edX Online

About the program

  • A vibrant HBCU community:

    The Howard social work community unites generations of Howard-prepared leaders who continually uplift one another.

  • No GRE scores required:

    Howard University looks for passion and potential, not standardized test scores. 

  • The Black Perspective:

    Howard MSW online learners practice with empathy and sociocultural sensitivity, affirming the strengths of all populations.

Howard MSW Online curriculum

Howard MSW Online, the online Master of Social Work program, empowers aspiring social workers to promote and sustain a high quality of life for marginalized individuals and communities. The online curriculum is grounded in the Black Perspective, a lens that empowers learners to develop an inclusive, strengths-based approach to direct and macro practice. Learners follow one of two tracks below:

  • Traditional:

    This 60-credit track is for learners who hold any bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Learners can complete this track part time in as few as 36 months. The full-time track can be completed in as few as 16 months.

  • Advanced Standing:

    This 45-credit track is for learners who hold a Bachelor of Social Work from a CSWE-accredited institution. Learners can complete this track part time in as few as 24 months. The full-time track can be completed in as few as 12 months.

Ready to advance your career?

Field education courses

In addition to taking foundation and concentration courses, you will complete field education courses, too. These courses will help you to develop expertise in a specific area of social work and will prepare you to put your classroom skills to practice in agency settings.

Field of practice courses: In addition to a concentration, you’ll choose a specialized field of practice — Child and Family Welfare, or Mental Health — to develop your expertise in a specific area of social work. Your electives will address topics like substance use, human sexuality, as well as race, class and gender.

Agency-based education courses: These courses are designed to complement and support your agency-based education placements. As you learn and master new techniques, competencies and concepts in the classroom, you will also start applying them directly to your work with clients.