Maryland, with huge cities like Baltimore, is one of the urban centers of New England. As a social work student, you may have access to more varied field site locations when you attend school in Maryland. There are 5.9 people living in Maryland, creating a population density of 594.8 people per square mile. In comparison, the national average population density is 87.4 people per square mile.
There are two factors that make social work in Maryland unique. First, its high population density means that many people live in very close quarters with others. Over time, this can cause perpetual stress and mental health issues. Second, the U.S. Census Bureau reports that 30% of Maryland’s population is African-American. You’ll need to be able to deliver culturally-sensitive treatment in this state.
Tuition and Curriculum Information for MSW Programs in Maryland
Maryland is one of the most competitive states when it comes to MSW programs, so you can feel confident in the quality of your education. Among the seven MSW schools in Maryland, there is an acceptance rate of 48%. Therefore, it is important for you to have a very strong application. One of the most competitive schools in the state is Johns Hopkins University; a degree from this university can make your job search much easier.
Tuition
On average, tuition in Maryland costs $13,440. There are also numerous scholarship and grant opportunities in the state, as evidenced by its average scholarship award of $10,272. As you evaluate different schools, you can ask about possible research or teaching assistantships to help pay for school.
Curriculum
Each program in Maryland is designed to be completed in two years on a full-time basis or four years on a part-time basis. The first half of your program is spent learning about the basics of social work. In addition to practical knowledge that you can put to direct use in your practicum hours, you can expect to learn about root causes of societal issues, problems that lead to mental health issues, and social work policy and analysis. If you have a Bachelor’s degree in social work, much of this is not new to you. You may want to seek out a school with an Advanced Standing option, as this option allows you to complete your degree in one year.
MSW Salary and Job Outlook in Maryland
After graduating with an MSW degree, you may be overwhelmed with all of your career choices. This is because there are over one dozen types of organizations and companies that hire social workers on a regular basis. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, most social workers are either employed by a government agency or healthcare organization.
Specifically, some of the largest social work employers in Maryland are Worcester County Health Department, Somerset County Health Department, and University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center. You may also start a rewarding career as a private practice LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker). This option allows you to open your own practice ad work independently.
Social Worker Salary in Maryland
It is hard to pin down an average social work salary in Maryland, since so many factors determine a social worker’s salary. In general, LCSWs and LCSW-Cs earn more money than LGSWs. Your salary will likely also be affected by where you work and what type of social work you do.
O*Net reports that healthcare social workers earn the most money in Maine, with an average salary of $55,600 per year. Family social workers may be able to earn an average salary of $48,900, while mental health social workers typically earn an average salary of $41,100 (O*Net, 2012).
Social Worker Job Outlook in Maryland
The job outlook for all social workers is strong in Maryland, and percentages are in line with national averages. Healthcare social workers appear to be most needed, as O*Net predicts a 32% increase in job growth in this field. With job growth of 30% through 2020, mental health social workers are also in high demand. Those that work in the field of family social work may experience job growth of 16% (O*Net, 2012).
Social Work Licensure in Maryland
All social worker licensing in Maryland goes through the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners. The first step is applying for Licensed Graduate Social Worker (LGSW) status, which involves passing a state-required exam.
After becoming an LGSW, you may wish to become a Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW) or a Licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical (LCSW-C). You must complete 3000 hours of supervised work experience as an LGSW to pursue either of these licensures.
Masters in Social Work Degree Programs in Maryland
Johns Hopkins University
(Baltimore, MD)
- Masters in Public Policy Analysis
- $43,390 Tuition Cost
- $33,804 Scholarship and Financial Aid Awards
- Urban Campus Setting
Morgan State University
(Baltimore, MD)
- Masters in Social Work (MSW)
- $4,676 Tuition Cost
- $6,023 Scholarship and Financial Aid Awards
- Urban Campus Setting
Salisbury University
(Salisbury, MD)
- Masters in Social Work (MSW)
- $5,576 Tuition Cost
- $2,769 Scholarship and Financial Aid Awards
- Suburban Campus Setting
Towson University
(Towson, MD)
- Masters in Social and Family Systems
- Masters in Social Work (MSW)
- $5,660 Tuition Cost
- $5,841 Scholarship and Financial Aid Awards
- Urban Campus Setting
University of Maryland-Baltimore
(Baltimore, MD)
- Masters in Social Work (MSW)
- $7,498 Tuition Cost
- Urban Campus Setting
University of Maryland-Baltimore County
(Baltimore, MD)
- Masters in Public Policy Analysis
- $7,085 Tuition Cost
- $6,951 Scholarship and Financial Aid Awards
- Suburban Campus Setting
University of Maryland-College Park
(College Park, MD)
- Masters in Family and Community Services
- Masters in Public Policy Analysis
- Masters in Social Work (MSW)
- $7,175 Tuition Cost
- $6,242 Scholarship and Financial Aid Awards
- Suburban Campus Setting