The program will launch in Fall 2026.
CINCINNATI — Mount St. Joseph University (the Mount) announced that its new Master of Social Work (MSW) program has been granted pre-candidacy status by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), marking the first official step toward full accreditation.
CSWE pre-candidacy status is a significant milestone in the multi-year accreditation process and provides assurance that the program is progressing toward initial accreditation under national standards for social work education. Candidacy is typically a three-year process toward initial accreditation.
“This is an important moment for the Mount and for the future social work professionals who will be trained here,” said Lisa Clifton, MSW, JD, program director and associate professor. “Pre-candidacy status reflects the strength of the program’s design and our commitment to preparing graduates to serve communities with competence and compassion.”
The MSW program will launch in Fall 2026 and is designed to meet the needs of working professionals and non-traditional students through a hybrid format. Courses will be offered with on-campus instruction every other week, along with online coursework each term.
Students will complete graduate preparation in two areas of specialized practice; advanced generalist practice, focused on advocacy, community-based work and leadership across systems, and clinical practice, focused on behavioral health and counseling to address regional workforce shortages in mental health services. The program also includes required field education placements to provide hands-on professional experience.
Darla Vale, Dean of Health Sciences, said, “the MSW program was developed in response to strong demand from students and community partners, particularly as the need for licensed mental health and social service professionals continues to grow across the region.”
An MSW degree is required for graduates seeking licensure as a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW).
Applications are now open for Fall 2026 admission, learn more at www.msj.edu/msw.
About the Mount
As a Catholic institution rooted in the values of the Sisters of Charity, Mount St. Joseph University excels at serving the common good. Undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students at the Mount are inspired to think beyond the classroom and redraw the bounds of what’s possible for their futures. This is accomplished through individualized educational experiences, a safe, secure campus environment, and an all-in commitment from faculty and staff to inspire students to reach their highest potential. The Mount fosters life-long learners who serve, care, and contribute to the world beyond their front doors.