8 Top MSW Programs in Ohio

Social work ranks as the 13th most popular degree in the United States, and MSW programs in Ohio offer excellent opportunities. Ohio’s flexible programs accommodate your educational background and career goals, whether you have a BSW or are just starting your social work education.

BSW graduates can earn their degree quickly through advanced-standing programs at Cleveland State University and Ohio State University. These programs take only 9-12 months to complete. Students new to social work need about 27 months or two years to finish traditional MSW programs that require 60 credits. Many universities now offer online MSW programs in Ohio that help students balance their studies with daily life. The cost of a master’s in social work varies substantially based on residency status and program type. Tuition ranges from $305 to $1,733.13 per credit.

This piece covers 8 outstanding MSW programs in Ohio. You’ll learn about program features, specializations, formats, and costs to help you choose the right social work program for your future.

Mount Vernon Nazarene University

Mount Vernon Nazarene University will launch a new Master of Social Work program in Spring 2025. This addition brings a faith-based view to advanced social work training in Ohio’s educational landscape.

Program Overview

Mount Vernon Nazarene University’s MSW program wants to shape students into advanced social work practitioners. Students get specialized knowledge through a Christ-like view. The program stands out from other MSW programs in Ohio because it blends faith-based principles with professional social work practice.

“What makes the program special is our faith-based approach and our faculty’s commitment to the profession,” explains Program Director Dr. Rachel Young. The program helps two types of students: recent Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) graduates who want advanced credentials and working professionals with bachelor’s degrees in other fields looking to switch to social work.

The MSW program goes beyond professional training. Students learn to embrace social work’s core values and ethics. The curriculum connects social work’s mission with faith-based principles and focuses on social justice and helping vulnerable populations.

Graduates can work with individuals, families, organizations, and communities. The program helps create culturally competent practitioners who value evidence-based approaches and stay committed to growing professionally.

Specializations Offered

MVNU’s Masters in Social Work offers two specialization tracks:

1. Behavioral Health: Students learn to work in mental health settings, psychiatric hospitals, and treatment facilities
2. School Social Work: Students prepare for careers in educational settings

“School social work and behavioral health were chosen after looking at the needs in our community and wanting to answer the call,” notes Dr. Young. The school social work track fills a specific gap in Ohio, making MVNU’s program unique among MSW programs.

Behavioral Health track graduates can become medical social workers, clinical social workers/therapists, social work supervisors, administrators, or researchers/professors after getting licensed. School Social Work specialists learn to assess children who need help accessing curriculum, handle mental and behavioral health issues, and find resources for educational success.

Mount Vernon Nazarene University Program Format

MVNU delivers its MSW program fully online, making it perfect for students seeking online MSW programs. The program includes essential field education requirements for professional social work training.

Students complete practicum and seminar hours based on their location and schedule. Dr. Young explains, “Practicum requires spending 20 hours a week in a social work field setting”. Your specialization determines your field placement – behavioral health students work at psychiatric hospitals or mental health clinics, while school social work students train in schools.

Students meet online with the MSW field education director to plan their placement. This creates a personalized field experience while keeping the convenience online study.

Tuition & Duration

MVNU’s MSW program has two tracks with different timeframes and credit requirements:

Qualified BSW graduates save time and money with the “ASAP Starts here” option. ASAP students can complete the program in a calendar year. Students not eligible for ASAP can complete it in two years.

Students must finish their degree within six years of first enrolling at MVNU. While MSW program tuition rates haven’t been announced, MVNU typically offers competitive rates for working professionals.

Students need to show they’ve gained professional knowledge, skills, values, and ethics before starting their practicum. The program only accepts students who meet its admission criteria for field practica.

MVNU’s program, one of the newer MSW programs in Ohio, combines faith-based values with professional social work education. This creates a unique path for students advancing their social work careers through specialized graduate education.

Cleveland State University

Cleveland State University’s School of Social Work in the College of Health has one of the most flexible MSW programs in Ohio. The program gives you the specialized knowledge to work with oppressed, at-risk, and vulnerable populations and provides a solid intellectual foundation.

Program Overview

The Master of Social Work at Cleveland State University helps students become Licensed Independent Social Workers who can handle human needs, social justice issues, discrimination, and oppression through policy practice and clinical interventions. The program has full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), which ensures graduates meet national professional standards.

CSU’s MSW program prepares students for specialized, advanced-level, and independent practice. The curriculum sees human diversity as an enriching element of society rather than a challenge. Students learn about professional social work concepts, research strategies, and various intervention approaches used in social work practice.

Students can join the program year-round with application deadlines of August 1 for fall, December 2 for spring, and April 21 for summer enrollment. International applicants need a minimum combined score of 78 on the internet TOEFL exam, with at least 20 in reading, 21 in listening, 17 in writing, and 20 in speaking.

