Ohio is home to 15 MSW programs. Of the available options, 11 of them are traditional, campus-based programs, while four of them offer online MSW programs (either online only or hybrid options).
If you are looking for an MSW program in Ohio, check out the full school listings below, which provide the latest program highlights, tuition information, and other relevant details designed to help you compare and contrast degree options.
In this guide- Online MSW listings
- MSW programs listings
- MSW program overview
- Online MSW program overview
- How to become a social worker
- License requirements
- Social worker jobs and salary
- Expert advice
Online MSW programs in Ohio
Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OH
Credits: 60
Cost per credit: $1,630
Plan of Study: Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing, Multiple cohorts per year, Weekends/Evening
Area of specialized practice: Addictions, Children, Youth, and Families, Clinical or Direct Practice, Community Development and Social Systems, Health, International Social Work, Management or Administration, Mental Health, School Social Work, Aging and Gerontological Practice, Trauma
Dual Degree Option(s: Bioethics, Business Administration, Law, Non-profit Management, Public Health
Certification: Gerontology, International Social Work, Non-Profit Management, Other, School Social Work, Trauma, Medical Social Work
Program Highlights:- Two clinical practice and one macro are the three parts of study offered
- No campus visits required
- GRE is not required
Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OHCredits: 60
Cost per credit: $590 in state | $654 out of state
Plan of Study: Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing
Area of specialized practice: Advanced Generalist, Clinical or Direct Practice
Certification: Addictions, Gerontology, School Social Work
Program Highlights:- No campus residencies are required
- Coursework is asynchronous
- Practice-in-context perspective
The Ohio State University
Columbus, OHCredits: 63
Cost per credit: $765
Plan of Study: Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing
Area of specialized practice: Advanced Generalist
Dual Degree Option(s: Doctorate in Social Work, Public Administration, Public Health, Public Policy, Urban Planning
Certification: Addictions, School Social Work
Program Highlights:- All courses are asynchronous
- Field placement will be completed at an agency within a student's local area
Ohio University
Athens, OHCredits: 62
Cost per credit: $508 in state | $527out of state
Plan of Study: Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing, Multiple cohorts per year
Area of specialized practice: Clinical or Direct Practice, Rural Social Work
Program Highlights:- No GRE or GMAT
- Competency-based program
MSW programs in Ohio
Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green, OHCredits: 56
Cost per credit: $468 in state | $801 out of state
Plan of Study: Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing
Area of specialized practice: Aging and Gerontological Practice
Program Highlights:- Experiential learning is infused throughout the curriculum
- Low faculty to student ratio provides opportunities for quality connections and personalized attention between students and faculty
Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OHCredits: 60
Cost per credit: $1,650
Plan of Study: Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing, Multiple cohorts per year, Weekends/Evening
Area of specialized practice: Addictions, Children, Youth, and Families, Clinical or Direct Practice, Community Development and Social Systems, Health, International Social Work, Management or Administration, Mental Health, School Social Work, Aging and Gerontological Practice, Trauma
Dual Degree Option(s: Bioethics, Business Administration, Law, Non-profit Management, Public Health
Certification: Gerontology, International Social Work, Non-Profit Management, Other, School Social Work, Trauma, Medical Social Work
Program Highlights:- Curriculum is the first competency-based curriculum approved by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
- Grounded in authentic community engagement
Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OHCredits: 60
Cost per credit: $590 in state | $1,011 out of state
Plan of Study: Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing
Area of specialized practice: Advanced Generalist, Clinical or Direct Practice
Certification: Addictions, Gerontology, School Social Work
Program Highlights:- Provides a rigorous intellectual base, an opportunity for effective skill development and an educational perspective
- Prepare students to provide high-quality, specialized care to oppressed, at-risk and vulnerable populations
Miami University
Middletown, OHCredits: 57
Cost per credit: $700
Plan of Study: Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing
Area of specialized practice: Advanced Generalist
Program Highlights:- Combined degree program is available that allow highly qualified students to pursue a Bachelor's and Master's degree simultaneously
- The field placement focuses on administrative, organizational, and policy social work practice and students have the opportunity to work directly with clients or independently on projects.
