11 Best MSW Programs in Ohio (Online & Campus) – 2025
Written By: Pattie Trumble, MPP, MPH
Ohio social workers are in high demand and earn $59,720 a year on average. Just as importantly, they derive satisfaction from their profession because it allows them to connect with other human beings in a meaningful fashion. Does this sound good to you? Then think about enrolling in one of the MSW programs in Ohio. Many of these programs are offered online, which makes them convenient to integrate into your existing life and work responsibilities. Demand for licensed social workers in the Buckeye State will increase by 9 percent in the next decade. Curious to learn more? The list below of the 11 best MSW programs in Ohio for 2025 is the ideal place to start.
RECOMMENDED ONLINE MSW PROGRAMSWHAT ARE THE BEST MSW PROGRAMS IN OHIO (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2025?
(Based on our Ranking Methodology, the following are the 11 Best campus-based and online MSW Programs in Ohio.
1) Case Western Reserve University - Cleveland
MSW Programs Offered: MSW (On-Campus), Online MSW (Online), Intensive Weekend MSW (On-Campus), On-campus Advanced Standing MSW, Online Advanced Standing MSW, and Intensive Weekend Advanced Standing MSW (On-Campus)
MSW Concentrations Offered: Aging; Children, Youth & Families; Community Practice for Social Change; Health; Mental Health; School Social Work; Substance Use Disorders & Recovery; and Individualized Path of Study
Online MSW Concentrations Offered: Children, Youth & Families; Mental Health with Adults; and Community Practice for Social Change
Intensive Weekend MSW Concentrations Offered: Children, Youth & Families; Mental Health; and Substance Use Disorders & Recovery
On-campus Advanced Standing MSW Concentrations Offered: Aging; Children, Youth & Families; Community Practice for Social Change; Health; Mental Health; School Social Work; Substance Use Disorders & Recovery; and Individualized Path of Study
Online Advanced Standing MSW Concentrations Offered: Children, Youth & Families; Mental Health with Adults; and Community Practice for Social Change
Intensive Weekend Advanced Standing MSW Concentrations Offered: Children, Youth & Families; Mental Health; and Substance Use Disorders & Recovery
About Case Western Reserve University: When Case Western Reserve University’s Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences was founded in 1915, it was one of the first schools of social work in the U.S. to be affiliated with a major university. Today, Case Western Reserve’s MSW program is widely considered among the best MSW programs in Ohio because of the caliber of its faculty and the number of social work specialty concentrations it offers.
Case Western Reserve University offers two traditional MSW options on campus, two Advanced Standing MSW campus options, and both traditional and Advanced Standing distance learning options.
Case Western Reserve University MSW Program Details: The traditional MSW requires 60 credits and 900 hours of fieldwork. Like other MSW programs in Ohio, the curriculum is divided into two parts: a foundational year during which you’ll take core MSW classes and an advanced year during which you’ll take courses related to your chosen specialty. It will take 12 to 20 months (three to five semesters) to complete this degree, depending on whether you enroll in full-time or part-time studies.
The Mandel School offers seven social work concentrations in conjunction with its traditional MSW: Aging; Children, Youth & Families; Community Practice for Social Change; Health; Mental Health; School Social Work; and Substance Use Disorders & Recovery. You can also tailor your coursework during your advanced year to create an individualized study path.
Working professionals can take advantage of the Mandel School’s 60-credit Intensive Weekend MSW. Once a month, you’ll take classes on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (with an occasional Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.) You’ll have the same 900-hour fieldwork commitment. Students enrolled in the Intensive Weekend MSW can choose from one of three paths of study: Children, Youth, and Families; Mental Health with Adults; or Substance Use Disorders and Recovery.
If you’ve already earned a bachelor’s degree in social work, you may be interested in enrolling in CWRU’s full-time Advanced Standing MSW track. This MSW in Ohio, which entails 39 credits and 500 hours of fieldwork, is also offered in a part-time Intensive Weekend format. Full-time students should be able to complete this track in one year (three semesters;) part-time students will complete it in two years (five semesters.)
If online studies work best for you, Case Western Reserve also offers the traditional MSW and the Advanced Standing MSW as distance learning tracks with three specialties: Children, Youth, and Families; Mental Health with Adults; and Community Practice for Social Change. The program is delivered entirely online using synchronous technology.
