Program Overview

Master of Social Work Online (MSW)

The Master of Social Work online program at Ohio University is designed to prepare students to serve as clinical social workers with knowledge and skills at the master's level to improve the well-being of individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. The program emphasizes training in clinical social work practice in rural environments and is competency-based, aligning with Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) standards.

Program Overview

• The program offers two paths: the Master of Social Work Foundation program and the Master of Social Work — Advanced Standing program.
• The Foundation program is a 17-course, 62-credit track open to all eligible students with a bachelor's degree and can be completed in as few as 10 semesters (40 months).
• The Advanced Standing program is a 10-course, 36-credit-hour track available to students who have obtained a bachelor's degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited BSW program within the past 7 years and can be completed in as few as two years (six semesters).

Online MSW Field Practicums

• The program has established relationships with over 500 agencies nationwide.
• Students work with the Department of Social Work online field faculty to identify appropriate field placement settings in their geographic area.
• The online MSW program is considered part-time, allowing students to complete a Field Practicum of 10 hours a week while taking one additional practice course each semester.

Career Opportunities

• An MSW degree can open doors to a wide variety of purpose-driven career paths, including substance abuse, medical, clinical, and health care social work, therapeutic services, community program administration, criminal justice, suicide prevention, and nonprofit administration.
• Employment of social workers is expected to increase 12% from 2020 to 2030, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Costs and Financial Aid

• Tuition and fees are assessed based on the number of credit hours of enrollment, Ohio residency, and program.
• New students who are active and veteran military members, Ohio University alumni, or employees of corporate partners and enrolling in this online program could be eligible for an OHIO Online Incentive Scholarship.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What can I do with an online master's degree in social work? An MSW degree can lead to various career paths, including substance abuse, medical, clinical, and health care social work, among others.
• Does the Master of Social Work program require the GRE or GMAT? No, Ohio University's MSW program does not require the GRE or GMAT for admission.
• Is the online MSW program accredited? Yes, the MSW program has been fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) since 2002.

Program Distinctiveness

• The Ohio University MSW program emphasizes training in clinical social work practice in rural environments.
• The program is competency-based and aligns with CSWE standards, preparing students for state licensure eligibility.

International Students

• Yes, international students can apply to the MSW program, though deadlines and additional requirements may apply.