The name “Ohio” originates from an Iroquois word that means “great river” or “large creek.” The name suits the state because Lake Erie is located in the north and the 981-mile-long Ohio River borders the southern part of the state. Ohio is the seventh most populous and tenth most densely populated state in the union (1).
Ohio is a state with acres of farmland and multiple thriving urban centers. The rolling hills of Southern Ohio are mostly rural and known for their extensive caves and rock formations, but the major cities – Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland – are bustling with cultural, educational and industrial opportunity. It is often referred to as the heart of America, both for the location and the shape of the state.
Social Workers With a Heart for Helping the Underserved
While Ohio is known for its peaceful farms and vibrants cities, it also has a higher-than-average percentage of the population diagnosed with mental illness (19.64 percent, compared to a national average of 18.19 percent) (2). It has 471 mental health and substance abuse service facilities in the state; only four other states have more facilities than Ohio does, which translates to more job openings than is typical (3). The number of admissions to substance abuse programs in the state has increased over the past decade, from 59,819 in 2001 (peaking at 113,414 in 2009) to 64,780 in 2011 (4).
The state also has a larger-than-average percentage of the population aged 65 and older (14.8 percent compared to 13.7 percent) (5). If you are interested in gerontology or working with the aging population, you will find opportunities throughout the state.
Healthcare needs are a focus in the state. As of June 2014, Ohio ranks 40th in the state when it comes to overall health (6). As of June 2014, the state of Ohio has 353 areas that are labeled Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs). These are communities that are understaffed with dentists, primary care doctors, nurses, mental health professionals and/or social workers. Ohio is in the top fifteen states in need of healthcare professionals, including social workers, if ranked by the number of HPSAs in the state (7).
Studying to Become a Social Worker
Thinking about studying to become a social worker in state? Case Western Reserve University’s Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences has been ranked number nine in the nation for graduate social work programs (according to the 2014 US News & World Report school rankings). Ohio State University’s College of Social Work is ranked number 26 in the nation, and Ohio University’s Department of Social Sciences is ranked number 89 (8).
While the state of Ohio does not have an ongoing state loan forgiveness program, the National Health Service Corps loan forgiveness program (NHSC) rewards graduates who choose to work in “Health Professional Shortage Areas” (HPSAs) with loan forgiveness of up to $20,000 per year (a maximum of $40,000 total).
You will also want to check out the Ohio Department of Health’s Primary Care and Rural Health programs. The state of Ohio has, at times, provided financial incentives to social workers willing to work in rural, underserved areas. You can find information about the latest programs here.
Finding Employment Opportunities
A large portion of the social workers employed in the state of Ohio work as child, family or school social workers (9,880 of the 23,520 social workers employed in the state). They make a median salary of $39,600 per year. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics predicts that job opportunities will continue to increase at a rate of 13 percent between now and 2020 (9).
Healthcare social workers typically make more money than child, family or school social workers, making a median salary of $49,000. About 6,490 people are currently employed as healthcare social workers in Ohio, but job growth is expected at a rate of 28 percent per year, making this an attractive option for many social workers (10).
If you are interested in working as a mental health or substance abuse social worker, job growth is anticipated at a rate of 24 percent. Approximately 6,490 social workers are currently employed in the state in this capacity, at a median salary of $36,100 (11).
Licensure and Professional Development Resources
- Ohio Soacial Work License
- National Association of Social Workers, Ohio Chapter
- Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board
- Northern Ohio Clinical Social Work Society
- Ohio School Social Work Association
Universities with Master’s in Social Work Degrees in Ohio
- Case Western Reserve University (MSW Programs)
- Cleveland State University (MSW Program)
- Ohio State University-Lima Campus (MSW Program)
- Ohio State University-Main Campus (MSW Program)
- Ohio State University-Mansfield Campus (MSW Program)
- Ohio State University-Newark Campus (MSW Program)
- Ohio University-Main Campus (MSW Program)
- University of Akron Main Campus (MSW Program)
- University of Cincinnati-Main Campus (MSW Program)
- University of Toledo (MSW)
- Youngstown State University (MSW)
Sources Cited
- State and County QuickFacts, 2014. United States Census Bureau. http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/39000.html
- State Estimates of Adult Mental Illness, 2012. National Surveys on Drug Use and Health. http://www.samhsa.gov/data/2k14/NSDUH170/sr170-mental-illness-state-estimates-2014.htm
- National Mental Health Services Survey, 2010. Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration. http://www.samhsa.gov/data/DASIS/NMHSS2010_Web.pdf
- State Admissions to Substance Abuse Treatment Services, 2001 – 2011. Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration. http://www.samhsa.gov/data/DASIS/TEDS2011St_Web.pdf
- State and County QuickFacts, 2014. United States Census Bureau. http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/39000.html
- Tracking Our Nation’s Health, 2014. America’s Health Rankings. http://www.americashealthrankings.org/
- Health Resources and Services Administration Data Warehouse – Shortage Areas, 2014. US Department of Health and Human Resources. http://datawarehouse.hrsa.gov/Topics/ShortageAreas.aspx
- Graduate School Search & Social Work Programs, 2014. US News and World Report. http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/search?spp=10&program=top-social-work-schools&name=&zip=ohio&program_rank=Any&sort=&sortdir=
- America’s Career InfoNet – Career Profile, 2014. Career One Stop. http://www.careerinfonet.org/occ_rep.asp?optstatus=011000000&soccode=211021&id=1&nodeid=2&stfips=39&search=Go
- America’s Career InfoNet – Career Profile, 2014. Career One Stop. http://www.careerinfonet.org/occ_rep.asp?optstatus=011000000&soccode=211022&id=1&nodeid=2&stfips=39&search=Go
- America’s Career InfoNet – Career Profile, 2014. Career One Stop. http://www.careerinfonet.org/occ_rep.asp?optstatus=011000000&soccode=211023&id=1&nodeid=2&stfips=39&search=Go