Fieldwork assignments are based on your choice of specialty. The Mandel School maintains relationships with more than 1,000 community partners at the direct practice and community practice levels. Field placement organizations are located throughout northern Ohio, and other parts of the U.S. Case Western Reserve University is one of the few American universities to award fieldwork stipends to all students enrolled in its traditional MSW program. These students receive $3,000 in the fall semester and $3,000 in the spring semester.
Case Western Reserve University MSW Admission Requirements: Applicants to the traditional MSW program must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a cumulative GPA of 2.7 or higher. Applicants to the Advanced Standing track must have a BSW from an accredited college or university.
You’ll also need a current resume, two professional letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and an essay analyzing a social, racial, economic, or environmental justice issue you’re concerned about. The campus-based tracks begin in the fall semester; the online tracks start dates in the summer, fall, and spring.
Key Highlights For Case Western Reserve University MSW Students
• In 2021, Case Western awarded Master’s of Social Work degrees to 197 students.
•
U.S. News & World Report has named Case Western University’s MSW program the best in Ohio and the ninth in the nation.
• CWRU offers five dual degree programs: an MSW/Master’s of Public Health (MPH) degree in conjunction with the School of Medicine; an MSW/Nonprofit Management (MNO) degree; an MSW/Juris Doctor (JD) degree in conjunction with the School of Law; an MSW/Master’s of Arts (MA) degree in Bioethics and Medical Humanities in conjunction with the School of Medicine; and an MSW/Master’s of Business Administration (MBA) degree in conjunction with the Weatherhead School of Management.
• The Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences offers study-abroad opportunities in Poland, Ecuador, and South Africa.
2) The Ohio State University - Columbus
MSW Programs Offered: Traditional MSW (On-Campus & Online) and Advanced Standing MSW (On-Campus & Online)
Traditional MSW Concentrations Offered: Aging & Health, Mental Health & Substance Misuse, Child & Youth Services, and Community & Social Justice
Advanced Standing MSW Concentrations Offered: Aging & Health, Mental Health & Substance Misuse, Child & Youth Services, and Community & Social Justice
About The Ohio State University: Ohio State’s College of Social Work is not just one of the accredited MSW programs in Ohio; it’s the oldest continuously accredited MSW program in the U.S. The College offers its traditional MSW track and Advanced Standing MSW track both on campus and online. Both tracks offer the same four specialty concentrations: Aging & Health, Mental Health & Substance Misuse, Child & Youth Services, and Community & Social Justice.
The Ohio State University MSW Program Details: Ohio State’s traditional MSW is a 63-credit program that involves a foundational year during which you’ll take core social work classes and an advanced year during which you’ll focus on coursework relevant to your chosen specialty concentration. Full-time students will do 16 hours of fieldwork per week during their first year and 24 hours during their second year for a total of 920 hours. In addition to the full-time two-year track (six semesters), Ohio State offers three-year (nine semesters) and four-year (12 semesters) part-time traditional MSW options. All three traditional MSW tracks taught on campus start in the fall.
The 43-credit Advanced Standing MSW begins in the summer semester. It’s only open to students who’ve graduated with a bachelor’s degree in social work from an accredited college or university. Apart from two foundational courses that serve as bridge classes, the Advanced Standing curriculum is identical to the second year of the traditional MSW curriculum. This Advanced Standing MSW program in Ohio has start dates in the spring and summer and involves 672 hours of fieldwork. Full-time students can complete the Advanced Standing MSW in one year (three semesters), while part-time students can complete this advanced standing MSW in Ohio in two years (six semesters.)
The traditional and Advanced Standing MSW tracks are also offered as online options. Courses are taught utilizing both synchronous and asynchronous technology, and students will participate in fieldwork assignments in their own communities.
Ohio State’s College of Social Work partners with more than 800 social service agencies and organizations throughout Ohio and other parts of the U.S. The university’s Field Education team is responsible for making fieldwork assignments. Fieldwork assignments are made based on the specialty concentration you have decided to focus on.
The Ohio State University MSW Admission Requirements: The traditional MSW program is open to students with a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university who’ve maintained an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher and who’ve taken at least 10 credits of social science classes. The Advanced Standing MSW is open to students whose baccalaureate was in social work.
