Ohio · Verified September 2026
MSW Programs in Ohio
Where Can You Earn an MSW in Ohio, and How Do You Get Licensed?
17 schools in Ohio offer 21 MSW programs we verified, including Bluffton University, Bowling Green State University-Main Campus and Capital University. 9 can be taken online and 21 offer advanced standing. Estimated tuition runs from $16,950 to $102,000 before fees. After the MSW, Ohio's clinical license is the Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW).
- Earn a CSWE-accredited MSW2 years full time, or about 1 with advanced standing
- Pass the ASWB examFor the master's-level license (LMSW or similar)
- Log supervised clinical hoursTwo full years (24 months) of post-LSW, post-MSW supervised social wor…
- Earn the clinical license (LISW)Independent clinical practice
- programs in Ohio
- 21
- schools
- 17
- CSWE-accredited schools
- 12
- offer advanced standing
- 21
- online programs
- 9
The Ohio Social Work License Path
Ohio Social Work Licenses
Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board (Social Work Professional Standards Committee)Licensed Social Worker
- Degree
- Bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree in social work; bachelor's and doctoral degrees from a regionally (CHEA) accredited school, master's degrees from a CSWE-accredited program; degrees in other fields are not eligible
- Exam
- ASWB Bachelors or ASWB Masters (the board approves the exam the applicant qualifies for)
- Independent practice
- No, practice under supervision or in an agency
Licensed Independent Social Worker
- Degree
- Master's degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program (or one in candidacy for accreditation)
- Exam
- ASWB Clinical or ASWB Advanced Generalist (applicant's choice)
- Supervised experience
- Two full years (24 months) of post-LSW, post-MSW supervised social work experience including at least 3,000 hours of work and at least 150 hours of face-to-face training supervision with an LISW-S; no more than 1,500 hours credited in any 12-month period
- Independent practice
- Yes
- Social Work Licensure Compact
- Listed by the Compact Commission among jurisdictions that have passed the compact language; the Commission's May 2026 FAQ says multistate licenses are not yet issued, with no definite date but likely within 9-12 months
From Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board (Social Work Professional Standards Committee), reviewed 2026-09-30. Rules change; confirm with the board before you plan your supervised hours. Plan your own timeline with the license pathway planner.
Ohio Schools Compared
| School | Programs | Formats | CSWE | Advanced standing | Lowest est. tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Case Western Reserve UniversityCleveland · Private nonprofit | 3 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes | $66,300 |
| Cleveland State UniversityCleveland · Public | 2 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes | $39,354 |
| Ohio University-Main CampusAthens · Public | 2 | Hybrid, Online | CSWE | Yes | $33,046 |
| Bluffton UniversityBluffton · Private nonprofit | 1 | Online | CSWE | Yes | $30,495 |
| Bowling Green State University-Main CampusBowling Green · Public | 1 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes | $32,115 |
| Miami University-OxfordOxford · Public | 1 | Hybrid | CSWE | Yes | $39,900 |
| Ohio State UniversityColumbus · Public | 1 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes | $53,842 |
| University of Akron Main CampusAkron · Public | 1 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes | |
| University of Cincinnati-Main CampusCincinnati · Public | 1 | Hybrid | CSWE | Yes | |
| University of ToledoToledo · Public | 1 | Campus | CSWE | Yes | $44,707 |
| Wright State University-Main CampusDayton · Public | 1 | Hybrid | CSWE | Yes | |
| Youngstown State UniversityYoungstown · Public | 1 | Hybrid | CSWE | Yes | |
| Capital UniversityColumbus · Private nonprofit | 1 | Hybrid | Candidacy | Yes | $41,890 |
| Malone UniversityCanton · Private nonprofit | 1 | Online | Pre-candidacy | Yes | $16,950 |
| Mount St. Joseph UniversityCincinnati · Private nonprofit | 1 | Hybrid | Pre-candidacy | Yes | $42,000 |
| Mount Vernon Nazarene UniversityMount Vernon · Private nonprofit | 1 | Online | Candidacy | Yes | $35,030 |
| Xavier UniversityCincinnati · Private nonprofit | 1 | Hybrid | Pre-candidacy | Yes |
From each school's own pages, reviewed September 2026. CSWE status from CSWE's directory. Estimated tuition is the published per-credit rate times the stated credits, before fees, or the school's published total.
