Online Master of Social Work
Ohio University's Top Ranked* 100% online Master of Social Work prepares you to serve individuals, families, and communities with advanced clinical skills and the confidence to make a meaningful difference. Whether you’re ready to launch a new career in social work with our Foundations Track — designed for students with a bachelor’s degree in any field — or you already hold a Bachelor of Social Work and want to accelerate your professional journey through our Advanced Track, OHIO’s flexible online program gives you the support, expertise, and real-world experience you need to thrive in a growing and deeply rewarding field.
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Flexible Pathways
With two available pathways, OHIO's accessible offerings can help you launch your clinical social work career, or advance in your current social work career. The Foundations track was created for those with a bachelor’s degree in any major who want to begin a social work career, while the Advanced track is available for recent social work graduates.
Benefits
- 100% Online
- Graduate in as few as 24 months
- No GRE/GMAT required
- Three start dates per year
Sample Courses
- Introduction to Social Work Practice in Rural Settings
- Macro Social Work Theory
- Macro Social Work Practice in Rural Settings
- Advanced Social Work Assessment
- Direct Practice with Children, Adolescents, and Families
- Direct Practice with Adults and Groups
Affordability
- Ranked in the Top 10 Most Affordable Online programs **
- OHIO is a proud military supporter and yellow ribbon institution
- Scholarships are available for Veterans & military members, employees of corporate partners and graduates of Ohio University bachelor degree programs. Learn more!
Career Opportunities
Mental Health and Substance Abuse
- Substance abuse counselor
- Marriage and family therapist
- Geriatric social worker
- LGBTQ and gender identity therapist
- Crisis counselor
Child, Youth and Family
- Child protective services caseworker
- Foster care social worker
- Eating disorder therapist
- Group therapist
Professional Leadership
- Nonprofit executive director
- Community outreach specialist
- Human resources specialist
- Grant writer
MSW Foundation Program
Looking to refocus or pivot your career? OHIO designed its online Foundation MSW degree for you. This 62-credit track is open to all eligible students with a bachelor’s degree and can be completed in as few as 10 semesters (40 months). Both the Foundation and Advanced Standing programs are part-time, designed to accommodate the schedules of working professionals pursuing an advanced degree.
MSW Advanced Standing Program
The MSW Advanced Standing Program delivers an accelerated curriculum option for recent graduates of BSW programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The 10-course, 36-credit-hour program is designed to be completed in as little as two years (six semesters) — offering students the chance to explore strategies to help marginalized communities gain better access to social services.
Advancing Standing applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Have earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program within seven years of graduate school admission
- Have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0
- Have a reference from their senior-year field instructor
- Submit a copy of the most recent evaluation of their senior year field placement
If you meet these minimum qualifications, we invite you to learn more about the MSW Advanced Standing Program.
Online MSW Field Practicums
Ohio University’s Online MSW Foundation Program and Advanced Standing Program have established relationships with over 500 agencies nationwide. Students attending the program will work with the Department of Social Work online field faculty to identify appropriate field placement settings in their geographic area.
Looking for an on-campus option? Both tracks are also available on the Athens campus.
Sources
*According to U.S. News and World Report
**According to mswdegrees.org