Master of Social Work at Cleveland State University

Cleveland State University's Master of Social Work program provides a rigorous intellectual base, an opportunity for specialized skill development, and an educational perspective that views human diversity as desirable and enriching to society. Students are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and values that prepare them to support at-risk or vulnerable populations.  

This program uniquely couples the conceptual base of professional social work, the broad-based research strategies of the field, and the various social work roles and intervention strategies. Receive hands-on field experience and work toward becoming a licensed clinical social worker. Student graduate from this program ready to engage entire communities in one of the nation's fastest growing occupations.

Admission Requirements

• Application Form

• Application Fee
• Undergraduate Transcripts
  • Minimum 3.0 Undergraduate GPA with minimum 3.0 GPA in English courses
• Three Letters of Recommendation
  • At a minimum, two of the references must be the student's professor, field supervisor, work supervisor, or academic advisor.
• Writing Sample
  • An essay of three to five typed pages (1.5 spacing) explaining: a. Why the student wants to be a social worker; b. Why a graduate degree is felt to be necessary to fulfill the applicant's personal or professional objectives; c. The applicant's views regarding diversity in society;  d. A situation in which the student was the recipient/provider of help, emotionally, socially, or economically; and e. A description of the applicant's previous social work/human service work experience.

-International students are required to have met at least one of the following English language proficiency requirements:

• TOEFL iBT (Internet-Based): 78 (including at least 20 in reading, 21 in listening, 17 in writing, and 20 in speaking)
• TOEFL PBT (Paper-Based): 550
• IELTS: 6.0 and at least 5.0 in each section
• PTE (Pearson’s Test of English): 50
• iTEP: 5.0

Admission Deadlines

All applications must be submitted and complete on the following application deadline dates:

• Domestic Students
  • Rolling
• International Students
  • Fall Semester – February 28th

Career Outcomes

• Social workers work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, private practices, community development companies, settlement houses, mental health clinics, schools, and child welfare programs. 

• These are some of the local companies that are hiring CSU grads: University Hospitals, Care Source, Cleveland Clinic, Legacy Health Services, Eliza Bryant Village, and St. Vincent Charity Medical Center.