Maryland · MSW programs by city
Best MSW Programs near Frederick, MD (2026)
Last updated
Edited by Zoe MacDougall, BS
Frederick, Maryland (population 85,793) has no MSW campus within city limits , with 3 more accredited programs within about 60 miles. 3 Maryland programs also offer an online option. Every program below is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the requirement for Maryland licensure.
Best MSW programs in Frederick, MD
No CSWE-accredited MSW program currently lists a campus inside Frederick, MD. See the nearby and online options below.
Best MSW programs near Frederick, MD
Accredited programs whose nearest campus is within about 60 miles of Frederick, MD, ranked by our five-factor model. Each card shows the campus city and straight-line distance from the city center.
- #1 Rockville · ~28 mi
University of Maryland, Baltimore
Baltimore, MD, MD · CSWE-accredited since 1963 · Online or On-Campus
8.6
2 concentrations ✓ Advanced Standing Online optionWhy it ranks here
University of Maryland, Baltimore has held CSWE accreditation since 1963, 63 years of standing as of 2026. The MSW is offered both online and on campus (Baltimore, MD; Rockville, MD). It records 2 concentrations (Clinical or Direct Practice; Macro Social Work). An Advanced Standing track is available for qualified BSW holders. Students can enroll full-time or part-time. The program also offers 5 dual-degree options.
Concentrations
Clinical or Direct Practice, Macro Social Work
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 9.6
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 10.0
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 5.0
- Delivery format (18%) 8.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
- #2 Hagerstown · ~22 mi
Salisbury University
Salisbury, MD, MD · CSWE-accredited since 2001 · Online or On-Campus
6.9
2 concentrations ✓ Advanced Standing Online optionWhy it ranks here
Salisbury University has held CSWE accreditation since 2001, 25 years of standing as of 2026. The MSW is offered both online and on campus (Salisbury, MD; Wye Mills, MD; Hagerstown, MD; and more). It records 2 concentrations (Clinical or Direct Practice; Macro Social Work). An Advanced Standing track is available for qualified BSW holders. Students can enroll full-time or part-time. The program also offers 1 dual-degree option.
Concentrations
Clinical or Direct Practice, Macro Social Work
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 5.0
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 6.9
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 5.0
- Delivery format (18%) 10.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
- #3 Baltimore · ~44 mi
Morgan State University
Baltimore, MD, MD · CSWE-accredited since 2005 · Online or On-Campus
6.5
4 concentrations ✓ Advanced Standing Online optionWhy it ranks here
Morgan State University has held CSWE accreditation since 2005, 21 years of standing as of 2026. The MSW is offered both online and on campus (Baltimore, MD). It records 4 concentrations (Substance Use Disorders; Children, Youth, and Families; Other; and more). An Advanced Standing track is available for qualified BSW holders. Students can enroll full-time or part-time.
Concentrations
Substance Use Disorders, Children, Youth, and Families, Other, Aging and Gerontological Practice
Five-factor score breakdown
- Accreditation longevity (30%) 4.5
- Pathways & laddering (22%) 8.3
- Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 5.0
- Delivery format (18%) 7.0
- Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
Online MSW programs available in Frederick, MD
Maryland-based CSWE-accredited programs with an online option, which Frederick, MD residents can complete from home. See the full online MSW ranking for national options.
| Institution | Accredited | Adv. Standing | Natl. |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Maryland, Baltimore | 1963 | Yes | #40 |
| Salisbury University | 2001 | Yes | #111 |
| Morgan State University | 2005 | Yes | #143 |
How much do social workers make in Frederick, MD in 2026?
Frederick, Maryland sits within the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area, the labor market that sets pay and demand for its social workers. Across specialties, the area employs roughly 11,790 social workers , and the best-paid specialty here is social workers, all other at a $93,220 median. Figures are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program (May 2025).
| Occupation | Employed | Median wage | Typical range (10th–90th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare social workers | 2,210 | $80,710 | $51,640 – $106,540 |
| Mental health & substance abuse social workers | 2,180 | $78,210 | $56,810 – $119,720 |
| Child, family & school social workers | 6,490 | $75,550 | $50,280 – $112,200 |
| Social workers, all other | 910 | $93,220 | $53,920 – $125,050 |
| Social & community service managers (macro) | 2,920 | $101,240 | $63,440 – $164,420 |
How local pay compares
Child, family & school social workers around Frederick, MD earn a median of $75,550 versus $76,390 statewide in Maryland and $67,310 nationally. That is below the Maryland median.
Where do social workers work in Frederick, MD in 2026?
Frederick, Maryland sits in Frederick County. Organizations in and around the city that commonly employ MSW-level social workers include:
- Frederick Health
- Frederick County Behavioral Health Services
- Frederick County Public Schools
- Sheppard Pratt
- Maryland Department of Human Services
Representative local employers known to operate in the area; illustrative, not an exhaustive or BLS-sourced list.
Nationally, BLS projects social worker employment to grow 6% from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations, driven by demand in healthcare and mental-health settings. Macro roles such as social and community service managers are projected to grow alongside them. See pay by role in our career guides.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025) for Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV; employment projections from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Wages are annual medians.
What kind of social work license do I need in Frederick, MD?
After an MSW from Frederick, MD or anywhere, these are the Maryland social work licenses, per ASWB. A CSWE-accredited degree is required for each.
| License | Education | Supervised hours | Exam |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW) | Bachelor of Social Work | — | Bachelors |
| Licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical (LCSW-C) | Master of Social Work | 3000 hours | Clinical |
| Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) | Master of Social Work | — | Masters |
Source: ASWB social work licensure database. Verify current requirements with the Maryland state board before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many CSWE-accredited MSW programs are in Frederick, MD?
How much do social workers earn in Frederick, MD?
Can I earn an MSW online from Frederick, MD?
What license do MSW graduates need in Maryland?
MSW programs in other Maryland cities
Sources
- CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs for program accreditation, campuses, and structure.
- U.S. Census Bureau 2023 Gazetteer (city coordinates) and Population Estimates Program (population).
- ASWB social work licensure database for Maryland license requirements.
Last updated 2026-06-12. "Near" means a program campus within 60 straight-line miles of the city center.