University of Maryland Baltimore MSW Program
The University of Maryland School of Social Work (UMSSW) ranks among the nation’s top institutions for social work education. This 63-year-old prestigious school has quickly risen to prominence and leads social work education throughout Maryland while earning recognition from national and international audiences. UMSSW has become one of the largest and most respected schools of social work in the United States, despite its brief history.
UMSSW’s home at 525 West Redwood Street in Baltimore makes it one of six professional schools within the University of Maryland, Baltimore campus. Students benefit from a unique experience to learn alongside nursing, medicine, pharmacy, dental, and law students in a shared learning environment.
UMSSW serves as an anchor institution for Baltimore and nearby communities. The school’s research centers build mutually beneficial alliances with state and local agencies to develop policies, frameworks, and practices that address systemic challenges and disparities. Their steadfast dedication to community service shows in the approximately 500,000 hours of social work services provided yearly throughout Maryland and neighboring areas.
UMSSW’s mission centers on developing practitioners, leaders, and scholars who advance community well-being and promote social justice. Students prepare for their future through a balanced mix of rigorous coursework and supervised real-life experiences, with emphasis on justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Students learn to tackle tomorrow’s challenges—from helping adults and children with emotional issues to working with community residents on neighborhood improvements and guiding human service agencies to serve clients better. This approach has led UMSSW to educate most social workers in Maryland.
UMSSW leads social work education with its graduate degrees, continuing professional education workshops, and certificates. The institution gives students the foundation, tools, and experiences they need to make meaningful contributions to society and achieve professional success.
Programs offered
The University of Maryland School of Social Work gives you multiple paths to advance your social work education through its complete degree programs. The Master of Social Work (MSW) program stands at the heart of these offerings, with four flexible formats that fit different student needs. You can choose from the 60-credit hybrid program, 60-credit online program, 36-credit hybrid advanced standing program, and 36-credit online advanced standing program.
Students in the 60-credit master’s program work through 27 foundation credits and 33 advanced credits, with plenty of specialized courses to choose from. The MSW program lets you pick between two main concentrations: Clinical Social Work or Leadership, Policy, & Social Change (formerly known as Macro). You can even mix these concentrations by picking a primary one and adding a secondary focus to create your own unique learning path.
The Clinical concentration helps you provide therapeutic services in various settings to boost the quality of life for individuals, families, and groups. Clinical graduates often become psychotherapists, mental health professionals, clinical services directors, case managers, substance use social workers, and school counselors.
Students who choose the Leadership, Policy, & Social Change concentration learn to develop new services and improve existing social programs and policies. This path teaches social workers to build power and reshape the world by promoting anti-oppressive organizations, creating fair policies, and building strong communities. Many graduates work as community organizers, policy analysts, nonprofit administrators, executive directors, politicians, or advocacy specialists.
The school offers a 53-credit PhD program that’s perfect if you have an MSW degree and want to pursue interdisciplinary research careers. This program shapes graduates into outstanding social work scholars and educators.
The school’s new Doctor of Social Work (DSW) program is a three-year advanced practice doctorate that helps experienced social workers deepen their expertise. You’ll need an MSW degree and at least two years of social work experience to join this cohort-based program that focuses on five core areas: clinical practice, teaching, supervision, leadership, and applied research.
The university also offers several dual degree options including MSW/JD, MSW/MA, MBA/MSW, and MSW/MPH programs. These combinations create specialized educational paths that ambitious students often find valuable.
About the online program
The 3-year Online MSW program gives aspiring clinical social workers in Maryland and nearby states a clear path to advanced credentials. Students who like evening online classes can complete their in-person practicum hours right in their local communities.
Students move through courses as a group in this online program. This approach builds a supportive learning community and helps students create lasting connections with their peers in clinical social work.
Live virtual classes run from 6-9 PM on Tuesdays and Thursdays. These evening sessions let students actively participate and discuss topics while building strong relationships online. Some courses let students complete weekly readings and assignments at their own pace.
The program needs students to meet these requirements:
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university
- Two three-credit courses in behavioral/social sciences with a grade of ‘C’ or above
- A preferred minimum 3.0 GPA (they review lower GPAs with adjusted scoring)
- A home in Maryland or surrounding areas
New students must take “A Brief History of Oppression and Resistance” before starting classes. This self-paced online course takes about 15-30 hours to complete.
Fall and spring semesters run for 15 weeks, while summer terms last 8 weeks. Field practicum usually starts in the second year during regular business hours. Students can use university services like the Counseling Center, Writing Center, Educational Support and Disability Office, and various student groups.
Students need this technology to succeed in the online MSW program:
- A desktop or laptop computer (tablets and Chromebooks won’t work well)
- High-speed internet
- Webcam and microphone
- Software installation capabilities
- A quiet, private space for live classes
The program currently offers only the Clinical concentration. Students interested in the Leadership, Policy, and Social Change track should look at other options. While students learn remotely, they get the same high-quality education as on-campus students.
Accreditation
Quality assurance in social work education programs nationwide depends on accreditation. The University of Maryland School of Social Work’s MSW program has full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). CSWE serves as the main accrediting organization for bachelor’s and master’s level social work programs across the United States. The program completed its latest accreditation review in 2024, and the next evaluation will take place in 2032.
CSWE’s accreditation involves a detailed peer-review process. This process balances similar outcome requirements while giving institutions room to distinguish themselves based on their unique context. The evaluation shows UMSSW’s commitment to the highest standards in social work education. Their graduates meet national measures for professional practice.
