Social Work Degree Programs in Maryland

If you are interested in becoming a professional social worker to serve the unique urban needs of the diverse communities within the greater Baltimore and Washington, DC metropolitan areas, there are luckily numerous accredited social work degree programs in Maryland that can help you achieve these rewarding career goals. Despite being one of the smallest states in the United States situated in the Mid-Atlantic region, the following are the 12 top-notch undergraduate and graduate social work degree programs that have been given the stamp of approval by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) for excellence in Maryland.

Online Social Work Programs For You

Bowie State University

Department of Social Work

Founded in 1865 as one of the first historically black universities in Maryland and one of the ten first in the entire nation, Bowie State University is a comprehensive public student-centered institution with a diverse student population of more than 5,400 students. Within the midst of one of the nation's most exciting metropolitan areas in easy access of the District of Columbia and Baltimore in the suburban setting of Bowie, BSU is currently ranked as the 25th best historically black university in the nation by the U.S. News and World Report. Fully accredited by the CSWE, the Department of Social Work is dedicated to preparing students for social work practice with individuals, families, groups, and communities.

Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW)

Designed to prepare students for entry-level professional social work practice and/or graduate-level education through a seamless blend of theoretical and practical learning experience, the four-year Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW) program follows a generalist approach to equip graduates with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed for beginning a rewarding career in the social work profession. Within the degree sequence, students also have the option of concentrating their studies on certain vulnerable populations by following the Spanish or Sign Language program tracks. The program has the goal of developing students' analytical and critical thinking skills so that they will be able to tackle challenging societal issues and social problems in a variety of public or private settings.

Accreditations

  • Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
  • Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

Contact Information

CLT Room 331D
1400 Jericho Park Rd.
Bowie, MD 20715
(301) 860-3251
[email protected]
http://www.bowiestate.edu/academics-research/departments/social-work/academic-program/

Coppin State University

Department of Social Work

Known for embodying excellence as a pioneer in urban education and public service, Coppin State University is a comprehensive public liberal arts institution situated on a 52-acre urban campus in the downtown hub of Baltimore. The Department of Social Work is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) to meet the highest professional standards and exceed the national standards for licensing in preparation of producing quality graduates for direct social work practice at the entry level.

Bachelor Science in Social Work (BSSW)

Intended to prepare undergraduate students for generalist social work practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities, the Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW) program is focused on developing the professional knowledge, values, and skills needed to implement planned change strategies to address the needs of diverse populations in today's changing society. Built on a strong liberal arts foundation, the upper-level professional program requires the completion of at least 50 credits in social work major courses in social welfare policy, human behavior, social work practice methods, research, and technology for human services. In addition, students must actively participate in a two-semester field work practice experience in a community-based social service agency for 480 clock hours.

Accreditations

  • Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
  • Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

Contact Information

HHSB Room 527
2500 W. North Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21216
(410) 951-3535
[email protected]
http://www.coppin.edu/info/200352/social_work

Frostburg State University

Department of Social Work

As the only four-year institution of the University System of Maryland situated west of the Baltimore-Washington corridor with a serene setting on a 260-acre rural campus, Frostburg State University is a largely residential public comprehensive regional institution offering a wide array of affordable accredited academic options. According to the U.S. News and World Report, Frostburg is ranked as the 135th best college, 44th top public school, and 40th best university for veterans in the North. The Department of Social Work prepares social work practitioners who are committed to advocating for social justice and empowering disadvantaged communities.

Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

Built upon a liberal arts foundation to provide students with the knowledge, dispositions, attitudes, and skills needed to help diverse at-risk populations at the macro, mezzo, and micro levels, the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program is designed to prepare graduates for professional entry-level generalist practice by fulfilling requirements needed to take the social work licensure examinations in Maryland. As a 67-credit upper-level program, the intensive curriculum covers ethics, diversity, social justice, vulnerable populations, human behavior, social welfare policy, child welfare services, social work practice, research methods, and field practicum. For graduation, students must complete all courses with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.3 and complete a full-time capstone internship experience in the final semester.

Accreditations

  • Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
  • Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

Contact Information

Guild Center Room 028
101 Braddock Rd.
Frostburg, MD 21532
(301) 687-7497
[email protected]
http://www.frostburg.edu/dept/sowk/

Hood College

Department of Sociology and Social Work

Situated on a 50-acre urban campus in the center of historic Frederick within an hour's drive of downtown Baltimore, Hood College is an independent liberal arts institution with a close-knit vibrant community of just over 1,500 students. Consistently ranked as one of the nation's most affordable higher education settings, Hood is currently recognized as the 37th best college, 8th top value school, and 12th best university for veterans by the U.S. News and World Report. For pre-professional practice, the Department of Sociology and Social Work offers programs in sociology, social work, social science research, criminology, delinquency, and gerontology.

Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

Focused on the provision of quality generalist education to deliver the necessary knowledge, methods, values, ethics, and skills for success in the social work profession, the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program integrates academic and professional practice experiences for addressing social and economic justice in diverse at-risk populations. Due to the growing number of older adults who need social services, the program places a particular emphasis on producing social work practitioners with the basic competencies needed to provide competent services to older adults regardless of the social work field of practice. Giving students the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge of the four foundational areas of social work, the program requires the completion of 480 clock hours of direct supervised field service to clients.

Accreditations

  • Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
  • Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

Contact Information

Alumnae Hall 3rd Floor
401 Rosemont Avenue
Frederick, MD 21701
(301) 696-3748
[email protected]
http://www.hood.edu/Academics/Departments/Sociology-and-Social-Work/Social-Work-Program.html

McDaniel College

Department of Social Work

Grounded firmly in the liberal arts and sciences, McDaniel College is a comprehensive private coeducational institution situated on a 160-acre suburban campus in Westminster just one hour away from the career possibilities of the nation's capital. According to the U.S. News and World Report, McDaniel is currently ranked as the 126th best national liberal arts college in the nation for 2014. The Department of Social Work is dedicated to advancing understanding on the biological, psychological, and socio-cultural aspects of people's relationships with their environment to promote social justice amongst diverse members of today's society.

Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

Designed to provide undergraduate students with an understanding of the theories and dynamics of human behavior, social policy development, helping roles, assessment skills, clinical intervention techniques, and research methods, the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program prepare students for entry-level culturally sensitive generalist practice with vulnerable at-risk populations. Through 120 credits of coursework, field education, and a supportive learning environment, students gain the knowledge, skills, and values needed to become competent licensed social workers. In the senior year, students are placed in a human service agency under the supervision of a master's-level social work two days each week for a two-semester internship experience of practical application.

Accreditations

  • Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
  • Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

Contact Information

Hill Hall 3rd Floor
2 College Hill
Westminster, MD 21157
(410) 857-2535
[email protected]
http://www.mcdaniel.edu/undergraduate/the-mcdaniel-plan/departments/social-work

Morgan State University

School of Social Work

Designated as "Maryland's Public Urban University" and an important part of the higher education system helping to reshape the social, cultural, and political landscape of the urban center of Baltimore, Morgan State University is the largest historically black college in the state with more than 8,000 students. Known for increasing the educational attainment of the underrepresented African American community, the U.S. News and World Report survey ranks Morgan State as the 18th best historically black institution in the entire nation. Furthermore, the School of Social Work is nationally acclaimed for hosting the 104th best graduate social work programs in the United States.

Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

Focused on the social work philosophy, knowledge base, and practicum field instruction experience, the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program offers undergraduate students the opportunity to major in a generalist practice-oriented sequence that is directly related to the delivery of social services to diverse urban populations. Designed to prepare students to function effectively as generalist social work practitioners and gain admissions to graduate school with advanced standing status, the program requires the completion of at least 60 credit hours of major social work coursework. In addition, students must complete 220 hours of supervised field experience each semester for about 16 hours each week.

Master of Social Work (MSW)

With a mission of preparing autonomous social work professionals to become leaders in the diverse urban community of Baltimore, the Master of Social Work (MSW) program places a strong emphasis on alleviating poverty, human suffering, oppression, violence, substance abuse, mental illness, discrimination, and injustice through multi-level specialized social work fields of practice. As a 60-credit hour program, the degree typically requires at least two years of graduate study full-time or three to four years part-time. At the conclusion of the program and the full-time internship experience, graduates are well-prepared as social work practitioners for working effectively with urban individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.

Accreditations

  • Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
  • Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

Contact Information

Jenkins Building Room 343
1700 East Cold Spring Lane
Baltimore, MD 21251
(443) 885-3537
[email protected]

Salisbury University

Social Work Department

With the fastest undergraduate time-to-degree average in the University System of Maryland, Salisbury University is a comprehensive public institution situated in a quaint small rural town less than three hours from Baltimore and the nation's capital in Washington, DC. Nationally recognized as a "Maryland University of National Distinction," SU is ranked as the 66th best college, 16th top public school, and 23rd best university for veterans by the U.S. News and World Report. Even more importantly, the Social Work Department is acclaimed for offering students the 172nd best graduate social work program in the United States.

Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW)

Intended to prepare graduates as competent entry-level generalist social work practitioners through the integration of both standard classroom study and practical field experience, the Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW) program is focused on providing plentiful opportunities for "hands-on" learning in area social service agencies to acquire the knowledge and skills for social work practice. Along with being conveniently offered at four satellite program locations at Cecil College, Eastern Shore Higher Education Center of Chesapeake College, Southern Maryland Higher Education Center, and the University System of Maryland at Hagerstown, students can also participate in a unique dual-degree program to earn the BASW and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Maryland at Eastern Shore concurrently.

