Program Overview

The Kennedy Krieger Institute Department of Social Work Training Program offers a unique and enriched training experience to master's level and undergraduate level social work students. All field instructors are licensed in Maryland as Licensed Certified Social Workers-Clinical (LCSW-C).

Trainees will be exposed to working with children, adolescents and adults who have neurodevelopmental disabilities and their families. Patients that trainees may work with may have diagnoses including, but not limited to, intellectual disability, autism, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, seizure disorders, spinal cord injuries, behavior disorders, learning disabilities and mental health disorders.

We currently have on-site and hybrid program placements.

Settings for learning may include:

Training opportunities include:

  • Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Other Related Disabilities (LEND) Training Program
  • Core Course – weekly curriculum related to neurodevelopmental disabilities and related disorders, with trainees from many disciplines, focusing on interdisciplinary education.
  • Social Work Trainee Seminar - weekly, with fellow social work trainees 
  • Clinical Rounds – weekly, program-specific
  • Observations – across programs, disciplines and medical conditions
  • Individual Supervision – weekly with field instructor
  • Group Supervision-weekly with group facilitator
  • Treatment of Mental Health Disorders – individual, group and family therapy

Program Requirements

We interview students from university social work programs accredited by the Council of Social Work Education. Placements are competitive.

The internship begins the Tuesday after Labor Day and continues through mid-April or May. Trainees attend a mandatory full-day orientation on the first day. There is a two-week winter break the last two weeks in December. All trainees begin the Spring semester on January 2.

The requirements listed below are non-negotiable and exceptions cannot be made at this time unless the program placements require different days or hours. Inquires for an employee-based placement please see contact information.

Master's Level Social Work Students (MSW):

  • Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  • Complete 24 hours per week of field work

Undergraduate Level Social Work Students (BSW):

  • Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  • Complete 16 hours per week of field work

Contact

If you are able to meet all the program requirements and are interested in working with the Social Work Training Program, please contact Mary Coster, MSW, LCSW-C, at Coster@KennedyKrieger.org.

Due to the high volume of inquiries, we receive please allow 2-3 weeks for a response.