Looking to start or advance your career as a social worker in The Buckeye State? Then these rankings of the best MSW programs in Ohio is the perfect place to start!
With over a dozen Master In Social Work degree programs to choose from, picking the right school may seem a little daunting. So, to help you figure out which ones may be a good fit for you, we collected data on every available program.
In fact, in this article we cover all the key information you need to know about all of the top MSW programs in Ohio. This includes exam pass rates, degree pathways, admission requirements, tuition, and more.
So, continue reading to discover if one of these programs may be the right fit for you.
Table of Contents
- What Is The Best MSW Program In Ohio?
- 5 Best MSW Programs In Ohio Ranked
- Is An MSW Program In Ohio Right For You?
- Ohio MSW Programs FAQs
What Is The Best MSW Program In Ohio?
Based on our ranking criteria, the best MSW program in Ohio is Xavier University. While only one graduate took the ASWB Master’s Exam in 2022, they passed, giving this school a 100% pass rate. Meanwhile, no graduates from this school took the Clinical exam in 2022.
However, just because Xavier University topped our rankings doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the perfect fit for you.
For example, while Xavier had the best exam pass rates, schools like Ohio State University offer a more diverse array of focus areas. Meanwhile, Ohio University places a particular emphasis on serving rural populations.
Ultimately, choosing the right MSW program depends on your own personal goals and circumstances. So, to learn about your options and what makes each school stand out, keep reading.
5 Best MSW Programs In Ohio Ranked
To rank the best MSW programs in Ohio, we used official exam pass rate data from the Association of Social Work Boards. This way we were able to rank each school using an objective metric.
Since you’ll need to pass the Master’s Exam in order to become a Licensed Master of Social Work, these pass rates are a good measure of how well each school prepares you for social work practice.
The table below ranks every MSW program from the highest ASWB Master’s Exam pass rate to the lowest. To learn more about the top MSW programs in Ohio, keep reading after the table.
Note: University of Dayton and Central State University had some of the highest pass rates on the ASWB Master’s Exam, both attaining a 100%. However, these schools do not offer MSW programs. This likely indicates that graduates from these schools who passed the exam earned their BSW from this school, and then went on to earn their MSW from a different school. Therefore, we have not included University of Dayton or Central State University in our rankings after the table.
| School | Masters Exam Pass Rate | Clinical Exam Pass Rate |
| 1. University of Dayton (undergraduate minor only) | 100.0% | 100.0% |
| 2. Central State University (BSW only) | 100.0% | N/A |
| 3. Xavier University | 100.0% | N/A |
| 4. Bowling Green State University | 85.7% | 100.0% |
| 5. Ohio State University | 73.8% | 72.1% |
| 6. Ohio University | 70.6% | 81.8% |
| 7. Youngstown State University | 62.5% | 48.3% |
| 8. Case Western Reserve University | 62.3% | 67.1% |
| 9. University of Cincinnati | 58.7% | 60.3% |
| 10. University of Akron | 57.7% | 61.2% |
| 11. Miami University | 55.6% | 63.2 |
| 12. Cleveland State University | 53.3% | 39.0% |
| 13. Wright State University | 50.0% | 57.7% |
| 14. University of Toledo | 38.1% | 84.2% |
| 15. Bluffton University | 0.0% | N/A |
| 16. Malone University (BSW only) | 0.0% | N/A |
1. Xavier University
The MSW program at Xavier University follows a hybrid learning format, in which you take about 60% of your classes online. Meanwhile, the other 40% occurs on-campus, including research courses, practicum planning, and seminar courses.
The university offers this program at their Cincinnati campus in collaboration with Saint Louis University (SLU).
Additionally, this school offers both a 39-credit hour Advanced Standing Track, as well as a 48-credit hour Foundation track.
Furthermore, you can opt to pursue either pathway on a full- or part-time basis. The Advanced Standing full-time track typically takes 12 months to complete, while the part-time track requires two years to complete.
Meanwhile, the full-time Foundation track usually takes two years to complete, while the part-time track requires three years to complete.
We should also note that you can choose from one of two concentrations: Clinical or Community and Organization.
