Master of Social Work

• August 15 – Application opens for all MSW programs and locations.
• November 15 – Final application due date for traditional program applicants at UMGC program. First review date for all other programs and locations.
• November 15 to March 15 – Rolling review window for all stateside, Salisbury campus, regional campus, and online option applications.
• March 15 – Final deadline for all stateside, Salisbury campus, regional campus, and online option applications.
• April 15 – Final application due date for advanced standing program applicants at UMGC program.

Note: University of Maryland University College (UMUC) is now known as University of Maryland Global College (UMGC), and University System of Maryland at Southern Maryland (USMSM) is now known as Southern Maryland Higher Education Center (SMHEC).

Learn how work with diverse individuals, families and small groups with a special focus on interventions that enhance the person-in-environment fit and address biopsychosocial and behavioral functioning. Become prepared to work in variety of roles, including:

• mental health clinics
• health care facilities
• family service agencies
• palliative and hospice care
• schools
• veterans services
• military
• in-patient treatment facilities
• social service agencies
• recovery programs
• forensic services
• court services
• private practice

Learn how to work with organizations and communities to address systemic issues and to promote just and equitable social structures. Graduates assume positions in a variety of settings, including local, state and federal agencies; non-profit advocacy organizations; grassroots advocacy organizations; health and human service agencies; elected office; and political campaigns. Become prepared for careers in:

• administration
• policy
• organizing activism
• advocacy

Our Cecil County location is on the North East Campus of Cecil College at One Seahawk Drive, North East, MD  21901.

The Eastern Shore Higher Education Center is located on the Chesapeake College campus at 1000 College Circle, ESHEC Building, Wye Mills, MD  21679.

The University System of Maryland at Southern Maryland is located at 44219 Airport Road, California, MD 20619.

Our Hagerstown Maryland campus is located in downtown Hagerstown at 32 West Washington Street, Hagerstown, MD  21740.

Our Online Program is mostly asynchronous with a few synchronous sessions available for Traditional M.S.W. Program students. Advanced Standing students begin in the specialized curriculum and their courses are designed in a completely asynchronous format.

Currently, we offer our Program in Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, and Washington, D.C.. Our Online Program is billed as the same rate as a Maryland resident regardless of your location.

Courses in the Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (B.A.S.W.) and Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) programs are offered in the Kaiserslautern Military Community, Germany. Members of the U.S. Armed Forces, American employees of the U.S. government and their family members may enroll in courses through the Salisbury University/University of Maryland Global Campus Europe (UMGC Europe).

• Goal I: Perform as professional social workers in advanced direct practice with individuals, families, groups and organizations.
• Goal II: Develop a professional identity grounded in social work ethics and values.
• Goal III: Apply knowledge of diversity, difference, and the impact on life experiences and identity formation.
• Goal IV: Demonstrate critical thinking, ongoing self- reflection and awareness of continued professional development as essential components of culturally competent advanced direct social work practice.
• Goal V: Engage in scientific inquiry, evidence-based practice and program evaluation.
• Goal VI: Enhance an understanding of human rights, human and community well-being, and social and economic justice.

Learn more about the School of Social Work, including our faculty, in-depth program information and student resources.

Students coordinate their field placements  with our Field Office to meet their professional goals. Traditional Program students complete two years of field practicum in two different settings; Advanced Standing Program students complete a one-year practicum in one setting.

Employment-based field placements are possible and are required to be examined by the Graduate Field Director for approval.

SU works in collaboration with the University of Maryland School of Social Work to provide a limited number of stipends for the Title IV-E Education for Public Child Welfare Program.

There are several fellowships and funding opportunities available. For more information, please visit our Types of Aid web page.

Phi Alpha is the National Social Work Honor Society open to undergraduate and graduate students. Members of Phi Alpha are outstanding students who are also committed to engaging in service activities that benefit the community. Learn more about the application process for membership in Phi Alpha.

Each year, SU offers a number of competitive graduate assistantships for students attending the SU campus. Information may be obtained from the School of Social Work. Required forms and documents should be returned to the School of Social Work as early as possible preceding the academic year or semester for which the appointment is sought. Assistantships are generally awarded for one semester, beginning in the fall, and may be continued in the spring semester, based on the recommendation of the department chair. All graduate assistants will be eligible to receive a salary and tuition waiver. Graduate assistants must enroll for a minimum of six credits, but no more than nine per semester will be covered by the tuition waiver. Tuition will be waived only for courses applicable toward master’s degree requirements. The waiver of tuition does not include waiver of fees.

• engage in beginning level generalist practice with client systems of all sizes
• demonstrate cultural competence in the social work practice setting
• demonstrate ethical and professional behavior
• engage diversity and difference in practice
• advance human rights and social, economic and environmental justice
• engage in practice-informed research, research-informed practice and policy practice
• engage, assess, intervene and evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities

For a full list of outcomes, search for your program in SU's Academic Program Student Learning Outcomes database.