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Maryland · MSW programs by city

Best MSW Programs near Rockville, MD (2026)

Last updated

Edited by Zoe MacDougall, BS

Rockville, Maryland (population 67,297) has 1 CSWE-accredited MSW program based in the city , with 2 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.

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Best MSW programs in Rockville, MD

Accredited programs with a campus in Rockville, MD, ranked by our five-factor model. National and online rank badges appear only for programs in the top 25 (nationally, or among online programs).

  1. #1 In Rockville, MD

    University of Maryland, Baltimore

    Baltimore, MD, MD · CSWE-accredited since 1963  ·  Online or On-Campus

    8.6

    2 concentrations ✓ Advanced Standing Online option

    Why 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

Best MSW programs near Rockville, MD

Accredited programs whose nearest campus is within about 60 miles of Rockville, MD, ranked by our five-factor model. Each card shows the campus city and straight-line distance from the city center.

  1. #1 Hagerstown · ~49 mi

    Salisbury University

    Salisbury, MD, MD · CSWE-accredited since 2001  ·  Online or On-Campus

    6.9

    2 concentrations ✓ Advanced Standing Online option

    Why 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
  2. #2 Baltimore · ~33 mi

    Morgan State University

    Baltimore, MD, MD · CSWE-accredited since 2005  ·  Online or On-Campus

    6.5

    4 concentrations ✓ Advanced Standing Online option

    Why 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 Rockville, MD

Maryland-based CSWE-accredited programs with an online option, which Rockville, 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 Rockville, MD in 2026?

Rockville, 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 Rockville, 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 Rockville, MD in 2026?

Rockville, Maryland sits in Montgomery County. Organizations in and around the city that commonly employ MSW-level social workers include:

  • Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services
  • Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center
  • Montgomery County Public Schools
  • Cornerstone Montgomery
  • 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 Rockville, MD?

After an MSW from Rockville, 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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MSW programs in other Maryland cities

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Sources

Last updated 2026-06-12. "Near" means a program campus within 60 straight-line miles of the city center.