The Clinical concentration “prepares students for advanced clinical practice serving children, youth, adults and families.” On the other hand, the Community and Organization concentration “prepares students for advanced practice focusing on social problems and societal change at the community and organizational levels.”
Finally, to gain entry into this MSW program, you need to meet the following admission requirements:
- Hold a Bachelor’s degree
- Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA in undergraduate coursework; Advanced Standing students must all achieve a grade of B or better in all social work courses
- Complete 24 credit hours of undergraduate coursework in liberal arts
- Submission of resume and personal statement
- Two letters of recommendation (one academic and one professional reference)
| In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | ASWB Masters Exam Pass Rate | ASWB Clinical Exam Pass Rate |
| $48,000 flat-rate total program tuition (Foundational track); $30,000 flat-rate total program tuition (Advanced Standing track) | N/A (Private University) | 100% | N/A |
2. Bowling Green State University
Second in our rankings of the best MSW programs in Ohio is Bowling Green State University. Of the seven graduates who took the ASWB Master’s Exam in 2022, six of them passed. This equates to an 85.7% pass rate.
Meanwhile, all five graduates who took the Clinical Exam passed, giving this school an impressive 100% pass rate.
Like Xavier University, Bowling Green also offers full- and part-time tracks for both Advanced Standing and Regular Standing students.
Regular Standing students can earn their degree in two years when enrolled full-time, or in three to four years when enrolled part-time. The Standard program begins in the Fall, and requires the completion of 56 credit hours.
On the other hand, Advanced Standing students can earn their degree in one year when enrolled full-time, or two years when enrolled part-time. While the full-time track begins in the Summer and requires three semesters to complete, part-time students can begin in either Summer or Fall. Both formats require the completion of 35 credit hours to earn your degree.
Furthermore, we should note that this program provides a blend of online, on-campus, and evening courses. You can also pursue a specialization in advanced generalist practice with focus areas in Gerontology, Health, and Children and Families.
Finally, in order to gain admission into Bowling Green State University’s MSW program, you must meet the following requirements:
- Hold a Bachelor’s degree; Advanced Standing students must have graduated within the last three years or have three years of experience as a professional social worker
- Completion of courses in research methods and statistics with a grade of C or better
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in all undergraduate coursework; Advanced Standing students also require a minimum 3.0 GPA in all core undergraduate social work courses
- Two letters of recommendation attesting to your ability to successfully complete graduate-level study; an undergraduate field instructor or field director must be one of the two references for Advanced Standing students
- Advanced Standing students must have their LSW credential
- Submission of resume and statement of purpose
| In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | ASWB Masters Exam Pass Rate | ASWB Clinical Exam Pass Rate |
| $536 per credit (part-time enrollment); $6,432 per semester (full-time enrollment) | $868.85 per credit (part-time enrollment); $10,426.20 per semester (full-time enrollment) | 85.7% | 100% |
3. Ohio State University
Next in our ranking of the top MSW programs in Ohio is Ohio State University. Of the 302 graduates who took the ASWB Master’s Exam in 2022, 223 of them passed, giving this school a 73.8% pass rate.
Meanwhile, graduates attained a 72.1% pass rate on the Clinical Exam, with 137 out of 190 passing the test.
Ohio State University also offers both part- and full-time Traditional and Advanced Standing MSW programs. While the Traditional track typically takes two years to complete full-time or three to four years to complete part-time, the Advanced Standing track takes one year to complete full-time or two years to complete part-time.
The Tradititonal track requires a total of 63 credit hours to earn your MSW degree, while the Advanced Standing only requires 43 credit hours.
Additionally, every program pathway is available in both online and on-campus formats in Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters. The online format includes both synchronous and asynchronous courses of study, and is available to students in every state except Colorado.
