Howard University School of Social Work

What Howard University School of Social Work does

Howard University School of Social Work is an academic department within Howard University, a private historically black university in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1935, the school offers graduate-level social work education through on-campus MSW (Flagship), online MSW (Starship) delivered via the 2U platform, three dual degree programs (MSW/MBA, MSW/MDiv, MSW/MPH), and a Ph.D. program. Curriculum is anchored by the proprietary Black Perspective framework, a six-principle pedagogical approach developed under founding faculty Dr. Inabel Burns Lindsay and Dr. E. Franklin Frazier, and delivered through an Agency-Based Education model placing students in field internships across hospitals, government agencies, philanthropic foundations, and social welfare organizations. The program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education's Commission on Accreditation and is ranked #12 nationally by U.S. News & World Report, making it the highest-ranked program at Howard University and the top social work program in Washington, D.C.

The school operates four ancillary centers and programs that extend its footprint beyond degree-granting: the E. Franklin Frazier Center for Social Work Research (established 1995), the Howard University Multidisciplinary Gerontology Center (est. ~1992), the SAMHSA-funded Mental Health Awareness and Training initiative (2018), and the Peer Case Management Institute (2024) developed in partnership with the DC Department of Human Services. Revenue derives primarily from MSW and Ph.D. tuition, supplemented by continuing education workshops priced at $30-$75 per credit, donor contributions, and federal grants (notably $9M+ secured under former Dean Sandra Edmonds Crewe's tenure including a $2.2M HRSA award). Distribution occurs through direct admissions via GRADCAS for on-campus programs, the 2U platform for online, and community programming channels across 20+ partner organizations. Dean Sheara Jennings assumed leadership in 2025 following Dean Emerita Crewe's 2013-2024 tenure.

Name

Howard University School of Social Work

Legal name

Howard University School of Social Work

Website

https://socialwork.howard.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1935

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Howard University School of Social Work is a graduate social work school within Howard University offering CSWE-accredited MSW (on-campus and online), dual degree, and Ph.D. programs, anchored by a proprietary Black Perspective framework and ranked #12 nationally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education — Social Work

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Educational Support Services (611710), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Social Sciences & Public Policy Research Universities (EDAHABAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Work-Based Learning Programs (Internships, Apprenticeships, Community-Based Instruction) (EDAKANAF), Internships, Externships & Work-Based Learning Placement (EDAMAKAB)

Keywords

• Social work education
• Graduate degree programs
• Continuing education
• Doctoral social work
• Community mental health

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. MSW Degree Tuition: Graduate tuition revenue from Master of Social Work programs including on-campus Flagship and online Starship programs, as well as dual degree programs (MSW/MBA, MSW/MDiv, MSW/MPH).
2. Ph.D. Program Tuition: Doctoral program tuition revenue for students preparing for professoriate, research, and leadership roles.
3. Continuing Education and Professional Development: Fee-based professional development courses, certificate programs, and continuing education workshops for licensed social workers and human service professionals. Pricing ranges from $30-$75 depending on credit hours and affiliation status.
4. Donor Contributions and Annual Fund: Charitable contributions including Dean's Discretionary Annual Fund, need-based scholarships, student emergency fund, and research/instruction/professional development support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels9 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Howard University School of Social Work delivers graduate-level social work education, including an MSW (offered on-campus and online), dual/joint degree pathways (e.g., MSW-MPH, MSW-MDiv, JD-MSW, MSW-MUP, MSW-PhD), a PhD in Social Work, and a continuing education program for licensed practitioners. It also operates the Tele-Mental Health Certificate Program, the Bison Therapy and Family Therapy Clinic, and the Howard University Multidisciplinary Gerontology Center.

Product overview

Howard University School of Social Work is a higher education institution offering graduate-level social work programs including MSW degrees (on-campus Flagship and online Starship programs), dual degree programs (MSW/MBA, MSW/MDiv, MSW/MPH), and a Ph.D. program. The school also provides professional development and continuing education through workshops, certificate programs, and customized training. Research and community engagement are supported through the E. Franklin Frazier Center for Social Work Research and the Howard University Multidisciplinary Gerontology Center. The institution operates the Mental Health Awareness and Training Initiative (MHAT) and the Peer Case Management Institute as specialized community programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Master of Social Work (MSW) — On-Campus
• Master of Social Work (MSW) — Online
• PhD in Social Work
• Dual/Joint Degree Programs
• Continuing Education Program
• Tele-Mental Health Certificate Program
• Bison Therapy and Family Therapy Clinic
• Howard University Multidisciplinary Gerontology Center
• Mobile Health Unit