Key Highlights For The Ohio State University MSW Students
• Ohio State University awarded 356 Master’s of Social Work degrees in 2021.
• In 2022,
U.S. News & World Report ranked Ohio State’s MSW program the 11th best in the U.S.
• Ohio State has a Global Option (GO) curriculum enhancement option that includes international fieldwork experiences.
• Students pursuing an MSW at the University of Ohio-Columbus have the option of pursuing several dual degree options: an MSW/MPH in conjunction with the College of Public Health, an MSW/Master’s of Public Administration (MPA) in conjunction with the John Glenn College of Public Affairs, or an MSW/Master’s of City and Regional Planning (MCRP) in conjunction with the Knowlton School of Architecture.
3) University of Cincinnati - Cincinnati
MSW Programs Offered: MSW (Accelerated Full-Time MSW (Hybrid), Accelerated Part-Time MSW (Hybrid), Full-Time MSW (Hybrid), and Part-Time MSW (Hybrid))
MSW Concentrations Offered: Direct Practice (Children & Families, Health & Aging, and Mental Health)
About University of Cincinnati: The University of Cincinnati’s Master’s of Social Work program is affiliated with the School of Social Work, which is part of the university’s College of Allied Health Sciences. This MSW school in Ohio offers a traditional MSW and an Accelerated MSW with three direct practice concentrations: Children & Families, Health & Aging, and Mental Health.
University of Cincinnati MSW Program Details: UC’s traditional MSW program entails 60 credits, depending upon your previously earned credits or your placement level into required coursework. First-year foundational coursework includes classes like “Psychosocial Theory for Social Work Practice” and “Social Welfare Policies and Practice,” while second-year coursework focuses on your chosen specialty. You’ll be required to participate in 900 hours of fieldwork, beginning in the fall semester of your foundational year. Classes start in the fall semester.
The Accelerated MSW is only open to students who graduated from an accredited college or university with a BSW. The curriculum involves 34 credits and 603 hours of fieldwork. Since it’s assumed you’ve already learned most of the information that is taught to traditional MSW students in their foundational year while you were completing your BSW, your coursework will focus mainly on your chosen specialty concentration. Classes begin in the summer or spring.
Both these accredited MSW programs in Ohio are hybrid programs that incorporate classroom education with online learning. Full-time students should be able to complete the traditional MSW in two years (six semesters), while part-time students will finish the curriculum in three years (nine semesters.) Full-time students should be able to complete the Accelerated MSW in a single year (three semesters), while part-time students should complete it in two years (six semesters.)
The School of Social Work maintains fieldwork partnerships with more than 200 agencies and organizations throughout the Greater Cincinnati Metropolitan Area, Dayton, and northern Kentucky. Students typically spend 14 to 17 hours a week in fieldwork placements.
University of Cincinnati MSW Admission Requirements: For admission into the traditional MSW program, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. For admission into the Accelerated MSW, you’ll need a BSW. Your cumulative undergraduate GPA must be 3.25 or higher, and you’ll need to submit three professional references with your application.
Key Highlights For University of Cincinnati MSW Students
• In 2021, 63 students graduated from the University of Cincinnati with Master’s of Social Work degrees.
• According to
U.S. News & World Report, this MSW in Ohio is the 116th best Master’s of Social Work degree in the nation.
• MSW students at the University of Cincinnati are eligible to apply for the Bear-CAT (Children, Adolescents, and Transitional Age-Youth) Fellowship Program, which provides a stipend of $10,000 to students who demonstrate a commitment to providing behavioral services to children and adolescents.
4) Ohio University - Athens
MSW Programs Offered: MSW (One-Year Advanced Standing MSW (On-Campus), Two-Year Full Time MSW (On-Campus), Three-Year Part Time MSW (On-Campus), and Four-Year Part Time MSW (On-Campus), Online MSW (MSW and Advanced Standing MSW)
About Ohio University: Ohio University-Athens is located in a comparatively rural region of the Buckeye State, and its Department of Social work is dedicated to increasing the availability of social workers in Ohio’s rural and underserved areas. Like several other MSW programs in Ohio, the university offers a traditional MSW and an Advanced Standing MSW as both a campus and online option.
