Social Work at Mount St. Joseph University

Social workers are a diverse group of professionals who share a commitment to helping enhance the well-being of people, communities, and society. They have a rich history of striving for social, economic, and environmental justice, advocating for human rights, competently providing services for clients at every stage of life, and engaging in lifelong learning. Faculty in the Department of Social Work maintain active ties to community agencies that address a variety of issues including health, aging, substance abuse, and mental health services. Ask our Social Work faculty how you can qualify for an accelerated (one year) Master of Social Work degree!

Climb Higher Series | Sociology, Social Work, and Behavioral Science: Hear directly from our faculty about course offerings, program-specific details, and co-op opportunities.

75% LSW Licensure Pass Rate (Higher than the State of Ohio and National Average for 2023)
34 Years The MSJ Social Work Program has been Accredited Since 1991 by the CSWE
100% Master of Social Work Graduate School Acceptance Rate

“We are thrilled to announce the transition of the Social Work program to the School of Health Sciences. This move presents exciting opportunities for the growth and development of our BSW program, including the ability and support to create a Master of Social Work (MSW) program By aligning with the School of Health Sciences, we will strengthen our connections to a wider network of healthcare providers, enhancing our students' learning experiences and expanding their professional opportunities. Additionally, this integration will provide invaluable support for our ongoing accreditation services, ensuring the continued excellence of our Social Work program. We look forward to the new possibilities this transition will bring!”

-Jennifer Withrow, Ed. D., MSW

Program and Career Outcomes

  Student Clubs

Phi Alpha:

Social work students are encouraged to join Phi Alpha Honor Society, a national social work honor society that connects social work students, faculty, and practitioners. Phi Alpha promotes humanitarian goals and ideas, fosters high educational standards for social workers, and encourages membership from those who pursue excellence in scholarship and achievement within social work.

For more information on Phi Alpha, click here.

 

Social Work Club:

Social Work Club provides a closer bond and connection among Mount students, promotes humanitarian goals and ideals on campus and in the community, and develops the talents of students in service to and for the greater good of the campus and surrounding community.

  Pathways to Graduate School
An accelerated Master of Social Work (MSW) program allows students to complete their graduate education in a shorter timeframe (one year), making it the ideal pathway for those pursuing a career in clinical counseling. Additionally, our BSW students boast a 100% acceptance rate into MSW programs, reflecting the strength of our undergraduate preparation and their readiness for advanced social work education.
  Career Potential
What can you do with a BSW?

Take your Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work and enroll in an advanced-standing, one-year Master of Social Work program or become a/an:

  • Aging services social worker
  • Child and youth service case manager
  • Counselor/therapist
  • Group Facilitator
  • Mental health care coordinator
  • Substance abuse counselor

Graduates from our BSW program have accepted offers of employment from the following institutions following graduation:

Talbert House

St. Vincent DePaul

Cabinet of Health and Family Services

Santa Maria

 

Alumni Profile:

Mark, a 2016 social work graduate, works at Ohio Valley Goodwill industries in the Supportive Services for Veterans Families (SSVF) program. As a veteran himself who returned to college to complete his undergraduate degree, Mark was interested in working with fellow veterans. He completed his social work field placement at Goodwill and was hired upon graduation. As a licensed social worker (LSW), Mark works as a case manager to help veterans and their families locate safe and affordable housing while assisting the veteran with job development and placement. 

MSJ's Department of Social Work received funds from the state of Ohio for a "Great Minds Fellowship"

 

The fellowship provides up to a $10,000 scholarship opportunity for addiction studies minors or social work majors. Full-time and part-time students are eligible.

Thoughts from Social Work Students and Alumni

“ Since I graduated, I have attended NKU's Master of Social Work program. I will be pursuing a career with a private practice once my licensure exam is completed. My time at the Mount allowed me to ease back into school after being out for some time. I was able to take small classes and really focus on the things I needed to learn before moving forward into the career field. I love the social work field because there are so many avenues that can be pursued. I did my first field placement at Hamilton County job and family services but also learned about jobs in the medical field, substance use and addictions, working with at risk youth and now working with the veteran and first responder populations. You can find jobs with nonprofits or for profit organizations. There are so many opportunities to make positive change in our communities as social workers and that is my favorite part about this field. Michaela Terry '20
“ I have loved all of my social work classes, but my interview and assessments course has been my favorite because I learned so many skills that are useful in communicating with clients to provide the help they need, whether it be counseling. It has also opened my eyes to how important it is for social workers to be culturally competent. This is very important because growing up; I have interacted with professionals in many different careers that weren’t able to understand the struggles I faced as a minority. Seeing cultural competency embedded into social work courses made me very happy. Aluma Aguilar '21
“ My favorite memory from a social work class was when we attended Advocacy Day at the Capitol. Being provided the opportunity to speak with local legislators about our profession and laws that impact the community was priceless. India Williams '22
Launch Classroom Building

ADVISORY BOARD

MARY E. REID JD, MSW, LISW

Social Services Director Society of St. Vincent de Paul – Cincinnati District Council

ANGELA KNIGHTEN

MSW, LSW Hamilton County ESC Early Learning Program

DARLENE GUESS

MSOL, MSW, LSW Director of Support Services - Tender Mercies

MEREDITH RAMLER

EdD, MSW, LISW, M.S. Health Education Assistant Professor - Gateway Community and Technical College

Featured News

johanna richardson The Mount Welcomes Johanna Richardson, MSW, to the Department of Social Work and the Wellness Center! December 20, 2024

INSTAGRAM NEWS

RECENT NEWS

News and Updates

Stay up to date with the most recent social work program news and events; visit the Department Social Work page. 

Like what you see? Learn more by coming to visit us.

Visit our financial aid page to learn your options for scholarships, grants, and loans.

Additional Resources

  Undergraduate Tuition
Undergraduate Tuition
  Program Requirements
Program Requirements
  Curriculum Guide

Social Work Curriculum Guide

*Subject to change

  Accreditation Reports

The program is accredited by the National Council on Social Work Education. Graduates are prepared for entry-level professional positions, sitting for the Licensed Social Work (LSW) exam, and admission to graduate degree programs in social work and related fields. Many universities now offer advanced placement, waiving a number of graduate-level social work courses, for students who graduate from an accredited program.

2023-2024 Social Work Student Assessment Outcomes

2022-2023 Social Work Student Assessment Outcomes

2020-2021 Social Work Student Assessment Outcomes

2016-2017 Social Work Student Assessment Outcomes

2015-2016 Social Work Student Assessment Outcomes

Students are assessed on their mastery of the competencies that comprise the accreditation standards of the Council of Social Work Education

  Student Handbooks

Social Work Program Manual 2024-2025

Social Work Field Manual 2021-20221

  Fact Card
Social Work - Fact Card