Online MSW Degree | Online Master of Social Work

Turn limited resources into unlimited potential.

You work hard to improve lives. The support and guidance you offer as a social worker helps vulnerable individuals cope with and overcome life’s challenges. Now you have the chance to expand your reach in rural communities and gain skills that are appropriate for multiple contexts and settings.

Earn your Master of Social Work online from Ohio University’s esteemed College of Health Sciences and Professions. Our CSWE-accredited MSW program prepares you to serve those with limited access to vital clinical support. This is your chance to find solutions, fill resource gaps, and bring much-needed specialty services to underserved populations.

Study on your schedule, not ours

No GMAT

No GRE/GMAT required

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Graduate in as few as 24 months

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Choose from 3 start dates per year

Why Choose OHIO’s Online Master of Social Work?

The U.S. Census classifies more than 95% of the nation’s land area as rural. Yet these rural areas only contain 20% of the country’s population. It’s a gap that presents multiple challenges and rare opportunities for your social work practice.

That’s because many rural communities lack the resources to provide comprehensive care. Barriers include everything from the lack of medical insurance to a shortage of care providers to health systems that are unresponsive to those in poverty. In other words, some of America’s most vulnerable citizens lack access to critical social services. But you can change that.

Choose Ohio University for your online MSW and gain the skills to assist traditionally underserved communities. These specialized skills are focused on rural areas, but also appropriate across contexts and communities to empower those most vulnerable.

Study social work online with Ohio University and learn from faculty actively making an impact in the field. Meet Dr. Terry Cluse-Tolar, the program director of our online Master of Social Work program.

Dr. Cluse-Tolar brings more than two decades of experience in both the practice and teaching of social work. She enjoys challenging students and inspiring the future of the profession. You can learn from Dr. Cluse-Tolar and other passionate faculty members at Ohio University.

The Master of Social Work program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). This esteemed designation means the program meets national standards in curriculum. CSWE’s Commission on Accreditation is recognized as the sole accrediting agency for social work education in the United States and its territories. Ohio University is also regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, one of six regional accreditors in the United States.

Join a university that U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks among the “Best Social Work Programs” and “Best National Universities.”

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The Princeton Reivew

Ohio University is praised for professor accessibility by The Princeton Review, and we’re recognized by Peterson’s Competitive Colleges for academic quality and value.

What Can You Do with a Master’s in Social Work?

Social workers are needed everywhere — from schools and hospitals to prisons and nonprofits. New programs and job opportunities continue to expand as awareness for mental health grows, especially in rural communities.

The health care industry also remains in a constant state of transformation. Social issues like poverty and the opioid epidemic impact individuals across demographic groups. It’s why the job outlook for social work is expected to grow by 16% from 2016 to 2026.*

Your expertise is needed now more than ever. Complete the Advanced Track of OHIO’s online MSW, and gain the graduate-level skills to maximize your impact in a wide range of roles.

*Based on data collected by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Adult Mental Health

Substance abuse counselor
Marriage and family therapist
Geriatric social worker
LGBTQ and gender identity therapist
Crisis counselor

Child, Family, and School

Child protective services case worker
School guidance counselor
Foster care social worker
Eating disorder therapist
Group therapist

Social Policy

Director of corporate social responsibility
Nonprofit executive director
Community outreach specialist
Human resources specialist
Grant writer

Master of Social Work Curriculum

Ohio’s online Master of Social Work degree focuses on learning and exploring the unique logistics of helping those in a rural environment access social services. You can learn to assist others while maneuvering around various limitations like financial shortfalls and accessibility restrictions. This unique focus will teach you how to provide the following benefits:

Create innovative solutions for clients with limited resources.
Engage with clients traditionally underserved by social workers.
Build rapport and relate with a diverse client base.
Utilize different methods of practice to effectively communicate with clientele.
Learn how social work functions at multiple levels and roles.

