Agency Based Education

Where Knowledge Meets Practice

Agency-Based Education is a core component of the MSW program at Howard University and meets the accreditation standards and policies established by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Through supervised placements, students gain direct experience working with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. These real-world settings allow students to apply what they’ve learned in the classroom while developing essential skills such as service delivery, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and professional communication.

Students are required to complete four semesters of agency placements in approved social work agencies under the supervision of licensed MSW professionals. This sequence of Agency-Based Education courses accounts for 12 credit hours toward the MSW degree (1000 clock hours) and is designed to be taken alongside academic coursework to ensure integration of theory and practice.

Throughout their placements, students engage with clients or systems at various stages of the helping process—including engagement, assessment, intervention, and evaluation. Practicum placements include both micro and macro practice experiences while each student receives ongoing support from faculty consultants and agency-based instructors to ensure guided learning and professional growth.

First Year – Generalist Agency-Based Placement

First-year students complete agency-based education alongside their foundation-level Practice Methods course. These placements are designed to introduce students to core skills and concepts, supported by knowledge from their generalist coursework. Students are placed in settings that provide services across various levels of practice.

Second Year – Specialized Agency-Based Placement

In the second year, traditional, and advanced standing, students move into advanced placements that align with their chosen practice concentration and specialization. These experiences deepen the integration of classroom learning with practicum placement. Students operate with more independence, working with specific populations or within specialized settings. Practicum assignments are designed to help students demonstrate mastery of advanced competencies in professional behavior, decision-making, and intervention strategies.

  • Each placement site must have, or enter into, an official Affiliation Agreement with Howard University.
  • ABE Instructors must hold an MSW degree from a CSWE-accredited program and have a minimum of two years of post-MSW practice experience.
  • Instructors must meet the licensing requirements of their respective state licensing boards. The Howard University School of Social Work Flagship places students in agencies across three primary jurisdictions, and instructors are expected to be familiar with and compliant with their state’s regulations.
  • Instructors must have been employed at their agency for at least six months prior to serving as an ABE instructor and must demonstrate a clear understanding of how to develop learning experiences and evaluate core competencies within their practice area.
  • Instructors are required to participate in the school’s seminar and orientation for new ABE instructors.
  • ABE Instructors are expected to commit to their assignment for a minimum of one academic year.

What to Expect

Through partnerships with agencies like District of Columbia Child and Family Services Agency, Far Southeast Family Strengthening Collaborative, Central Union Mission, DC Public Schools, and our own Howard University Hospital, the School of Social Work has been strengthening communities in Washington, DC, since its founding.

We’ve designed a agency-based education experience that allows you to:

  • Reduce the stress of finding placements. Our Office of Agency Based Education will partner with you to find convenient and reputable agencies.
  • Put your skills into practice sooner. As you learn new techniques and principles in class, you’ll be able to apply them in your work with clients.
  • Expand your professional network. You’ll be supervised by licensed practitioners who will provide real-time feedback and become trusted mentors.
ABE Competencies

*Self-Study Report: Master of Social Work Program EPAS 2015, Volume I – Narrative Responses to Accreditation Standards

