UM SSW Admissions Viewbook

DREAM

bigger

think Bolder DO MORE Designed by Sandra Audia Little

For more information go to: ssw.umaryland.edu/admissions

ACADEMICS At the University of Maryland School of Social Work (UM SSW) we pride ourselves on our academic programs and the quality of our faculty.

As one of the nation’s largest and most respected schools of social work, our Clinical and Macro concentrations and five areas of specialization are designed to help give you the knowledge and tools you need to think Bolder and DO MORE. We prepare you to be an effective social worker, have a meaningful career, and address our society’s most pressing social problems.

At the UM SSW, you can specialize in one of five areas: Aging Behavioral Health Community Action and Social Policy Families and Children Health Our dedication to quality and adaptability benefit you in many ways. The flexibility of our curriculum prepares graduates to practice in different fields regardless of the specialization you choose.

Two-Year Program The majority of students complete our 60-credit MSW program in two-years—which is comprised of a Foundation and an Advanced year. Students who need a part-time option must complete the program in no more than four-years.

Advanced Standing Program Students who have earned a BSW degree within the last five-years may be able to take advantage of our advanced standing program. Eligible students can complete our program in just three-semesters (one academic year).

Two Campuses While most students attend classes in Baltimore, students also have the option to complete the program at our growing location at The Universities at Shady Grove in Rockville, MD.* * (complete program only an option for Clinical students who specialize in Behavioral Health and space is limited).

Jay Unick, PhD Assistant Professor Jay Unick, PhD Assistant Professor

think Bolder

SAMPLE OF FACULTY RESEARCH AND TEACHING AREAS

Education

inequality

domestic violence

Behavioral Health homelessness

human trafficking

policy

community development

Health

poverty psychotherapy

John Cagle, PhD Assistant Professor

school-based school work

social justice

substance abuse Child Welfare families and children aging

Housing

volunteerism

workplace and employee assistance Civic Engagement

Victim Services

ENGAGING FACULTY Every school tells you their faculty is outstanding.

At the University of Maryland School of Social Work, our faculty members are consistently ranked among the most active and productive social work scholars and researchers in the nation.

Not only are our faculty engaged in teaching, research, and practice, but they are also accessible and dedicated to meeting students’ needs outside of the classroom.

Tanya Sharpe, PhD Associate Professor

INTERNATIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES Short-term Trips Students may take advantage of brief, educational travel opportunities to places such as Israel, Nigeria, the Philippines, and India to learn about social justice, health research and social work practice globally.

Long-term Learning Students can also participate in a five to six month long learning experience complete with a field placement and coursework in India or the United Kingdom.

Photos on this page courtesy of UM SSW students/faculty

With well over 100 faculty members, the diversity of knowledge and learning opportunities they provide sets us apart.

Megan Meyer, PhD Associate Dean

LEADERSHIP AND PARTNERSHIPS The School of Social Work is part of a large graduate campus with schools of medicine, dentistry, law, nursing, and pharmacy. This unique combination gives our students many leadership and interprofessional educational opportunities.

Beginning day one, you can take part in Schoolbased student organizations that address a variety of social and cultural interests. Many more campus organizations with a wide-range of interests are also active.

Leadership opportunities and partnerships are not restricted to just extra-curricular activities; students can also work on academic and communityengaged programs to improve and enhance their leadership skills.

PROMISE HEIGHTS Students can work with our federally recognized program addressing the needs of families in West Baltimore by integrating place-based and evidencebased interventions.

SOCIAL WORK COMMUNITY OUTREACH SERVICE (SWCOS) SWCOS is considered a national leader in community-based social work and has built strong partnerships with schools and non-profits throughout Baltimore City.

NETWORK FOR SOCIAL WORK MANAGEMENT Our campus is proud to host one of the few macrofocused professional associations dedicated to equipping managers to become effective, “people-centered� leaders.

CAMPUS EVENTS School and campus lecture events and film screenings provide many opportunities to meet accomplished social workers and also other leading experts. Speakers have included Benjamin Jealous and Pulitzer-prize winners Nicholas Kristof and Anna Quindlen.

There are a lot of ways to learn, connect, partner, and lead at the University of Maryland School of Social Work.

DO MORE

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

JOBS

If you dream of becoming a social worker, getting a world-class education is a critical step in your journey. We want you to graduate with the skills and knowledge to work compassionately and effectively with individuals, groups, and communities and lead teams to create social innovations and achieve social change.

Aging

To effectively train students, the School has established a network of over 700 field placement sites for you to get real-world training. Many times, field placements can lead to future job offers.

We host an annual job fair that attracts over 60 employers and is attended by over 400 students.

The University also offers several skill-building workshops on resume writing; networking; business etiquette; career planning; financial planning; license exam preparation; and much more throughout the year.

