The school was established in 1920 as part of the drive for improved education, which arose out of the March First Movement.

Because the name Geunhwa (근화; 槿花) refers to the Korean national flower, it was changed to "Duksung" under pressure from Japanese authorities in 1938.

In 2020, KoreaPost issued a stamp commemorating the 100th anniversary of the founding of Duksung Women's University.

The library is pursuing a joint list and cross-loan service with private universities in the northeastern part of Seoul.

To manage students' health, the Fitness Center offers individual exercise training program and body composition measuring service.

In the lounge and kitchen, a refrigerator, electric rice cooker, gas oven, dining table and cooking utensils are available to use.

The International Language Center has a new building, dormitory facility, and research staff of master and doctorate degree professors majoring in English and Korean education, and foreign teaching faculty.