Our Network of Agency Partners

AGENCY NAME CITY STATE
Christ Child Society Washington DC
Court Services & Offender Supervision Agency | Re-Entry & Sanctions Center (CSOSA) Washington DC
Court Services & Offender Supervision Agency | Community Supervision Serv. (CSOSA) Washington DC
Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board | Merrifield Center Adult Behavioral Health Outpatient Program Fairfax VA
1 Life 1 Love Inc. Alexandria VA
Alexandria City Public Schools Alexandria VA
AprilMay Company, Inc. Washington DC
Art and Soul Solutions, Inc. Washington DC
Beacon House Washington DC
Boystown Washington DC Washington DC
Brinton Woods Health & Rehabilitation Center Washington DC
Catholic Charities St. Jude's Project Washington DC
Catholic Charities 801 East TRP Washington DC
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington Washington DC
Center for Therapeutic Concepts,Inc. Largo MD
Central Union Mission Washington DC
Child & Family Services Agency (CFSA) Washington DC
Children's Guild DC Public Charter School Washington DC
Children's National Medical Center Washington DC
Coalition for the Homeless |Park Road Transitional House Washington DC
Coalition for the Homeless |Emery Work Bed Program Washington DC
Columbia Learning International Ministries, Inc. Washington DC
Community Connections Washington DC
Community Crisis Services, Inc. Hyattsville MD
Community Perservation & Development Corporation (CPDC) Silver Spring MD
Congressional Research Institute for Social Work and Policy Washington DC
Contemporay Family Services, Inc. Washington DC
Contemporay Family Services, Inc. Washington DC
DC Law Students in Court Washington DC
DC Superior Court-Criminal Division Washington DC
DC Superior Court-Probate & Guardianship Division Washington DC
DC Vet Center Washington DC
DCPS |School Mental Health Washington DC
DCPS - Ron Brown High School Washington DC
DCPS | Office of Youth Engagement - Truancy Division Washington DC
DCPS Head Start Operations Washington DC
Department of Behavioral Health - Mental Health Services Washington DC
Department of Behavioral Health - Parent and Infant Early Childhood Enhancement Program (P.I.E.C.E. Program Washington DC
Department of Behavioral Health / CPEP Washington DC
Department of Health HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, STD and TB Administration (HAHSTA) Washington DC
Department of Human Services Power Unit Washington DC
Department of Human Services | Family Services Administration Washington DC
Department of Human Services | Veterans Assistance Supportive Housing Washington DC
Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) Washington DC
Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) - New Beginnings Youth Largo MD
Downtown Clusters Geriatric Day Care Center, Inc. Washington DC
Episcopal Center for Children Washington DC
Excel Academy Public Charter School Washington DC
Family & Medical Counseling, Inc. Washington DC
Family Crisis Center of Prince Brentwood MD
Family Matters of Greater Washington Mental Health Department Washington DC
Fort Belvoir Community Hospital Fort Belvoir VA
Foster & Adoptive Parent Advocacy Center (FAPAC) Washington DC
Foundation School of Montgomery County Gaithersburg MD
Friends of Guest House Alexandria VA
Friendship Place Washington DC
God's Anointed New Generation (GANG) Washington DC
Green Door Washington DC
Harbor Light Center-The Salvation Army Washington DC
Health & Wellness Source, LLC Lanham MD
HER Resiliencey Center Washington DC
Hillcrest Children and Family Center Washington DC
Home Care Partners Washington DC
Housing Opportunities Commission | Resident Services (Montgomery County) Kensington MD
Howard University Hospital -Mental Health Clinic Washington DC
Howard University Middle School of Math and Science Washington DC
Human Rights Campaign Washington DC
Human Rights First Washington DC
Imani Consulting Bowie MD
Inner City Family Services Washington DC
Innovative Therapeutic Laurel MD
Iona Washington DC
Latin American Youth Center Washington DC
Maximum Quest Residential Mitchellville MD
McVets Baltimore MD
Medical Services Division of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City - Juvenile Section Baltimore MD
Medstar Washington Hospital Center Washington DC
Miriam's Kitchen Washington DC
Montgomery County Depart. of Correction & Rehab. Detention Services Division Boyds MD
Montgomery County Prekindergarten/Head Start Rockville MD
National Center for Children and Families (NCCF) Bethesda MD
National Collegiate Preparatory Public Charter School Washington DC
National Counseling Group | CR2 Program Manassas VA
New Communities Initiative Washington DC
New Directions Therapeutic Services Largo MD
North Capitol Collaborative, Inc. Washington DC
Pathways to Housing DC Washington DC
Phillips School~Laurel Laurel MD
Prince Geoge's County Council County Administration Building Upper Marlboro MD
Prince George's County Depart of Social Services Landover MD
Prince George's County Health Department Hyattsville MD
Progressive Life Center Hyattsville MD
Providence Hospital Washington DC
PSI Family Services, Inc. (Foster Care Program) Chevy Chase MD
Public Allies Washington DC
Public Defender Service for DC Washington DC
Safe Journey House Hyattsville MD
Saint Elizabeths Hospital Washington DC
Samaritan Ministry of Greater Washington Washington DC
Seabury Ward 5 Aging Services Washington DC
SOME (So Others Might Eat) Washington DC
Somerset Prep Academy Public Charter School Washington DC
Southern Maryland Tri-County Community Action Committee Inc. Hughesville MD
Synergy Therapeutic Services, Inc. Hyattsville MD
The Campagna Center Alexandria VA
The Family Wellness Center Washington DC
Time Organization, Inc. Baltimore MD
US Vets (DC) Washington DC
Veterans Affairs Medical Center Washington DC
Veterans on the Rise, Inc. Washington DC
Voices for a Second Chance Washington DC
Voluteers of America, Chesapeake, Inc. |Substance Abuse Treatment Residential Program Center Arlington VA
Walter Reed National Military Medical Center Emergency Dept Bethesda MD
Wendt Center for Loss and Healing Washington DC

Contact Agency Based Education

Janice Davis
Janice M. Davis, PhD, MSW, LCSWC

Director of Clinical Education
Inabel Lindsay Hall
Room 350
Email: jm_davis@howard.edu