Maryland MSW Degree Programs

Last updated March 2, 2023
By Online MSW Degrees staff
School Program Admissions
Virginia Commonwealth University Online Master's in Social Work
Part-time and full-time online options, with three intakes throughout the year, let you learn from anywhere in the country.
Part-time and full-time options
George Mason University Master of Social Work (MSW) Online
CSWE accredited. Tracks include: Adults & Healthy Aging or Children, Youth, & Families.
CSWE Accredited
i sponsored

Click to view online MSW programs that are taking applications for 2024.

Two universities offer online opportunities for their accredited Master of Social Work programs. Having a graduate degree of this nature will help gain licensure in four different categories offered by the state of Maryland.

Maryland CSWE Accredited MSW Programs

Three institutions offer Master's degrees in social work that has been accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) in the state of Maryland. The largest school of the group is the University of Maryland at Baltimore, with opportunities to specialize in community development, direct clinical practice, and children and family members. Morgan State University and Salisbury University have programs that can be pursued online.

Are there online MSW programs in Maryland?

Yes, there are colleges in Maryland with an online Master of Social Work degree program. Consider a featured online MSW program that is taking applicants right now, or move on to the list.

School Program Admissions
Adelphi University Online Master of Social Work
CSWE Accredited
Website
Virginia Commonwealth University Online Master's in Social Work
Accredited
Website
University of Kentucky Online Master of Social Work
CSWE Accredited
Website
University of West Florida Online Master of Social Work
CSWE Accredited
Website
Our Lady of the Lake University Online Master of Social Work
CSWE Accredited
Website
i sponsored

Click to see more accredited online MSW programs that are taking applications for 2024.

List of online MSW programs in Maryland that are CSWE accredited

School Program CSWE Accredited?
Salisbury University Full-time Online MSW: Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, and Organizations
Salisbury University Part-time Online MSW: Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, and Organizations

Finding a Campus Based Maryland MSW Program

Baltimore is one of the top cities in the state of Maryland that has educational opportunities at the undergraduate and graduate level. In addition to the University of Maryland, other institutions to consider are Coppin State University and Morgan State University. The latter school has specialization options in school social work, mental health, and gerontology.

Morgan State University's Online MSW

The School of Social Work offers a Master of Social Work that can be earned either on-campus or in a convenient online format. The online program requires 60 credit hours to fulfill curriculum requirements, but this can be halved for students that already have a Bachelor's degree in social work. Students can pursue specializations in working with urban children and families, and addiction.

Online Format

All courses can be completed in the online format regardless of regular or advanced standing. Some courses will require live attendance during lectures held at specific times of the day, but many courses and assignments are completed on an asynchronous basis. There is no part-time enrollment for online students, meaning that the program must be completed in two years.

Attendance is required for all class sessions on a weekly basis, but this can consist of partaking in various course activities, such as completing quizzes or participating in discussions. Students that miss one session of an eight-week course are removed from the course.

Admission Requirements

The application process consists of prospective students sending in official transcripts that show the completion of a Bachelor's degree and a 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher, three letters of recommendation, personal statement, and a resume. Applicants that have between a 2.5 and 2.9 GPA may be considered for conditional admission. In some circumstances, an interview may be needed with the admissions committee.

Salisbury University's Online Master of Social Work

The School of Social Work offers a Master of Social Work with goals to improve student skills in the ethics and values of their practice, and being able to perform program evaluations and develop evidence-based treatment plans. Students can specialize in advanced direct practice, allowing them to interact directly with individuals and groups in a variety of settings.

Many formats are available for students to consider, including the regular curriculum and advanced standing. The regular program requires 62 credit hours to complete while advanced standing eliminates the foundational coursework and requires 32 credit hours. A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher is needed in a Bachelor of Social Work accredited by the CSWE to gain the academic standing designation.

Online Format

The online program offered by the school is eligible for residents of Maryland and many neighboring states, such as Virginia, North Carolina, New Jersey, and New York. Students are enrolled into the online program on an annual basis during the fall semester. Courses will be taken in seven-week modules, and depending on enrollment and standing of the program, can be completed between 17 to 36 months.

Students taking the online courses must have a desktop or laptop that has the Windows or Mac operating system installed. Additional needs include a webcam, microphone or headset, Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat Reader, Java, and high-speed internet access. Examples of courses in the program include Substance Abuse Assessment and Intervention, Psychopathology, and Theoretical Analysis of Behavior.


Review of campus-based Maryland MSW programs

Morgan State University - Masters in Social Work - Baltimore

Full-time enrollment is only available for this graduate program. Students are unable to complete their education on a part-time basis. An online option offers concentrations in urban families and addiction. It takes approximately two years to complete the degree. Advanced standing requires half of the curriculum needs. Available both online and on-campus in the Baltimore location. GRE scores are not needed in the admission process.

Salisbury University - Master of Social Work (MSW) - Salisbury

Online program that also offers hybrid format with on-campus learning. Only available in certain Northeast states and along the East Coast. Remote learning in four locations across the state of Maryland, including Cecil College. Also provides international education at the global campus in Europe. Field experience requires two business days of practice during the week. Second-year field work can be 16 hours per week across a full year or 24 hours during fall and spring semester.

University of Maryland, Baltimore - Master of Social Work (MSW) - Baltimore

Focus areas include behavioral health and aging through a macro or micro lens. Further specializations available in family health or employee assistance. GRE or GMAT scores not needed unless applicant doesn't meet 2.5 GPA threshold. Like many accredited social work programs, work experience does not count for credit. Up to six credit hours are transferable to the program. At least 30 credit hours required on campus if transferring from a different MSW program.

Careers, Licensures, and Salaries in Maryland

Social workers that are in the field of children, youth, and school services receive above-average payment in the state of Maryland according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Annual mean wage is approximately $61,910, which is higher or on par with many neighboring states. Over 4,600 professionals represent this portion of social work in the state.

Maryland Social Work Licensure Requirements

At the graduate level, there are three different licensures that can be obtained in the state of Maryland. Obtaining the Licensed Certified Social Worker allows independent practice with supervised clinical work. The next level, which is the Licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical (LCSW-C) designation, shows that the professional has gained enough practical experience to be come an independent clinician.

Hours of Experience Requirements

Either of these two pathways requires 3,000 hours of supervised experience in at least two years. For the clinical designation, half of these hours must be with direct client contact and 144 hours must be supervised by a professional with an LCSW-C licensure. 12 credit hours of coursework on clinical topics is required if this was not satisfied in the graduate degree curriculum.

Endorsement and Renewal Requirements

The state of Maryland endorses licenses from other states if the professional has practiced for at least 1,000 hours annually in five of their last 10 active years. Renewal must take place prior to October 31st every two years. 40 credit hours of continuing education is needed for the three licensures geared toward graduate-level degrees.