Specializations Offered

Students choose between two distinct specialization tracks during their specialization year:

1. Clinical Social Work – This specialization teaches students to practice psychotherapy and provide behavioral and mental health assessment and treatment for individuals, couples, families, and groups. The curriculum combines smoothly with a trauma-informed approach, preparing graduates to work in mental health clinics, hospitals, child welfare agencies, substance abuse settings, and crisis centers.
2. Advanced Generalist – This track builds competencies for multi-dimensional practice in settings of all types including hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, child welfare, aging services, and community organizations.

CSU also offers additional certificates to improve your Masters in Social Work degree:

• Chemical Dependency
• Gerontology
• Veterinary Social Work

Cleveland State University Program Format

CSU stands out among online MSW programs by offering 100% asynchronous online coursework without campus visits. Students can choose full-time or part-time schedules that work best for their professional lives.

Field practicum is essential to the social work degree. The university’s complimentary field placement services arrange experiential learning hours in your local community. Traditional MSW students complete 900 total hours (400 in generalist practicum and 500 in specialization practicum). Advanced Standing students complete 500 hours.

Students learn from published faculty who use innovative technology to address social issues. The program maintains high standards in both online and on-campus formats.

Tuition & Duration

The program offers two distinct tracks with different timeframes and costs:

Note: Rates are subject to change. Fees are additional.

BSW graduates can take advantage of the Advanced Standing program, which offers Ohio’s shortest path to an online MSW. This accelerated option is available if you have a bachelor’s degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program within the last 7 years.

A CSU social work degree opens doors to promising career prospects. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 9% increase in social work jobs through 2030 across all professional sectors. Social workers earned a median pay of $50,390 in 2021.

University of Akron

The School of Social Work and Family Sciences at University of Akron stands out among MSW programs with its new 100% online option and competitive tuition rates. The program gives you the skills to help vulnerable populations and promote social justice principles.

Program Overview

The University of Akron’s Master of Social Work program is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). This accreditation ensures graduates meet national professional standards. The program began a mission to improve society’s well-being by training professionals who create meaningful social change.

The program has one of the highest licensure exam pass rates in Ohio and excellent job placement rates after graduation. Students learn from 20-year old leaders in social work who teach using the latest research and methods.

You don’t need GRE scores to apply, which makes the program more available. BSW holders get a great advantage with the Advanced Standing option. These qualified students can finish their degree in just 11 months instead of two years.

Specializations Offered

Students choose between two distinct concentration tracks:

Micro Practice teaches advanced social work with individuals, families, and small groups. Graduates can work in:

• Mental health settings
• Child welfare services
• Healthcare facilities
• Rehabilitation clinics
• School social work
• Services for elderly populations

Macro Practice deals with larger systems like organizations, neighborhoods, and communities. This track focuses on:

• Supervision and management
• Research methodologies
• Program planning and evaluation
• Grant writing
• Policy formulation and advocacy

Students can also earn additional credentials like a certificate in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy or take courses toward Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor (LICDC) certification.

Program Format

Students can choose from several flexible study options:

• 100% asynchronous online classes let students complete coursework on their schedule without fixed meeting times
• Full-time and part-time tracks fit different life situations
• Day, evening, and weekend courses work well for busy professionals

Field education plays a vital role in the social work degree experience. Traditional students complete 900 hours of supervised field experience – 400 hours in generalist placements and 500 hours in specialization settings. Advanced Standing students need 500 hours of field experience.

Students might get approval to complete field requirements at their current workplace through a Field at Place of Employment Proposal.

Tuition & Duration

The University of Akron offers the most affordable pathway to an online Masters in Social Work in Northeast Ohio. Ohio residents pay $462.50 per credit hour for graduate courses in the College of Health and Human Sciences.

Traditional program students complete foundation courses before starting their specialization. They do field work alongside classroom learning to combine theory with practice.

Different formats have different admission deadlines:

• Online intensive format (spring start): October 31
• Advanced Standing (summer start): March 31
• Regular admissions (fall start): June 15

Students get valuable hands-on experience through regional field placements that bring classroom knowledge to real-life settings. After graduation, they’re ready to pursue licensure and start careers as clinical practitioners or administrators in social services of all sizes.

Ohio University

Ohio University’s Master of Social Work program stands out with its focus on rural social work practice. Students can choose between on-campus hybrid and fully online formats to become clinical social workers who serve rural communities that need them most.

Program Overview

The MSW program at Ohio University has been around since 2002 with full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education. The program trains clinical social workers specifically for rural environments. Students learn to improve the well-being of people, families, groups, organizations, and communities with special focus on rural settings.

