context which allows concepts and ideas learned in the classroom setting to come alive, with the help of faculty consultants. It is important that students’ learning is cross‐fertilized between the Practicum and the classroom. Students are therefore encouraged to raise questions with their clinical consultants 84 about ideas learned in the classroom, and vice‐versa. To make maximum use of this process, students must keep pace in the Practicum with the suggested sequence and timing of academic coursework.

Case Presentation  

The purpose of the Case Presentation is to evaluate the student’s learning progress in clinical evaluation and treatment and the ability to engage in an open discussion with a panel of faculty members. In the Case Presentation, students discuss how their diagnostic and treatment thinking and practice have changed as they have progressed through their clinical education at ICSW, keeping in mind the Clinical Practicum objectives. A major part of the Case Presentation is the written and oral discussion of a case, including diagnostic and treatment material, as well as a sample of the treatment process. The goal of the presentation is to help students and faculty determine how much the student has learned and what remains to be learned to meet ICSW’s clinical practice standards. For a full description of the philosophy of the Case Presentation processes see Case Presentation Outline (available online). A premium is placed on the ability and willingness of the student to engage in an open, non‐defensive discussion with the case presentation panel. Qualities of self‐awareness, forthrightness, clarity, complexity of thought, and ability to link psychodynamic concepts with clinical work are stressed.

The Research Practicum

The Research Practicum includes the following activities, designed to facilitate completion of a dissertation:

● Ongoing consultation with a dissertation committee

● A dissertation proposal hearing

● Defense of a final dissertation document


 

DISTANCE PHD

In the Distance PhD program our students meet in real-time with their fellow classmates and instructors via video conferencing. Students come to ICSW’s Chicago campus once per semester for weekend classes to be able to engage with their cohort in person.

 

Program Details

  • Classes meet online on alternating weeks

  • Each semester, distance students attend onsite classes at our Chicago campus during onsite weekends

  • Minimum technology requirements: an up-to-date computer system, high-speed internet access, a webcam, and an audio headset

ONSITE PHD

In the Onsite PhD program our students meet at our Chicago campus.

 

Program Details

  • Classes meet on Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings every other week.

 

  • Getting your PhD in social work opens up a wide range of career opportunities that focus on making a difference.

    Professor

    Like members of our own faculty, you can work in academia full-time or part, helping to educate the next generation of social workers, while working on research projects. Being a professor gives you the opportunity to create a deeper understanding of psychodynamic theory while pushing the theoretical boundaries of clinical psychology and our academic understanding of it.

    Researcher

    An important aspect of social work, researchers can help push government policies and political reform, and even allocate funding for those in need. A researcher is a great fit for those who are interested in local community change and attempting to improve living conditions by pushing policies for local action. A doctor of social work can poll, look at economic data, and compile a macro-view of the community to make a difference.

    Clinical Social Worker

    Assessing, diagnosing, and treating mental illnesses, a clinical social worker uses a wide range of therapeutic techniques learned during ICSW’s clinical social work PhD program to give their clients the support they need. Unlike a social worker, a clinical social worker can provide counseling treatments.

    Nonprofit Executive

    A nonprofit executive pushes a nonprofit towards its yearly goals. This is done through skilled leadership, fundraising skills, financial management, and more. A nonprofit executive works with members of every team to help maximize success while minimizing risk.

    Human Services Director

    A human services director helps in the management of agencies that are responsible for marginalized communities (such as Veterans or the homeless). By directing the administration and their programs, you can help pursue long-term goals that benefit “at-risk” groups and help improve their lives.

    Community Service Manager

    Getting a PhD in social work can help you get a managerial position. This community service position manages organizations like NGOs or local nonprofits focusing on community-related issues. Your responsibilities will include the supervision of junior staff, establishing outreach efforts, and managing the administrative duties of the organization.