University of Maryland - Baltimore — School of Social Work

http://www.ssw.umaryland.edu/peace_corps/index.htm#fellows

Program Type:

Coverdell Fellows

Department:

School of Social Work

Degrees Awarded:

Social Work (MSW)

Admissions Cycle:

Applications accepted Sept. 1–Mar. 1, decisions made within 6 weeks

Program Start:

Full-time fall semester, part-time spring semester

Program Founded:

May, 2004

Benefits

UMSSW offers two exciting options: Social Work Community Outreach Services (SWCOS) and Public Child Welfare Scholars (Title IV-E)

• SWCOS: $10,000 for up to four qualified field placements, a new endowment will provide grants to SWCOS Fellows for scholarships, seminar fees, travel costs, etc. as it grows.
• Title IV-E: $8,000–$9,500 tuition assistance when in a qualified public child welfare field placement, linkage with Maryland’s Department of Human Resources after graduation for employment, specialized child welfare coursework, field education, and student seminars.

Licensure: At UMSSW social work is a licensed profession with an entry level post-MSW license, and non-clinical and clinical advanced licenses earned after two years of supervised practice. Licensure offers Fellows substantially more professional opportunities after graduation than do some other master’s degrees in the helping professions.

Financial Aid: includes six university-based programs, 11 Maryland Higher Education Commission grants, work study programs, and four federal loan programs.

Scholarships: include $1,000–$10,000 endowed scholarships, 25 research assistant scholarships ($5,000), and Dean’s Scholarships ($2,500).

Financial aid and scholarships are subject to eligibility.

Description

UMSSW: ranked in the top 20 by U.S. News & World Report. Currently, 870 students are pursuing an MSW and 43 are seeking a Ph.D.

Faculty support: Representative faculty members are RPCVs, including Jody Olsen (Tunisia 1966–68, Peace Corps Deputy Director 2001–09).

International academic opportunities: UMSSW offers six courses with an international focus, an international field placement in India, and an annual international mini-course each January.

SWCOS: combines MSW with community-based field placements.

Twenty-two RPCVs have completed or are completing this program. Sample placements found here.

Recent SWCOS Fellows alumni job placements include:

• Advocates for Survivors of Torture and Trauma
• International Youth Foundation
• Chemonics

Title IV-E: a partnership with Maryland’s Department of Human Resources teaching best practices and integrating a family strengths approach with core child welfare values, knowledge, and skills. Fellows make a 12 month employment commitment in Maryland’s public child welfare system after graduation for each academic year of participation.

Faculty-led, multi-faceted internship programs in local departments of social services include:

• child protective services
• family preservation
• adoption programs

Requirements

Foundation Classes (24 credits): focus on the values, concepts, and processes that are the core of social work practice. Coursework and a two-semester practicum in a social service placement help Fellows develop a problem-solving framework with individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations. More information.

Advanced Classes (36 credits): To begin the advanced curriculum, Fellows select a concentration.

Clinical: Through direct service, clinical social workers are active in the promotion, restoration, maintenance, and enhancement of the functioning of their clients and clients’ systems, in the prevention of distress, and in the provision of resources.

Management and Community Organization (MACO): Macro social work practice includes community development, social planning, policy analysis and development, political and social action, and government and nonprofit agency administration and resource development.

Admission Requirements and Deciding Factors can be found here.

For inquiries about Paul D. Coverdell Fellows Program, call 855.855.1961 x1440.