Ohio has 11 CSWE-accredited MSW programs distributed across the state's major metropolitan areas and its most underserved rural region. Case Western Reserve University and Ohio State both hold 1919 accreditation, the oldest in the state. CWRU is the only private university program in Ohio; the remaining ten are public institutions, making Ohio one of the more affordable states for MSW education once in-state tuition is applied.
Several Ohio programs emerged from collaborative accreditation arrangements. Cleveland State and the University of Akron operated jointly from 1996 to 2018 before each received independent accreditation. Miami University and Wright State operated jointly from 2011 to 2021 before independent accreditation. These histories are relevant for evaluating each program's continuous accreditation record. The University of Akron also underwent a significant geographic consolidation in 2024, closing three satellite campuses (Lakewood, Orrville, Canton) and shifting those students to an online track.
Ohio's two-tier licensing structure (LSW and LISW) is among the simpler structures in the country. Most states have additional tiers (LGSW, LCSW, LICSW, etc.), but Ohio goes directly from LSW (dependent practice, ASWB exam required) to LISW (independent practice, ASWB Clinical or Advanced Generalist exam + supervision). Graduates should note that Ohio does not issue an LMSW credential; practitioners credentialed as LMSW in other states must apply for the Ohio LSW.
All 11 CSWE-Accredited MSW Programs in Ohio
Scored on the same seven-factor model used in the national ranking. All data sourced from the CSWE accreditation directory and official program pages (.edu). Accreditation years are Initial Accreditation Dates from the CSWE directory. CSU and Akron (1996) and Miami and Wright State (2011) previously held collaborative accreditations before independent accreditation. Miami University's MSW program is at the Middletown regional campus. Wright State offers an MASW degree.
- #1
Case Western Reserve University Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences
Cleveland, OH · On-Campus or Online
9.4
60 credits 900 field hours ? Advanced Standing Accred. since 1919Why It Ranks Here
Case Western Reserve University's Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences has held CSWE accreditation since 1919, one of the oldest in Ohio, and is ranked first in Ohio by U.S. News and World Report, in the top 4% of social work programs nationally. The school offers four paths of study: Adult Behavioral Health, Child and Family Practice, Community Practice for Social Change, and Trauma and Healing. Three delivery formats are available: on-campus, online (since 2013), and a weekend track. Five dual-degree programs are offered: MSW/Bioethics, MSW/MBA, MSW/JD, MSW/Nonprofit Management, and MSW/MPH, the broadest dual-degree menu of any Ohio program. Advanced Standing is available. The Mandel School's curriculum was the first competency-based MSW program approved by CSWE. Faculty secured $28.2 million in research and training grants in the most recent reporting year, and the school maintains 1,000+ field placement partner organizations. CWRU is a private research university in University Circle, Cleveland's cultural and medical district, adjacent to University Hospitals, the Cleveland Clinic main campus, and the MetroHealth System.
Private (Case Western Reserve University). Contact the program for current tuition rates and financial aid. CWRU is a private research university; tuition is higher than Ohio's public programs.
View program page → - #2
Ohio State University College of Social Work
Columbus, OH · On-Campus or Online
9.2
60 credits 900 field hours ? Advanced Standing Accred. since 1919Why It Ranks Here
The Ohio State University College of Social Work has held CSWE accreditation since 1919, tied with CWRU for the oldest accreditation in Ohio. OSU is a Big Ten R1 flagship research university in Columbus, the state capital and Ohio's largest city. An Advanced Generalist concentration is offered. An online track has been available since 2016. Five dual-degree programs are available: MSW/PhD (co-enrollment in OSU's social work doctoral program), MSW/MPA (Public Administration), MSW/MPH (Public Health), MSW/MPP (Public Policy), and MSW/MURP (Urban Planning). The MSW/PhD co-enrollment option is rare nationally and directly serves students targeting research or faculty careers in social work. Advanced Standing is available. Columbus provides access to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Nationwide Children's Hospital, OhioHealth, and a large network of state agency and nonprofit practicum partners.
Public (The Ohio State University, Big Ten flagship). Contact the program for current in-state and out-of-state tuition rates.
View program page → - #3
University of Cincinnati School of Social Work
Cincinnati, OH · On-Campus
8.0
60 credits 900 field hours ? Advanced Standing Accred. since 1978Why It Ranks Here
The University of Cincinnati School of Social Work has held CSWE accreditation since 1978 and offers four concentrations: Children, Youth, and Families; Healthcare; Mental Health; and Aging and Gerontological Practice. A dual MSW/JD degree is available. Advanced Standing is available. No online delivery is currently offered. UC is an R1 research university in Cincinnati, Ohio's third-largest city. Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, UC Medical Center, the Lindner Center of HOPE, and TriHealth together anchor the Cincinnati metro's social work labor market. The Healthcare and Aging concentrations are particularly well-matched to Cincinnati's large hospital-based employer base and the aging demographic of Greater Cincinnati.
Public (University of Cincinnati). Contact the program for current in-state and out-of-state tuition rates.
