The CSU College of Law currently has more than 40 externship placement locations, including government agencies at the federal, state and local levels, judicial chambers, nonprofit and public interest organizations and corporations.

Yes. CSU College of Law has a long tradition of providing externship opportunities for our law students. For more than two decades, we have placed students with some of the leading government, judicial, corporate counsel and nonprofit legal offices in the region. These placements provide you with a unique opportunity to improve your writing, research and oral communication skills, to appreciate the significant ethical issues facing the profession and to integrate what you learn in the classroom with the actual practice of law.

The CSU College of Law encourages students to pursue externships that relate closely to their professional goals. Frequently, this can be achieved through placement in an existing externship. From time to time, however, students seek a more particularized experience. We support our students in their exploration of alternative placements by permitting them to select independent externship placements, subject to faculty review and approval.

No. Externships at private law firms are not permitted.

No. The cost to help you find and secure an externship is built into the cost of the program.

Under the close supervision of experienced attorneys, you will put what you learn in the classroom to work in the service of real clients with real legal problems. Whether or not you intend to practice public interest law, the clinics allow you to participate in a case from intake to resolution with full mentoring by clinic professors.

The CSU College of Law is accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA). Cleveland State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), the largest regional accreditor in the U.S. 

ABA: 321 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654, 312-988-5000

Students participate in clinics after completing the required coursework, usually in the third or fourth year of the part-time program. Some clinics are available in the evenings or on weekends and can be completed through remote participation.

The Online J.D. program costs $1,155.45* per credit hour for in-state students ($103,990.50 total* + fees) and $1,156.45* for out-of-state students ($104,080.50 total* + fees). Financial aid may be available to our online students. 

*Tuition rates as of 07/01/2023. Rates are subject to change. Visit csuohio.edu/bursar/tuition-and-fees for current rates.

You can choose from six clinics as well as pro bono work and Pop-Up Practicums.

• Appellate Practice Clinic
• Civil Litigation Clinic
• Community Advocacy Clinic
• Pardon, Clemency and Expungement Clinic
• Pretrial Justice Clinic
• Transactional Law Clinic

The Online J.D. can be completed part-time in as little as 3 years and 3 months (10 semesters).

Pop-Up Practicums are short-term practical legal work in an area that’s meaningful to you. Sometimes faculty initiate these practicums in areas of their research, but you may also propose practicums in other areas. Recent pop-up practicums have involved bail reform, civilian oversight of police, criminal rules amendments, mental health courts, domestic violence policy reform, regulatory compliance for a proposed wind farm, and assisting a client seeking release on parole.

Cleveland State University intakes its Online J.D. students each year in the Fall.

• Bachelor’s degree
• Final transcript showing degree conferral to the Law School Admissions Council’s Credential Assembly Service (LCAS)
• LSAT or GRE score 
• Personal statement
• 2 letters of recommendation
• Resume

This program requires 90 credit hours of online coursework (synchronous and asynchronous) as well as practical, experiential learning hours to graduate.

You can find more information on our application page.

The coursework is delivered 100% online, both synchronously and asynchronously. You are also required to complete practical, experiential learning hours via externships, clinics and on-campus residencies to practice what you learn in theory in the virtual classroom.

All attorneys are lawyers, but not all lawyers are attorneys. Attorneys who have passed the bar exam can act as legal representatives for their clients in a court of law. Lawyers have been educated in the law but have not taken the bar exam. They can provide legal advice and consult on the law, but they cannot represent clients in court.

Yes. Our faculty come from distinguished academic and professional backgrounds. As scholars, they represent many points of view, publish widely and are held in esteem nationally and internationally for the quality of their scholarship and as expert commentators. We have faculty at the forefront of emerging and rapidly growing legal disciplines and in areas of practical scholarship that continually advance the legal profession.

Students from a number of states are welcome to apply to CSU College of Law’s Online J.D. program. Please see our State Authorization page for more detailed information.