Ohio University MSW Program Details: Ohio University may be one of the best MSW programs in Ohio for students who want to continue working while they pursue their educational goals because its traditional MSW offers three completion tracks: a full-time two-year track, a part-time three-year track, and a part-time four-year track. The Advanced Standing MSW, which is only open to students who’ve completed an undergraduate BSW, will take you a year to complete. The traditional online MSW and Accelerated Standing MSW pathways are only available as full-time options.
The 62-credit traditional MSW involves 960 hours of fieldwork. You’ll take courses like “Social Welfare Policy & Services 1 & 2,” “Foundations of Social Work Practice,” and “Rural Social Agency.” Though the program doesn’t offer any specialty concentrations as such, it focuses on teaching students how to engage with clients traditionally underserved by social workers. The 36-credit Advanced Standing program reprises the second year of the traditional MSW program.
The online traditional MSW can be completed in as few as ten semesters (two and a half years), while the online Accelerate Standing MSW can be completed in six semesters (two years.) Neither online MSW track has a campus visit requirement. Ohio University offers a broad range of fieldwork opportunities at hundreds of agencies and organizations in southeastern Ohio, other parts of the Buckeye State, and the nation.
Ohio University MSW Admission Requirements: You’ll need a bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0 for admission into the traditional MSW program. Applicants to the Advanced Standing MSW program will require a BSW and a recommendation from a fieldwork instructor.
Key Highlights For Ohio University MSW Students
• In 2021, Ohio University awarded 28 MSW degrees.
• This online MSW in Ohio has start dates in the spring, summer, and fall.
• While this program has no thesis requirements, students must conduct a two-semester research project to graduate.
5) Cleveland State University - Cleveland
MSW Programs Offered: MSW (On-Campus), Advanced Standing MSW (On-Campus), Online MSW (Online), and Online Advanced Standing MSW (Online)
MSW Concentrations Offered: Clinical and Advanced Generalist
Advanced Standing MSW Concentrations Offered: Clinical and Advanced Generalist
Online MSW Concentrations Offered: Clinical and Advanced Generalist
Online Advanced Standing MSW Concentrations Offered: Clinical and Advanced Generalist
About Cleveland State University: The School of Social Work at Cleveland State University is part of the College of Health. CSU offers traditional and Advanced Standing MSW degrees as both campus and online programs with two specializations: Clinical and Advanced Generalist. The Clinical concentration helps students acquire the skills to assess, diagnose, and treat mental illnesses and behavioral disturbances; the Advanced General concentration teaches students how to work with communities and organizations to promote social and economic justice.
Cleveland State University MSW Program Details: The 60-credit traditional MSW involves 900 hours of fieldwork. As with other social work master’s programs in Ohio, the curriculum is divided into foundational (first-year) coursework and advanced (second-year) coursework. Classes include “History and Philosophy of Social Work and Social Welfare,” “Human Behavior in the Social Environment,” and “Disparities, Diversity, and Inclusion.” Cleveland State University’s program is more particular than many other accredited MSW programs in Ohio and requires classes to be taken in a specific sequence.
The Advanced Standing MSW entails 30 credits and 500 fieldwork hours. Since this MSW track is only open to students who’ve majored in social work as undergraduates, it only comprises the advanced portion of the traditional MSW curriculum.
Both campus MSW tracks offer full-time and part-time enrollment options. Full-time students should be able to complete the traditional MSW track in two years (24 months,) but you also have the option of enrolling part-time and completing it in either 30 months or 48 months. Full-time students should be able to finish the Advanced Standing MSW in 12 months, while part-time students can finish it in either 18 months or 24 months.
Cleveland State University also offers online traditional MSW and Advanced Standing MSW program options. You’ll take classes over a 15-week semester or in an accelerated eight-week format during the fall and spring semesters, as well as two 6-week summer terms.
Fieldwork experiences take place in a variety of urban, suburban, and rural practice settings. Ohio-based students are encouraged to obtain a Social Work Trainee (SWT) License for participation in fieldwork experiences. With departmental approval, some students may be able to complete their fieldwork experiences where they’re employed.
