District of Columbia · Verified September 2026
MSW Programs in District of Columbia
Where Can You Earn an MSW in District of Columbia, and How Do You Get Licensed?
4 schools in District of Columbia offer 6 MSW programs we verified, including Gallaudet University, Howard University and The Catholic University of America. 2 can be taken online and 5 offer advanced standing. Estimated tuition runs from $73,500 to $73,500 before fees. After the MSW, District of Columbia's clinical license is the Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW).
- Earn a CSWE-accredited MSW2 years full time, or about 1 with advanced standing
- Pass the ASWB examFor the LGSW
- Log supervised clinical hoursAt least 3,000 hours of post-master's or postdoctoral experience in di…
- Earn the clinical license (LICSW)Independent clinical practice
- programs in District of Columbia
- 6
- schools
- 4
- CSWE-accredited schools
- 3
- offer advanced standing
- 5
- online programs
- 2
The District of Columbia Social Work License Path
District of Columbia Social Work Licenses
District of Columbia Board of Social Work (DC Health)Licensed Social Work Associate
- Degree
- Baccalaureate degree (BSW) from a CSWE-accredited social work program
- Exam
- ASWB Associate level (17 DCMR 7004.6; D.C. Code 3-1208.01 requires the examination process at the associate level)
- Independent practice
- No, practice under supervision or in an agency
Licensed Graduate Social Worker
- Degree
- Master's or doctorate from a CSWE-accredited social work program
- Exam
- none
- Independent practice
- No, practice under supervision or in an agency
Licensed Independent Social Worker
- Degree
- Master's or doctorate from a CSWE-accredited social work program
- Exam
- ASWB Advanced Generalist
- Supervised experience
- At least 3,000 hours of post-master's or postdoctoral experience under the supervision of an LISW over not less than 2 or more than 4 years; the board checklist requires 100 face-to-face or immediate supervision hours.
- Independent practice
- Yes
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
- Degree
- Master's or doctorate from a CSWE-accredited social work program; 12 academic credits of clinical coursework (at least 6 in the MSW program) to sit for the clinical exam
- Exam
- ASWB Clinical
- Supervised experience
- At least 3,000 hours of post-master's or postdoctoral experience in diagnosis and treatment under LICSW supervision over not less than 2 or more than 4 years (a psychiatrist or psychologist may supervise up to 1,500 hours with board approval); the board checklist requires 100 face-to-face or immediate supervision hours.
- Independent practice
- Yes
From District of Columbia Board of Social Work (DC Health), reviewed 2026-09-30. Rules change; confirm with the board before you plan your supervised hours. Plan your own timeline with the license pathway planner.
District of Columbia Schools Compared
| School | Programs | Formats | CSWE | Advanced standing | Lowest est. tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Howard UniversityWashington · Private nonprofit | 2 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes | |
| The Catholic University of AmericaWashington · Private nonprofit | 2 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes | $73,500 |
| Gallaudet UniversityWashington · Private nonprofit | 1 | Campus | CSWE | Yes | |
| University of the District of ColumbiaWashington · Public | 1 | Hybrid | Candidacy |
From each school's own pages, reviewed September 2026. CSWE status from CSWE's directory. Estimated tuition is the published per-credit rate times the stated credits, before fees, or the school's published total.
Every MSW Program in District of Columbia
6 programs in District of Columbia
MSW Flagship Program (on Campus, Washington, D.C.) at Howard University
Howard University · WashingtonFormatOn campusCredits60Est. tuition$38,296per year · general rateAccreditationCSWE- FormatOnline900 field hoursCredits60Est. tuition$38,640per year · general rateAccreditationCSWE
Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) - on Campus at the Catholic University of America
The Catholic University of America · WashingtonFormatOn campusCredits60Est. tuition$73,500$1,225/creditAccreditationCSWEOnline MSW Program at the Catholic University of America
The Catholic University of America · WashingtonFormatOnlineCredits60Est. tuition$73,500$1,225/creditAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campusCredits51Est. tuition$10,584per term · general rateAccreditationCSWE
Master of Social Work (Hybrid) at University of the District of Columbia
University of the District of Columbia · WashingtonFormatHybrid900 field hoursCredits–Est. tuition$513per credit · general rate · resident rateAccreditationCandidacy
No programs match these filters.
Program facts come from each school's own pages, reviewed September 2026. Estimated tuition is the published per-credit rate times the stated credits, before fees, or the school's published program total; "resident rate" means the school charges nonresidents more. CSWE status comes from CSWE's directory of accredited programs.