The University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) has managed to keep its institutional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education since 1921. The commission reaffirmed this accreditation in June 2025. The next evaluation site visit will happen in 2032-2033.
Students benefit from CSWE-accredited programs in several important ways. Most state licensing boards require social work degrees from CSWE-accredited programs to qualify for licensing examinations. Many employers look specifically for graduates from accredited programs. Students need a bachelor’s degree from a CSWE program to qualify for advanced standing in accredited graduate social work programs.
UMSSW stands out as Maryland’s first accredited social work program that offers in-state tuition to eligible Washington, D.C. residents for the MSW program. This policy makes quality social work education available to more students from neighboring areas.
CSWE’s accreditation process looks at four key categories:
- Program mission and goals
- Explicit curriculum (including core competencies and ethical principles)
- Implicit curriculum (including student development and diversity)
- Assessment methods and outcomes
CSWE requires MSW programs to provide at least 900 hours of supervised practice for field experience. UMSSW follows CSWE competencies that graduating MSW students need to master.
This accreditation proves UMSSW delivers educational excellence. Their graduates are ready to promote health, well-being, and justice effectively for everyone in our diverse society.
Admission Requirements
The University of Maryland – Baltimore MSW program looks for students who show compassion and dedication to become skilled changemakers in social work. Getting into the program means meeting specific academic requirements and completing the application steps.
Students need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. The school doesn’t state a specific GPA requirement, but they prefer applicants with a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale. This covers both overall GPA and grades from your last 60 undergraduate credits.
The Advanced Standing program has extra requirements for students with prior social work education:
- A CSWE-accredited undergraduate social work degree earned within five years before enrollment
- Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
- Grade of “B” or higher in Practice and Field Practicum classes
- No grade lower than “B” in any practice coursework
The application starts when you create an account on the university’s portal. You’ll need to fill out personal information and choose your program type (60-credit or 36-credit Advanced Standing; hybrid, online, or transfer). The process includes three personal statement essays, each limited to 300 words that cover:
- Your motivation for pursuing social work and interest in UMB’s program
- A social problem you’re passionate about addressing
- An experience showing respect for someone with different life experiences
Advanced Standing applicants must also submit a case plan with a direct practice example.
Required documents include:
- An updated chronological resume
- Official transcripts from all previous schools
- Two recommendation letters (three for Advanced Standing applicants)
Program deadlines vary. The 60-credit Hybrid program’s spring applications (part-time only) are due November 1, with decisions by December 1. Fall applications have a priority deadline of January 15 and final deadline of March 15.
The application costs $65.00, but fee waivers exist for AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, military members, and other service groups.
Accepted students must finish an online prerequisite course “A Brief History of Oppression and Resistance” before starting classes. This self-paced course takes about 15-30 hours.
Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA to graduate and complete the 60-credit MSW degree within four years of starting (two years for Advanced Standing students).
Tuition
Smart financial planning plays a vital role in your social work education journey. The University of Maryland School of Social Work bases its tuition on your residency status, where you study, and when you enroll.
MSW students who are Maryland residents pay $729 per credit, while non-residents pay $1,307. Students who start after Fall 2023 will pay full-time annual tuition of $17,496 as residents and $32,928 as non-residents**. The part-time online program costs less at $8,748 yearly for residents and $16,464 for non-residents** when taking 6 credits each semester.
Your total expenses go beyond just tuition. Baltimore campus students need to budget for yearly university fees of $6,825 and program fees of $110 that cover field practicum technology and malpractice insurance. Students at Shady Grove campus pay lower university fees of $5,767. You’ll also need to plan for books and supplies ($1,350), living costs ($26,550), transportation ($2,000), and federal loan fees that change based on your residency status.
Washington D.C. residents can now take advantage of in-state tuition rates – a first for any accredited social work program in Maryland. This benefit cuts tuition from $1,307 to $676 per credit, which saves students 48%.
Students who submit their FAFSA applications by March 1st might receive institutional grants up to $6,000. Typical aid packages include:
- Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans ($20,500)
- University Grants (when available)
- Federal Direct Grad PLUS Loans (for remaining costs)
Special fellowships provide extra support. The School-Based Mental Health Fellowship gives $15,000 yearly tuition scholarships plus an $8,000 stipend.
Fall semester payments in due August, and spring payments by January. The University System of Maryland Board of Regents might adjust these tuition and fees as needed.
Additional Information
The remarkable career success of University of Maryland – Baltimore MSW graduates shines through in recent survey results. Students achieve great employment outcomes with a 95% job placement rate within three months after graduation. Their average starting salary falls between $67,000-$72,000, and more than 38% earn above $70,000.
The program’s excellent professional preparation shows in the numbers – 121 of 122 graduates passed the LMSW exam. Most employers provide great benefits to their employees:
- LMSW supervision hours (91%)
- Paid time off and health insurance (89%)
- Retirement benefits (76%)
- Continuing education funding (58%)
The University’s Office of Continuing Professional Education helps graduates grow by offering workshops that Licensed Counselors, Psychologists, and Social Workers can use.
Students looking to advance their careers can get funding through the UMBrella Scholarship program each year. Previous scholarship winners have used this money to get specialized certifications and attend leadership programs and research workshops.
Students connect with alumni and potential employers at events like the joint UMBC and UMB Social Work Career and Networking Reception. The “Past, Present, and Future” networking event brings everyone together – from alumni to current and future students.
These support systems help drive the program’s consistently high career placement rates and professional success.