Cleveland State University MSW Admission Requirements: You’ll need a bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0 for this MSW program in Ohio. Applicants to the Advanced Standing MSW must have a BSW. You’ll need to submit two letters of recommendation and a three-to-five-page statement of purpose with your application.
Key Highlights For Cleveland State University MSW Students
• Cleveland State University awarded 100 MSW degrees in 2021.
• CSU students who complete their MSW degree have the option of pursuing certificate training in Gerontology, School Social Work, and Chemical Dependency.
• CSU allows MSW students to test out of three classes: “History and Philosophy of Social Work and Social Welfare,” “Fundamentals of Research,” and “Social Welfare Policy.”
• Non-degree-seeking students can audit Cleveland State University’s MSW classes.
6) Bowling Green State University - Bowling Green
MSW Programs Offered: Regular Standing MSW (Hybrid) and Advanced Standing MSW (Hybrid)
Regular Standing MSW Concentrations Offered: Gerontological Social Work
Advanced Standing MSW Concentrations Offered: Gerontological Social Work
About Bowling Green State University: Bowling Green State University’s MSW programs are administered by the university’s College of Health and Human Services. This MSW in Ohio offers a traditional MSW and an Advanced Standing MSW with a specialization in social work practice with older adults and their families.
Bowling Green State University MSW Program Details: The 56-hour traditional MSW degree includes 920 hours of fieldwork spread over three semesters, which you’ll spend working in a social service agency in the Greater Toledo Metropolitan Area or another part of northeastern Ohio. As with other of the best MSW schools in Ohio, the traditional MSW curriculum is divided into generalist and specialization courses. The 33-credit Advanced Standing MSW curriculum comprises the specialization portion of the traditional MSW curriculum.
Generalist coursework includes classes like “Professionalism, Ethics and Interpersonal Skills for Generalist Practice,” “Social Welfare Policy and Practice,” and “Research Methods for Generalist Practice.” Specialization coursework includes classes like “Current Perspectives in Gerontology,” “Gerontological Social Work Practice in Mental Health and Substance Abuse,” and “Research Methods in Gerontology.”
The traditional MSW curriculum will take you two years (six semesters) to complete if you enroll full-time and three years (nine semesters) if you enroll part-time. The Advanced Standing MSW curriculum will take one year to complete if you enroll full-time and two years if you enroll part-time. Courses are a combination of online classes and classroom experiences scheduled on weekdays in the early evenings to accommodate the needs of working students.
Bowling Green State University MSW Admission Requirements: This traditional MSW in Ohio is open to students who have an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum GPA of 3.0. You must have an undergraduate degree in social welfare for admission into the Advanced Standing MSW program. Students must submit two professional recommendations with their applications and a three-to five-page statement of purpose.
Key Highlights For Bowling Green State University MSW Students
• Twenty-one students graduated from Bowling Green State University’s Master’s of Social Work program in 2021.
• The traditional MSW course begins in the fall semester, while the Advanced Standing MSW course begins in the summer semester.
• Bowling Green State University’s MSW program is known for its small class sizes. The average student-to-faculty ratio is 12:1.
7) Miami University - Oxford
MSW Programs Offered: Traditional MSW (On-Campus) and Advanced Standing MSW (On-Campus)
Traditional MSW Concentrations Offered: Families & Children and Older Adults
Advanced Standing MSW Concentrations Offered: Families & Children and Older Adults
About Miami University: Miami University doesn’t offer a Master’s of Social Work degree as such; instead, the university offers a Master of Arts in Social Work (MASW) degree under the auspices of its College of Education, Health & Science. Miami’s traditional MASW and Advanced Standing MASW are campus-based programs offering two specialties: Families & Children and Older Adults.
Miami University MSW Program Details: For the 57-credit traditional MASW degree, students must complete 900 hours of fieldwork. Miami University’s program is similar to other accredited MSW programs in Ohio in that it’s divided into a foundational component and a specialization component. During the foundational component, which comprises your first year of studies if you’re a full-time student, your coursework will include “Culturally Informed practice,” “Ethics, Professionalism, and Self Care,” and “Social Welfare Policy I & II.” During your second specialization year, your classes will focus on your chosen concentration. The traditional MASW is offered as a full-time option that will take two years (six semesters) to finish and a part-time option that you can complete in three years. Classes begin in the fall semester.