Every MSW Program in Ohio
21 programs in Ohio
Master of Social Work (Traditional MSW, Columbus Campus and Online) at Ohio State University
Ohio State University · ColumbusFormatOn campus, Online900 field hoursCredits63Est. tuition$53,842$855/credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work (On-Campus) at Cleveland State University
Cleveland State University · ClevelandFormatOn campusCredits60Est. tuition$39,354$656/credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWEOnline Master of Social Work (Traditional Track) at Cleveland State University
Cleveland State University · ClevelandFormatOnlineCredits60Est. tuition$39,354$656/credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWEOn-Campus Master of Social Work (MSW) at Case Western Reserve University
Case Western Reserve University · ClevelandFormatOn campusCredits39Est. tuition$66,300$1,700/creditAccreditationCSWEOnline Master of Social Work (MSW) at Case Western Reserve University
Case Western Reserve University · ClevelandFormatOnline900 field hoursCredits60Est. tuition$102,000$1,700/creditAccreditationCSWEWeekend Master of Social Work (MSW) at Case Western Reserve University
Case Western Reserve University · ClevelandFormatOn campusCredits39Est. tuition$66,300$1,700/creditAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work (Hybrid, Athens Campus) at Ohio University-Main Campus
Ohio University-Main Campus · AthensFormatHybridCredits62Est. tuition$4,928per term · resident rateAccreditationCSWE- FormatOnlineCredits62Est. tuition$33,046$533/credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWE
Master of Social Work (MSW) at University of Cincinnati-Main Campus
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus · CincinnatiFormatHybrid900 field hoursCredits–Est. tuition$746per credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWE- FormatHybrid450 field hoursCredits60Est. tuition$488per credit · general rate · resident rateAccreditationCSWE
Master of Social Work (MSW) at University of Akron Main Campus
University of Akron Main Campus · AkronFormatOn campus, OnlineCredits60Est. tuition–AccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campus425 field hoursCredits60Est. tuition$44,707$745/credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWE
Master of Social Work (MSW) at Bowling Green State University-Main Campus
Bowling Green State University-Main Campus · Bowling GreenFormatOn campus, Online500 field hoursCredits56Est. tuition$32,115$573/credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWE- FormatHybrid900 field hoursCredits57Est. tuition$39,900$700/creditAccreditationCSWE
Master of Arts in Social Work (M.A.S.W.) at Wright State University-Main Campus
Wright State University-Main Campus · DaytonFormatHybrid900 field hoursCredits–Est. tuition$700per credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work (Online, Bluffton University and Goshen College Partnership) at Bluffton University
Bluffton University · BlufftonFormatOnline900 field hoursCredits57Est. tuition$30,495$535/creditAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work in Advanced Generalist Practice at Capital University
Capital University · ColumbusFormatHybrid900 field hoursCredits59Est. tuition$41,890$710/creditAccreditationCandidacy- FormatOnline400 field hoursCredits30Est. tuition$16,950$565/creditAccreditationPre-candidacy
- FormatHybrid300 field hoursCredits60Est. tuition$42,000$700/creditAccreditationPre-candidacy
Master of Social Work (MSW), Online at Mount Vernon Nazarene University
Mount Vernon Nazarene University · Mount VernonFormatOnlineCredits62Est. tuition$35,030$565/creditAccreditationCandidacy- FormatHybridCredits57Est. tuition–AccreditationPre-candidacy
No programs match these filters.
