MSW Admissions

60-Credit MSW Programs 

• Baltimore Campus (Hybrid): Available for students pursuing the Clinical or Leadership, Policy, and Social Change concentrations.
• Shady Grove Campus (Hybrid): Available only for students pursuing the Clinical concentration.
• Online Program: Available only for students in Maryland and surrounding areas pursuing the Clinical concentration. Courses are delivered in synchronous and asynchronous online formats, with in-person Field practicum experiences. 

36-Credit Advanced Standing MSW Programs 

For students with a BSW degree earned within the last 5 years. 

• Baltimore Campus (Hybrid): Available for Clinical or Leadership, Policy, and Social Change concentrations. 

• Shady Grove Campus (Hybrid): Available only for the Clinical concentration. 

Note: Applicants may only submit one application per admission cycle (Spring/Fall of the upcoming year). 

Download a PDF of the MSW Application Process.

Applications are reviewed only when all required documents have been received. 

The personal statements in your application offer the Admissions Committee a glimpse into your past experiences and how you connect them to the field of social work. These statements also demonstrate your capacity for critical thinking and effective writing. Please ensure each response stays within a 300-word limit. 

1. What personal, academic, and/or professional experiences have motivated you to become a social worker? And specifically, why have you chosen to apply to UMB's MSW program? Please discuss any aspects of our curriculum, programs, faculty, research opportunities, or community partnerships that interest you. (Limit your response to 300 words)
2. Identify a specific social problem that you are passionate about addressing as a social worker. Drawing from reliable sources as well as your own experiences, discuss the scope of the problem and why it is important to you. (Limit your response to 300 words)
3. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are core values in the field of social work. Please describe a specific experience where you actively contributed to promoting diversity, equity, or inclusion. What challenges did you face (if any), and what did you learn from this experience? (Limit your response to 300 words)

Additional Advanced Standing Statement 

Advanced Standing applicants must also submit a case plan with the following information:   

Choose a direct practice example involving an individual, group, family, or organization. Organize your response using the following headings, and please ensure to disguise names and identifying information. If you do not have a direct practice example, please create your own to answer this question (Limit your full response to 300 words).

• Brief Agency Description: Provide a concise overview of the agency, including its primary function and purpose.
• Assessment: Summarize the essential case data, including: • Age, ethnicity, and race of the individual(s) • Presenting problem and history of the problem • Coping abilities • For groups or organizations: describe the type, membership makeup, and purpose.
• Case Plan: Describe the case plan and explain how it is informed by the assessment.
• Interventions: Detail and analyze your practice interventions, explaining their connection to the case plan and assessment.  

Optional Statement 

If there are any aspects of your academic record (e.g., grades) or personal history (e.g., personal or professional challenges) that you feel require further explanation, provide a brief account. How have these experiences prepared you for success in our MSW program? (Limit your response to 300 words)

 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 reapplying after being dismissed from the MSW program or 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 (Teach for America, Public allies, VISTA)
2. Peace Corps
3. McNair/TRIO/SSS Scholars
4. Fulbright
5. Veterans/Active Military
6. Nation Guard
7. Foreign Service
8. Indonesia Republic and Marshall Island

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, National Guard, Foreign Service, Indonesia Republic/Marshall Island, 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 Admissions admissions@ssw.umaryland.edu 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 Admissions admissions@ssw.umaryland.edu
• 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.umaryland.edu.