DREAM

bigger

Hospitals and medical centers Banks, insurance companies, and investment firms Nursing homes/Senior centers Agencies on aging Senior volunteer programs Senior housing facilities Mental health centers Family service agencies Employee assistance programs

Behavioral Health Community mental health centers Psychiatric hospitals Residential treatment centers Partial (day treatment) hospitals Managed mental health programs Employee assistance programs Schools Family service agencies Private practice

Community-Action and Social Policy Advocacy organizations Development corporations Community action agencies Neighborhood and community centers Local, state, and federal governments Settlement houses Labor unions Associations Political organizations Nonprofit organizations

Families and Children Adoption agencies Child day-care centers Foster care agencies Family preservation agencies Private practitioners Child welfare organizations (public or private) Counseling centers Local, state, and federal governments

Health Health maintenance organizations Nursing homes/Group homes Hospitals/Clinics Hospice facilities Schools

Baltimore Baltimore is a city rich in history and culture with eclectic options in housing, recreation, entertainment, shopping, dining, and nightlife.

Eighteenth-century townhomes in historic Fells Point, garden apartments in Mount Vernon, and high-rise condos in Harbor East are just a few examples of the properties available near the University in Baltimore.

Shopping options in the Baltimore area include boutiques and antiques, specialty shops, and many nearby malls. Other entertainment choices run the gamut from local indie rock at small clubs to free outdoor performances at the Inner Harbor. Recreational opportunities are as varied as Maryland’s geography, with winter sports in the mountains to the west, swimming and surfing on the beaches to the east, and boating, fishing, and hiking on the waterways and trails in between.

Transportation within Baltimore and out of the city offers many options. Light Rail, subway, and an extensive bus system—including the free Charm City Circulator—serve the metropolitan area. Buses, trains, several major highways, and the nearby Baltimore/ Washington International Airport make it easy to venture outside of the city.

Students attending the program at our Shady Grove location get the unique opportunity to interact with students attending a variety of Maryland public institutions. As a close suburb of Washington, DC, the Shady Grove location in Rockville, MD provides close access to all that the nation’s capital has to offer. From museums and restaurants to shopping and other cultural activities, there are a lot of opportunities for students who choose to pursue their studies at Shady Grove.

Shady Grove

For more information about: Baltimore www.livebaltimore.org baltimore.org www.baltimorecollegetown.org Shady Grove: www.shadygrove.umd.edu/ academics/graduate/social-work

Great Value We are a great value because: Our location gives our students unparalleled access to professional, cultural, and educational opportunities.

We are located along a corridor of four major East Coast cities — New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, DC — the national center of policy, health, and social research.

•O ur graduates pass the graduate license exam at a rate nearly 9% higher than the national average •T he cost of living in Baltimore is lower than many major cities on the East Coast •T he University of Maryland School of Social Work has 80 scholarships of at least $2,000 each •O ur tuition and fees are lower than many of our competitors and that means you will graduate with less debt

Graduate school is expensive and you want to know that there will be a career waiting for you when you graduate. Will all the time, effort, and money be a good investment in your future? For that reason, we have kept our tuition and fees very affordable and offer many opportunities for scholarships, research assistantships, and work-study.

Making your decision about which school to attend should not rest on financial aid and scholarships alone. One should consider the long-term benefits of the degree. We are highly ranked and have a strong reputation that helps open doors. Leaders in the field know our graduates are passionate and dedicated to advocating for social justice, practicing effectively, shaping social policy, and strengthening communities.

80 scholarships of at least $2,000 or more

ADMISSIONS CRITERIA -A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university -A minimum of 60 credit hours in the liberal arts -Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on the last 60 credits -GRE is required ONLY for students whose GPA is 2.5 and below on

the last 60 credits

HOW TO APPLY Students may apply for Spring or Fall Admission A complete online application includes: -Application -Current Resume -3 Professional References -Answer to the three personal statement questions -Official Transcripts (from each college or university attended) -Application fee ($60, nonrefundable) **Advanced Standing applicants must also submit: 1. Direct practice case description 2. Reference from Field Instructor 3. Recommendation from Department Chair

ADVANCED STANDING Applicants with a BSW are eligible to apply for the advanced standing program.

This allows you to complete the MSW in 3 semesters (full-time) and 5 semesters (part-time).

Applicants must meet the following criteria to be eligible for Advanced Standing -BSW from a CSWE-accredited program in the last 5 years -Minimum of 3.0 GPA overall and on the last 60 credits ** Applicants with a “C” in any practice coursework (also called methods or interventions) are NOT eligible for Advanced Standing Check website for application materials and more specific details ssw.umaryland.edu/admissions

Designed by Sandra Audia Little

University of Maryland School of Social Work Social Work MSW Program 525 W. Redwood St. Baltimore, MD 21201 410-706-3025 ssw.umaryland.edu/admissions www.shadygrove.umd.edu/academics/graduate/social-work Twitter: mdsocialwork Facebook: facebook.com/UMSSW To download a pdf of the catalog: ssw.umaryland.edu/admissions/catalog_files/

Photography by John Heredia johnheredia.com