You can also choose from one of four areas of emphasis, including:
- Aging and Health
- Mental Health and Substance Misuse
- Child and Youth Services
- Community and Social Justice
Furthermore, this school offers several dual degree options to pair with you Master’s in Social Work, such as:
- Master in Public Administration (MPA)
- Master of Public Health (MPH)
- Master of City and Regional Planning (MCRP)
Finally, to gain entry into the Ohio State University MSW program, you must meet the following admission requirements:
- Hold a Bachelor’s degree; Advanced Standing students must have earned their BSW in the last five years
- Minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA in all undergraduate coursework; Advanced Standing students must earn a B grade or better in all undergraduate social work courses
- Complete 10 semester credit hours of undergraduate coursework in social sciences
- Three professional letters of recommendation
- Submission of resume and personal statement
- Advanced Standing applicants must submit their undergraduate praxcticum evaluation, or submit an additional letter of recommendation from their practicum instructor
| In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | ASWB Masters Exam Pass Rate | ASWB Clinical Exam Pass Rate |
| $6,570 per semester (full-time students taking 8 to 18 credits; includes online students even if they are not Ohio residents) $782.19 per credit hour (part-time students taking less than 8 credits) | Adds $1,733.13 per credit hour | 73.8% | 72.1% |
4. Ohio University
The next best MSW program in Ohio is Ohio University, with an ASWB Master’s Exam pass rate of 70.6%. Of the 34 graduates who took the exam, 24 of them passed.
Meanwhile, the school boasts an 81.8% pass rate on the Clinical Exam, with 36 out of 44 graduates passing the test.
Ohio University offers several different tracks for earning your MSW degree, including:
- One-Year, Full-Time Advanced Standing track
- 100% Online, Two-Year Advanced Standing track (requires the completion of 10 courses, equal to 36 credits)
- Two-Year, Full-Time Traditional track
- Three-year, Part-Time Traditional track
- Four-Year, Part-Time Tradititonal track
- 100% Online, 40-Month Traditional track (requires the completion of 17 courses, equal to 62 credits)
It’s also important to note that this ptogram is unique in that it emphasizes service in rural environments. Therefore, if you’re looking to improve the well-being of individuals, families, and communities in underserved, rural settings, this could be the right program for you.
Finally, to gain admission to Ohio University’s MSW program, you must meet the following requirements:
- Hold a Bachelor’s degree with a liberal arts focus; Advanced Standing students must have earned their BSW in the last five years
- Minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA in all undergraduate coursework
- Traditinal track students must submit documentation of 30 hours of paid or volunteer experience in human services. Advanced Standing student must submit their final undergraduate field evaluation
- Three letters of reference, with at least one from a college faculty member. Traditional track student must also submit at least one from a human service supervisor, while Advanced Standing students must submit at least one from a former field instructor
- Traditional track student must complete prerequisite coursework in social science statistics, human biology, and at least three areas of social sciences, with at least one social science course at the 300 or 400 level
| In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | ASWB Masters Exam Pass Rate | ASWB Clinical Exam Pass Rate |
| $4,722 per semester (full-time students); $583 per credit hour (part-time students) $654 per credit hour (online students) | $8,718 per semester (full-time students); $1,079 per credit hour (part-time students); $673 per credit hour (online students) | 70.6% | 81.8% |
5. Youngstown State University
The last school in our rankings of the five best MSW programs in Ohio is Youngstown State University. Of the 56 graduates who took the ASWB Master’s Exam in 2022, 35 of them passed, achieving a 62.5% pass rate.
Meanwhile, 14 of the 29 graduates taking the Clinical Exam passed, giving them a pass rate of 48.3%.
Youngstown State University offers several different program formats through which you can obtain your MSW degree, including:
- Full-Time, Two-Year Traditional track
- Part-Time, Three-Year Traditional track
- Part-Time, Four-Year Traditional track
- One-Year, Full-Time Advanced Standing track
- Part-Time Advanced Standing track (can take anywhere from two to four years)
While the Traditional track requires the completion of 60 semester hours of coursework to complete, the Advanced Standing track requires the completion of 39 semester hours.
Additionally, all of the tracks above are available at the university’s main campus in Youngstown, OH. They are delivered on Saturdays and weekday evenings.
You can also pursue your degree through this school in Elyria, OH and Kirtland, OH through their partnerships with Lorain County Community College and Lakeland County Community College, respectively. Classes take place on Saturdays, with supplemental online courses.
