• health and mental health
• family and child services
• displaced populations, and
• social gerontology.

Other concentrations/specializations may be worked out upon consultation with faculty. The program requires the satisfactory completion at least forty eight (48) semester credit hours, including a dissertation. An applicant must have a Master's degree from an accredited School of Social Work. There is a provision to accept a limited number of non-MSW students who have Masters of Arts degree or Masters of Science degrees in an allied field such as sociology, psychology, human development, and family studies. However, all students are expected to complete their MSW degree.

A completed application should include the following:

1. General application for admission to Howard University, accompanied by a $45.00 application fee payable to Treasurer, Howard University (Certified check or money order only)

2. Result of Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test Scores.

3. Scores from The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), if you are an international student.

4. One (1) official copy of undergraduate transcript -- Please have the appropriate college/university forward it directly to the doctoral program office.

5. One (1) official copy of graduate transcript -- Please have the appropriate college/university forward it directly to the doctoral program office.

6. Three (3) written recommendations -- A copy of recommendation form letter is attached for you to forward to persons you choose to write recommendations on your behalf. NOTE: References must include at least one graduate professor, and one professional supervisor.

7. A curriculum vitae of your educational and professional experiences. Please organize your curriculum vitae so that the following items can be conveniently determined: education, professional experiences, scholarly writings/presentations, and community service.

8. Essay. Please prepare a statement reflecting the following: (a) your philosophy of social welfare/social work; (b) your personal, professional, and educational goals; and your research interest. Please include information on how you intend to relate your professional and educational experiences to your future goals, and how you think this program will assist you. (3 to 5 double-spaced type-written pages).

9. Information regarding your plans for financial support. If you want to be considered for financial aid, please complete the Financial Aid Form for evaluation by the Educational Testing Service at Princeton, New Jersey. Please adhere to deadlines on the [FAF.] Financial Aid is available through the University on the basis of need and academic performance in the form of federally supported loans, tuition scholarships, and part-time employment. The School of Social Work offers a limited number of graduate assistantships, partial-tuition scholarships, and tuition grants on the basis of need and academic performance.

10. Other relevant material you would like to submit as evidence of your ability to perform in the program including copies of published papers.

The requests for admission far exceed the number of students who can be accommodated by the Program, therefore, you should present a complete portrait of yourself to the Doctoral Committee.

Please refer to Howard University Graduate School website at http://www.founders.howard.edu/gsas/ for application forms. Please return the completed form and all materials to:

Fariyal Ross-Sheriff, Ph.D.
Director, Ph.D. Program in Social Work
School of Social Work, Howard University
Washington, D.C. 20059

Kindly include a telephone number where you may be reached during the day so we can call you in the event
it is necessary to clarify something regarding your application.

The deadline for receipt of all application material is February 15. You are encouraged to begin the application process early since the application review begins in mid-January and some of the items, such as transcripts and letters of reference may not be sent to us immediately upon your request. From time to time you should check with Ms. Caprice Belton, the secretary of the doctoral program at 202-806-7306 regarding the status of your file. The Doctoral Committee does not assess incomplete files. We should be able to notify you regarding the disposition of your application as soon as it is reviewed.

Thanks again for your interest in our Program.

Sincerely,

Fariyal Ross-Sheriff, Ph.D.
Director, Doctoral Program in Social Work