The Master of Social Work (M.S.W) program prepares students for clinical or administrative practice with a rural focus. A minimum of six quarters--90 credit hours--is required, including five quarters of fieldwork internship (one 160-hour quarter and four 200-hour quarters), except for Advanced Standing students, who must have a bachelor's degree in Social Work and meet other criteria. Advanced Standing students complete 45 credits over four quarter, with three quarters in field internship. The program admits students only in the fall quarter.

When applying, students are expected to have completed or nearly completed a bachelor's degree with course work in quantitative analysis, human biology, the humanities, and the social sciences, with course work in one social science area beyond the introductory level. Students must also submit an official transcript, scores on the general portion of the Graduate Record Examination, three references, and an essay. The form for the essay and most recent admissions criteria can be obtained from the Department of Social Work or its website: https://www-as.phy.ohiou.edu/Departments/SocWrk/grad.html