Master of Social Work at University of Akron
The University of Akron’s School of Social Work and Family Sciences shines as a top institution that helps advance careers in social services. Built on courage, compassion, and competence, this institution prepares students to tackle complex societal challenges through professional social work practice.
Students looking for a master’s in social work in Ohio will find unique benefits at the University of Akron. The school gives students practical training and hands-on skills. These skills help create meaningful societal change and improve vulnerable populations’ lives in the interests of social justice. The program’s excellence shows in its results—the school has one of the highest licensure exam pass rates in Ohio and exceptional graduate employment rates.
Expert professionals with practice experience of all types make up the University of Akron’s social work faculty. These professionals teach and mentor students throughout their educational experience with current research and methods. Their field leadership gives students instruction that combines theory and ground applications.
On top of that, the school gives students great hands-on experience through agency-based internships. Students can use classroom concepts in ground settings to build professional skills and connections before graduation. Regional field placements line up with student learning and professional growth.
The University of Akron offers the most economical path to an online Master of Social Work degree in Northeast Ohio. Quality social work education stays available without losing excellence.
Students can shape their education to match their professional goals with a flexible curriculum. The program lets students focus on specific areas like leadership, medical settings, mental health, substance abuse treatment, or child, youth and family services. This personalization helps students’ education match their career goals.
Looking at social work programs in Ohio, the University of Akron’s MSW program holds full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). This accreditation is vital to get licensure and professional recognition in the field.
Programs offered
The University of Akron offers a wide range of social work programs that meet different educational needs and career goals. The Master of Social Work (MSW) program will give you the specialized training and practical skills you need to change society and support vulnerable populations.
The program’s core is its flexibility. You can pick between full-time or part-time study based on your personal and work commitments. The program features both 100% online asynchronous classes and traditional on-campus formats, making it accessible whatever your location or schedule.
This masters in social work program stands out with its Advanced Standing option—an accelerated track completed in just 11 months. Students who have a Bachelor of Science in Social Work degree and meet specific requirements can take advantage of this option. The competitive program requires:
- A CSWE-accredited BSW earned within the last five years
- A minimum overall GPA of 3.2 and a social work course GPA of 3.5
- Superior performance in field practicum
- Completed degree (for those graduating in May, acceptance depends on final transcript)
The MSW curriculum centers on two main concentrations:
- Micro Practice: Focuses on direct clinical work with individuals and families
- Macro Practice: Emphasizes administrative leadership and systems-level change
Students can tailor their education through specialized focus areas including leadership, medical social work, mental health, substance abuse treatment, and child/youth/family services. This customization helps your education line up with your career goals.
You can earn additional certifications, including a certificate in cognitive behavioral therapy and coursework that prepares you to get your Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor (LICDC) credential. These extra credentials substantially improve your job prospects in specialized areas.
This University of Akron social work program’s agency-based internships are a great way to get hands-on experience. These regional field placements serve as vital learning environments where theory becomes practical skill.
Standard MSW students complete the program in 22 months, with part-time options available for those needing more flexibility. The University of Akron’s social work programs Ohio don’t require GRE scores for admission.
About the online program
The online Master of Social Work at the University of Akron social work program helps working professionals advance their careers. Students get the same quality education as the traditional format. The digital learning environment uses a similar modern curriculum and expert faculty as the in-person program.
This program stands out among other master’s in social work options in Ohio because of its flexibility and accessibility. You can complete your coursework at your own pace with 100% asynchronous online classes that don’t have fixed meeting times. This setup lets you balance your work life with your studies while you earn your degree. Traditional students can finish the program in 22 months, and part-time options give you extra flexibility if needed.
Students with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work can qualify for the Advanced Standing program and complete their studies in just 11 months. This quick path gives experienced social workers a faster route to advance their careers.
The program offers the most affordable pathway to an online Master of Social Work degree in Northeast Ohio. Students pay $463.50 per credit hour. The full program needs 60 total credit hours, while the Advanced Standing track requires 36 credit hours.
The program includes agency-based internships that give students hands-on training. These field placements let you use your classroom knowledge in real-life settings and build significant professional connections before you graduate.
You can personalize your curriculum based on your career goals. The program lets you focus on specific areas like leadership, medical settings, mental health, substance abuse treatment, or child, youth and family services. This customization will give a clear path to your chosen career.
The program offers extra professional development opportunities. Students can earn a certificate in cognitive behavioral therapy and take courses to prepare for Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor (LICDC) certification.
Like all social work programs Ohio at the University of Akron, the online MSW has full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). This accreditation means your degree meets professional standards that are vital for licensure and career growth.
Fieldwork
The University of Akron social work program designers know that classroom knowledge alone isn’t enough to succeed in social work. Students who choose this program get a complete approach that blends theory with hands-on practice.
Field experiences are the foundations of the MSW curriculum. Students spend many supervised hours in the field turning classroom concepts into ground skills. Thanks to strategic collaborations with over 300 agencies in Ohio and nearby states, students can practice in settings that match their career goals. These placements are a great way to get hands-on experience with clients and communities while learning from experienced professionals.
The program’s results speak for themselves. The University of Akron has one of Ohio’s highest licensure exam pass rates and excellent job placement numbers for graduates. These numbers show how well the program prepares students to work in today’s complex social service world.
Students learn evidence-based methods that work in various settings. The program teaches innovative interventions backed by current research instead of outdated approaches. Graduates leave with skills that meet current practice standards and what employers want.
There’s another reason this program stands out among social work programs Ohio options – its focus on social justice and advocacy. Students learn to spot systemic inequities and create positive change at individual, community, and policy levels.