The 34-credit Advanced Standing MASW degree will take one year (three semesters) to complete if you enroll full-time. Part-time students should be able to graduate from this program in two years (six semesters.) The Advanced Standing coursework essentially duplicates the second year of the traditional MASW program. This track requires 500 hours of fieldwork. Classes begin in the summer semester.
Both Miami University’s MASW programs are held at the university’s Middletown campus. To accommodate working students, classes meet from 4 to 6:40 p.m. or from 7 to 9:40 p.m. Mondays through Wednesdays throughout the fall and spring semesters. During the summer, classes meet from 12 to 4 p.m. or from 4 to 8 p.m. The Director of Social Work Field Education meets individually with students to determine the optimal site placement from the many social service agencies the university maintains relationships with.
Miami University MSW Admission Requirements: The traditional MASW program is open to graduates of bachelor’s degree programs with a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher, but the Advanced Standing MASW program is only available to students who’ve graduated with a bachelor’s degree within the past five years with a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher. You’ll need to submit a resume and personal narrative with your application.
Key Highlights For Miami University MSW Students
• Miami University awarded 26 MASW degrees in 2021.
• According to the Council on Social Work Education, there is no functional difference between the MASW degree awarded by Miami University and the degrees awarded by MSW schools in Ohio.
• Miami University offers three scholarships specifically for MASW students: the Jane and Dessie Rees Scholarship, the MASW Scholarship, and the Fred C. Whitcomb Scholarship.
8) University of Akron - Akron, Lakewood, & Wayne
MSW Programs Offered: MSW (Full-Time MSW (On-Campus), Part-Time MSW (On-Campus), and Advanced Standing MSW (On-Campus))
MSW Concentrations Offered: Micro Social Work and Macro Social Work
About University of Akron: The two MSW concentrations offered by the University of Akron’s School of Social Work and Family Sciences are variations of generalist practice. The Micro Social Work concentration focuses on teaching students to help individuals manage mental, emotional, social, and behavioral challenges that negatively impact their happiness and quality of life. The Macro Social Work concentration focuses on tackling systemic issues affecting large groups and communities. Like other MSW programs in Ohio, the University of Akron offers a traditional MSW degree and an Advanced Standing MSW degree.
University of Akron MSW Program Details: The 60-credit traditional MSW track requires 900 hours of fieldwork starting in your first semester. Like other programs among the best MSW programs in Ohio, the University of Akron’s MSW curriculum is divided into a foundational component and a direct practice component. Foundational courses include “Social Work Practice with Small Systems,” “Social Work Practice with Large Systems,” and “Social Welfare Policy I & II.” Direct practice courses vary according to whether you choose the micro or macro concentration track.
The 36-credit Advanced Standing MSW track requires 500 hours of fieldwork. It’s more or less equivalent to the second year of the traditional MSW track. Depending upon the concentration you’ve chosen, you’ll take courses like “Dynamics of Racism & Discrimination,” “Social Work Administration,” and “Psychopathology & Social Work.”
Both MSW tracks are offered as full-time and part-time options. The traditional MSW track starts in the fall, while the Advanced Standing MSW track begins in the summer. The traditional MSW track doesn’t require you to take classes during the summer, so it will take you two years (four semesters) to complete if you enroll full-time and four years (eight semesters) if you enroll part-time. The Advanced Standing MSW track will take you one year (three semesters) to complete if you enroll full-time.
Classes are scheduled during the days, evenings, and weekends to make the program as convenient as possible for working students. Your fieldwork will provide experiential learning opportunities in various urban, suburban, and rural social service settings throughout northeastern Ohio.
University of Akron Admission Requirements: You must submit separate applications to the Graduate School and the MSW Program. Applicants to both of these MSW programs in Ohio must have an undergraduate degree in social work or a related field from an accredited college or university. You’ll need to submit three professional references, a resume, and a three- to five-page statement of purpose with your application.
Key Highlights For University of Akron MSW Students
• In 2021, the University of Akron awarded 70 Master’s of Social Work degrees.
• The University of Akron offers MSW programs on its Akron, Lakewood, and Wayne campuses.
• MSW students at the University of Akron have the opportunity to participate in Ohio’s Child Welfare Workforce Professional Education Program.