Finally, to gain entry into the MSW program at Youngstown State University, you must meet the following admission requirements:
- Hold a Bachelor’s degree, preferably in a social science; Advanced Standing student must have earned their BSW degree in the last seven years
- Minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA in al undergraduate coursework; alternatively, Advanced Standing students can also attain a minimum 2.7 cumulative GPA with a B grade or better in all junior- and senior-level social work courses
- Demonstrate work or volunteer experience related to social work
- Three references, with at least one academic source and one professional source
- Submission of professional statement
| In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | ASWB Masters Exam Pass Rate | ASWB Clinical Exam Pass Rate |
| $5,359.08 per semester (full-time students taking 12 to 18 credits per semester); $446.59 per credit hour (part-time students taking 1 to 11 credits per semester) | $5,539.08 per semester (full-time students taking 12 to 18 credits per semester); $461.59 per credit hour (part-time students taking 1 to 11 credits per semester) | 62.5% | 48.3% |
Is An MSW Program In Ohio Right For You?
With all the MSW programs in Ohio, narrowing down the best choices can be a tall task. However, after reading this guide, you should have a good idea of what makes each school stand out.
While Xavier University boasts an impressive 100% ASWB Master’s Exam pass rate, Ohio State University allows you to focus on more specific areas of practice like Aging or Mental Health.
Furthermore, Ohio University emphasizes underserved rural social work practice, while Youngstown State University lets you earn your degree at any of several campuses across the state.
Ultimately, the right choice for you will depend on your unique goals and circumstances.
Of course, if none of these MSW programs in Ohio quite appealed to you, you’re not limited to furthering your education in this state. In fact, there are lots of online degree options, which generally offer more flexibility and are more affordable than attending classes on-campus.
So, to explore MSW programs suited to your needs and preferences, fill out this form and we’ll help you get started!
Ohio MSW Programs FAQs
What Grades Do You Need To Get Into Ohio State University’s MSW Program?
To get into Ohio State University’s MSW program, you must attain a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA in all undergraduate coursework. Additionally, students applying to the Advanced Standing track must earn a grade of B or better in all undergradaute social work courses.
What Qualifications Do you Need To Be A Social Worker In Ohio?
To become a Licesned Social Worker (LSW) in Ohio, you must meet the following requirements:
- Education: A bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate degree in social work from an accredited program.
- LSW Application: Completion of the LSW application online with the required fee.
- Examination: Passing the ASWB exam appropriate for your degree level.
- Background Checks: Completion of BCI and FBI background checks.
- Official Transcripts: Submission of official transcripts showing your conferred degree in social work.
On the other hand, to take on more advanced social work roles, you need to earn your Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) credential. To become an LISW, you need to meet these qualifications:
- Education: Hold a master’s degree in social work from a CSWE accredited program.
- Experience: Complete two years post-MSW and post-LSW experience, including 150 hours of documented training supervision by an LISW-S.
- Supervision: Ensure all supervision is documented with the Board before applying.
- Application: Submit the LISW application online with a $100 application fee (plus a $3.50 processing fee).
- Examination: Pass the ASWB Clinical or Advanced Generalist exam.
- Background Checks: Complete BCI and FBI background checks.
- Transcripts: Submit official transcripts showing your conferred MSW degree.
- Professional References: Have your training supervisors submit a Professional Employment Reference via eLicense.
What Do You Need To Be A School Social Worker In Ohio?
To become a School Social Worker in Ohio, you must meet all of the qualifications necessary to obtain your LISW license. Additionally, you’ll need obtain your School Social Work (SSW) license from the Ohio Department of Education.
What Disqualifies You From Being A Social Worker In Ohio?
According to the Ohio Adminstrative Code, a few things that can disqualify you from becoming a social worker in the state include:
- Criminal convictions related to fraud, theft, patient abuse, sexual offenses, and other serious crimes
- Failure to meet screening and background check requirements
- Being listed on exclusionary databases
- Failure to pay the application fee
However, it is worth noting that some exceptions may apply for pardoned or expunged offenses.
How Much Does A Social Worker Make In Ohio?
The average annual salary for an MSW social worker in Ohio is $70,652, with salaries typically ranging from $57,926 to $84,502.
Can An LSW Diagnose In Ohio?
According to Ohio Laws and Administrative Rules, a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) can diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders. However, they may only do so under the supervision of one of the following:
- Psychologist
- Psychiatrist
- Licensed professional clinical counselor
- Independent marriage and family therapist
- Independent social worker
- Registered nurse who holds a master’s degree in psychiatric nursing
