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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Helpful Links
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
Some public universities also have regional campuses that are comparable to community colleges in programs, costs, and access.
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Location: Parma, OH
Programs Offered: Human & Social Services Assistant Diploma, AAS in Human & Social Services
Delivery Format: In Person
Location: Mansfield, OH
Programs Offered: AAS in Human and Social Work Services, AA in Social Work
Delivery Format: In Person
Location: North Canton, OH
Programs Offered: AAS in Human and Social Services
Training Format: In Person
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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.
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.
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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
Location: Marion, OH
Programs Offered: AAS in Social Work and Addictions Technology
Delivery Format: In person
Location: Lima
Programs Offered: AAS in Social Work Assistant
Delivery Format: In Person
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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)
Location: Zanesville, OH
Programs Offered: AAS in Social Work Assistant
Delivery Format: In Person
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Location: Beavercreek and Springfield, OH
Programs Offered: AAS in Social Work Assistant, AA/Social Work Transfer – Wright State University, AA/Social Services Pathway
Delivery Format: In Person
Partnerships:
Wright State University – BSW transfer agreement.
The following institutions have designed bachelor's completion programs for students who have completed their AAS in social work:
Capital University
The Ohio State University
University of Cincinnati.
Edison State Community College
Location: Piqua, OH
Programs Offered: AAS In Social Services
Delivery Format: In Person
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
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Location: Ashland, OH
Programs Offered: BSW
Delivery Format: In Person
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
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
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.
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.
Location: Kent, OH and Ashtabula Campus
Programs Offered: BSW
Delivery Format: In Person and Online
Location: Canton, OH
Programs Offered: BSW
Delivery Format: In Person & Online
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.
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
Location: Youngstown, OH
Programs Offered: AAS in Social Work, BS in Social Work, MSW
Delivery Format: In Person
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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
Location: Defiance, OH
Programs Offered: BA in Social Work
Delivery Format: In Person
Location: Sylvania, OH
Programs Offered: BA in Social Work, BA in Criminal and Social Justice/Social Work Dual Major
Delivery Format: In Person
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.
Location: Findlay, OH
Programs Offered: BSW
Delivery Format: In Person
Location: Toledo, OH
Programs Offered: BSW, MSW
Delivery Format: In person
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Location: Columbus, OH
Programs Offered: BA in Social Work, MA In Social Work
Delivery Format: In Person
Location: Cedarville, OH
Programs Offered: BS In Social Work
Delivery Format: In Person
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)
Location: Columbus, OH
Programs Offered: BA in Social Work
Delivery Format: In Person
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)
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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)
Location: Portsmouth, OH
Programs Offered: BSW
Delivery Format: In Person
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Location: Cedarville, OH
Programs Offered: BSW
Delivery Format: In Person
Location: Oxford, OH and Regional Campuses
Programs Offered: BSW, MSW
Delivery Format: In Person, hybrid (MSW), online (MSW)
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Programs Offered: BSW, Pre-Behavioral and Mental Health - Social Work Track (any major)
Delivery Format: In Person and hybrid
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)
Location: Wilberforce, OH
Programs Offered: BS in Social Work (non-Licensure Program)
Delivery Format: In Person
Location: Wilmington, OH
Programs Offered: BSW
Delivery Format: In person
Location: Dayton, OH
Programs Offered: BA in Social Work, MA in Social Work
Delivery Format: In Person
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.