Degrees & Certifications:

The Social Work degree family, encompassing the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and Master of Social Work (MSW), prepares individuals to support the well-being of individuals, families, and communities through direct services, advocacy, and systems-level change. Grounded in principles of social justice, equity, and human dignity, these programs equip students with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills to address social challenges. Ohio’s emphasis on community-based care and rural health initiatives further underscores the importance of social work education in meeting the needs of its varied populations. 

Social Work in Behavioral Health

The demand for social workers is projected to grow steadily, with strong career impact and job security.

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    • Description: Many community colleges may offer Associate's degrees or non-degree certificates in Social Work, Social Sciences, and/or Human Services. Examples include Human & Social Services Assistant Diploma (2 years), AAS in Human & Social Services (2 years), etc. These degrees and certifications may transfer to a BSW program, allowing the student to graduate and enter the workforce earlier.  

    • Program duration: 2 years (full-time), or longer if part-time.

    • Prerequisites: High School Diploma or GED.

    • Certifications and Licensures: Graduates of such programs may be eligible for the Social Work Assistant (SWA) license from the Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board of Ohio. 

    • Description: The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) is an undergraduate (4-year) degree that prepares students for entry-level social work positions across various settings such as schools, hospitals, and community organizations. A BSW program typically covers subjects such as human behavior, social welfare policy, cultural diversity, psychology, sociology, research methods, social work practice with individuals, families, and groups, ethics, and often includes a significant field education component where students gain practical experience in social service agencies. A BSW prepares graduates for entry-level social work positions.

      • Program Duration: 4 years full-time. Accelerated programs or online formats may be available to accommodate non-traditional students.

      • Prerequisites: High School Diploma or GED.

      • Certification & Licensure: Graduates are eligible to apply for the Licensed Social Worker (LSW) credential through the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board. 

    • Description: The MSW is a graduate-level degree that provides advanced training in clinical and macro social work practice. Traditionally, the MSW degree typically takes 2 years of full-time study to complete. Additionally, students with a recent CSWE-accredited BSW degree (usually completed within the last 5 years) can pursue this degree as well. This track allows students to complete the degree in about 1 year full-time, as foundational coursework is waived. 

    • Program Duration: 2 years full-time. An Advanced Standing program allows someone holding a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program completed within the past five years to complete an MSW in 1 year. 

    • Prerequisites: A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. For Advanced Standing programs, a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program completed within the past five years. 

    • Certification & Licensure: Graduates are eligible to apply for the Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) credential through the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board, contingent upon completing required supervised experience and passing the ASWB clinical exam.

    • Description: A Doctor of Social Work (DSW) degree is an advanced, practice-focused degree. It is not required for independent practice, but may be valuable for leadership or higher education teaching positions. 

    • Program Duration: 3 to 5 years full-time.

    • Prerequisites: A bachelor’s degree in social work and/or a master’s degree in social work or a related field, from an accredited institution.

    • Certification & Licensure:  The MSW makes graduates eligible for the Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) credential through the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board. The DSW does not add additional licensure opportunities. Those who wish to earn a DSW and hold a license must also earn an MSW.

    • Description: The Ph.D. in Social Work is a research and academic degree, not a clinical one. It may open many doors in teaching, policy, and research. Most Ph.D. programs require a dissertation.

    • Program Duration: 3 to 5 years full-time. 

    • Prerequisites: A bachelor’s degree in social work and/or a master’s degree in social work or a related field, from an accredited institution.

    • Certification & Licensure: The MSW makes graduates eligible for the Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) credential through the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board. The Ph.D. does not add additional licensure opportunities. Those who wish to earn a Ph.D. and hold a license must also earn an MSW.

DEGREES & CERTIFICATIONS

Specialization Certificates (Post-BSW or Post-MSW)

Professionals may pursue graduate certificates or continuing education credentials in areas like Clinical Social Work, School Social Work, Substance Use and Recovery, Trauma-Informed Care, and Gerontology. Specialization certificates allow professionals to enhance skills for targeted populations or settings, fulfill continuing education/licensure renewal requirements, and support role expansion into leadership or niche practices. 

