Director, Online Master of Social Work (MSW) Program

Howard University

5d•$100,000 - $115,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director, Online Master of Social Work (MSW) Program provides strategic, academic, operational, and administrative leadership for the Howard University School of Social Work online MSW program. The position is responsible for ensuring that the online program maintains academic quality, student-centered delivery, enrollment and retention strength, accreditation readiness, field education integration, faculty engagement, and continuous improvement across a nationwide student population. The Director advances an online graduate social work experience grounded in Howard University’s mission of Truth and Service and the School of Social Work’s Black Perspective. The role ensures that the online MSW program prepares students to serve individuals, families, organizations, and communities while addressing systemic inequities, advancing social justice, and strengthening outcomes for African Americans and other historically marginalized populations.

Requirements

Master of Social Work (MSW) from a CSWE-accredited institution required.
Seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in social work education, higher education administration, online program administration, academic program leadership, student success, field education, or a closely related area required.
Experience supporting online or hybrid graduate programs strongly required
Experience supervising professional staff, coordinating faculty, and leading cross-functional initiatives required.
Demonstrated experience using data to evaluate programs, improve student outcomes, and support executive-level decision making required.
Demonstrated commitment to the mission of Howard University and the School of Social Work required.

Nice To Haves

Doctoral degree in social work, higher education, educational leadership, public administration, or a related discipline preferred.
Experience with accreditation, assessment, curriculum coordination, or academic compliance preferred.
Social work licensure, such as LICSW, LCSW, LMSW, or equivalent, preferred where applicable.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic direction for the online MSW program, including annual goals, operating plans, enrollment sustainability, student success priorities, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Align program priorities with the School of Social Work’s mission, the University’s strategic priorities, and the needs of a national online graduate student population.
Partner with faculty and academic leaders to support high-quality course delivery, curriculum assessment, online teaching effectiveness, and alignment with the School’s concentrations in Direct Practice and Community, Administration, and Policy Practice.
Support integration of the Black Perspective across online learning experiences.
Coordinate program assessment, documentation, evidence gathering, and reporting activities that support CSWE accreditation expectations, institutional effectiveness, state authorization considerations, licensure alignment review, and University policy compliance.
Design and implement initiatives that strengthen student orientation, advising coordination, academic progress monitoring, retention, persistence, graduation, and alumni engagement.
Use student feedback and performance data to identify service gaps and implement timely interventions.
Collaborate with field education leadership to support agency-based education for online students, including geographically distributed placement needs, student preparation, agency relationship development, and alignment of placements with concentration-specific learning goals.
Oversee day-to-day online program operations, including communication workflows, online course support coordination, technology-related issue escalation, virtual engagement structures, program documentation, and collaboration with instructional design and digital learning teams.
Partner with admissions, enrollment management, marketing, and school leadership to support recruitment strategy, prospective student engagement, admissions review coordination, yield support, and accurate communication of program requirements, pathways, and expectations.
Support onboarding, orientation, communication, training, and coordination for faculty and staff involved in the online MSW program.
Promote consistent expectations for online student engagement, response standards, course readiness, and student-centered support.
Assist in the development and monitoring of program budgets, resource needs, staffing plans, vendor coordination, and operational reports.
Prepare analyses and recommendations for the Dean and school leadership regarding program performance, risks, opportunities, and resource requirements.
Represent the online MSW program in school, University, professional, and community settings.
Build relationships that enhance the reputation, reach, and social impact of Howard University’s online social work education.