Students develop nine core social work competencies set by the Council on Social Work Education (2015). These include ethical behavior, human rights advancement, anti-racism practices, research-informed practice, policy engagement, and various intervention skills. Unlike other MSW programs in Ohio, Ohio University puts rural practice first because it serves an Appalachian region where social workers are scarce.

We focused on preparing students for clinical social work while giving them exposure to macro-level practice—skills that regional employers say they need most. This structure gives students extra benefits since clinical social workers can get National Health Service Corps Loan Reimbursement and clinical licensure in most states.

Specializations Offered

Students get advanced training in Clinical Social Work. Regional employers and community needs shaped this concentration choice.

Students build skills in several key areas:

• Individual and family interventions
• Group work methodologies
• Organizational leadership
• Community engagement

Students start with foundation-level training before moving to specialized clinical coursework. They must complete a two-semester, Institutional Review Board-approved research study.

Program Format

Students can choose from several flexible program options:

On-Campus Hybrid Option:

• Students come to campus just one day weekly (Wednesday or Thursday)
• Each course combines 2 hours of face-to-face learning with 1 hour of online content
• Four ways to complete the program:
  1. One-Year Advanced Standing
  2. Two-Year Full Time
  3. Three-Year Part Time
  4. Four-Year Part Time

Online Option:

• Everything happens online
• Part-time structure works well for working professionals
• Three chances to start each year
• Field work takes 10 hours weekly

Field education is a vital part of both formats. The department works with over 500 agencies nationwide. Students might even use their current job for field practice hours if their work lines up with CSWE Social Work Competencies.

Tuition & Duration

Graduate students face different costs. Student health insurance for 2025-2026 costs $1,422 for Fall 2025 and $1,398 for Spring/Summer 2026. Students with qualifying assistantships get big discounts: $853 and $839 respectively.

International students pay about $17,540 for their first year. Students must finish their MSW degree within four years.

The program prepares graduates to qualify for state licensure, though each state has its own requirements. Students don’t need to write a thesis or take comprehensive exams, making this program more available than other Masters in Social Work programs while maintaining high standards.

Case Western Reserve University

The Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences at Case Western Reserve University stands proud with its social work education legacy since 1915. U.S. News & World Report ranks it #12 nationally and places it as the top MSW program in this state.

Program Overview

Students in the Master of Social Work program learn advanced practice skills through a two-level curriculum. The program splits into generalist (21 credit hours) and advanced/specialized (39 credit hours) levels. The Council on Social Work Education recognized this program as their first competency-based curriculum. Students develop professional skills while learning social justice principles.

The program starts with a life-changing week-long Change Agent Intensive course that teaches students about their profession’s roots, values, and philosophy. Students work in teams with nursing, medicine, and other graduate programs to gain real-life experience.

Specializations Offered

Students can choose from two main specialization paths:

1. Integrated Health & Wellness offers these study areas:
   • Aging
   • Substance use disorders and recovery
   • Children, youth and families
   • Health
   • Mental health with children/adolescents
   • Mental health with adults
2. Community Practice for Social Change

Students interested in school social work can take a special track through collaboration with Baldwin Wallace University.

Program Format

The program adapts to different schedules with these options:

• On-Campus Weekly Program: Students complete four semesters full-time with classes and fieldwork running together
• Part-Time Degree Program: Students take at least 6 credit hours each semester over three years

Students must complete at least 900 hours of field education at one of 1,000+ partner agencies nationwide while taking classes.

Tuition & Duration

Students should budget for extra costs like the Student Medical Plan ($1,993 per semester), One-to-One Fitness membership ($146-$182), and required fees.

The university helps make education affordable. Last year, they gave out more than $5 million in scholarships. Traditional MSW students receive around $52,000 in scholarships, which brings the actual tuition down to $47,000. Advanced Standing students typically get $34,000 in scholarship support.

University of Cincinnati

The University of Cincinnati’s School of Social Work gives you multiple ways to earn your MSW through a well-laid-out hybrid learning environment.

Program Overview

UC’s Master of Social Work program prepares students to practice advanced social work with individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations. Students blend classroom learning with hands-on field experience, which helps them become licensed social workers in Ohio after completing their licensing exam. The program gives you knowledge and skills you need for specialized practice in social service settings of all types.

The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) has fully accredited the program, which shows its steadfast dedication to quality social work education since 1978. The School’s partnerships with over 200 agencies in the Greater Cincinnati area give students a variety of field education opportunities.

Specializations Offered

The program offers three specialized areas of study:

1. Children & Families – Prepares for work in child welfare agencies and family service settings
2. Health & Aging – Focuses on medical social work and services for older adults
3. Mental Health – Develops skills for psychiatric and behavioral health settings

These specialized tracks teach evidence-based interventions that help you assist individuals, families, and groups to make changes, solve problems, and take control of their lives.