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Learn More:
Affordable Pathways & Funding Options
Certifications, Credentials & Licensure

Next Steps Checklist: 
Step 1 : Determine Your Pathway
Step 2: Research & Select a Program
Step 3: Check Admissions Requirements
Step 4: Apply for Financial Aid
Step 5: Submit Your Application
Step 6: Complete Entrance Requirements
Step 7: Begin Program & Stay on Track
Step 8: Graduate & Apply for Licensure

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Where to Study in Ohio

WHERE TO STUDY IN OHIO

Some public universities also have regional campuses that are comparable to community colleges in programs, costs, and access.

  • Bryant & Stratton College

    • Location: Parma, OH

    • Programs Offered: Human & Social Services Assistant Diploma, AAS in Human & Social Services

    • Delivery Format: In Person

    North Central State College

    • Location: Mansfield, OH

    • Programs Offered: AAS in Human and Social Work Services, AA in Social Work

    • Delivery Format: In Person

    Stark State College

    • Location: North Canton, OH

    • Programs Offered: AAS in Human and Social Services

    Training Format: In Person

  • Owens Community College

    • Location: Perrysburg, OH

    • Programs Offered: AA/Social WorkTransfer Pathway

    • Delivery Format: In person

    • Partnerships: Ohio Guaranteed Transfer Pathway guarantees any Ohio public university will accept and apply all coursework as part of a degree pathway toward a bachelor's degree.

    Terra State Community College

    • Location: Fremont, OH

    • Programs Offered: AAS/Social Work Pathway

    • Delivery Format: In Person

    • Partnerships: Ohio Guaranteed Transfer Pathway guarantees any Ohio public university will accept and apply all coursework as part of a degree pathway toward a bachelor's degree.

  • Central Ohio Technical College

    • Location: Newark, OH

    • Programs Offered: AAS in Social Work Assistant

    • Delivery Format: Online

    • Partnerships: For students interested in continuing for a 4-year degree, COTC has transfer agreements with the following institutions:

      • Capital University

      • Indiana Wesleyan

      • Mount Vernon Nazarene University

      • The Ohio State University

      • University of Cincinnati

    Columbus State Community College

    • Location: Columbus and Delaware, OH

    • Programs Offered: AAS In Social Work and Human Services

    • Delivery Format: In person

    Edison State Community College

    • Location: Piqua, OH

    • Programs Offered: AAS In Social Services

    • Delivery Format: In Person

    Marion Technical College

    • Location: Marion, OH

    • Programs Offered: AAS in Social Work and Addictions Technology

    • Delivery Format: In person

    Rhodes State College

    • Location: Lima

    • Programs Offered: AAS in Social Work Assistant

    • Delivery Format: In Person

  • Hocking College

    • Location: Nelsonville, OH

    • Programs Offered: AA in Social Work

    • Delivery Format: In person

    University of Rio Grande and Rio Grande Community College

    • Location: Rio Grande, OH

    • Programs Offered: AA in Social Work, BSW

    • Delivery Format: In person (AA) and Hybrid (BSW)

    Zane State College

    • Location: Zanesville, OH

    • Programs Offered: AAS in Social Work Assistant

    • Delivery Format: In Person

  • Clark State College

    Edison State Community College

    • Location: Piqua, OH

    • Programs Offered: AAS In Social Services

    • Delivery Format: In Person

    Sinclair Community College

    • Location: Dayton, OH

    • Programs Offered: Certificate in Recovery Services Support, Certificate in Social Service/CDCA I, AA in Social Work

    • Delivery Format: In person

    • Partnership: AA in Social Work is transferable to: 

      • Wright State University/BSW

      • University of Cincinnati/BSW

      • University of Dayton/Food Sustainability Human Rights, and Women and Gender Studies

      • Capital University/BSW

COMMUNITY & SPECIALIZED COLLEGES

  • Ashland University

    • Location: Ashland, OH

    • Programs Offered: BSW

    • Delivery Format: In Person 

    Baldwin Wallace University

    • Location: Berea, OH

    • Programs Offered: 3+2 MSW (BA in Psychology or Sociology and MSW in Social Work in five years), Post-Graduate Pupil Services License in School Social Work

    • Delivery Format: In Person (3 +2) and online (Pupil Services)

    • Partnerships: Case Western Reserve University awards the MSW following a BSW at Baldwin Wallace. Pupil Services License is a cooperative program with CWRU.

