The 36-credit Online Advanced Standing MSW Program is designed for students who hold a CSWE-accredited BSW and reside in Maryland or the surrounding areas. Online students complete their MSW in approximately 16 months, beginning in the Fall semester and graduating in December 2027.
If you're interested in pursuing the Clinical Concentration and value the flexibility of online learning, this program offers you a rigorous and supportive pathway to advanced practice. Through mostly synchronous courses held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6-9 PM, you will engage in real-time discussions, collaborative learning, and meaningful interaction with faculty and a cohort of peers.
Students begin their advanced practicum immediately in the fall and take a minimum of two courses per semester, including summer.
Eligibility Requirements
To be considered for the Online Advanced Standing MSW Program, applicants must:
- Hold a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), completed within five years of intended enrollment OR be in their final semester of earning a BSW from a CSWE accredited institution
- December and May BSW graduates are eligible to apply for the Fall semester, however Summer graduates will need to wait for the following Fall.
- Students beginning a block field placement in the Spring are not eligible formFall admission.
- Have earned a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, including a 3.0 GPA in the last 60 credits of undergraduate coursework.
- Have received a grade of "B" or higher in all Practice and Field Practicum courses.
- Note: Pass/fail grades for field practicum a re excluded from GPA calculations.
- Applicants with a "C" in any practice coursework (also called methods or interventions) are NOT eligible for Advanced Standing
- Reside in Maryland or surrounding areas
Program Requirements
- Students accepted in the Advanced Standing Program must complete the program requirements within 2 years of initial acceptance.
- Advanced Standing Students will receive up to 24 credits toward the MSW degree {foundation curriculum) upon meeting the eligibility criteria.
- Students commit to a defined course sequence and schedule. Courses are offered in a specific order and must be taken as outlined to ensure timely progression through the program:
|
Semester |
Course |
Format |
Crs. |
|
Fall 2026 |
SWCL 700 -Advanced Clinical Interventions |
Sync |
12 |
|
SWCL 744-Assessment, Diagnosis, And Intervention Planning |
Async |
||
|
SWCL 794-Advanced Practicum I |
On-Site |
||
|
Spring 2027 |
SWCL 722 - Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy |
Sync |
12 |
|
SWCL 773-AdultTrauma &Clinical Social Work Practice |
Sync |
||
|
SWCL 795 -Advanced Practicum II |
On-Site |
||
|
Summer 2027 |
Advanced Policy |
Various |
6 |
|
Elective {Any 3-credit course) |
Various |
||
|
Fall 2027 |
SWCL 703 - FamilyTherapy |
Sync |
6 |
|
SWCL 705 - Clinical Social Work & Addictive Behavior Patterns |
Sync |
||
|
TOTAL CREDITS: 36 |
|||
Application Requirements
Advanced Standing Applications will include the submission of the following materials:
- Personal Statement addressing three specific questions
- Case plan (details provided in application portal)
- Three letters of recommendation:
- Field Placement Supervisor
- Department Chair/BSWChair
- Professional or Academic reference
- Current Resume
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended
- Application fee
Submit your application early for best consideration. Only one application may be submitted per admission cycle.
For more information about applying to the Advanced Standing MSW program, email admissions@ssw.umaryland.edu or call 410-706-3025 and download our Admissions Information Guide for a comprehensive review of our programs and admissions process.