Quantifiable outcome

• 180 MSW graduates and 6 Ph.D. graduates in 2026 ceremony
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• DC Department of Human Services (DHS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 July 2024DHS collaborated with Howard University School of Social Work, Community Partnership for the Prevention of Homelessness, and Pathways to Housing DC to launch the Peer Case Management Institute. The program trains individuals with lived homelessness experience to become certified case managers in the homeless services system. Received 600 applications and selected 40 participants for inaugural cohort.
• Community Partnership for the Prevention of Homelessness (TCP)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 July 2024TCP partnered with HUSSW and DC DHS to develop and deliver the Peer Case Management Institute, providing field training sites and operational support for the program that graduated its first cohort in July 2024.
• Pathways to Housing DCcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 July 2024Partnered with HUSSW on the Peer Case Management Institute, contributing expertise in peer support models and housing services for the training curriculum covering motivational interviewing, conflict de-escalation, and lived experience integration.
• Howard University School of BusinesscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2010Partner school for MSW/MBA dual degree program, providing business and management education integrated with social work training for administrative and leadership roles.
• Howard University School of DivinitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2010Partner school for MSW/MDiv dual degree program, integrating theological education with social work for faith-based ministry and social service leadership.
• Howard University School of Liberal ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2010Partner school for MSW/MPH dual degree program, combining public health principles with social work education for leadership in public health social work.
• DC Department on Aging and Community Living (DACL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHU-MGC collaborates with DACL to provide seminars, workshops, and professional development for the Senior Service Network, serving older adults and persons with disabilities in the greater metropolitan Washington community.
• BlackDoctors.orgminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity health partnership for Mental Health Series webinars and health education content addressing African American communities.
• Mission First Housing ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing monthly support group for grandparents raising grandchildren through the Plaza West GrandFamilies Community Program.
• Montgomery County Department of Health and Human ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner collaborating on community outreach programming, intergenerational supports, and conferences addressing elderly population needs.
• Sounds of My People Music and Arts EnterprisesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArts partner for community outreach programming including conferences, programs, classes, and events promoting intergenerational engagement.
• 100 Fathers Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity organization partner for intergenerational supports and fatherhood engagement initiatives.
• The Residence at Thomas CircleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSenior living community partner for intergenerational game nights and community programming serving older adults aging in place.
• African American Health Program - Aging Sub-CommitteeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealth program collaboration addressing health disparities and wellness for African American older adults in Montgomery County.
• American Association for Service Coordinators (AASC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHoward University partners with AASC to provide continuing education certificates for social work professionals attending the National Service Coordinator Conference. Eligible professionals earn CE credit while gaining tools for serving residents and communities.
• Kusi Global Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for the Fred Taylor 'Roll Away the Stone' Leadership Certificate program, providing holistic leadership education integrating Black Perspective pillars for human service and non-profit sector leaders.
• Grand Challenges for Social WorkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHUSSW participates in Grand Challenges initiatives addressing social isolation, gun violence prevention, social response to changing environment, and harnessing technology for social good across communities.
• Usona InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost site for U-PEP Faculty Fellowship training program where Howard faculty Dr. Gloria Cain, Dr. Janice Berry Edwards, and Dr. Janice Davis participated in psychedelic-assisted care education.
• American Minority Veterans Research Project (AMVRP)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch collaboration addressing social justice issues and veteran wellness through intergenerational programming.
• Howard University Center for ExcellenceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternal university partnership for intergenerational supports, youth mentorship, and workforce development programming.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• NYU Silver School of Social Work: Direct peer with comparable urban social work focus, CSWE-accredited MSW/PhD programs, and notable alumni/leadership (Howard alum Michael Lindsey currently serves as Dean). Competes for the same applicant pool interested in social justice-oriented social work education.
• Columbia University School of Social Work: Columbia's School of Social Work is a top-ranked peer MSW program offering similar CSWE-accredited MSW, PhD, and continuing education tracks with comparable focus on urban social work practice. Direct competitor for student recruitment and faculty talent at the highest tier of U.S. social work education.
• Simmons University School of Social Work: Historic private university social work school with strong MSW, PhD, and continuing education programs. Comparable private-institution peer competing for the same applicant demographic and online MSW market segment.
• Washington University in St. Louis Brown School of Social Work: Top-ranked MSW program with strong research portfolio and similar focus on social justice. Competes with HUSSW for high-caliber applicants, federal research grants, and faculty at the elite tier of U.S. social work education.
• University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy & Practice: Penn's social work school offers MSW and PhD programs with strong policy and practice orientation. Direct peer competing for applicants and federal funding with comparable prestige and curriculum structure.
• Boston University School of Social Work: BU's School of Social Work offers CSWE-accredited MSW (on-campus and online), PhD, and continuing education. Direct competitor in online MSW market and for students seeking urban social work practice training.
• Clark Atlanta University School of Social Work: HBCU peer offering MSW and other social work programs within a historically black university context. Competes with HUSSW for HBCU-aligned applicants and shares similar focus on Black community social work practice and culturally competent training.
• University of Michigan School of Social Work: Top-ranked public university MSW program with strong research focus, large faculty, and significant federal grant funding. Direct competitor in rankings, faculty recruitment, and federal grant capture; offers MSW, PhD, and dual degrees similar to HUSSW.

Others

• Council on Social Work Education (CSWE): National accrediting body for social work education that grants HUSSW's accreditation. Not a competitor but a critical ecosystem relationship — accreditation status and CSWE standards directly determine the school's ability to operate and compete for federal financial aid-eligible students.

Regional players

• University of Maryland School of Social Work: Regional competitor in the DC/Mid-Atlantic market with strong MSW, PhD, and dual degree programs. Competes directly with HUSSW for the same regional applicant pool and offers similar field education and government partnership opportunities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/HowardU
• Facebookfacebook.com/HowardU
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/howard-university-school-of-social-work
• Instagraminstagram.com/howard1867

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Howard University School of Social Work