    Case Western Reserve University

    • Location: Cleveland, OH

    • Programs Offered: 

      • Minor in Social Work

      • 3+2 Social Work (earn a bachelor’s degree and MSW in five years) 

      • MSW (Traditional, Advanced Standing)

      • Dual Degrees (MSW/MPH, MSW/MNO, MSW/JD, MSW/MA in Bioethics & Medical Humanities, MSW/MBA, MNO/JD)

      • PhD in Social Welfare

    • Delivery Format: In Person

    • Partnerships: The following schools are partners in the 3+2 Social Work program: Baldwin Wallace University, College of Wooster, Fisk University, Hiram College, John Carroll University, Hiram University, Ohio Northern University, Wittenberg University

    Cleveland State University

    • Location: Cleveland, OH

    • Programs Offered: BSW, MSW (Traditional and Advanced)

    • Delivery Format: All programs available In Person and online

    Franciscan University of Steubenville

    • Location: Steubenville, OH

    • Programs Offered: BSW

    • Delivery Format: In Person

    Hiram College

    • Location: Hiram, OH

    • Programs Offered: 3+2 MSW (BA in Psychology or Sociology and MSW in Social Work in five years)

    • Delivery Format: In Person

    • Partnerships: Case Western Reserve University awards the MSW following a BA at Hiram.

    John Carroll University

    • Location: University Heights, OH

    • Programs Offered: 3+2 MSW (BA in Sociology and MSW in Social Work in five years)

    • Delivery Format: In Person

    • Partnerships: Case Western Reserve University awards the MSW following a BA at JCU.

    Kent State University

    • Location: Kent, OH and Ashtabula Campus

    • Programs Offered: BSW

    • Delivery Format: In Person and Online

    Malone University

    • Location: Canton, OH

    • Programs Offered: BSW

    • Delivery Format: In Person & Online

    The College of Wooster

    • Location: Wooster, OH

    • Programs Offered: 3+2 MSW (BA in Psychology or Sociology and MSW in Social Work in five years)

    • Delivery Format: In Person

    • Partnerships: Case Western Reserve University awards the MSW following a bachelor’s degree from Wooster.

    University of Akron

    • Location: Akron, Lakewood, and Wayne, OH

    • Programs Offered: BA/BASW, Bachelor of Applied Technology in Social Work, MSW 

    • Delivery Format: Programs available In Person and online

    • Partnerships: County of Summit Alcohol, Drug, and Mental Health Board (ADM) – Students who are part of the Behavioral Health Partnership Program (BHPP) will fulfill their field placements for either a BSW or MSW within one of the ADM Board’s contracted provider agencies.

    University of Akron Wayne College

    • Location: Orrville, OH

    • Programs Offered: BASW

    • Delivery Format: In Person

    Ursuline College

    Youngstown State University

    • Location: Youngstown, OH

    • Programs Offered: AAS in Social Work, BS in Social Work, MSW

    • Delivery Format: In Person

  • Bluffton University

    • Location: Bluffton, OH

    • Programs Offered: BSW, MSW (Traditional and Accelerated)

    • Delivery Format: In Person (BSW) and online (both MSW)

    • Partnership: MSW is conducted in partnership with Goshen College.