The Ohio State University
Columbus, OHCredits: 63
Cost per credit: $413 in state | $765 out of state
Plan of Study: Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing
Area of specialized practice: Advanced Generalist
Dual Degree Option(s: Doctorate in Social Work, Public Administration, Public Health, Public Policy, Urban Planning
Certification: Addictions, School Social Work
Program Highlights:- No GRE Required
- "University Partnership Program (UPP) that offers specialized child welfare classes and the ability to complete your field placement in a public children services agency. "
- Combined MSW/PHD Program is available
Ohio University
Athens, OHCredits: 62
Cost per credit: $583 in state | $1,079 out of state
Plan of Study: Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing, Multiple cohorts per year
Area of specialized practice: Clinical or Direct Practice, Rural Social Work
Program Highlights:- "Students participate in supervised field internships"
- Program has no thesis requirement and no comprehensive examination
- Emphasis is on promoting interdisciplinary learning and practice
University of Akron
Akron, Lakewood, Orrville & Canton, OHCredits: 60
Cost per credit: $442 in state | $748 out of state
Plan of Study: Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing
Area of specialized practice: Clinical or Direct Practice, Community Development and Social Systems
Certification: Addictions, Behavioral Health
Program Highlights:- Two concentrations: Micro and Macro practice.
- Foreign language and GRE are not required
University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, OHCredits: 60
Cost per credit: $746 in state | $1,333 out of state
Plan of Study: Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing
Area of specialized practice: Children, Youth, and Families, Health, Mental Health, Aging and Gerontological Practice
Dual Degree Option(s: Law
Program Highlights:- The program is designed to promote the integration of learning in the classroom with learning in a field practicum in an agency setting
- Real-world experience Field Education
University of Toledo
Toledo, OHCredits: 60
Cost per credit: $627 in state | $1,100 out of state
Plan of Study: Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing
Area of specialized practice: Advanced Generalist
Program Highlights:- Focuses on social and economic justice
- Hands-on experience Field Practicum
Wright State University
Fairborn, OHCredits: 54
Cost per credit: $660 in state | $1,125 out of state
Plan of Study: Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing
Area of specialized practice: Advanced Generalist
Certification: Gerontology
Program Highlights:- Opportunity for Court-based mezzo/macro-level and School-based social work placements
- Focus areas: Children and Families and Older Adults
Youngstown State University
Youngstown, Lorraine & Lakeland, OHCredits: 60
Cost per credit: $433 in state | $445 out of state
Plan of Study: Full-Time, Advanced Standing
Area of specialized practice: Advanced Generalist
Program Highlights:- Strengths-based empowerment approach
- Program's focus is on work with individuals and families
MSW programs overview
As mentioned in the introduction, most social work positions in Ohio require a master’s degree. As a result of that requirement, there are many Masters of Social Work (MSW) programs available in the state.
One of the most important considerations when judging an MSW program is that it has a Council of Social Work Education (CSWE) accreditation. A CSWE accreditation proves that an MSW program conforms to accepted standards within the social work field. While social work employers all across the United States prefer to hire graduates from a CSWE program, in Ohio, it’s mandatory to graduate from an CSWE approved institution in order to work in the state.
Currently, there are about a dozen MSW programs available in Ohio. One of the most popular is the MSW program at Ohio State University. An accelerated program (the ASAP program) is available to anyone who has a bachelor’s in social work while there is a standard duration learning path for students with a bachelor’s degree in another field.
Cleveland State University offers another popular MSW program. According to CSU’s website their program, “provides a rigorous intellectual base, an opportunity for effective skill development, and an educational perspective that views human diversity as desirable and enriching to society.”