Program facts come from each school's own pages, reviewed September 2026. Estimated tuition is the published per-credit rate times the stated credits, before fees, or the school's published program total; "resident rate" means the school charges nonresidents more. CSWE status comes from CSWE's directory of accredited programs.
What an MSW Costs in Ohio
15 Ohio programs publish enough to estimate tuition before fees, from $16,950 at Malone University to $102,000 at Case Western Reserve University. The Ohio median is $39,900, against $40,180 nationally.
Public universities' figures are usually the in-state rate. Turn any program into a full cost and loan estimate with the MSW cost and loan calculator.
Largest MSW Programs in Ohio
By MSWs awarded in 2022-23 (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS), Ohio State University has Ohio's largest program, followed by Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland State University. Size tells you how many classmates, alumni and field placement partners to expect, not how good a program is.
Online MSW Options for Ohio Residents
You aren't limited to schools in Ohio: 252 online MSW programs at schools in other states accept students nationwide. Before you apply, confirm the school can enroll Ohio residents online and arrange your field placement in Ohio.
| Lowest-cost CSWE-accredited online programs elsewhere | Est. tuition |
|---|---|
| Florida Atlantic University: Master of Social Work - 100% Online Advanced StandingMaster of Social Work - 100% Online Advanced Standing · Florida | $11,155 |
| Appalachian State University: Master of Social Work, Advanced Standing (App State Online)Master of Social Work, Advanced Standing (App State Online) · North Carolina | $11,359 |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Metro: Maestría en Trabajo Social (MSW), Especialidad en Trabajo Social Clínico - Online / PresencialMaestría en Trabajo Social (MSW), Especialidad en Trabajo Social Clínico - Online / Presencial · Puerto Rico | $12,939 |
| University of North Alabama: Master of Social Work (online)Master of Social Work (online) · Alabama | $14,850 |
| University of Arkansas: Online Advanced Standing Master of Social WorkOnline Advanced Standing Master of Social Work · Arkansas | $15,151 |
| East Carolina University: Master of Social Work, part-time online (Regular Pathway and Advanced Standing)Master of Social Work, part-time online (Regular Pathway and Advanced Standing) · North Carolina | $16,624 |
Compare every option on the online MSW programs page, or let the program matcher rank them for you.
Social Worker Pay in Ohio
| Occupation | Ohio median | U.S. median | Jobs in Ohio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $51,520 | $59,550 | 16,050 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $63,610 | $67,880 | 8,930 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $46,080 | $60,280 | 6,050 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $59,780 | $71,900 | 3,250 |
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. A high median on few jobs describes a small market. What you can do with an MSW.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many MSW Programs Are in Ohio?
We verified 21 MSW programs at 17 schools in Ohio; 12 of those schools are listed as accredited in CSWE's directory.
What Social Work Licenses Does Ohio Issue?
Ohio's board (Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board (Social Work Professional Standards Committee)) issues LSW and LISW. Clinical practice requires the Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW), after Two full years (24 months) of post-LSW, post-MSW supervised social work experience including at least 3,000 hours of work and at least 150 hours of face-to-face training supervision with an LISW-S; no more than 1,500 hours credited in any 12-month period.
Can Ohio Residents Earn an MSW Online?
Yes. Beyond Ohio's own programs, 252 online MSW programs at schools in other states accept students nationwide; confirm each school can enroll Ohio residents and place you in a field practicum in Ohio. Online MSW programs.
How Much Does an MSW Cost in Ohio?
Estimated tuition for Ohio programs that publish a rate and their credits runs from $16,950 to $102,000 before fees. Public universities usually charge nonresidents more, and advanced standing cuts the total for BSW graduates.
Nearby States
Sources
- Official program, tuition and admissions pages of the 17 Ohio schools listed, reviewed September 2026
- Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board (Social Work Professional Standards Committee)
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), directory of accredited programs
- U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS completions 2022-23
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025