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MSW programs in Ohio (OH) – online and on-campus
One of the first steps toward becoming a social worker in Ohio is to understand the educational and training requirements for licensure. From there, you can start to explore the Master of Social Work (MSW) programs available that can help you prepare for a career in social work.
MSW programs may be offered part or full-time, on-campus or online through a variety of colleges and universities across Ohio. Do you have your bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW)? You may be interested in an advanced standing program, which can accelerate your education and help you start working sooner. An MSW can help you qualify for licensure as a Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW). This may be a logical step for Licensed Social Workers (LSWs) with a BSW.
As you browse through MSW programs in Ohio, consider factors such as the financial and time commitments, specializations you may want to pursue, and post-graduation job prospects.
The program cards/tables featured on this page were last updated in November 2022. For the most current program information, please refer to the official website of the respective school.
Master of Social Work (MSW) programs in Ohio
As you progress through your MSW program, you may explore various practices within the social work profession, such as:
- Demonstrating ethical and professional behavior.
- Engaging diversity and difference in practice.
- Advancing human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice.
- Assessing, evaluating, and intervening with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
Your program may also include field placements as an additional component of your regular coursework.
The following Ohio MSW programs are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and offer full-time, part-time, and advanced standing options.
| Institution & Program | Location | Concentrations | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|
Bowling Green State UniversityMaster of Social Work | Bowling Green, OH | Gerontology | Full-Time, Part-Time |
Case Western Reserve UniversityMaster of Social Work | Cleveland, OH | Aging, Children, Youth and Families, Community Practice for Social Change, Health, Individualized Path of Study, Mental Health, School Social Work, Substance Use Disorders and Recovery | Full-Time, Part-Time |
Cleveland State UniversityMaster of Social Work | Cleveland, OH | Clinical | Full-Time, Part-Time |
Greater Miami Valley Joint MASW ProgramMaster of Social Work | Dayton, OH | Advanced Generalist: Children and Families, Advanced Generalist: Older Adults | Full-Time, Part-Time |
Ohio UniversityMaster of Social Work | Athens County, OH | — | Full-Time, Part-Time |
Ohio State UniversityMaster of Social Work | Columbus, OH | Aging and Health, Mental Health and Substance Misuse, Child and Youth Services, Community and Social Justice | Full-Time, Part-Time |
The University of AkronMaster of Social Work | Akron, OH | Micro Practice, Macro Practice | Full-Time, Part-Time |
University of CincinnatiMaster of Social Work | Cincinnati, OH | Direct Practice | Full-Time, Part-Time |
University of ToledoMaster of Social Work | Toledo, OH | Advanced Generalist Specialization | Full-Time, Part-Time |
Youngstown State UniversityMaster of Social Work | — | — | Full-Time, Part-Time |
Online MSW programs in Ohio
CSWE-accredited online master’s in social work programs in Ohio can cover the same curriculum and coursework as a traditional on-campus program.
| Institution & Program | Location | Concentrations | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|
Cleveland State UniversityMaster of Social Work | Cleveland, OH | — | Full-Time, Part-Time |
Ohio State UniversityMaster of Social Work (MSW) | Columbus, OH | Aging and Health, Mental Health and Substance Misuse, Child and Youth Services | Full-Time, Part-Time |
Ohio UniversityMaster of Social Work (MSW) | Athens County, OH | — | Part-Time |
University of Denver • Denver, CO
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Enrollment Type
Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program
As few as 12 months
Credits
54-81 graduate-level credits
Concentrations
Mental Health and Trauma, Health, Equity and Wellness
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution to be considered for admission
- Minimum undergraduate GPA is a cumulative 2.5 on a 4.0 scale or a 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits (approximately two years of work) for the baccalaureate degree
- Official transcripts
- Letters of recommendation
- Resume
- Career goals statement
Syracuse University • Syracuse, NY
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Enrollment Type
Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program
As few as 24 months
Credits
36-60
Concentrations
Advanced Integrated Practice, Advanced Clinical Practice
Admission Requirements
- Minimum 3.0 GPA is preferred
- Transcripts
- Resume
- Essays
- Prerequisite coursework
- Letters of recommendation
Simmons University • Boston, MA
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Enrollment Type
Accelerated and Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program
As few as 9 months
Credits
37-65
Concentrations
Mental Health Practice Optional Certificate, Trauma Practice Optional Certificate, Clinical Practice with Active Service Members, Veterans, and Families
Admission Requirements
- Resume
- Transcripts
- Recommendation forms
- Statement of professional and educational intent
