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The mission of Howard University School of Social Work is to prepare MSW graduates for advanced professional practice at local, national and international levels for the solution of human problems and to become leaders in their communities: Explore our MSW program offerings and embark on your journey towards becoming a social work changemaker.

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Welcome to the Howard University School of Social Work, where excellence meets advocacy and compassion transforms communities. Explore our flagship Master of Social Work (MSW) program, where you are empowered to make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals, families, and communities centered on the six principles of the Black Perspective. Apply today and become a part of our legacy of excellence at Howard University School of Social Work. Learn More

Program Highlights:

Comprehensive Curriculum
Diverse Faculty Expertise
Hands-On Experience

Howard University’s Masters of Social Work Program and its Online MSW program are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education’s Commission on Accreditation. Think our Online MSW program may be right for you?

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The dual MSW/MBA program emphasizes multidimensional skills and competencies from the fields of business and social work. The program is designed for a limited number of mature students with some supervisory and/or administrative experience. Field internships are arranged in management , policy research and development, in such sites as social welfare organizations, hospitals philantrhopic foundations, and government.

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The mission of the MSW/MDiv Dual Degree Program is to provide an integrated course of study that prepares graduates for fath-based ministry, enhances students' indentiy and role in both social work and divinity and provides a convergences of conceptual frameworks from the bio-psycho-social-spiritual perspective at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels of social and spiritual assessment and intervention.

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The purpose of the HUSSW Leadership in Public Health Social Work Education dual degree program is to increase the educational opportunities for social work students to develop an understanding and knowledge of the intersection of social work and public health principles and models.

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The Howard University School of Social Work is among the top 5% of Best Schools of Social Work nationwide, making it the highest-ranked school/college at Howard University in the 2024 rankings.

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March marks Social Work Month 2025, a time to honor the powerful contributions of social workers and uplift the values that drive our profession forward. This year’s theme, "Compassion + Action," reminds us that empathy alone is not enough—real change happens when compassion is paired with bold, purposeful action. From advocating for equitable policies to standing alongside individuals and families in moments of crisis, social workers lead with heart and respond with impact. Join us this month as we celebrate the dedication, resilience, and transformative power of social work in communities across our nation.

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The Howard University School of Social Work is thrilled to host the 2025 Annual Conference for the Group for the Advancement of Doctoral Education in Social Work (GADE) on April 2-4, 2025, in Washington, DC.

This year’s conference theme, Shaping the Future: Doctoral Education for the Next Generation of Social Work Scholars and Leaders, underscores our commitment to advancing social work education and preparing future scholars and leaders to meet the challenges of an ever-changing world.

The conference will bring together 70+ doctoral program directors from across the nation for dynamic conversations on the current and future state of doctoral education in social work. With keynote speakers, engaging panel discussions, and interactive breakout sessions, attendees will have the opportunity to network, share resources, and explore innovative strategies for guiding their students in uncertain times.

We look forward to welcoming participants to our campus in the heart of the nation’s capital as we collectively shape the future of social work education and celebrate our 45 years of doctoral education in the HU School of Social Work.

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Zibora Gilder, MSW student at Howard University’s School of Social Work and Executive Director of Empowered Hands, LLC, recently appeared on The Roland Martin Show to discuss the growing threats to disability rights and the rollback of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) protections. Drawing from over a decade of experience in disability services and personal connections to the Deaf community, Gilder highlighted alarming efforts to remove American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters from government spaces and emergency broadcasts. Click to Read More

Dr. Inabel Burns Lindsay, founding Dean of the Howard University School of Social Work

As we celebrate 90 years of Social Work Education at Howard University, we pay tribute to the visionary leadership and enduring legacy of Dean Inabel Burns Lindsay, our founding dean. Born February 13, 1900, Dr. Lindsay was a pioneer, becoming the first African American woman to lead an accredited school of social work in the U.S. Her dedication to equity, academic excellence, and social change laid the foundation for what is now one of the nation’s top-ranked social work programs—#12 in the 2024 U.S. News & World Report. Today, we stand on her shoulders, carrying forward her mission to make social work a force for justice, equity, and empowerment

The Howard University School of Social Work is excited to welcome new team members and celebrate internal appointments that will enhance our impact and support for students, faculty, and the community. We look forward to the contributions of these talented professionals as we continue advancing social justice, scholarship, and service. Click here to learn more!

Leadership Appointments

🔹 Dr. Altaf Husain – Associate Dean for Academic & Student Advancement
🔹 Dr. Meirong Liu – Director of the Ph.D. Program & Chair of Research

Team Transitions & New Roles

🔹 Sharon Fletcher – Ph.D. Program Coordinator
🔹 Kristin Conley – Budget Administrative Officer
🔹 Vera Fields – Community Outreach Coordinator, Gerontology Center
🔹 Armani Hayes – Facilities Assistant
🔹 Sabrina Williams – Facilities Assistant

Howard University School of Social Work is proud to showcase its commitment to advancing research and scholarship at the 29th Annual Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR) Conference. This year’s conference theme, “Strengthening Social Impact through Collaborative Research,” aligns with Howard’s
commitment to advancing knowledge and solutions to address the most pressing social issues. Our faculty and students will highlight critical research topics, including intimate partner violence, mental health,
leadership in public housing, and culturally attuned social work practice. We are honored to contribute to this esteemed platform.

Peer Case Management Institute Graduation July 2024

The DC Department of Human Services (DHS) in collaboration with the Community Partnership for the Prevention of Homelessness (TCP), Pathways to Housing DC, and Howard University’s School of Social Work launched the pioneering Peer Case Management Institute. As covered by the Washington Post, The Washington Informer, and WTOP, the Peer Case Management Institute graduated its first cohort on Wednesday, July 24, 2024. The graduates, once homeless themselves, have completed the comprehensive training program and are now equipped with the skills and knowledge to serve as case managers in the homeless service system.

HUSSW goes in-depth on specific subject matter affecting society at large.

We are excited to share our latest webinar, “Reimagining the Future of Mental Health for Black Youth: Bridging Culture, Community, and Innovation for Transformational Care,” now available on the BlackDoctors.org YouTube channel. This impactful session was led by Dr. Sandra R. Jeter, Assistant Professor at Howard University School of Social Work.

Be inspired to think differently about the future of mental health for Black youth as Dr. Jeter delves into key topics such as:

Systemic, social, and cultural factors impacting equitable access to mental health services for Black youth.
Innovative, actionable approaches to reimagining mental health care systems, with a focus on cultural responsiveness, community engagement, and youth empowerment.

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The Howard University School of Social Work is shaping global change-agents, and your support is the key to unlocking their potential. Your donation directly empowers these future leaders, ensuring they have the resources and opportunities needed to achieve academic excellence and make a meaningful impact on the world.

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Testimonials

Jasmine Garnes

MSW Social Work Method of Concentration: Direct Practice

“Howard University's School of Social Work contributed to my growth as an individual and as a professional transitioning into a field that can be challenging, yet rewarding. The School of Social Work program helped shape me into the Social Worker I am today...”