The University of the District of Columbia celebrated the launch of its new Master of Social Work (MSW) program Oct. 9 with a daylong symposium and evening reception at its Van Ness campus, marking a milestone in the university's efforts to strengthen the District's behavioral health workforce.
Hosted by UDC's College of Arts and Sciences, the symposium brought together voices from social work practice, public policy, academia and lived experience to explore the future of the profession in the District and beyond. The evening reception celebrated the program's inaugural cohort and the partnerships that helped bring the new degree to UDC.
The program represents a meaningful investment in the District's future, connecting residents with opportunities to pursue advanced degrees and professional careers while helping address the growing need for qualified social workers in behavioral health, education, health care and community services.
The initiative builds on the Pathways to Behavioral Health Degrees Act of 2023, championed by DC Councilmember Robert White, which established financial assistance for eligible District residents pursuing qualifying graduate degrees at UDC. The legislation reflects White's efforts to expand access to behavioral health education, reduce financial barriers for District residents and strengthen the local workforce serving communities across Washington.
For UDC President Maurice D. Edington, the program demonstrates the university's ability to respond directly to the needs of the District.
“Higher education has its greatest impact when it responds to the needs of the communities it serves,” Edington said. “Through this program, we are opening doors to meaningful careers while helping address a critical need for skilled social workers across the District. It reflects the power of collaboration and our commitment to ensuring that educational opportunity translates into lasting community impact.”
Preparing Social Workers for the Communities They Serve
UDC's MSW program combines graduate coursework with 900 hours of supervised field experience over two years, preparing students for professional practice in settings ranging from schools and hospitals to behavioral health agencies, government offices and community organizations.
The curriculum emphasizes the interconnected challenges facing urban communities, including housing instability, trauma, substance use, family well-being and access to health care. Students also explore the role of public policy, community engagement and advocacy in addressing these issues.
“Social workers operate at the intersection of individual needs, community conditions and public policy,” said UDC Chief Academic Officer April Massey. “Our responsibility is to prepare graduates who understand those connections and have the knowledge, judgment and practical experience to respond effectively. This program brings together rigorous academic preparation and the kind of experiential learning that is central to UDC's educational mission.”
Affordability is another defining feature of the program. Through the District's investment in behavioral health education, students can pursue the MSW degree with significantly reduced financial barriers. The Pathways legislation also provides eligible students with assistance for qualifying educational and related expenses in exchange for a commitment to work in the District after graduation and professional licensure.
For MSW Program Director Kesslyn Brade Stennis, the launch represents an opportunity to build a program rooted in the experiences and needs of the communities its graduates will serve.
“We want our students to leave UDC prepared to meet people where they are, understand the circumstances shaping their lives and work alongside communities to create meaningful change,” Brade Stennis said. “That preparation requires more than classroom instruction. It requires partnerships, practical experience and an ongoing conversation about what our communities need from the next generation of social workers.”
The Oct. 9 celebration marked more than the launch of a new academic program. It signaled the next chapter in a collaborative effort to expand educational opportunity, address critical workforce needs and strengthen access to behavioral health services across the District. As UDC's inaugural MSW students begin their studies, the university is turning that shared vision into action — preparing a new generation of social workers to serve the communities they call home.
Learn more about UDC's Master of Social Work program.