View program page → - #4
Cleveland State University School of Social Work
Cleveland, OH · On-Campus or Online
7.5
60 credits 900 field hours ? Advanced Standing Accred. since 1996Why It Ranks Here
Cleveland State University's School of Social Work received CSWE accreditation in 1996 as part of the Cleveland State / University of Akron collaborative, which operated jointly from 1996 to 2018; CSU has held independent CSWE accreditation since 2018. A Clinical Practice concentration is offered. An online track was added in 2020. Advanced Standing is available. CSU is an urban public university in downtown Cleveland, adjacent to the Cleveland Clinic Health Education Campus and within the Northeast Ohio healthcare and social services ecosystem. No dual-degree programs are listed in the CSWE directory. The downtown Cleveland location provides access to the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (school social work), the Cuyahoga County Department of Children and Family Services, and the large network of Northeast Ohio community behavioral health centers.
Public (Cleveland State University). Contact the program for current in-state and out-of-state tuition rates.
View program page → - #5
University of Akron School of Social Work
Akron, OH · On-Campus or Online
7.2
60 credits 900 field hours ? Advanced Standing Accred. since 1996Why It Ranks Here
The University of Akron School of Social Work received CSWE accreditation in 1996 as part of the Cleveland State / University of Akron collaborative, which operated jointly from 1996 to 2018; Akron has held independent CSWE accreditation since 2018. Two concentrations are offered: Clinical Practice and Macro Social Work, one of the few Ohio programs combining clinical and macro tracks. An online track was added in 2024. Advanced Standing is available. Satellite campuses in Lakewood (2013-2024), Orrville (2017-2024), and Canton (2020-2024) closed by 2024; students from those areas are now served by the online track. No dual-degree programs are listed in the CSWE directory. Akron is a public research university in the Akron metro, adjacent to Cleveland. The Macro concentration addresses organizational, policy, and community development practice that is underrepresented in Ohio's concentration landscape.
Public (University of Akron). Contact the program for current in-state and out-of-state tuition rates.
View program page → - #6
Ohio University Department of Social Work
Athens, OH · On-Campus or Online
6.9
60 credits 900 field hours ? Advanced Standing Accred. since 2001Why It Ranks Here
Ohio University's Department of Social Work received CSWE accreditation in 2001 and offers a Clinical Practice concentration. An online track was added in 2018. Advanced Standing is available. Ohio University is a public university in Athens, in Southeast Ohio's Appalachian region, one of the most economically distressed and geographically underserved areas of the state. Documented social work workforce shortages in rural behavioral health, substance use disorders, and child welfare services characterize the region. The online track extends access to students across SE Ohio and Appalachian Ohio who cannot commute to Athens. No dual-degree programs are listed in the CSWE directory. Ohio University's geographic positioning in the Appalachian foothills makes it the primary MSW access point for a large and underserved portion of the state.
Public (Ohio University). Contact the program for current in-state and out-of-state tuition rates.
View program page → - #7
Miami University Department of Social Work
Middletown, OH · On-Campus
6.7
60 credits 900 field hours ? Advanced Standing Accred. since 2011Why It Ranks Here
Miami University's Department of Social Work received CSWE accreditation in 2011 as part of the Miami University / Wright State University collaborative, which operated jointly from 2011 to 2021; Miami has held independent CSWE accreditation since 2021. The MSW program is at Miami's Middletown regional campus in Southwest Ohio, not the Oxford main campus. Seven concentrations are offered per the CSWE directory: Substance Use Disorders, Advanced Generalist, Children Youth and Families, School Social Work, Aging and Gerontological Practice, Human Behavior, and Macro Social Work. This is among the broadest concentration menus of any Ohio program and is uncommon nationally for a regional campus program. Advanced Standing is available. No online delivery is currently offered. No dual-degree programs are listed in the CSWE directory. Middletown is between Dayton and Cincinnati, providing access to both metropolitan areas' practicum placement networks.
Public (Miami University, Middletown campus). Contact the program for current in-state and out-of-state tuition rates. Note: This program is at the Middletown regional campus, not the Oxford main campus.
View program page → - #8
Youngstown State University Department of Social Work
Youngstown, OH · On-Campus
6.5
60 credits 900 field hours ? Advanced Standing Accred. since 2004Why It Ranks Here
Youngstown State University's Department of Social Work received CSWE accreditation in 2004 and operates from three campus locations: the Youngstown main campus, a Lorain site, and a Lakeland site. An Advanced Generalist concentration is offered. Advanced Standing is available. No online delivery is currently offered. No dual-degree programs are listed in the CSWE directory. YSU is a public university in Youngstown in the Mahoning Valley, a region that has experienced significant economic disruption following deindustrialization. The multi-campus model extends MSW access along the Lake Erie corridor from Lorain County through the Mahoning-Trumbull Valley, serving communities with persistent behavioral health, poverty, and community social work workforce needs. The three-campus footprint makes YSU the primary MSW access institution for Northeast Ohio outside of Cleveland.
Public (Youngstown State University). Contact the program for current in-state and out-of-state tuition rates.