CSU College of Law’s externship program provides real-world experiential learning. Under the close supervision of an attorney or judge and with a faculty mentor, you will contribute to the ongoing work of a specific externship site. Externships give you the chance to learn the law by being an active participant in the legal process while earning academic credit.

The Master of Science in Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Education* (CCNE). Cleveland State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), the largest regional accreditor in the U.S. 

*The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master's degree program, and doctors degree program in nursing at Cleveland State University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.

The online MSN program costs $602.20* per credit hour for in-state students and $603.20* per credit hour for out-of-state students. Total program costs are as follows: 

• MSN Clinical Nurse Leader: $19,270.40 total* + fees (in-state) and $19,302.40 total* + fees (out-of-state)
• MSN in Forensic Nursing: $22,883.60 total* + fees (in-state) and $22,921.60 total* + fees (out-of-state)
• MSN in Nursing Education: $22,883.60 total* + fees (in-state) and $22,921.60 total* + fees (out-of-state)
• MSN in Specialized Populations: $21,077.00 total* + fees (in-state) and $21,112.000 total* + fees (out-of-state)

Financial aid may be available to our online students. 

*Tuition rates as of 07/01/2023. Rates are subject to change. Visit csuohio.edu/bursar/tuition-and-fees for current rates.

The MSN Clinical Nurse Leader program can be completed part-time in 1 year and 7 months (5 semesters). The MSN in Forensic Nursing, Nursing Education and Specialized Populations can be completed part-time in 2 years (6 semesters).

Cleveland State University intakes its online MSN students once a year in the Fall.

All four MSN tracks require online didactic coursework and practicum hours to graduate. The specifics of each program are as follows:

• MSN Clinical Nurse Leader: 32 credit hours and 500 practicum hours
• MSN in Forensic Nursing: 38 credit hours and 500 practicum hours
• MSN in Nursing Education: 38 credit hours and 500 practicum hours
• MSN in Specialized Populations: 35 credit hours and 500 practicum hours

The didactic coursework is delivered 100% online asynchronously. You are also required to complete 500 practicum hours of experiential learning to practice what you learn in theory in the virtual classroom.

Yes. Our faculty members are dedicated, caring and experienced professionals who want you to succeed. Our faculty are full-time professors and/or Certified Nurse Educators. Classes are small you can quickly get the feedback you need.

Students from a number of states are welcome to apply to Cleveland State University’s online MSN program. Please see our State Authorization page for more detailed information.

• BSN
• 3.0 GPA 
• Undergraduate statistics course (C or better)
• Essay
• 2 letters of recommendation
• Resume
• Active RN license
• Transcripts from all institutions attended

You can find more information on our application page.

The online MSW program costs $602.20* per credit hour for in-state students and $603.20* for out-of-state students. Total program costs are as follows: 

• MSW Advanced Standing: $18,066.00 total* + fees (in-state) and $18,096.00 total* + fees (out-of-state)
• MSW Traditional Track: $36,132.00 total* + fees (in-state) and $36,192.00 total* + fees (out-of-state)

Financial aid may be available to our online students. 

*Tuition rates as of 07/01/2023. Rates are subject to change. Visit csuohio.edu/bursar/tuition-and-fees for current rates.

Completing the field placement intake form initiates the field placement search process. Upon completion of the form, you will be required to complete all field clearance requirements (by the University and agency) prior to the start of your first field experience. Most agencies have additional requirements for the University and/or interviews that students must complete prior to starting field hours. As active participants in the placement process and to help focus the placement team’s search, students are encouraged to provide any local sites where they would prefer to complete their field hours.

The MSW Advanced Standing program can be completed part-time in 1 year and 3 months to 1 year and 7 months (4 to 5 semesters) or full-time in 7 months to 1 year and 3 months (2 to 4 semesters). The Traditional Track can be completed part-time in 1 year and 7 months to 2 years (5 to 6 semesters) or full-time in 2 years and 7 months to 3 years and 3 months (8 to 10 semesters).

