Application Process & Instructions

60-credit Hybrid MSW program (Baltimore) is for students applying to the program at the Baltimore location. Clinical and Macro concentrations are available.

Download a PDF of the MSW Application Process.

Step 1	CREATE AN ACCOUNT Visit www.ssw.umaryland.edu/admissions/apply/ Click "Go to Application" Select "CREATE AN ACCOUNT" Enter Legal First and Last Name, Email, and Phone, etc. Create Username and Password
Step 2	Select correct application (Social Work Foundation, Social Work Online, Social Work Advanced Standing or Social Work Transfer), campus (Baltimore, Shady Grove, or Online), enrollment status (full or part-time) & term (spring or fall)   Enter personal demographic information and address   Complete all application sections  Enter personal statement essay answers into matching text boxes
Step 3	VERIFY AND SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION Certify application and click ‘submit’ button   Pay $65 application fee (or submit fee waiver)
Step 4	BEGIN SUPPLEMENTAL ITEMS Go to ‘My Account’ & click ’View’ to work on supplemental items   Upload a PDF or word version of chronological resume   Request official transcripts  Enter accurate information for recommenders (2 for hybrid and online MSW program applicants, 3 for advanced standing)
Step 5	COMPLETE SUPPLEMENTAL ITEMS Sign in to Track Application Status and Updates Send Reminders to Recommenders To complete the application, ensure all Supplemental Items have been received before the deadline
Step 6	REVIEW ADMISSION DECISION Check email for notification of an application decision   Sign in to view the application decision  To accept offer, pay $300 confirmation deposit  Complete all steps on the ‘Accepted Students’ webpage

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.   

1. Describe your understanding of social work as a profession, including any relevant information from current or previous experiences (e.g. employment, volunteer, academic, and/or personal). Please also describe the reasoning behind your decision to pursue a Master of Social Work at the University of Maryland. 
2. Define a social problem affecting a population of specific interest to you that you would want to work with in the future. Please examine the relevancy of the problem to the field of social work, how you came to identify and understand it as a social problem, societal factors that have contributed to the problem. Also address specific ways that you, as a social worker, could address the problem.
3. Social workers are expected to work with individuals, families, groups, and communities from diverse backgrounds in a caring and respectful fashion. What is your idea of diversity? Talk about an environment you’ve been in that flourished in or lacked diversity. How did it impact you?  

Additional Online MSW Program Statement 

Online MSW applicants must also submit the following:   

1. What experience have you had learning in an online environment? Please discuss how you thrived, and also how you managed any challenges you encountered. 
2. Based on your experiences learning online, what measures will you put into place to balance the required online coursework and in-person field practicum experiences with any other competing life priorities? 

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: 

• Brief Agency description  
• Assessment: a summary of the essential case data (age, ethnicity, race, presenting problem, history of the problem, coping abilities. If group or organization, describe the type of group/organization, membership make up, and purpose).  
• Case plan: describe the plan and how it relates to the assessment evaluation.  
• Interventions: describe and analyze your practice interventions and how they are related to the case plan or assessment formulation.   

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:

1. Americorps
2. Peace Corps
3. McNair/TRIO
4. Fulbright
5. Veterans/Active Military

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:

• Your full legal name, current address, phone number(s), email address, and any other relevant contact information.
• A copy of your acceptance letter into Americorps, Peace Corps, McNair/TRIO, Fulbright, or proof of your status as a Veteran or Active Military member. (Veterans should submit a copy of their DD214 form, while active duty members should provide written proof of their current service).

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

• Transcripts can be submitted either by mail or electronically to our Admission Recruiter, Ms. Camille Johnson.
• If your school does not offer an electronic transcript option, you must request that your transcript be mailed to our address.

Mailing Address

University of Maryland School of Social Work

Attn: Office of Admissions

525 West Redwood Street

Baltimore, MD 21201

Important Note

• DO NOT send materials to the Graduate School, as it may cause delays or cancellations in your application process.

University of Maryland College Park Transcripts

• For transcripts from the University of Maryland College Park, please use the mailing option only. DO NOT use the electronic submission method.

Identification Information

• Ensure your complete full legal name and social security number are clearly provided when submitting application materials by mail.

Questions or Assistance

• Should you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, feel free to reach out to our Admissions team at admissions@ssw.umd.edu.