REQUEST AND RECOMMENDATION

CLEVELAND STATE UNIVERSITY Master of Social Work

Request: State University requests approval to independently offer the Master of Social Work degree.

Background: Cleveland State University is a located in Cleveland, . Established in 1964, the university serves over 12,000 undergraduate students and over 5,000 graduate/professional students. Cleveland State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) until its next review in 2021.

Since 1995, Cleveland State University the University of Akron and have jointly delivered a Master of Social Work program. In 2014, the two schools made the decision to dissolve the agreement and offer independent programs.

Curriculum and Enrollment: The Master of Social Work consists of semester hour traditional program and a 30 semester hour advanced standing program. The traditional program can be completed in four semesters and the advanced standing program can be completed in two semesters. The curriculum is consistent with Council of Social Work accreditation (CSWE) requirements and the university will submit a self-study to CSWE in spring 2018.

The joint program currently has an enrollment of 218 students. Moving forward, Cleveland State projects 215 full-time equivalent (FTE) students in the independent program by the beginning of the fourth year.

Faculty and Resources: Cleveland State University has adequate faculty and staff in place to support the Master of Social Work program. Additional faculty and staff will be hired as needed due to enrollment growth.

Recommendation: After review of the proposal, the Chancellor’s Council on Graduate Studies determined that the Master of Social Work meets the Chancellor’s standards for graduate degree programs and unanimously voted to recommend approval. Approval will be withdrawn if, in the Chancellor’s judgement, the university fails to continue to meet the Chancellor’s standards for graduate degree programs or is sanctioned by HLC.

25 South Front Street phone 614.466.6000 Columbus, Ohio 43215 fax 614.466.5866 web www.OhioHigherEd.org