SSW Orientation

Congratulations on Your Acceptance!   

We’re thrilled to welcome you to the MSW program! You’ve taken a big step toward an exciting future, and we can’t wait to see all that you’ll accomplish. Before we dive into the adventure ahead, make sure that you have completed all the steps on the Accepted Student Checklist and keep the following orientations and dates in mind.

 

Required Campus Resource Orientations

Incoming students must attend the required orientation(s) for their specific campus location in addition to the mandatory practicum orientations and if applicable, program and fellowship-specific orientations.   

University of Maryland, Baltimore (Required for All Students)

Multiple Dates 

Students are required to participate in the University of Maryland, Baltimore’s (UMB) campus-wide orientation.  UMB Campuswide orientation is an opportunity to meet fellow students across UMB’s six professional health and human services schools and learn about resources and services available on the Baltimore Campus. Students must register for one of the following dates depending on your home campus (scroll to the bottom of SSW)

  • USG Students Wednesday, August 19, 10-3 pm at USG
  • Monday, August 3, 2-4 pm (In-person) SMC Campus Center Elm Ballrooms 2nd Floor
  • Thursday, August 6, 2-4 pm (In-person) SMC Campus Center Elm Ballrooms 2nd Floor 
  • Thursday, August 13, 5:30-7:30 pm (Zoom) 
  • Friday, August 14, 2-4 pm (In-person) SMC Campus Center Elm Ballrooms 2nd Floor 
  • Monday, August 17, 2-4 pm (In-person) SMC Campus Center Elm Ballrooms 2nd Floor 
  • Thursday, August 20, 5:30-7:30 pm (Zoom)
Baltimore Campus

In-Person Monday, August 17th, 9:30-11:30AM with Check-In and light breakfast beginning at 8:30AM.

SMC Campus Center Elm Ballrooms 2nd Floor

 

The Universities at Shady Grove Campus

In-Person Tuesday, August 18th, 2026

Times and additional details to follow

Online Campus

Tuesday, August 18, 6:00 pm – 8:00pm 

Meet faculty, staff, and classmates in your cohort at the Online Campus Orientation.  Orientation details will be emailed to students in the Online Program. 

Online Campus Contact 

Nakiya Schurman

Nakiya Schurman, MSW 
Director, Online MSW Program 

Required Practicum Education Orientation AND Learning Lab

Practicum Education Orientation is mandatory for Advanced Standing students and Foundation students who are taking practicum for the first time. 

  • Tuesday August 25: Foundation Students Practicum Education Orientation (Virtual) 8:45 am to 12:45 pm
  • Thursday August 27: Advanced Standing Students Practicum Education (Virtual) Orientation 9:00 am to 12:00pm

Additionally, all FOUNDATION students entering practicum will begin the practicum experience in a required, 2-day Learning Lab.  Students will be introduced to and practice basic social work skills connected to the first learning competency; and will receive instruction through a combination of live-virtual learning, asynchronous learning, and an in-person day of learning activities. 

  •  Tuesday September 1: Foundation Students Practicum Education Learning Lab (In-Person Shady Grove): 8:30 am to 4:30pm
  • Thursday September 3: Foundation Students Practicum Education Learning Lab (In-Person Baltimore) 8:30am to 4:30pm

Program & Fellowship-Specific Orientations

Child Welfare Fellowship 

Students in the Child Welfare Fellowship are required to attend 2 orientation sessions  

  • Tuesday, August 25 - Kickoff
  • Thursday, August 27 – Kickoff
  • Tuesday, September 1 Critical Lens  for Child Welfare Training - Advanced Student
  • Thursday, September 3 Critical Lens for for Child Welfare Training- Advanced Students 

Center for Restorative Change (CRC) 

  • Friday, August 15th from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm 

Additional Dates & Reminders

Monday August 24, 2026
First Day of Classes 

 

Ready to be a Changemaker?