Master of Social Work (MSW)

Fully accredited by the CSWE for excellence in teaching and maintaining a strong focus on student learning, the Master of Social Work (MSW) program has the goal of educating ethical competent social work practitioners who can work with a high degree of autonomy in the pursuit of social and economic justice for disadvantaged communities. Designed to prepare professional social workers for community-based direct practice primarily with individuals, groups, and families, the program is based on the systems and strengths perspectives for preventing or alleviating social problems. Building on a strong liberal arts foundation with a concentration on community-based direct practice, the program requires the completion of at least 62 credits full-time.

Accreditations

  • Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
  • Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

Contact Information

1101 Camden Avenue
Salisbury, MD 21801
(410) 543-6305
[email protected]
http://www.salisbury.edu/socialwork/programs-main.html

Sojourner-Douglass College

Department of Undergraduate Studies

Formerly known as the Homestead-Montebello Center of Antioch University founded in 1972, Sojourner-Douglass College is a private institution organized around an Afrocentric focus of study in honor of African American abolitionists Sojourner Truth and Frederick Douglass. Headquartered in the downtown hub of Baltimore with multiple satellite locations scattered in Annapolis, Cambridge, Salisbury, Owings Mills, and Lanham, SDC is fully accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) to award four-year bachelor's degrees, including a top-notch approved program in social work.

Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW)

Ideal for undergraduate students who have a passion for responding to the needs and aspirations of various at-risk populations, the Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW) program aims to educate students for generalist social work practice to serve as change agents with urban oppressed and disadvantaged communities. Promoting leadership, scholarship, advocacy, activism, and equity for social justice, the program incorporates a comprehensive range of knowledge, ethics, values, skills, and practical experiences for working effectively at all levels of social intervention. For completion of the BASW degree, students are required to complete at least 133 total semester credits.

Accreditations

  • Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
  • Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

Contact Information

200 North Central Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21202
(410) 276-0306
[email protected]

University of Maryland, Baltimore

School of Social Work

As the state's only public health, law, and human services institution devoted to excellence in professional and graduate education, research, patient care, and public community service, the University of Maryland, Baltimore is based on a 71-acre research and technology complex that encompasses 65 buildings in the Inner Harbor of West Baltimore. Among the numerous top-ranked health and human service academic programs at UMB, the School of Social Work is nationally acclaimed for hosting the 16th best graduate social work program in the nation for developing practitioners, leaders, and scholars to advance the well-being of communities.

Master of Social Work (MSW)

As an exciting 60-credit master's degree program divided between 24 foundational credits and 36 advanced credits studying clinical social work, human services management, and community organization, the Master of Social Work (MSW) program aims to educate graduate students for leading human service agencies to better serve the needs of diverse at-risk and disadvantaged clients. In the advanced year, students have the choice for concentrating their studies in Clinical Mental Health, Management and Community Organization (MACRO), Aging, Families and Children, Health, or Community Action and Social Policy. For students who already possess a BSW from an accredited institution, there is also a 36-credit Advanced Standing program to be completed in one year full-time or two years part-time.

Accreditations

  • Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
  • Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

Contact Information

525 West Redwood Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
(410) 706-7922
[email protected]
http://www.ssw.umaryland.edu/

University of Maryland, Baltimore County

School of Social Work

Located about 30 minutes from the heart of the nation's political and business capital in the District of Columbia on a 530-acre suburban campus, the University of Maryland at Baltimore County is a highly distinguished public research institution with more than 14,000 students. As the "Honors University in Maryland," UMBC is currently ranked as the 158th best college, 85th top public school, and 1st best up-and-coming university in the entire nation by the U.S. News and World Report. The School of Social Work is dedicated to being national leaders for social work education, service innovation, and policy development to create competent leaders to advance the social well-being of populations and communities at-risk for oppression.

Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

Responsible for preparing baccalaureate-level professionals for generalist social work practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities, the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program is focused on developing students' skills and helping techniques to effectively intervene in addressing social issues. With a tradition of close faculty-student collaboration, the intensive curriculum covers a variety of social work problems for the 21st century, including health care, substance abuse addictions, welfare reforms, and racial discrimination with an application of information technology to practice. Within the program, students have the option to supplement the BSW degree with a double major in Health Administration and Policy, Gender and Women's Studies, Criminal Justice, Psychology, and Sociology, or minor in Social Welfare.

Accreditations

  • Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
  • Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

Contact Information

Sherman Hall Room 322
1000 Hilltop Circle
Baltimore, MD 21250
(410) 455-2144
[email protected]
http://socialwork.umbc.edu/the-program/

According to the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners, it is required for individuals to receive an undergraduate or graduate social work degree to gain licensure as a LBSW or LGSW before delivering social work services to the diverse communities within the "Old Line State." Therefore, if you are interested helping individuals or groups cope with the challenges of their everyday lives and overcome disadvantaged situations, it is highly recommended that you check out these social work degree programs in Maryland that can get you on the right track to a rewarding career serving at-risk populations.