Howard University • Washington, DC
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Enrollment Type
Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program
As few as 12 months
Credits
45+
Concentrations
Direct Practice, Community, Administration and Policy (CAP) Practice
Admission Requirements
- Three (3) letters of recommendation
- College transcripts
- A personal statement
- An application essay
- A resume
- Bachelor of Social Work from a CSWE-accredited institution, award within four years of first term start date
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in all social work foundation and undergraduate coursework
Hawaii Pacific University • Honolulu, HI
Master of Social Work
Enrollment Type
Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program
12-36 months
Credits
30-57
Concentrations
Military and Veterans Affairs, Child or Adult Protective Services, Health Care, Mental Health, Individual and Families, Social Agency Administration
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree with at least 30 credits in Liberal Arts from an accredited four-year institution
- Minimum 3.0 GPA, but applicants below that will be considered for provisional admission
- Completed courses in Statistics and Research Methods
- Applicants must have completed each course with a grade of a "C" or higher
- Bachelor’s degree in social work from an accredited program within the past five years
- Minimum 3.25 GPA on a 4.0 scale in social work courses
- Online application
Social work degree programs in Ohio
Ohio offers a variety of social work licensing options with unique educational requirements that can be met through social work degree programs. Seeking licensure as a Social Work Assistant (SWA)? Earn your associate degree in social work (ASW) or Bachelor of Social Work (BSW). A BSW program also enables you to apply to become a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) in Ohio.
The timeline for each educational path will also vary. Pursuing your ASW full-time can take around two years to complete, whereas a BSW program may be four years or longer and may require students to synthesize their skills via a practicum.
If you want to pursue LISW licensure in Ohio, you must first earn your Master’s in Social Work from a CSWE-accredited MSW program. Program timelines can range depending on whether you enroll as a full- or part-time student in a traditional or advanced standing track.
It’s also possible to earn your Ph.D. or Doctorate of Social Work (DSW) through an Ohio institution. DSW programs focus on clinical practice, while a Ph.D. in social work involves university-level research and education. Both degrees permit students to apply for LSW licensure in Ohio.
Learn more about social work licensure and how to become a social worker in Ohio.
Educational Requirements
Students applying to MSW programs in Ohio may be required to hold a bachelor’s degree. Applicants with a BSW may be eligible for advanced standing MSW programs, while non-social work undergraduate degree holders can apply to traditional MSW programs. Each track will come with its own prerequisites and timeline.
Curriculum
Topics that may be covered in an MSW program in Ohio include:
- Mental health
- Substance abuse recovery
- Child and youth services
- Diversity and culture
- Social and economic justice
- Aging and health
Your program may also include opportunities to complete a practicum or field experience, which puts your new skills into practice in a real-world environment.
What can I do with an MSW degree in OH?
With an MSW degree, you can pursue a wide variety of social work career paths that provide support, resources, and advocacy to individuals, families, schools, and communities. Alternatively, you may choose to work with members of the military or as a social work administrator. The role you choose will also determine your work setting.
Some specialized professions you can explore include:
- Medical social workers: Help people cope with medical and health-related issues in hospitals, community clinics, and other health care settings.
- School social workers: Advocate on behalf of students while working with parents, teachers, and administrators.
- Military social workers: Offer support to military service members, veterans, and their families to address psychological and emotional disorders that may arise from their work.
- Psychiatric social workers: Work with a psychiatric team to help people with mental health conditions or those living with substance use disorders.
As you explore the various educational and licensure options to become a social worker in Ohio, be sure to check with the Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board (CSWMFT) for details on requirements.
Salaries for MSW degree holders and other social work positions vary by employer, specialization, and location. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the mean annual salary for non-specialized (categorized as ‘Social Workers, All Other’) social workers in Ohio was $67,090 in May 2024.
We’ve covered a lot of ground about embarking on an MSW program, but you may still have lingering questions. To help you decide what type of degree to pursue in Ohio, we’ve compiled some FAQs.
FAQs
The best MSW program in Ohio for you depends on your goals. Once you have determined your interests and professional goals, you can explore programs that offer the criteria you need. Many program websites include information about timelines, requirements, and potential career outcomes for students.
Information last updated: January 2026