Program Format

UC’s program flexibility stands out with multiple curriculum options:

Students spend 14-17 hours weekly at assigned agencies under qualified supervision for field education. Full-time employment isn’t recommended for accelerated and full-time students because of scheduling demands.

Tuition & Duration

Ohio residents’ graduate tuition varies by program and credit load:

Most students (85%) receive full or partial scholarships. International students can qualify for University Graduate Scholarships and other financial aid options. Students often benefit from assistantships that become available during the academic year.

Bowling Green State University

Bowling Green State University’s MSW program helps students grow through a supportive cohort model that focuses on professional development in advanced generalist practice. The program makes use of an approach that builds on resiliency, strengths, and scientific evidence to create change.

Program Overview

BGSU’s Master of Social Work program has managed to keep full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) since June 2020. Students learn to become advanced practitioners and professional leaders through the curriculum. The program wants to equip communities to help vulnerable and disenfranchised members. Small student-to-teacher ratios create quality connections between students and faculty. This individual attention helps students develop skills they need to become highly competent practitioners in settings of all types.

Specializations Offered

Advanced Generalist is the MSW program’s specialized practice area, which has both clinical and community practice components. Students can choose from three focus areas:

• Gerontology – Focuses on working with older adults
• Healthcare – Includes physical health, behavioral health, and public health
• Children & Families – Deals with family dynamics and services

Students can pick a specific focus area or take approved electives from several areas to expand their expertise.

Program Format

Working professionals can take advantage of online, face-to-face, and evening courses. Students learn in a cohort model that builds peer support networks and develops clinical and research skills. The program ends with field education, where students apply concepts in agency or community settings.

Tuition & Duration

In-state graduate students pay approximately $8,017 per year, while out-of-state students pay around $14,009 annually. Students must complete all degree requirements within six years from enrollment.

Miami University

Miami University’s Master of Social Work program helps create advanced generalist social work professionals through a curriculum that emphasizes critical thinking skills among core social work knowledge, theories, values, and ethics. The program’s family-centered, social justice orientation makes it unique among other MSW programs.

Program Overview

Miami’s MSW program builds graduates’ capacity to interact, assess, help, and review multiple system levels—from individuals and families to organizations and communities. Students take foundational courses combined with field placements and specialized study opportunities. They develop expertise in prevention and intervention methods while applying ethical principles and research-informed practices.

Specializations Offered

Miami offers an advanced generalist concentration, unlike many MSW programs that have multiple concentration tracks. Students can tailor their education through electives, with opportunities to specialize in:

• Working with children and families
• School social work (through practicum placement)
• Behavioral health settings

Program Format

The program employs a hybrid delivery model. Social work graduate classes meet face-to-face once every two weeks. Classes run from 4-6:40PM and 7-9:40PM Monday through Thursday. Most classes take place in Oxford, and some may be held on the Middletown campus.

Field education serves as the program’s “signature pedagogy” and requires extensive practical experience:

• Advanced Standing students complete 500 hours across two semesters
• Traditional and PSY/PSS+MSW students complete 900 hours across three semesters

Tuition & Duration

Graduate students’ tuition depends on credit hours taken per semester instead of a flat rate. The program charges the same rates for in-state and out-of-state students. Students must complete their degree within five years of admission.

Choosing Your Ohio MSW Program

Your career goals, financial situation, and lifestyle needs should guide your choice of MSW program. Eight accredited programs in Ohio each bring something unique to the table. You might value University of Akron’s budget-friendly rates, MVNU’s behavioral health focus, or Case Western Reserve’s top ranking in Ohio.

BSW graduates can save time and money through advanced standing options at schools like Cleveland State University and Ohio University. These programs let you finish your degree in just 9-12 months instead of two years. You’ll also find flexible study options that fit your schedule. Cleveland State, University of Akron, and Ohio University offer fully online programs that help you balance school with your work and family life.

Field experience is the basis of these programs. You’ll need between 500-900 supervised hours based on your chosen track. This hands-on training prepares you to tackle real-life challenges in clinical settings, community organizations, schools, or healthcare facilities.

Look beyond just tuition costs as you weigh your options. Program formats, specialization tracks, field placements, and licensure exam success rates all matter. Many schools offer scholarships and financial aid packages that cut overall costs by a lot.

Social work jobs keep growing steadily. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects a 9% rise in positions through 2030. Your MSW degree opens doors to careers that address vital community needs while building a meaningful professional path. Whatever program you pick, an Ohio MSW degree will help you create positive change in communities and advance your career goals.