Master’s of Social WorkTraditional MSW Program
Our Traditional MSW program is offered in Autumn, Spring and Summer semesters and is available on the Columbus campus and online. It is designed for students who have earned an undergraduate degree in something other than social work or who received a Bachelor of Social Work (BSSW) more than five years ago. Our Traditional MSW degree can be completed full time in two years or part time in either three or four years.
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Traditional MSW Program Admissions Requirements
No GRE Required!
- 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 (excluding associates degree) 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.
- English Proficiency Score (for international students).
- Transcripts submitted from each college/university attended.
- Resumé/CV, personal statement and three professional letters of recommendations.
A complete list of application requirements can be found here: MSW Application Checklist (PDF)
MSW Curriculum
Our Traditional MSW program is 63 credit hours. You can complete the program full time in two years, or part time in either three or four years. The Traditional MSW program is available at the Columbus campus or online.
| 2-year MSW Curriculum Breakdown | Hours |
|---|---|
| Foundation Courses | 19 hours |
| Areas of Emphasis | 6 hours |
| Advanced Practice Methods Courses | 12 hours |
| Practice Evaluation Courses | 6 hours |
| Field Education & Seminar | 11 hours |
| Elective Courses | 9 hours |
| Total | 63 hours |
Learn more about our two-, three- and four-year curriculum options (PDF)
Areas of Emphasis
You will develop the competencies needed to successfully practice in a variety of fields. In our integrated courses, you will develop competencies in policies, theories, issues, services, best practices and desired outcomes. You will select from one of these areas of emphasis:
- Aging and Health
- Mental Health and Substance Misuse
- Child and Youth Services
- Community and Social Justice
Congratulations, you’re ready to apply!
Please note: if you are applying to an online option, first select the “Master of Social Work – Online” application and your start date.
Application Fee Waivers
If you’re an Ohio State alumni applying for our online program or have a 3.0 or higher GPA and are applying to our on campus or online program, your application fee may be waived.
Big Ten Academic Alliance
Students who have a 3.0 or higher are eligible for the Big Ten Academic Alliance Free Application
Alumni Online Program Applicants
The Ohio State University Alumni Association is piloting a new benefit: application fee waivers for OSU alumni who are applying to online programs at Ohio State.
For fee waiver eligibility and requirements, visit http://gpadmissions.osu.edu/apply/waiver.html
Transfer students
As a transfer student, you must complete the same MSW application process. If admitted, you may transfer up to 18 quarter hours or 12 semester credits from another college/university toward your MSW degree. The coursework must be taken within the past six years to count for transfer credit.
Graduate Non-Degree Option
Some of our students have a class or two they’d like, or need, to get in before they start their actual program. Graduate non-degree is an option for students who wish to familiarize themselves with our MSW program prior to being admitted. You can apply to be a graduate non-degree student during any semester. As a graduate non-degree student, you can take up to ten 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.
Questions? Email cswadmissions@osu.edu.
Our ONLINE, Traditional MSW Program
Our online program is available in 49 states (except Colorado). You have the opportunity to select from asynchronous and/or synchronous courses, including in both formats.
- 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.
Ohio State academic programs are designed to prepare students to sit for applicable licensure or certification in Ohio. If you plan to pursue licensure or certification in a state other than Ohio, please review state educational requirements for licensure and certification and state licensing board contact information at http://go.osu.edu/disclosures.
Ohio State makes every effort to ensure state licensure and certification information is current; however, state requirements may change. Please contact the applicable licensing board(s) in the state where you may want to pursue licensure or certification before beginning an academic program to verify whether a program meets educational requirements for licensure or certification in the state.
For more information on state authorization requirements and disclosures related to online programs, please visit https://online.osu.edu/state-authorization/disclosures.
*Not sure if online learning is for you? Click here for the Online Readiness Assessment.
Our ON-CAMPUS, Traditional MSW Program
Our on-campus program allows you to enjoy the benefits of The Ohio State University, located near downtown Columbus, the nation’s 14th-largest city. A warm and welcoming academic community, a picturesque campus and a vibrant city are all within your reach. Columbus is the 13th fastest-growing city in the United States, one of the many reasons that Forbes named it one of America’s “Cities of the Future.” Click here to Experience Columbus!
The Ohio State University College of Social Work offers a very competitive tuition rate. Ohio residents and online students, even those outside of Ohio, pay in-state tuition.
To access the current tuition table for our on-campus Master of Social Work program, please visit the appropriate link below
To access the current tuition table for our online Master of Social Work program, please visit the appropriate link below
Dual Degree Program Options
Students with cross-disciplinary interests may want to consider one of our dual degree programs. While working on their MSW, students can pursue a second master’s degree in one of three programs established with other academic units at Ohio State:
- Master of Arts (MA) from the John Glenn College of Public Affairs
Master of Public Health (MPH) from the College of Public Health
Master of City and Regional Planning (MCRP) from the Knowlton School of Architecture
Learn more at Dual Degree
Combined MSW/PhD Program Option
The combined MSW/PhD is an accelerated program that requires a single application and admission process. This program is for people who are interested in making a difference through research and teaching.
Learn more about MSW/PhD Program Options
School Social Work
The School Social Work (SSW) Licensure program is a specialized curriculum that trains you to be the link between the school, home and community. All licensure requirements are completed during the program and graduates are eligible for a SSW license from the Ohio Department of Education (ODE).
We are writing to notify our Social Work candidates interested in completing the School Social Work curriculum that the College of Education and Human Ecology recently made some changes to some of the Special Education courses starting AU20.
ESSPED 6650: Introduction to Exceptional Children will no longer be offered as a combined course for both UG and G students. We will be cancelling it for this AU20. Instead we will ask the enrolled undergraduate students to enroll in ESSPED 2251 and ask the graduate students to enroll in ESSPED 6650.
Learn more about School Social Work
University Partnership Program
University Partnership Title IV-E Child Welfare Training (UPP) offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity for students who are passionate about working with children and families. UPP offers specialized child welfare classes and the ability to complete your field placement in a public children services agency. A $5,000 financial incentive is available upon completion and successful employment in an Ohio public children services agency.
Learn more about the University Partnership Program
Field Education is one of the most vital components of your social work education – it turns your advanced study into real-life experience. All full-time and part-time MSW students are required to complete 224 hours of a generalist field placement and 672 hours of an advanced field placement. Based on your goals and desired learning experiences, our Field Education team will match you with one of the more than 1,200 agencies we partner with in Ohio and across the United States. During your field experience, you will develop specific skills and knowledge in an area of practice related to your chosen specialization.
All Traditional MSW students complete a total of 900 field hours
| Program | Hours |
|---|---|
| MSWI (First Year) | 16 hours per week, 224 total |
| MSWII (Second Year) | 24 hours per week, 672 total |
Learn more about field placement
For students who are currently living abroad, interested in living abroad, or are considering an international experience during their MSW program, we highly recommend contacting the Office of Field Education (cswfield@osu.edu) to create a plan for completion of your field practicum prior to applying for this program.
In addition, for international students considering our online program, It should be noted a country may or may not regulate distance education provided to students in its jurisdiction, and may or may not require foreign higher education institutions to comply with distance education regulations. At this time, The Ohio State University cannot guarantee that a program meets curriculum requirements in your country.