• By taking five additional elective courses, MSW students at the University of Akron will meet the educational requirements for licensing as a Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor.
9) Youngstown State University - Youngstown
MSW Programs Offered: Traditional MSW (On-Campus) and Advanced Standing MSW (On-Campus)
About Youngstown State University: Youngstown State University’s MSW program is administered by the Bitonte College of Health and Human Services. This is one of the MSW programs in Ohio that provides a generalist approach centering on promoting social justice in the delivery of social services. Youngstown State University offers two MSW tracks: a traditional MSW and an Advanced Standing MSW. Both MSW tracks are taught on campus.
Youngstown State University MSW Program Details: You can choose to enroll in the traditional 60-credit MSW program as a full-time student and graduate in two years (four semesters) or enroll as a part-time student and graduate in either three years (six semesters) or four years (eight semesters.) Like others among the best MSW programs in Ohio profiled here, Youngstown State’s traditional program has a foundational component and a specialization component.
Courses include “Human Behavior in the Social Environment 1 & 2,” “Business Skills for Social Workers,” and “Oppressed Populations and Cultural Competency.” Youngstown State’s traditional MSW requires 1,020 hours of fieldwork, one of the highest fieldwork hour requirements of any accredited MSW programs in Ohio.
Youngstown State’s 39-credit Advanced Standing MSW program requires 540 hours of fieldwork. It’s only open to students who’ve majored in social work as undergraduates. You can complete this program in a single year (two semesters) if you enroll full-time; however, you also have the option of finishing it in three years (six semesters) or four years (eight semesters) as a part-time student.
MSW courses are scheduled for Saturdays and weekday evenings to make them convenient for students working while pursuing their educational goals. Students spend approximately 18 hours a week doing fieldwork at a variety of social service agencies and organizations throughout eastern Ohio.
Youngstown State University MSW Admission Requirements: You’ll need an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or above. Preference is given to students with degrees in social science, and all students with a BSW are automatically considered for the Advanced Standing MSW program. Additionally, you’ll need work or volunteer experience relevant to social work practice. You must submit three professional recommendations and a personal statement with your application.
Key Highlights For Youngstown State University MSW Students
• Sixty-three students graduated from Youngstown State University in 2021 with MSW degrees.
• Youngstown State University doesn’t offer MSW courses during the summer semester.
• Both of Youngstown State’s MSW programs are also available in partnership with Lakeland County Community College in Kirtland, Ohio, and Lorain County Community College in Elyria, Ohio.
10) University of Toledo - Toledo
MSW Programs Offered: Regular MSW (On-Campus) and Advanced Standing MSW (On-Campus)
Regular MSW Concentrations Offered: Advanced Generalist (Mental Health Track and Child & Family Track)
Advanced Standing MSW Concentrations Offered: Advanced Generalist (Mental Health Track and Child & Family Track)
About University of Toledo: The University of Toledo’s MSW program is affiliated with the university’s School of Social Justice. This MSW in Ohio offers a traditional MSW track and an Advanced Generalist MSW track with two concentrations: Mental Health and Family. Both these master’s in social work programs in Ohio are campus-based programs.
University of Toledo MSW Program Details: All courses are held on UToledo’s campus at this MSW school in Ohio. Classes are mostly held on Saturdays or weekday evenings to make them most convenient for working students. The 60-credit traditional MSW program is a two-year (four-semester) program that starts at the beginning of the fall semester. The first year consists of foundational courses such as “Social Work Research Methods and Analysis,” “Macro Social Work Perspectives on Human Behavior and the Social Environment,” and “Social Work Practice I, II, & III.” Second-year classes focus on issues affecting populations with which students hope to practice.
The Advanced Generalist MSW track entails 33 credits and begins at the start of the summer semester. This track consists of classes that traditional MSW students take in their second year of studies. Full-time students will be able to complete this track in one year (three semesters, including the summer semester.)
Like many other MSW programs in Ohio, UToledo’s MSW programs are offered as full-time and part-time options. The traditional MSW requires 950 hours of fieldwork, while the Advanced Generalist MSW requires 525 hours of fieldwork. The University of Toledo partners with social service agencies and community organizations throughout the Greater Toledo Metropolitan Area and surrounding communities in northwestern Ohio and southeastern Michigan to provide meaningful fieldwork placements.