    Bowling Green State University

    • Location: Bowling Green, OH

    • Programs Offered: BSW, MSW

    • Delivery Format: In Person

    Bowling Green State University – Firelands Campus

    • Location: Huron, OH

    • Programs Offered: BS in Social Work

    • Delivery Format: In Person

    Defiance College

    • Location: Defiance, OH

    • Programs Offered: BA in Social Work

    • Delivery Format: In Person

    Lourdes University

    • Location: Sylvania, OH

    • Programs Offered: BA in Social Work, BA in Criminal and Social Justice/Social Work Dual Major

    • Delivery Format: In Person

    Ohio Northern University

    • Location: Ada, OH

    • Programs Offered: 3+2 MSW (BA or BS in Psychology and MSW in Social Work in five years)

    • Delivery Format: In Person

    • Partnerships: Case Western Reserve University awards the MSW following a bachelor’s degree from ONU.

    University of Findlay

    • Location: Findlay, OH

    • Programs Offered: BSW

    • Delivery Format: In Person

    University of Toledo

    • Location: Toledo, OH

    • Programs Offered: BSW, MSW

    • Delivery Format: In person

  • Capital University

    • Location: Columbus, OH

    • Programs Offered: BA in Social Work, MA In Social Work

    • Delivery Format: In Person

    Cedarville University

    • Location: Cedarville, OH

    • Programs Offered: BS In Social Work

    • Delivery Format: In Person

    Central State University

    • Location: Wilberforce, OH

    • Programs Offered: BA In Social Work

    • Delivery Format: In Person

    Mount Vernon Nazarene University

    • Location: Mount Vernon, OH

    • Programs Offered: BA in Social Work, MSW

    • Delivery Format: In person (BA) and online (MSW)

    Ohio Dominican University

    • Location: Columbus, OH

    • Programs Offered: BA in Social Work

    • Delivery Format: In Person

    The Ohio State University

    • Location: Columbus, OH and the Regional Campuses in Lima (AA, BSW), Mansfield (BSW), Marion (BSW), and Newark (BSW)

    • Programs Offered: AA in Social Work, BSW, MSW (Traditional, Advanced Standing, School Social Work), MSW Dual Degree (MSW/Master of Public Administration, MSW/Master of Public Health, MSW/Master of City and Regional Planning), PhD

    • Delivery Format: In person and online (BSW)

  • Ohio University

    • Location: Athens, OH and Regional Campuses

    • Programs Offered: BA in Social Work, BSW, BA in Social Work/Honors Tutorial College, MSW

    • Delivery Format: In Person and online (MSW only)

    Shawnee State University

    • Location: Portsmouth, OH

    • Programs Offered: BSW

    • Delivery Format: In Person

  • Cedarville University

    • Location: Cedarville, OH

    • Programs Offered: BSW

    • Delivery Format: In Person

    Miami University

    • Location: Oxford, OH and Regional Campuses

    • Programs Offered: BSW, MSW

    • Delivery Format: In Person, hybrid (MSW), online (MSW)

    Mount St. Joseph University

    University of Cincinnati

    • Location: Batavia (AA), Blue Ash (AA), Cincinnati (BSW, MSW)

    • Programs Offered: AA in Pre-Social Work, AA in Social Work, BSW (Traditional and Associate to BSW), MSW, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Social Work in Schools

    • Delivery Format: In Person and Online (Associate to BSW)

    Wilberforce University

    • Location: Wilberforce, OH

    • Programs Offered: BS in Social Work (non-Licensure Program)

    • Delivery Format: In Person

    Wilmington College

    • Location: Wilmington, OH

    • Programs Offered: BSW

    • Delivery Format: In person

    Wright State University

    • Location: Dayton, OH

    • Programs Offered: BA in Social Work, MA in Social Work

    • Delivery Format: In Person

    Xavier University

    • Location: Cincinnati, OH

    • Programs Offered: BSW

    • Delivery Format: In Person, Online

UNIVERSITIES & OTHER COLLEGES

Disclaimer: The information provided on this website is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. If you notice any errors or outdated information, please contact accounts@mhaadvocacy.org so we can make the necessary corrections.