What an MSW Costs in District of Columbia
2 District of Columbia programs publish enough to estimate tuition before fees, from $73,500 at The Catholic University of America to $73,500 at The Catholic University of America. The District of Columbia median is $73,500, against $40,180 nationally.
| Program | Credits | Est. tuition | With advanced standing |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Catholic University of America: Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) - on campusMaster of Social Work (M.S.W.) - on campus | 60 | $73,500 | |
| The Catholic University of America: Online MSW ProgramOnline MSW Program | 60 | $73,500 |
Public universities' figures are usually the in-state rate. Turn any program into a full cost and loan estimate with the MSW cost and loan calculator.
Largest MSW Programs in District of Columbia
By MSWs awarded in 2022-23 (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS), Howard University has District of Columbia's largest program, followed by The Catholic University of America and Gallaudet University. Size tells you how many classmates, alumni and field placement partners to expect, not how good a program is.
| School | MSWs awarded, 2022-23 |
|---|---|
| Howard University | 76 |
| The Catholic University of America | 56 |
| Gallaudet University | 20 |
Online MSW Options for District of Columbia Residents
You aren't limited to schools in District of Columbia: 259 online MSW programs at schools in other states accept students nationwide. Before you apply, confirm the school can enroll District of Columbia residents online and arrange your field placement in District of Columbia.
| Lowest-cost CSWE-accredited online programs elsewhere | Est. tuition |
|---|---|
| Florida Atlantic University: Master of Social Work - 100% Online Advanced StandingMaster of Social Work - 100% Online Advanced Standing · Florida | $11,155 |
| Appalachian State University: Master of Social Work, Advanced Standing (App State Online)Master of Social Work, Advanced Standing (App State Online) · North Carolina | $11,359 |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Metro: Maestría en Trabajo Social (MSW), Especialidad en Trabajo Social Clínico - Online / PresencialMaestría en Trabajo Social (MSW), Especialidad en Trabajo Social Clínico - Online / Presencial · Puerto Rico | $12,939 |
| University of North Alabama: Master of Social Work (online)Master of Social Work (online) · Alabama | $14,850 |
| University of Arkansas: Online Advanced Standing Master of Social WorkOnline Advanced Standing Master of Social Work · Arkansas | $15,151 |
| East Carolina University: Master of Social Work, part-time online (Regular Pathway and Advanced Standing)Master of Social Work, part-time online (Regular Pathway and Advanced Standing) · North Carolina | $16,624 |
Compare every option on the online MSW programs page, or let the program matcher rank them for you.
Social Worker Pay in District of Columbia
| Occupation | District of Columbia median | U.S. median | Jobs in District of Columbia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $73,550 | $59,550 | 2,430 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $94,100 | $67,880 | 420 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $73,310 | $60,280 | 510 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $96,380 | $71,900 | 350 |
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. A high median on few jobs describes a small market. What you can do with an MSW.
MSW Programs Near District of Columbia Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many MSW Programs Are in District of Columbia?
We verified 6 MSW programs at 4 schools in District of Columbia; 3 of those schools are listed as accredited in CSWE's directory.
What Social Work Licenses Does District of Columbia Issue?
District of Columbia's board (District of Columbia Board of Social Work (DC Health)) issues LSWA, LGSW, LISW and LICSW. Clinical practice requires the Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW), after At least 3,000 hours of post-master's or postdoctoral experience in diagnosis and treatment under LICSW supervision over not less than 2 or more than 4 years (a psychiatrist or psychologist may supervise up to 1,500 hours with board approval); the board checklist requires 100 face-to-face or immediate supervision hours.
Can District of Columbia Residents Earn an MSW Online?
Yes. Beyond District of Columbia's own programs, 259 online MSW programs at schools in other states accept students nationwide; confirm each school can enroll District of Columbia residents and place you in a field practicum in District of Columbia. Online MSW programs.
How Much Does an MSW Cost in District of Columbia?
Estimated tuition for District of Columbia programs that publish a rate and their credits runs from $73,500 to $73,500 before fees. Public universities usually charge nonresidents more, and advanced standing cuts the total for BSW graduates.
Nearby States
Sources
- Official program, tuition and admissions pages of the 4 District of Columbia schools listed, reviewed September 2026
- District of Columbia Board of Social Work (DC Health)
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), directory of accredited programs
- U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS completions 2022-23
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025