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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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This Black History Month, the Howard University School of Social Work honors Andrew Billingsley, Ph.D., a scholar and academic leader whose vision helped shape a pivotal era at Howard and advance the School’s commitment to the Black Perspective. His influence continues to define how Howard-trained social workers are prepared to lead, advocate, and drive systems change.

Billingsley’s scholarship challenged deficit narratives about Black families and exposed the structural forces—racism, economic exclusion, and policy neglect—that shape inequality. Decades later, his impact remains visible in Howard’s curriculum, academic leadership, and justice-centered mission.

Discover why Andrew Billingsley’s legacy at Howard still matters—and why his work remains essential in today’s social and political moment.

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Graduate students from the Howard University School of Social Work travel to Cape Town, South Africa, as part of the School’s International Service-Learning Program, now in its 15th year. During the 10-day experience, students worked with local partner organizations gaining hands-on experience while learning about the history and continuing effects of apartheid. Participants also visit significant cultural and historical sites, including Robben Island and the District Six Museum, to deepen their understanding of power, privilege, and social inequities. The trip fosters global perspectives on social work practice and community engagement, reinforcing Howard’s mission of Truth and Service beyond borders

We’re proud to highlight Associate Professor Dr. Tracy R. Whitaker, DSW, on the publication of her new book, Transformational Empathy: Erasing the Space Between Us and Them. This new work invites social workers to reflect, reconnect, and rethink how we serve individuals and communities.

The Howard University School of Social Work announces the forthcoming retirement of Dr. Janice M. Davis, Director of Clinical Education and the Office of Agency-Based Education, effective March 2, 2026. A proud HUSSW alumna, Dr. Davis has devoted nearly 30 years to advancing the school’s mission and leading clinical education to further prepare future social work professionals.

Howard University School of Social Work hosted a virtual alumni-led discussion examining gentrification in Washington, DC through the framework of the Black Perspective. Panelists explored the historical roots of displacement, housing instability, and cultural erasure, emphasizing gentrification as a justice issue shaped by policy choices. The session highlighted the need for structural change, civic engagement, and sustained advocacy to advance housing equity and protect Black communities.

The SSWR Annual Conference brings together leading scholars and practitioners for more than 500 symposia, workshops, and presentations highlighting cutting-edge research methods and critical issues in social work. Howard University School of Social Work is proud to be among the institutions represented at SSWR 2026, contributing scholarship that advances the Black Perspective, interrogates structural inequities, amplifies underrepresented communities, and informs innovative policy and practice. This year, our faculty and doctoral students will present across premier sessions, including special interest groups, policy forums, and research presentations.

The Howard University School of Social Work proudly announces Mr. Aubrey Scott as the 2025–2026 Founders Fellow.

The Founders Fellowship in Graduate Social Work Education, funded by Camille O. Hanks Cosby and William H. Cosby Jr., is awarded to an outstanding second-year MSW student committed to social work practice in areas that advance social justice and address equity issues impacting vulnerable communities.

We extend our sincere appreciation to the Founders Fellow Committee, led by Dr. Janeen Cross, for their thoughtful work in interviewing and selecting this year’s Fellow. We also extend our appreciation to Mr. Scott's advisors, Dr. Sandra Jeter and Dr. Kendall Moody, for their support and mentorship.

Since 1935, the Howard University School of Social Work has been a national leader in advancing justice, equity, and community transformation. Founded under the visionary leadership and advocacy of Lucy Diggs Slowe, Dr. Inabel Burns Lindsay, and Dr. E. Franklin Frazier, the School has prepared generations of social work pioneers who have shaped policy, practice, and progress across the nation and the world.

In 2025, as we mark 90 years of social work education at Howard University. The School of Social Work stands proudly as a top-ranked program — #12 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, the highest-ranked program at Howard University, and the #1 social work program in Washington, D.C.

For nine decades, our faculty, students, and alumni have been at the forefront of addressing society’s most urgent challenges — from civil rights to child welfare, from health and mental health to criminal justice reform. Guided by the enduring strength of the Black Perspective, our work continues to empower communities and transform lives.

We are proud to honor our legacy, celebrate our achievements, and look ahead to the next chapter of impact.

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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...”