The final deadline for the January 2024 cohort is November 17, 2023.
Earn Your Master’s in Social Work Online from Case Western Reserve University
Join Our Community of Change Agents
The Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences at Case Western Reserve University is the No. 9 graduate school of social work in the U.S.1
Our Online Master of Social Work
The Online Master of Social Work (MSW) at CWRU prepares students like you—compassionate, diverse individuals ready to make a difference at the local, state and federal levels—to become the social work leaders the future needs.
Our Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)-accredited curriculum offers three paths of study: Children, Youth and Families; Community Practice for Social Change; and Mental Health with Adults. In addition, there is a graduate certificate option available for Trauma-Informed Practice.
MSW: Our Legacy
Created in 1915 as the very first professional degree program in social work at a university in the United States, our master’s program continues to set the standard for graduate social work education.
Through our program, you will graduate with an MSW from Case Western Reserve University, which ranks among the top-50 national universities by U.S. News & World Report.2
Social Work Leadership Starts Here
We are driven by our commitment to act. Just as our founders envisioned more than a century ago, we combine rigor, research, theory and hands-on practice to prepare our students to tackle the complex challenges around them—and lead lasting change in their communities.
The Learning Experience
Our innovative online program brings together individuals across all backgrounds and disciplines who share a passion for social change. As a student you will:
- Attend weekly classes held on Zoom, a state-of-the-art virtual classroom with HD video and tools for seamless collaboration. No campus visits are required.
- Apply academic learning immediately in real-world scenarios through your field education component.
- Access course materials and previously recorded content on the full-service mobile app, available on or offline.
- Receive dedicated support from our technical and academic support specialists, who are available to assist you from admission through graduation.
“Teaching in the Mandel School’s online program lets me connect with students all over the country and bring our top-ranking education to them, wherever they are.”
– Kathy Farkas, Associate Professor
The Mandel School
The Mandel School was founded in 1915, a time when social work was not yet considered a profession. Though much has changed since then, we remain committed to advancing leadership in social work and nonprofit education to build a better world.
Our Guiding Principles
At the Mandel School, we prepare social work leaders to:
- Empower the vulnerable and oppressed.
- Improve the well-being of our society.
- Advocate for those who cannot advocate for themselves.
- Enhance the capacity of individuals to address their own needs.
Our Programs
The Mandel School offers its MSW program online, on campus and through a weekend intensive option. In addition to our three MSW formats, various certificates and dual-degree options, we also offer a Master of Nonprofit Organizations (MNO) program and a PhD in Social Welfare program on campus.
Our Alumni
We know social work is a calling, not just a job. Our 8,300+ alumni—spanning all 50 states and 41 countries—enact change in their communities and organizations, as well as help shape important government policy. They can be found using what they learned at the Mandel School to make a lasting impact across industries that range from schools and hospitals to financial companies and professional sports teams.
Build a Better Future with an MSW
1 U.S. News and World Report, Case Western Reserve University’s Graduate School Rankings, ranked in 2022arrow_upwardReturn to footnote reference
2 U.S. News and World Report, Best National University Rankings, ranked in 2022arrow_upwardReturn to footnote reference