View program page → - #9
University of Toledo Department of Social Work
Toledo, OH · On-Campus
6.4
60 credits 900 field hours ? Advanced Standing Accred. since 2004Why It Ranks Here
The University of Toledo Department of Social Work received CSWE accreditation in 2004 and offers an Advanced Generalist concentration. Advanced Standing is available. No online delivery is currently offered. No dual-degree programs are listed in the CSWE directory. The University of Toledo is a public research university in Toledo in Northwest Ohio. ProMedica Health System, the University of Toledo Medical Center, and the Toledo Lucas County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board are the primary healthcare and behavioral health employers in the area. Toledo's location on the Michigan state border also creates cross-state labor market connectivity for graduates. The University of Toledo serves as the primary CSWE-accredited MSW provider for Northwest Ohio, a region that includes both urban Toledo and a large rural and agricultural hinterland extending into the Maumee Valley.
Public (University of Toledo). Contact the program for current in-state and out-of-state tuition rates.
View program page → - #10
Wright State University College of Health, Education and Human Services
Fairborn, OH · On-Campus
6.2
60 credits 900 field hours ? Advanced Standing Accred. since 2011Why It Ranks Here
Wright State University offers a Master of Arts in Social Work (MASW), a CSWE-accredited social work master's degree. CSWE accreditation was first granted in 2011 through the Miami University / Wright State University collaborative, which operated jointly from 2011 to 2021; Wright State has held independent CSWE accreditation since 2021. Note: The degree title is MASW rather than MSW; prospective students should confirm with the Ohio CSWMFT Board that the MASW qualifies for LSW and LISW licensure. An Advanced Generalist concentration is offered. Advanced Standing is available. No online delivery is currently offered. No dual-degree programs are listed in the CSWE directory. Wright State is located in Fairborn, adjacent to Dayton and near Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, one of the largest Air Force installations in the country by employment. The WPAFB proximity creates a distinctive local demand for military social work and behavioral health services for active-duty members and their families in the Dayton metro.
Public (Wright State University). Contact the program for current in-state and out-of-state tuition rates.
View program page → - #11
Bowling Green State University Department of Human Services
Bowling Green, OH · On-Campus
5.6
60 credits 900 field hours ? Advanced Standing Accred. since 2017Why It Ranks Here
Bowling Green State University's Department of Human Services received CSWE accreditation in 2017, the most recently accredited MSW program in Ohio. An Advanced Generalist concentration is offered. Advanced Standing is available. No online delivery is currently offered. No dual-degree programs are listed in the CSWE directory. BGSU is a public university in Bowling Green in Northwest Ohio, south of Toledo. As the most recently accredited program in the state, its short accreditation history limits its composite score relative to longer-established programs. BGSU serves students in Wood, Henry, Hancock, and surrounding Northwest Ohio counties who benefit from an accessible regional alternative to the University of Toledo.
Public (Bowling Green State University). Contact the program for current in-state and out-of-state tuition rates.
View program page →
Job Market for MSW Graduates in Ohio
Ohio's social work labor market is anchored by three major metropolitan healthcare and social services clusters. Cleveland's University Circle and adjacent neighborhoods house the Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals, MetroHealth, and the Cuyahoga County Department of Children and Family Services, collectively employing a large number of licensed social workers. Columbus, as the state capital, concentrates state agency positions at the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities, and OhioHealth and Nationwide Children's Hospital. Cincinnati is anchored by Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, UC Medical Center, and TriHealth.
Outside the three major metros, Northeast Ohio has a distinct employment cluster in the Akron-Youngstown-Lorain corridor. The Mahoning Valley experienced decades of deindustrialization and has persistent demand for behavioral health, housing, and poverty services social workers. Northwest Ohio (Toledo) is anchored by ProMedica and the Toledo Lucas County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board. Southwest Ohio's Dayton-Middletown area is served by the Miami Valley's healthcare network and the behavioral health systems associated with Wright-Patterson AFB's active-duty and veteran population.
Rural and Appalachian Ohio, primarily southeast of Columbus, is consistently documented as having significant licensed social work workforce shortages. Ohio University's Athens program and online track directly serve this underserved region. The Ohio Appalachian Collaborative is one of the statewide initiatives working to expand behavioral health workforce capacity in the 32 Appalachian counties in Ohio.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, Ohio; Ohio CSWMFT Board, Social Worker Licensing.
How We Ranked These Programs
Each program is scored on the same seven-factor model used in the national ranking. The state ranking uses identical criteria and weights. No Ohio-specific adjustments are made. Programs are ordered by composite score. For the full methodology, see our ranking methodology page.
- CSWE Accreditation (25%): Active accreditation status and continuous accreditation history.
- Program Leadership (15%): Faculty credentials, research output, and peer-assessment scores.
- Pathways (15%): Concentration variety, Advanced Standing availability, and dual-degree options.
- Delivery Format (15%): Online, hybrid, and in-person availability; start-term flexibility.
- Employer Signal (15%): Field placement hours required, practicum site depth, and documented placement infrastructure.
- Cost & Affordability (10%): Published tuition per credit or per year, in-state vs. out-of-state differential.
- Reputation (5%): U.S. News peer-assessment scores and institutional recognition.