Social Work In Action
Explore a career in social work through our pathway program for Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) and Montgomery College (MC) students. This free program offered at The Universities at Shady Grove (USG) in Rockville, MD, guides students towards the goal of earning a bachelor’s degree from UMBC-Shady Grove and a master’s from The University of Maryland Baltimore (UMB).
Join our program to directly engage with local community agencies and the services they provide while learning from practicing social workers. Pathway programs are not dual enrollment or early college programs; rather they supplement and complement your academic experiences and other extracurriculars.
Guided pathway to college completion in Maryland
Early access to college resources and support
Coaching, career readiness training, and professional opportunities
The Social Work Action Pathway
Why Social Work?
Throughout our program, you’ll learn how social workers promote social justice; provide clinical and therapeutic support; and advocate for individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. You will engage firsthand with professionals who are impacting and advancing policy and striving for equity for the vulnerable and oppressed in our community.
Our approach consists of five core elements that will help you to explore and engage with the field of social work while meeting your personal and professional goals.
Our Approach
Social Work Academic Exploration
Explore the academic field of social work. What is social work? What do social workers do? We will work to address these questions and dispel the many myths about this field. You will learn about the different levels of social work practice and the roles that social workers have in our communities. And, you will learn to draw upon your unique identities and perspective for your future work in a culturally competent workforce.
Service, Social Justice, and Community Engagement
Learn the value of service, social justice, human dignity, interpersonal relationships, integrity, and competence in the profession of social work.
- Serve your community and experience giving back
- Examine the needs and assets of a community to best advocate with its members to strive toward social justice
- Present your findings to agency and community leaders to be part of the change process
Peer-to Peer Mentoring
You’ll take part in peer-to-peer mentorship that spans undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels.
- Grow alongside mentors who are further along their path in one-on-one settings and through community work
- Serve as a mentor for those who join the program after you for continual leadership development
Degree Advancement and Professional Development
While the end goal is a graduate degree and employment, you’ll have opportunities to gain credentials, licensure, and career development along the pathway.
- Throughout the program, you’ll have help choosing which courses to take to get to where you want to go in your career. You’ll also have support with your applications to UMBC-Shady Grove and UMB at Shady Grove
- Montgomery College provides opportunities for credentials in community health, mental health, first aid, and crisis prevention
- You’ll connect with employers about internship and employment opportunities in the field.
- You’ll learn about options for licensure at the bachelor’s (LBSW), master’s (LMSW), and clinical levels (LCSW-C)
Personal and Professional Development
Through the exploration of the social work pathway and profession, students will be able to reflect on their personal and work experiences to cultivate and develop their social work knowledge, skills, and values.
- Social work alumni working in different settings will be available to answer your questions and share about their journey to social work
- Visiting community agencies and learning about their work will provide options for future volunteer work, field placements, internship opportunities, and jobs
- USG’s Center for Career Development offers additional workshops to strengthen career-readiness skills
Is Social Work in Action Right for Me?
If you agree with the following statements, Social Work in Action is the program for you!
- I am interested in pursuing a degree in social work
- I plan to pursue follow the local MCPS -> MC -> UMBC-Shady Grove -> UMB at USG pathway
- I want to supplement my academic journey with meaningful career experiences
- I am passionate about social justice and bettering my community through meaningful service and change
- I look forward to becoming a social worker in my local community
Take the Next Step
Ready to apply? Visit our how to apply page for details. The application deadline for fall 2025 is June 1.
Still deciding? Explore FAQs, attend an information session, or contact us at socialworkinaction@umbc.edu.