Typically, students complete their field hours at: 

• Community centers/organizations 
• Human service agencies 
• Counseling and therapy centers 
• Addiction and mental health treatment facilities 
• Adoption agencies 
• Senior care facilities, such as nursing homes 
• Correctional facilities 
• Hospitals/clinics

Cleveland State University intakes its online MSW students three times per year in the Spring, Summer and Fall.

You will receive a notification from your dedicated field placement coordinator prior to each field experience start date.

The Advanced Standing MSW requires 30 credit hours of didactic coursework and 500 field practicum hours to graduate. The Traditional Track requires 60 credit hours of didactic coursework and 900 field practicum hours.

No. Due to the educational nature of the fieldwork, sites do not pay students. You are responsible for your transportation and travel expenses.

The didactic coursework is delivered asynchronously 100% online. You are also required to complete practicum hours of experiential learning in the field to practice what you learn in theory in the virtual classroom.

If you currently work in a social service setting and have a licensed social worker who supervises you, then yes. As of 2022, the Council on Social Work Accreditation now supports the use of employment hours as fieldwork hours, though there are field placement learning contracts and related follow-up required to make sure that CSWE education competencies are incorporated and part of the employment.

Whether you’re enrolled in the Traditional Track or Advanced Standing MSW, you can choose between clinical social work practice or advanced generalist practice.

Traditional Track

• Bachelor’s degree
• 2.75 GPA
• Transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate coursework 
• 2 letters of recommendation
• Essay
• No GRE required

Advanced Standing

• Bachelor of Social Work (from a CSWE-accredited program within the last 7 years)
• 3.0 cumulative GPA 
• Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate coursework 
• 2 letters of recommendation
• Essay
• Copies of BSW field evaluations 

Where can I find more information about applying to Cleveland State University? 

You can find more information on our application page.

Clinical social work focuses on the assessment, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental illness and emotional and other behavioral disturbances. Advanced generalist social work has a range of applications within organizations, initiatives, agencies, advocacy groups, community organizations, health care and more.

Students within the clinical social work specialization may earn certificates in Chemical Dependency, Gerontology, or School Social Work. Those enrolled in the Advanced Generalist specialization are eligible to earn a certificate in Gerontology.

Yes. CSU’s social work faculty are highly productive educators and researchers who have published books and numerous articles. You will gain insight and inspiration from educators at the cutting edge of social research and emerging theories of practice.

Students from a number of states are welcome to apply to Cleveland State University’s online MSW program. Please see our State Authorization page for more detailed information.

Field placement is the required experiential learning component of Cleveland State University’s online MSW program. Whether you follow the Traditional or Advanced Standing track, you will apply what you learn in the classroom to real-world situations to prepare you for your future in social work.

Your dedicated CSU field placement team collaborates with you to secure quality experiential learning sites that reflect your educational goals and desired practice specialty. They ensure all experiences meet CSWE accreditation standards and that the agencies and field instructors are approved before you start your fieldwork.

Concurrent coursework and field experiences connect theory with practice. Field placement provides hundreds of hours of real-world, hands-on social work experience. Your field placement coordinator helps identify quality placement sites within your local community so you can focus on your coursework and build your skills.

No. Support to find field placement sites in your community that align with your career goals is integrated into the program cost.

Your field placement coordinator will guide you through the entire process. They will give you a realistic idea of the field experience to ensure you are ready to work independently in a fast-paced environment.

The Master of Social Work program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education* (CSWE). Cleveland State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), the largest regional accreditor in the U.S. 

*In 2019, the Master of Social Work and Baccalaureate Social Work programs were reaffirmed for accreditation for the next eight years by the Council on Social Work Education Commission on Accreditation.
CSWE: 333 John Carlyle Street, Suite 400, Alexandria, VA 22314, 703-683-8080

No, although students are strongly encouraged to list agency referrals on the field intake form for the field placement coordinator to arrange. The MSW program is required to review and approve the agency before the start of any field work.