Master of Social Work
Social Work – MS6600, MS6604, MS6606, & MS6607
Department of Social Work
Morton Hall 416
Ohio University
Athens, OH 45701
Phone: 740.593.1269
Administrative Specialist: Hayley Tausch, htausch@ohio.edu
Delivery Mode: Athens Campus/Hybrid (MS6600, MS6604); Online (MS6606, MS6607)
Terms of Entry: Advanced Standing Students begin the program in summer. Foundation students begin the program in fall semester. Online students are able to begin the program each semester.
Terms of Entry Requiring Program Permission: None
Program Overview
Our mission is to prepare students to serve ethically and competently as clinical social workers practicing in rural environments. We aim to educate students to utilize critical thinking and scientific inquiry to inform practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. We emphasize a person-in-environment framework, respecting human diversity and human rights while advocating for social, economic, racial, and environmental justice in underserved communities. Our focus includes a commitment to the core values of the social work profession and enhancing human relationships locally, nationally, and globally.
Special Program Focus
Ohio University’s Master of Social Work (MSW) Program has a clinical focus and trains social workers to work with rural families and communities. This focus was selected because it is appropriate for Ohio University and rural communities that have been traditionally underserved by social workers.
Program Concentrations
In the final year, students obtain advanced-level training in Clinical Social Work, while also gaining some exposure to macro level practice. These are the foci identified by area employers as those most needed in the region. Please note that this programmatic structure is beneficial also because only Clinical Social Workers qualify for National Health Service Corps Loan Reimbursement and clinical licensure in most states.
OHIO MSW Program Options
- Advanced Standing, MS6604 & MS6606, is open only to recent graduates of CSWE-accredited undergraduate social work programs; MS6604 is a full-time face-to-face one-year program. MS6606 is a part-time online program.
- Foundation Program, MS6600 & MS6607, is open to students who have an undergraduate degree related to social work. MS6600 is a face-to-face program that can be taken full or part-time. MS6607 is a part-time online program.
MS6600
This is a two-year degree which may be taken full-time for two years or part-time for three or four years. This program is available to students who qualify per the requirements listed in the MSW Handbook. Students who successfully complete this program are eligible to take the licensure exam in all states and to complete supervised social work practice as outlined in state law, which is required to obtain an independent social work license.
MS6604
This is a one-year full-time degree offered to students who have a bachelor’s degree in social work, including internship, within the past seven years and who qualify in other respects as outlined in the MSW Handbook. Students who successfully complete this program are eligible to take the licensure exam in all states and to complete supervised social work practice as outlined in state law, which is required to obtain an independent social work license.
MS6606
This is a two-year part-time, online degree offered to students who have a bachelor’s degree in social work, including internship, within the past seven years and who qualify in other respects as outlined in the MSW Handbook. Students who successfully complete this program are eligible to take the licensure exam in all states and to complete supervised social work practice as outlined in state law, which is required to obtain an independent social work license.
MS6607
This is a 3-year and 1 semester part-time online degree. This program is available to students who qualify per the requirements listed in the MSW Handbook. Students who successfully complete this program are eligible to take the licensure exam in all states and to complete supervised social work practice as outlined in state law, which is required to obtain an independent social work license.
Opportunities for Graduates
Individuals with the MSW are sought out and employed in a wide variety of settings, including mental health, child welfare, health care, aging, chemical dependency, and corrections among others. An MSW from a CSWE accredited program qualifies a student to participate in the procedures for independent licensing in all 50 states. Some organizations prefer the MSW such as Non-governmental Organizations, the Veterans Administration, and others. Social work is a growth profession for various reasons partly because the older generation is expected to increase dramatically in size, which presents various problems related to basic needs and optimal social functioning of the adult and the family. Another area of growth is social work for veterans and for people in transition due to prison reform and chemical dependency. Jobs in social work are expected to grow 7% by 2033.
Program Learning Outcomes
The main objective of the program is to graduate clinical social workers who have the knowledge and skills for advanced practice in rural environments to improve the well-being for individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Program learning outcomes as promulgated by the Council on Social Work Education (2022) are as follows:
- Students will be able to demonstrate ethical and professional behavior.
- Students will be able to advance human rights and social, racial, economic, and environmental justice.
- Students will be able to engage anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion (ADEI) in practice.
- Students will be able to engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice.
- Students will be able to engage in policy practice.
- Students will be able to engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
- Students will be able to assess individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
- Students will be able to intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
- Students will be able to evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
Further Information
Link to Program: https://www.ohio.edu/chsp/social-work/graduate
Admission Requirements
Admission requirements are given in the MSW Handbook, which can be found on the program webpage. These requirements are outlined below:
- Standard Admission Requirements (MS6600 & MS6607)
- Bachelor’s degree with a Liberal Arts focus
- 3.0 GPA
- one official transcript from each postsecondary institution attended, regardless of whether or not a degree was earned or the credits are reflected on a separate transcript as transfer credit
- Documentation of 30 hours paid or volunteer experience in the human services
- Three letters of reference, at least one of which is from a faculty member and one from a human service supervisor (the third can be from either)
- Pre-requisite courses in Social Science Statistics and at least three areas of Social Sciences
- Advanced Standing Admission Requirements (MS6604 & 6606)
- Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from a CSWE-accredited program completed within the past seven years
- 3.0 overall GPA
- one official transcript from each postsecondary institution attended, regardless of whether or not a degree was earned or the credits are reflected on a separate transcript as transfer credit
- Final undergraduate field evaluation
- Three letters of reference, at least one of which is from a faculty member and one from a former field instructor (the third can be from either)
NOTE: Applicants who meet all requirements except the 3.0 GPA may be considered for admission if they complete the additional form “Petition for Exceptional consideration of an Applicant with a GPA below 3.0”. This form can be found on the social work website.
International Students
The Athens campus program (MS6600 or MS6604) permits full-time enrollment in residence at Ohio University, and an I-20 may be issued based on admission to this program.
Graduation Requirements
Students in the Advanced Standing track (MS6604 & MS6606) must complete 36 credit hours as described below. Students in the Foundation track (MS6600 & 6607) must complete 62 credit hours in as described below.
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