CCBC to launch social work degree program

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The Community College of Baltimore County plans to launch a new associate of arts in social work this fall, which would make it one of two Maryland community colleges to offer the stand-alone degree, school officials announced. 

The new degree program was designed to be considerate of transfers and offers pathways to bachelor of social work degrees at Salisbury University and University of Maryland Baltimore County, a CCBC release says. This means CCBC students can complete the first two years of their degree at a reduced cost of what they would pay at a four-year university as they prepare for a seamless academic transition.

CCBC’s social work degree program is offered on campus and online, and includes a behavioral health counselor trainee certificate. This credential qualifies students for alcohol and drug trainee status from the Maryland Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists, school officials said. 

Upon completion of the behavioral health certification program, graduates would be prepared for entry-level counseling positions.

“At CCBC, we pride ourselves on providing high-quality academic pathways that also make financial sense for our students,” CCBC President Sandra Kurtinitis said. 

“By beginning their social work studies here, students can complete the first two years of their degree at a fraction of the cost of a four-year university. This not only reduces student debt but also allows them to transfer seamlessly to Salisbury University or UMBC fully prepared to succeed in their bachelor’s program.”

CCBC highlighted that the social work degree replaces less-specialized transfer routes as graduates who transfer and earn their bachelor’s in the field “may enter the workforce sooner, utilizing their alcohol and drug counselor credentials” to earn an average salary exceeding $64,000 in Maryland, according to Lightcast labor market data.