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• Any baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university.
• Grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher (based on a 4.0 system) for last highest degree earned is preferred. Applicants who do not meet the 3.0 GPA will be reviewed for admission on a case-by-case basis.
• At least 14 quarter or 9 semester credit hours of social sciences coursework (examples of approved subjects are typically: anthropology, communications, economics, international studies, philosophy, political science, psychology, world politics). If you believe you have taken a course in these fields, but it is not directly from one of the departments listed, a course syllabus will be needed for review.

To be considered for fellowships, applicants must have a completed application by Dec. 1. This includes all application components (letters of recommendation, transcripts, etc.): https://gradsch.osu.edu/pursuing-your-degree/graduate-fellows.

• Bachelor of Social Work within the last five years from an accredited college or university.
• “B” or better in all social work required courses (a “B minus” does not meet eligibility requirements)
• Cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher (based on a 4.0 system) for Bachelor of Social Work degree.
• Successful completion of field evaluation/learning agreement from their undergraduate program
• To be considered for fellowships, applicants must have a completed application by Dec. 1. This includes all application components (letters of recommendation, transcripts, etc.): https://gradsch.osu.edu/pursuing-your-degree/graduate-fellows

The English language testing requirements are:

• TOEFL: 79 on the internet-based TOEFL or TOEFL Special Home Edition
• IELTS: 7.0 on the IELTS exam or IELTS Indicator
• Duolingo: 105 or higher. Note: The Duolingo test cannot be used to exempt an admitted student from the English placement exam or the Oral Proficiency Assessment for Graduate Teaching Associates.

Applicants who are citizens of, or who have received a bachelor’s degree or higher by the time of matriculation from, one of the following countries are exempt from the English proficiency requirement: Australia, Belize, the British Caribbean and British West Indies, Canada (except Quebec), England, Ghana, Guyana, Ireland, Liberia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Northern Ireland, Singapore, Scotland, the United States and Wales.

Please note: if you have any questions, please contact cswadmissions@osu.edu.

The GRE is not required for any applicant, including any fellowship applicant or any student below a 3.0 cumulative GPA.

For students who have below a 3.0 cumulative for their last degree earned (excluding associate’s degree), the MSW Program has to petition students they feel would be successful in the MSW Program and request a conditional admission. Here are some tips for strengthening your application as these candidates will be reviewed on a case by case basis.

• Strong academic reference(s) as part of your required 3 letters of recommendation
• Thorough response in your statement of purpose describing your academic challenges and how you plan to be successful in the MSW Program
• Enrolling in Graduate Non-Degree courses and using your instructor as a reference will help showcase your graduate program readiness

Official copies of all institutions you have attended must be submitted with your online application (OSU transcripts exempted). Transcripts submitted with the application are considered unofficial, and if admitted, you will be required to submit an official set of transcripts prior to enrolling at Ohio State. Only transcripts sent directly from your institution to Graduate and Professional Admissions are considered official. Transcripts sent by you will not be accepted, considered or reviewed.

Official transcripts should be sent to gpadocs@osu.edu if submitted electronically or the following mailing address:

Office of Graduate & Professional Admissions
The Ohio State University
PO Box 182004
Columbus, Ohio 43218-2004

If your institution provides electronic official transcripts, they may be submitted instead but they need to come directly from your institution. Make sure to mark out all U.S. social security numbers before scanning.

Please note: Ohio State will not accept web reports, advising reports, self-reported scores, or transfer credit on another school’s transcript. For more information, please read the Graduate School Application Instructions.

Applicants who have attended Ohio State are not required to purchase Ohio State transcripts but must submit transcripts of any courses completed elsewhere. If you are a current student at Ohio State when you apply, please upload a copy of your Ohio State advising report.

When completing your application online, you will submit three names and contact information for each. Make sure in advance that your professional references have indicated they are willing to submit the reference electronically. Once you submit your application with the application fee, an email invitation to complete the referral will be sent to your recommenders about three to five business days after.

It is required that your three professional letters of recommendation are submitted from individuals separate from your field evaluation.

