Social Work
MSW
Why study Social Work?
The University of Cincinnati Master of Social Work (MSW) program prepares you for a career in advanced social work practice. The program is designed to promote the integration of learning in the classroom with learning in a field practicum in an agency setting.
When you graduate with a Master of Social Work from the UC School of Social Work, you can expect to be prepared for advanced social work practice with individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations and can become a licensed social worker in the state of Ohio after passing your licensing exam. Some students also choose to pursue a PhD at one of many universities across the country.
Flexible Program Options
The Master of Social Work program has a variety of curriculum options:
- accelerated part-time
- full-time
- part-time
We also have an accelerated full-time program for students who want to start in the summer and finish in one year.
Each program incorporates a thoughtful blend of on-campus and online coursework, giving you the best of both words in a hybrid learning environment.
The program has a direct practice concentration and is designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills needed for specialized practice. You may specialize in three areas of study: children & families, health & aging, or mental health. Your curriculum and field placements will be tailored to fit your area of interest and through these specialized areas, you will learn to use evidence-based interventions to assist individuals, families, and groups to make changes, solve problems, and become empowered.
Field Education
Field education is incorporated throughout into the curriculum, giving you real-world experience in one of our 200+ social service agency partners.
Throughout the program, you will be assigned to an agency for 14 to 17 hours per week to work under the supervision of a qualified field instructor, who is a social worker employed at that agency.
Admission Requirements
Please see the Admission Requirements for detailed information about what you need in order to be a successful applicant.
Social workers practice in many settings, working with people and communities to find solutions to problems. Fields where social workers provide direct service to individuals, families, and groups include:
- Children and family services in child protective services, foster care agencies, adoptions, schools, and counseling agencies.
- Health services in hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centers, and nursing homes.
- Mental health and substance use services in treatment and case management agencies and private practice.
- Aging service in home care agencies and senior living communities.
- Legal services in correctional facilities, treatment agencies, and mediation services.
Other social workers work with community members to improve conditions in their area. Still others work in leadership roles in social service organizations.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for social workers is expected to grow 7% by 2032 (much faster than the national average), and the current median pay is $55,350 per year.
One third (1/3) of the minimum credits needed to earn the UC MSW degree may be transfer credits. To receive transfer credits, you must have:
- Completed those courses within 5 years of being admitted to the MSW Program
- Earned a B grade or better in each class.
Application Deadlines
Visit the How to Apply page to find information on application deadlines, fees, where to send your materials and more.
The Master of Social Work (MSW) program is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
Contact Information
Health Sciences Building
3225 Eden Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45267
(513) 556-4615
socialwork@uc.edu
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Program Code: 35MAS-SW-MSW