Online MSW programs overview
It’s important to point out that there are two different types of online MSW programs. A hybrid program includes both online lessons as well as campus-based instruction. There are also complete online programs where 100 percent of the teaching happens over the internet.
Ohio University’s college of health sciences and professions offers an online MSW program that can be completed in two years. The program is taught fully online and does not require a GRE or GMAT test for admittance.
There’s also the 100 percent online-based MSW program from Ohio State University. The program prepares students to work in a variety of fields such as substance abuse, child services, and mental health. Since students can view the classes at any time this program is convenient for anyone who would like to work part-time while they’re studying.
How to become a social worker in Ohio
The following steps are necessary in order to become a social worker in Ohio.
- Obtain either a bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work. The degree must come from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited university.
- An applicant with a bachelor’s degree can apply for a SWA license. The SWA will allow the license holder to work under the supervision of another social worker.
- Those who graduate from a MSW program can obtain a LISW license. This is a higher level of licensure and will allow the license holder to perform unsupervised social work, including handling a caseload and running group sessions.
- Having both a degree and a license, a social worker can begin applying for jobs in Ohio.
Graduates with a PhD will find themselves eligible to work at the highest levels of the social work field. Typically this will involve managing other social workers, writing public policy, and doing detailed statistical analysis.
More information on studying for a PhD is available on our doctorate degree page, as well as a list of PhD social work programs that are available in the USA.
Social work license requirements in Ohio
To be employed as a social worker in Ohio you must have a license. While there are four different types of licenses we’ll only cover three in this guide, as these are the most common. For more information on social work license requirements in Ohio please see the Counselor and Social Worker Board’s website for Ohio.
- Registered Social Work Assistant – SWA license holders are only permitted to work under the supervision of another psychologist, social worker, or psychiatrist. While being supervised they may perform any of the jobs that a normal social worker does.
- Licensed Social Worker – LSW license holders can practice under the supervision of another social worker. This license is available to anyone with a bachelor’s degree or higher in social work.
- Licensed Independent Social Worker – The LISW license requires the applicant to have completed an MSW program from a CSWE-accredited institution. LISW license holders can practice social work unsupervised.
Social worker salary in Ohio
Currently, there are 28,310 social workers employed in Ohio. These social workers are employed in a variety of positions.
The average salary for a social worker in Ohio is $50,006. This salary is very close to the national median salary in America, although one benefit of social work is that the benefits package tends to be comprehensive.
Thanks to BLS data we can break down social worker salaries in Ohio into four categories. Mental health and substance abuse social workers have the lowest average annual salary at $46,950 while healthcare social workers have the highest average salary at $55,760 per year.
- Child, family, and school social workers are the most numerous kind of social workers in Ohio. There are 11,560 child, family, and school social workers working with families to ensure that all of a child’s needs are being met and that they’re growing up in a healthy, safe environment. The average annual salary for this group is $47,260.
- Healthcare social workers number 7,230 in Ohio. These social workers engage with sick patients at the hospital or make house calls to provide any medical assistance that is needed. The average annual salary for healthcare social workers in Ohio is $55,760.
- Mental health and substance abuse social workers make up about 6,650 members of the workforce. Social workers in this field interact with addicts and their families to build comprehensive rehabilitation strategies to help the addict stay clean. The average annual salary for this group is $46,950.
- All other social workers is a catchall term for social workers that do not neatly fit into one of the other categories. The total employment for this group is 2,870 and may include social workers employed in the court system as forensic social workers or even in a corporate setting, typically in the human resources department. The average annual salary reported for this group is $53,560.
Career Advice
Find the latest social work career advice from people working directly in the field in Ohio. Learn more about all the different pathways and opportunities available in social work today.
- What are the most important factors for students deciding on an MSW program in Ohio?
- What are the challenges or opportunities for becoming a social worker in Ohio?
- What does the future of social work look like in Ohio?
- What types of jobs are MSW graduates finding in Ohio?
- Do you have advice or guidance for MSW graduates pursuing a license in Ohio?