Show / Hide Course Descriptions

SW 5101	Social Work Orientation Seminar	3 Credits
Introduces the unique geographic region of Central Appalachian Ohio. Explores values, cultural systems, and social issues and examines the historical, economic, sociological, educational, spiritual, cultural, and political aspects of the Appalachian region and their impact on social welfare institutions and the services they provide.
SW 5702	Human Behavior in the Social Environment 2: Social Work Theory and Applications	3 Credits
Explores reciprocal influences of biology, psychology, and social functioning; analysis and beginning application of theories used in social work to assess systems at micro, mezzo and macro levels.
SW 6101	Rural Social Agency	3 Credits
Emphasizes agency-based practice focused on bringing about planned change in the organization. Encourages students to be as analytical about their organizations as they are about individuals, groups, and communities, and emphasize the partnership that should exist between direct service practitioners and managers to develop a supportive and open problem-solving environment in the social service agency. Problem definition, problem assessment, identification of intervention, design of interventions, use of staff, intervention costs and intervention effectiveness are covered.
SW 6941	Social Work Research & Program Evaluation 1	3 Credits
Prepares students to write a research proposal, in conjunction with their field supervisors, to address a problem of concern to their field agency. Explores quantitative and qualitative research methods, and the components of research proposal, including: problem formulation, development of hypotheses, and design of a sound, ethical study that conforms to IRB standards. The course also foreshadows data collection, analysis, interpretation and report writing.
SW 6942	Social Work Research & Program Evaluation 2	3 Credits
This course builds on previous course SW 6941, where students reviewed the basics of social work research methods to write a research project proposal. During the course, students will learn statistical analyses including descriptive and inferential statistics to complete the proposed research project approved by OHIO IRB and/or ethical guidelines of conducting social work research.Students will complete collection of data, and analysis of data using selective procedures. Students will use the appropriate analysis skills to analyze data collected for their evaluative or explanatory projects. Students will get experience of presenting their study verbally to their peers and other academic visitors such as field instructors and faculty members as well as write a publishable manuscript using APA style.

SW 6921	Advanced Field Practicum 1	6 Credits
These two field practicum courses assist the student in progressively building upon the substructure of knowledge, skills, values, and ethics of social work practice which was acquired during the foundational field experience. Within a context of academic work in the four curricular areas in conjunction with an individual placement in an agency and a close mentoring relationship with a field instructor, the student will develop advanced clinical practice skills, will strive to clarify personal and professional values and ethics, and will further solidify a professional identity. Within this framework, the specialized clinical or administrative field practicum prepares the student for advanced social work service delivery in their area of specialization.
SW 6922	Advanced Field Practicum 2	6 Credits
These two field practicum courses assist the student in progressively building upon the substructure of knowledge, skills, values, and ethics of social work practice which was acquired during the foundational field experience. Within a context of academic work in the four curricular areas in conjunction with an individual placement in an agency and a close mentoring relationship with a field instructor, the student will develop advanced clinical practice skills, will strive to clarify personal and professional values and ethics, and will further solidify a professional identity. Within this framework, the specialized clinical or administrative field practicum prepares the student for advanced social work service delivery in their area of specialization.
SW 6811	Direct with Practice Children, Adolescents & Groups	3 Credits
Develop skills for social work practice with children and adolescents living in rural communities. Students will learn to evaluate a variety of intervention methods and theories, as applied to working with children and adolescents in individual and group settings. Focuses on diversity, gender and rural communities as contributors to child and adolescent development and incorporates environmental and systems perspectives.
SW 6812	Direct with Practice Adults, Families & Communities	6 Credits
Prepares students to provide social work services to families in rural communities. It also integrates material from SW 651 and 652 such as social group work practice and assessment an intervention in rural environments. Enhances student understanding of practice with diverse populations, including non-traditional families in rural communities.
SW 6102	Integrative Seminar	3 Credits
This capstone course incorporates content from the entire MSW curriculum, including the field practicum. It also includes case analysis reflecting problem-based learning. Uses an action learning format with a theoretical base in cognitive constructionism, making use of projects and work tasks that simulate professional contacts to survey legislation, policies, theories, research, programs and practices.

Not Yet Qualified for the Advanced Standing MSW?

Consider our online Foundation MSW program. We plan to accept applications for this track in Fall 2019. This 62-credit track is intended for career changers who earned a bachelor’s in social work from an accredited institution or those who earned a BSW more than five years ago. It can be completed in as few as 36 months.