Online MSW Programs in Ohio

Social workers in the state of Ohio may perform a variety of services both with and without supervision. There are three licenses which designate the duties a social worker is eligible to perform: Licensed Social Worker (LSW), Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) and Supervisor Designation (LISW with Supervisor, or LISW-S). The scope of practice for a social worker may include intervention planning, counseling and patient evaluation, and social psychotherapy under supervision. Anyone with a bachelor’s degree in the specific field of social work is qualified to apply for a social worker position.

Find an Online Degree: ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT

Select a Program Accounting Aerospace Engineering Agriculture Anthropology Architecture Art & Design Art History Automotive Technology Aviation Biblical Studies Biology Business Business Administration CAD/Computer Aided Drafting Child Development Christian Counseling Civil Engineering Clinical Psychology Communications Computer Engineering Computer Forensics Computer Programming Computer Science Conflict Resolution Construction Management Counseling Counseling Psychology Creative Writing Criminal Justice Criminology Culinary Arts Cybersecurity Data Analytics Data Science Database Administration Dental Assistant Dental Hygiene Digital Marketing DNP Early Childhood Education Economics Education Educational Leadership Electrical Engineering Electrician Elementary Education Emergency Management Engineering Engineering Management English Entrepreneurship Environmental Science ESL Exercise Science Fashion Finance Fine Arts Fire Science Forensic Accounting Forensic Psychology Forensic Science Geographic Information Systems Graphic Design Gunsmithing Health Education Health Sciences Healthcare Administration Healthcare Informatics Healthcare Management History Holistic Medicine Homeland Security Hospitality Management Human Resources Human Services HVAC Industrial Engineering Information Systems Information Technology Interior Design International Business Journalism Landscape Design Law Law Enforcement Legal Studies Liberal Studies Library Science Management Marketing Marriage & Family Therapy Mathematics MBA Mechanical Engineering Medical Assistant Medical Billing & Coding Medical Office Administration MFA Ministry MSW Music Network Administration Network Security Nurse Practitioner (NP) Nursing Nutrition Occupational Safety Occupational Therapy Organizational Leadership Paralegal Personal Training Pharmacy Pharmacy Technician Philosophy Photography Physical Education Physical Therapy Physician Assistant Physics Political Science Project Management Psychology Public Administration Public Health Public Relations Real Estate Religious Studies Respiratory Therapy RN to BSN RN to MSN School Counseling Secondary Education Social Sciences Social Work Sociology Software Engineering Spanish Special Education Speech Pathology Sports Management Substance Abuse Counseling Supply Chain Management Systems Engineering Teaching Technical Support Theology Veterinary Technician Video Game Design Vocational Web Design Web Development Writing

Select a Degree Level Associate Degree Bachelor's Degree Master's Degree Doctoral Degree Certificate & Diploma

SEARCH

CSWE Accredited Online MSW Programs in Ohio

School	Annual Tuition	Locations
# Case Western Reserve University	$46,560	Cleveland
# Chamberlain University	$13,940	Multiple Locations
# Herzing University	$11,680	Multiple Locations
# Ohio State University - Main Campus	$36,009	Columbus
# Ohio University - Main Campus	$17,712	Athens
# Ohio University - Zanesville Campus	Not Provided	Zanesville
# Ohio University-Chillicothe Campus	Not Provided	Chillicothe
# Ohio University-Southern Campus	Not Provided	Ironton

Becoming a Social Worker in Ohio

All aspiring social workers must hold either a bachelor’s, master’s, or alternate post-graduate degree in social work. Ohio recognizes programs that have been accredited by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) at the bachelor’s level. At the master’s level, applicants must complete a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

Applicants may begin applying for social work positions when they reach the last semester of their social work program. The process for license application differs depending upon the license. Bachelor’s applicants apply for an LSW, while those with a Masters or higher level education can apply for a LISW or LISW-S. It is important to note that an LSW is unable to work independently, or as part of private practice, unless they operate under direct supervision from a licensed psychiatrist, clinical counselor or independent therapist.

Licensed Social Worker

Once aspiring social workers have completed a bachelor’s or postgraduate social work program they are eligible to apply for licensure in Ohio. To begin this process, they must first apply to take the LSW examination. Ohio maintains an online portal where candidates are encouraged to create a user ID and password for a personalized account that tracks the status of an application. The Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) designates that bachelor’s level candidates sit for the Bachelors Exam, and a master’s level candidates sit for the Masters Exam. Applicants must be granted approval to take the exam, pay a fee, and take the test at a Pearson Testing Center. The board receives and reviews scores on the Wednesday following testing dates.

While candidates await exam results, they are encouraged to complete the BCI and FBI background checks required by the state. This can be completed at any time during the licensing process. Applicants must also forward school transcripts to the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage & Family Therapist Board.

Licensed Independent Social Worker

Before aspiring social workers can receive their LISW, they must hold a Master of Social Work (MSW) from a CSWE-accredited institution and earn LSW licensure. Once those requirements are met, candidates are eligible to meet the post-LSW/MSW work-hour requirement for Independent licensure. A minimum of 3,000 hours must be completed within two years. These work hours must include a minimum of 150 hours with a training supervisor.

Designated Supervisor

To become a LISW-S, candidates must complete one year of post-licensure practice as a LISW (in Ohio or another state) and a minimum of nine hours in continuing education credits. Continuing education credits must focus specifically on master’s level social work with an emphasis on supervisory skills. This requirement must be completed within three years, and duties must be performed face-to-face. Additionally, candidates must maintain a master’s level of coursework in social work supervision each renewal cycle. Once all requirements are met, social workers may apply for an endorsement online through the state licensing board.

Social Work License Reciprocity in Ohio

Generally, Ohio is welcoming of social workers that have been licensed or have practiced from out of state. The process begins by determining the applicant’s level of social work. Then, the applicant must pay the application fee and complete the process to acquire the state licensing board's endorsement. The candidate must also forward any transcripts and ASWB exam scores to avoid retaking exams.

Applicants can complete the BCI and FBI background check at any point before or after they arrive in the state. An email informs candidates of where and how to log on to the online portal and to check on any missing documents. Students may need to contact their previous state for supervisory records as requested. Applicants should be prepared with this documentation to expedite the review and approval process.

Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education Information

Ohio’s license renewal requirements must be met within a two-year period. Requirements include a minimum of 30 hours of continuing education, where at least three of the 30 hours must be focused on ethics. Ohio recognizes some training conducted by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), its Ohio Chapter, and training from the ASWB. Because requirements vary based on the type of license being renewed, candidates should look to the Ohio licensing board to determine eligibility requirements, and upload continuing education credits in advance to avoid an audit that may extend the renewal process. Additionally, there are fees associated with license renewal, and fee amounts vary based on the level of the license being renewed.

Renewal is conducted online through the state portal, and notices are sent to licensees 90, 60 and 30 days before expiration.