Social Work (MSW) - Community, Administration & Policy Practice

The School of Social Work offers graduate programming leading to the degrees Master of Social Work and Doctor of Philosophy in social work. The Master of Social Work program prepares leaders who recognize the dignity of all people and understand the diverse experiences that shape individuals and communities.  It is designed for aspiring social workers who are ready to advance equity across all communities.

The Ph.D. Program in social work is research-oriented and interdisciplinary in nature. It prepares graduates for leadership positions as academicians and researchers, educators, policymakers, and senior-level administrators.  Our program provides a focused and highly personalized student learning process with a knowledgeable and caring faculty. Students are challenged to grow as scholars and encouraged to use their experience as social workers to be exceptional in their scientific inquiry and examination.

The goal of the Howard University School of Social Work doctoral program is to prepare doctoral graduates for research, the professoriate, and leadership in global and local communities. Graduates are expected to become architects of liberating structures in culturally diverse families and communities We are dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge through discovery, research, partnerships, innovative process, and other scholarly educational endeavors of the faculty, staff, students, and alumni. Graduates are expected to become architects of liberating structures in culturally diverse families and communities.  

The Black Perspective, the guiding philosophy of the School of Social Work, emphasizes training doctoral scholars to be sensitive to the development of knowledge for social work practice and knowledge of social work practice.  The Perspective is used to guide the formulation and application of research that is responsive to oppressive and discriminatory systems experienced by African Americans and other groups. Additionally, the Black Perspective calls for sensitivity to the experiences of all oppressed and underserved groups and embraces an international dimension with special emphasis on Africa and the Caribbean.