Small classes help build meaningful connections with faculty and fellow students. These relationships create a supportive learning community where students dive into deep discussions and get personal attention from instructors. Such interactions help students understand complex social work concepts better.
Students looking to earn their master’s in social work in Ohio will find exceptional value at the University of Akron. The program goes beyond affordable tuition by providing thorough preparation for licensing exams and professional practice that makes the investment worthwhile.
Accreditation
Quality assurance is the foundation of professional education, particularly for University of Akron social work students who want licensure and career growth. The School of Social Work and Family Sciences proudly holds full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). This prestigious recognition confirms the program’s adherence to strict professional standards.
Your educational trip benefits from CSWE accreditation in several ways. This credential will give a degree that meets national standards for social work education—a vital requirement for licensure eligibility in most states. The field’s employers value and recognize degrees from CSWE-accredited institutions. Your credentials become instantly recognizable in the job market.
CSWE accreditation covers all program formats, including traditional on-campus and 100% online MSW options. This complete approval means whatever learning format you choose among social work programs Ohio, you’ll receive the same high-quality, professionally recognized education.
Advanced Standing applicants should note CSWE accreditation’s most important role. The accelerated track requires your undergraduate social work degree to come from a CSWE-accredited program completed within five years. This requirement shows how much emphasis goes into maintaining consistent educational standards throughout your academic trip.
CSWE accreditation shapes the curriculum structure. Programs must show competency in specific practice areas. Your education covers skills and knowledge that today’s employers need. Regular evaluations and updates keep the master’s in social work program arranged with evolving professional needs and evidence-based practices.
The University of Akron’s steadfast dedication to CSWE accreditation shows its commitment to educational excellence and professional preparation. You can pursue your MSW confidently. Your investment guides you toward a degree accessible to more people throughout the profession. This opens doors to licensure, advanced practice opportunities, and leadership positions in a variety of social service settings.
Admission Requirements
The University of Akron social work program follows a comprehensive admission process that identifies candidates with strong academic records and natural aptitude for the field. You must submit applications to both the Graduate School and the MSW Program since both sets of requirements need to be met.
Your application package should include these important documents:
- Official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended (showing liberal arts coursework)
- A recent resume highlighting social work or human service experience
- Three professional recommendations (excluding family members and friends)
- A 3-5 page essay addressing specific questions about your motivation to pursue social work, personal experiences with helping others, and point of view on diversity
- Advanced Standing applicants must include undergraduate field evaluations
Academic standards remain rigorous in the MSW program. Students need a minimum grade point average of 3.0 in all courses before applying. Advanced Standing candidates must achieve even higher marks with a minimum overall GPA of 3.2 and at least 3.5 in social work courses.
The admission committee looks at more than just grades. They review each candidate’s intellectual maturity, emotional stability, motivation, and ability to work with people in a variety of settings. The program welcomes students who show dedication to professional growth and social justice.
Application deadlines depend on your preferred start date and program format. Students interested in the Online Intensive Format spring start should apply by October 31. Advanced Standing summer start applications are due March 31. The deadline extends to June 15 for fall start in full-time or part-time programs.
The review process begins around February 2 for fall semester and Advanced Standing applications. The application portal opens January 2 for fall and summer programs. Spring online program applications begin August 11.
Students exploring master’s in social work options should note that the University of Akron’s MSW Program aligns with quality social work programs Ohio standards. The program does not give academic credit for previous life or work experience.
Tuition
Cost plays a crucial role in choosing a master’s in social work program. The University of Akron social work offers great value through competitive tuition rates that make quality education available to students.
Students pay $463.50 per credit hour for the standard MSW program’s full 60-credit curriculum. The Advanced Standing option keeps the same per-credit rate while needing only 36 credit hours. This makes it the most affordable online MSW degree option in Northeast Ohio.
The College of Health and Human Sciences charges Ohio residents $482.75 per credit hour. Out-of-state students usually pay an extra $320.00 per credit hour. The online programs are different though – they charge just $1.00 as a non-resident surcharge per credit hour. This makes these programs affordable for students from other states.
Students need to plan for other costs too. Ohio resident graduate students should expect to pay around $13,162 for room and board, $1,200 for books and supplies, $2,400 for transportation, and $3,150 for personal expenses.
Financial aid is accessible to more people. The University of Akron gives out tens of millions in scholarships and aid each year. Merit-based awards range from hundreds of dollars to full-ride scholarships.
Additional Information
The University of Akron social work program goes way beyond basic academics to give students great opportunities for career growth. Students can access over 100 scholarships when they complete courses and field placements in specialized areas like addictions, behavioral health, and child welfare. These financial benefits make quality education more available and help students focus on high-demand practice areas.
Field education serves as the key to professional preparation. The program’s mutually beneficial alliances with healthcare institutions create valuable opportunities. Akron Children’s Hospital welcomes MSW student applications from final-year students. These placements help students build practical skills with expert guidance that leads directly to jobs after graduation.
The program’s excellent track record speaks for itself. Students get ready to meet all licensure requirements, and the University of Akron boasts one of Ohio’s highest licensure exam pass rates. These results showcase the program’s steadfast dedication to preparing students for professional practice standards.
The social work programs Ohio at University of Akron leads the pack with its flexible approach. Students can choose from day, evening, and weekend classes that fit their schedule. This setup makes earning a master’s in social work in Ohio possible while managing work and family responsibilities.
Graduates enjoy remarkable success in finding employment. The program’s strong regional reputation and deep professional networks are the foundations of this soaring win.