This guide presents a comprehensive overview of the social work profession in Ohio. We look at the job outlook for Ohio social workers, what kind of work is most common as well a few of the MSW programs currently available in Ohio. Having a master’s in social work is especially important within the profession as many job opportunities require a graduate degree.
CONTENTS OF THIS GUIDE
MSW programs in Ohio
Online MSW programs in Ohio
How to become a social worker in Ohio
Social work license requirements in Ohio
Social worker salary in Ohio
Social work jobs in Ohio
Social work job outlook
School listings
Social work in Ohio
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) there are currently 28,310 social workers employed in Ohio. That number is likely to grow in the coming years for one reason in particular: Ohio has been one of the states hit hardest by the opioid epidemic.
In 2015 Ohio had the highest deadly opioid overdose rate in all of the United States. By 2018, state and local leaders had managed to address the problem to some degree such that Ohio fell to the fourth-highest overdose rate in America.
Nonetheless, opioid abuse in Ohio is a serious public health concern. Solving the problem will require more social workers than police officers. Incarcerating a drug addict does little to solve the problem, whereas a social worker can create rehabilitation strategies for a patient as well as connect them with resources in the community. More broadly, a social worker can provide the support a recovering addict needs to stay clean.
Certainly, not all social work in Ohio involves daily contact with drug users, however, a social worker who is considering a career in Ohio should understand that substance abuse work may be more common there than in other states.
For social workers in Ohio who are looking for professional guidance, support, or networking opportunities there is the Ohio chapter of the National Association of Social Workers.
MSW programs in Ohio
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.”
More information about the various MSW programs available in Ohio can be found at the end of this article.
Online MSW programs in Ohio
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 Ph.D. 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 Ph.D. is available on our doctorate degree page, as well as a list of Ph.D. 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 article, as these are the most common. For more information on social work licensure 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 licensure is available to anyone who has 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
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 worker – $47,260
- Healthcare social worker – $55,760
- Mental health and substance abuse social worker – $46,950
- Social worker all other – $53,650
Social work jobs in Ohio
Currently, there are 28,310 social workers employed in Ohio. These social workers are employed in a variety of positions.
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers – Total employment 11,560 – Social workers in this fieldwork 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.
- Healthcare Social Workers – Total employment 7,230 – Social workers in this field engage with sick patients at the hospital or make house calls to provide any medical assistance that is needed.
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers – Total employment 6,650 – Social workers in this field interact with addicts and their families to build comprehensive rehabilitation strategies to help the addict stay clean.
- All other social workers – Total employment 2,870 – Other social workers may work in the court system as forensic social workers or even in a corporate setting, typically in the human resources department.
Job Outlook
Whether it’s California, New York or Ohio the job outlook for social workers in the United States is quite good. The BLS predicts that from 2018 to 2028 the number of social workers in the United States will grow by 11percent, a rate of growth that’s significantly higher than the overall job growth rate for the United States.
Given that there are currently 28,310 social workers employed in Ohio, an 11 percent job growth rate would indicate that by 2028 there will be approximately 32,000 social workers in Ohio.
In Ohio this growth will likely be driven by high opioid addiction rates, indicating that substance abuse social workers will typically have the best chance of finding a job in state.
School Listings
Please consult the list below for more information on social work programs available in Ohio.