Recommenders are emailed a link to complete a form in which they will rank the applicant in a number of fields. In addition to the form, they will be asked to submit a letter of recommendation with the following prompt:

I agree to upload a letter on my organization’s letterhead that will help provide a complete picture of the applicant’s abilities and potential as a graduate student and social worker. For example, I will provide the following information: (1) How long and in what capacity I have known the applicant; (2) Concrete examples to support why I believe the applicant will succeed in graduate school; (3) Qualities that will make the applicant a good social worker. In general, the reference letter should highlight the applicant’s strengths and accomplishments as well as contributions you believe they can make to the field of social work. Please speak to what you believe sets the applicant apart from others.

Yes, by clicking save at the bottom of the window, applicants can save their progress on the online application. It is highly recommended that applicants frequently hit save while completing the online application. After being away from the computer or inactive for several minutes, the application session will end and all unsaved data will be lost.

We admit on a rolling basis which means we will review applicants as soon as they are complete. To be considered “complete,” ALL materials must be received by the application deadline for the semester you are applying to before going out for review.

The review time for an application is on average about 6-8 weeks. When a decision has been made for each applicant, it will be posted. Once the decision is posted, a letter of acceptance or denial will be emailed to the applicant via the email address provided by the applicant on the application.

Students admitted to the Advanced Standing Alternative Plan (ASAP) can begin during Autumn, Spring or Summer semester.

Students admitted to the Traditional program would begin during Autumn, Spring or Summer semester.

While students need to begin courses with their cohort, there is the option of Graduate Non-Degree courses. Graduate non-degree is an option for students who wish to familiarize themselves with our MSW program prior to being admitted. As a graduate non-degree student, you can take up to 7 credit hours of graduate level electives that can be transferred into the program. For additional information on how to apply as a graduate non-degree student, visit: http://go.osu.edu/graduatenondegree.

All online students will complete their field practicum in person. You will work with the Office of Field Education to be referred to a field placement within a 50-mile radius.

Our online program is asynchronous/synchronous.

• Asynchronous: you can take online courses on your own schedule. Course materials, lectures and learning activities are released weekly and can be completed at any time during a one-week window.
• Synchronous: although you will take classes online, you will virtually attend a class session each week at the same time as your instructor and classmates.

Because you are considering an online academic program that leads to a professional license, it is highly recommended you contact the appropriate licensing agency where you plan to receive instruction before beginning your academic program. State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) does not provide reciprocity for state professional licensing requirements. Academic programs and individual graduates must meet standards set by that state’s licensure requirements for a graduate to be eligible for a license.

To learn more about state authorization, eligibility and accreditation, please visit https://online.osu.edu/state-authorization. Any questions can be addressed to the State Authorization team by emailing ODEE-stateauth@osu.edu.

Three letters of recommendation (academic or professional) must be submitted electronically through the university’s online system. Please list the names and addresses of persons you are asking to complete letters of recommendation. For applicants to the online sub plans, one letter of recommendation should be from a distance-learning professor, if applicable.

Once you submit your application, expect 3-5 business days before your application posts to the Student Information System (SIS). At that time, your recommenders will be notified of your request for a recommendation. The College of Social Work will only accept recommendations submitted through the online system; please do not submit paper or other electronic recommendation forms. You must include valid email addresses for your references. Make sure in advance that your references have indicated they are willing to submit the reference electronically.

The College of Social Work Scholarship application for the 2024-25 academic year will open on Dec. 1, and will close March 15. Our scholarships are varied and awarded based on academic achievement, financial need, and professional area of interest in social work. Scholarship awardees will be notified of their selection in April 2024 and funds will be applied in Autumn 2024 and Spring 2025.

Submit your scholarship application

• A personal statement: a prompt will be available on online application.
• A one-page résumé that highlights work, volunteer, and educational experiences relevant to the social work field.
• The name and contact information of three academic or professional references.

If you are interested in being considered for a need-based scholarship, you must also complete the FAFSA by March 15.