2024 Admissions Information and Guide
The 2024 Admissions Information and Guide is a comprehensive view of our Admissions Process.
Welcome! We are excited to learn of your interest in the MSW Program at the University of Maryland School of Social Work.
Please review our website for more complete information on the School of Social Work and detailed instructions on the application process and deadlines.
The 2024 Admissions Information and Guide is a comprehensive view of our Admissions Process.
60-credit Hybrid MSW program (Baltimore) is for students applying to the program at the Baltimore location. Clinical and Macro concentrations are available.
60-credit Hybrid MSW program (Shady Grove) is for students wishing to complete the 60-credit MSW program at the Universities at Shady Grove location. This is only available to students interested in the Clinical concentration.
60-credit Online MSW program is for students wishing to complete the 60-credit MSW program with courses in only online synchronous and online asynchronous formats. Field practicum experience is still in-person. This is only available to students interested in the Clinical concentration.
Transfer (Baltimore) is ONLY for students who are or have been enrolled in another MSW program. All transfer students should apply for the 60-credit Hybrid MSW program even though you may be awarded enough credits to be considered an advanced student. Transfer students may ONLY apply to the Baltimore campus.
36-credit Hybrid Advanced Standing MSW program (Baltimore) is ONLY for students who received their Bachelors of Social Work (BSW) degree within the last 5 years. No other credentials allow students to apply for the Advanced Standing program. Advanced Standing applicants who wish to attend the Baltimore campus must complete this application.
36-credit Hybrid Advanced Standing MSW program (Shady Grove) is ONLY for students who received their Bachelors of Social Work (BSW) degree within the last 5 years wishing to complete the 60-credit MSW program at the Universities at Shady Grove location. This is only available to students concentrating in Clinical. Advanced Standing applicants who wish to attend the Shady Grove campus must complete this application.
Term refers to the semester/year to which you are applying (i.e. Spring/Fall 2024).
**Applicants may only submit one application for each admission cycle (Spring/Fall of the upcoming year).
Download a PDF of the MSW Application Process.
Step 1
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CREATE AN ACCOUNT
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Step 2
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Step 3 |
VERIFY AND SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION
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Step 4 |
BEGIN SUPPLEMENTAL ITEMS
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Step 5 |
COMPLETE SUPPLEMENTAL ITEMS
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Step 6 |
REVIEW ADMISSION DECISION
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Personal Statement Essays
The personal statement provides the Admissions Committee with insight into your prior experiences and how you relate these experiences to social work—and gives the Admissions Committee a sense of your ability to write and think critically. Please answer the following questions on the online application and limit each answer to 300 words. Your application is considered incomplete if these instructions are not followed.
Required MSW Program Statement
The School of Social Work seeks to enroll highly qualified students who will contribute to the profession of social work in the state, the region, the nation and internationally. Please provide answers in essay format to the questions below.
Additional Online MSW Program Statement
Online MSW applicants must also submit the following:
Additional Advanced Standing Statement
Advanced Standing applicants must also submit a case plan with the following information:
Please choose a direct practice example on individuals, group, family or organization and describe it, disguising names and identifying information. Please introduce the example with a brief paragraph describing the agency, its function, and its purpose.
Case Plan description headings should include:
Optional Statement
Please address any other considerations (e.g. previous academic performance, financial, balancing work, family, and/or other commitments with school) that you would like the Admissions Committee to be aware of when reviewing your application.
Applicants who have an undergraduate GPA of 2.99 or below, please use this optional statement space to explain how your previous/current educational experience helped you develop strategies to successfully maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA in our MSW program.
Applicants who are reapplying after being dismissed from the MSW program, or who have been dismissed from another graduate program, should follow the additional instructions under the section Readmission and Reinstatement after Dismissal.
Understanding Fee Waivers: How It Works
At the University of Maryland School of Social Work, we value the contributions of various service members and alumni. To facilitate your application process, we offer fee waivers to the following groups:
If you belong to one of these groups and are awarded a fee waiver, you can submit your application without any payment. However, please note that fee waivers require proper documentation for approval (see details below), and if your fee waiver request is denied, you will be notified. In such cases, payment through credit card, check, or money order will be required to submit your application.
Documentation Requirements:
To request a fee waiver, prospective applicants must provide the following information to the admissions office:
Submission Deadline:
Please submit the proper documentation to our Admissions Recruiter, Ms. Camille Johnson, at least 7 days before the application deadline. Please note that invitation letters will NOT be accepted as proper documentation.
We value your service and commitment, and our goal is to make the application process as accessible as possible. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are here to help you every step of the way.
Official transcripts play a vital role in your application process. Please follow these guidelines for a smooth submission.
Submission Methods
Mailing Address
University of Maryland School of Social Work
Attn: Office of Admissions
525 West Redwood Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
Important Note
University of Maryland College Park Transcripts
Identification Information
Questions or Assistance
60 Credit Program (Foundation)
Program Length: 2 to 4 years
Learning Format: Majority in-person or hybrid, with some online asynchronous/synchronous classes
Campus: Available at both Baltimore and The Universities at Shady Grove (USG) campus
Concentrations: Choose between Clinical and Macro concentrations (USG only has Clinical)
Application Intake: Spring and Fall semester starts
Eligibility: Requires a Bachelor of Social Work degree
Program Length: 11 months to 2 years
Learning Format: Majority of in-person or hybrid with some online asynchronous/synchronous classes
Campus: Available at both Baltimore and USG campuses
Concentrations: Choose between Clinical and Macro concentrations (USG only has Clinical)
Application Intake: Spring and Fall semester starts
Program Length: 3 years
Learning Format: Fully online (majority synchronous courses), with an in-person field practicum component
Campus: Fully online
Concentration: Clinical
Application Intake: Fall semester start only
Learning Format: Majority in-person or hybrid, with some online asynchronous/synchronous classes
Program Length: Varies, but up to 30 MSW transfer credits may be awarded. The last 30 credits of the MSW program must be completed here.
Campus: Available at Baltimore campus
Concentrations: Choose between Clinical and Macro concentrations in Baltimore
Application Intake: Spring and Fall semester starts
In addition to the requirements of their program of choice, applicants with international educational credentials must provide the Office of Admissions with a document that translates the credentials into English, evaluates the degree for equivalency to degrees awarded in the United States, and provides information to enable the interpretation of grades.
English Proficiency
International applicants must submit credentials for evaluation and take the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) in time to have the results reach us by the application deadline.
An applicant with international educational credentials in social work may also provide the Office of Admissions an equivalency determination document from: Foreign Equivalency Determination Service Council on Social Work Education
English Proficiency Waiver
At the discretion of the Associate Dean, Admissions and Enrollment, a TOEFL/ IELTS waiver can be given to students who have earned acceptable grades from another U.S. college or university or if their bachelor's degree was received from an international college/university with an approved English- based curriculum.