University of Toledo MSW Admission Requirements: UToledo’s traditional MSW program is open to all individuals with a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a cumulative GPA of 2.7 or higher, but the university’s Advanced Generalist MSW program is only open to individuals who’ve earned a BSW degree. You must submit a statement of purpose, a resume or a curriculum vitae, one academic reference, and two professional references along with your application.
Key Highlights For University of Toledo MSW Students
• Forty students graduated from the University of Toledo in 2021 with Master’s of Social Work degrees.
• The University of Toledo’s MSW program maintains close ties with the university’s Human Trafficking and Social Justice Institute.
• UToledo is unique among the best MSW programs in Ohio in allowing students to work with emotional-support animal placement programs at local behavioral health facilities as part of their fieldwork.
11) Wright State University - Dayton
MSW Programs Offered: Regular MSW (On-Campus) and Advanced Standing MSW (On-Campus)
Regular MSW Concentrations Offered: Advanced Generalist (Children & Families and Older Adults)
Advanced Standing MSW Concentrations Offered: Advanced Generalist (Children & Families and Older Adults)
About Wright State University: Wright State University is another one of the MSW programs in Ohio that grants a Master’s of Art in Social Work (MASW) rather than a Master’s of Social Work (MSW) degree. The university offers a traditional MSW and an Advanced Generalist MSW with two concentration options: Children & Families and Older Adults.
Wright State University MSW Program Details: Wright University’s traditional MASW program requires fewer credit hours than other MSW programs in Ohio: You’ll be responsible for completing 54 credits and 900 hours of fieldwork. Like other MSW programs in Ohio, the curriculum is divided into foundational coursework and classes relevant to your chosen concentration.
Foundational courses include “Social Work Policy,” “Cultural Competency in Social Work Practice,” and “Human Behavior in the Social Environment.” Classes that pertain to the two concentrations that are offered include “Concentration Focus Area Families and Children” and “Concentration Focus Area Older Adults.” The 34-credit Advanced Generalist MASW track consists of coursework that traditional MASW students take in their second year.
All classes are taught at Wright University’s campus in Dayton. Full-time students should be able to complete the traditional MASW program in two years (four semesters) and the Advanced Generalist MASW program in one year (three semesters, including the summer semester.) This is another one of the MSW schools in Ohio where the traditional program begins in the fall semester, and the Advanced Generalist program starts in the summer semester.
Traditional MASW students must complete 900 hours of fieldwork while Advanced Generalist MASW students are only required to complete 600 hours. Wright University maintains relationships with more than 100 partner organizations in the Dayton area, including juvenile courts, the local Public Defender’s office, clinical agencies, and the Mad River and Miamisburg school districts.
Wright State University MSW Admission Requirements: You’ll need a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher for admission into the traditional MASW program. Applicants to the Advanced Generalist MASW program must have a BSW and a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher. You’ll need to submit three professional references and a personal statement with your application.
Key Highlights For Wright State University MSW Students
• In 2021, Wright University awarded 21 MASW degrees.
• Wright University’s social work department makes scholarship opportunities available to MASW students.
• Wright University also offers a Master’s of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling for students more interested in psychotherapeutic practice than advocacy.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What Are The Total Number Of Accredited MSW Programs In Ohio?
As per the
Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), currently, there are 11 accredited Master Of Social Work programs in Ohio.
Total MSW Programs in Ohio |
11 |
How Much Does An MSW Graduate Make Per Hour In Ohio?
The average salary of an MSW graduate per hour in Ohio is $27.94.
How Much Does An MSW Graduate Make Per Year In Ohio?
The average salary of an MSW graduate per year in Ohio is $58,120.
Pattie Trumble, MPP, MPH
Pattie Trumble is a nurse who worked in both California and New York for many years as an emergency room nurse. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from the University of California, Berkeley, and an Associate Degree in Nursing from the Samuel Merritt Hospital School of Nursing. After 10 years of providing direct care, she went back to school and earned concurrent Master’s degrees in both public policy and public health from the University of California, Berkeley. Thereafter, she worked for various public health agencies in California at both the community and state levels providing economic and legislative analysis.
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