Major Code BA1930

Honors Tutorial College
35 Park Place
Athens, OH 45701
Phone: 740.593.2723
Fax: 740.593.9521
honors.college@ohio.edu
www.ohio.edu/honors

Solveig Spjeldnes, director of studies/contact person
spjeldne@ohio.edu

Program Overview

The Honors Tutorial College social work program prepares students to fulfill their potential to positively impact society including the lives of vulnerable people. This Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited program offers high achieving and motivated students the chance to explore evidence-based clinical practices and social welfare issues and policies within an interdisciplinary framework.

Students complete a minimum of five tutorials between the second semester of the freshman year and the senior year. Under the tutelage of an appropriate professor, students take tutorials to enrich early required courses and allow students to focus on their academic interests. Then, starting no later than the sophomore year, the student will begin tutorials that lead to a completed thesis under the guidance of professors who have expertise in the student’s chosen research area. The director of studies will supervise the process and ensure that the student progresses to completion of a quality thesis that meets departmental and College standards. Recent thesis topics investigated by our students include: strategies for addressing rural food insecurity, an assessment of child well-being in orphanages in India, and outcomes for children who are raised by lesbian parents.

Students complete a 4-year program resulting in either a degree of Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (B.A.S.W.) or a Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) from the Honors Tutorial College. The difference between these two degrees is only that the B.A.S.W. graduate will have fulfilled a language requirement. Withe either degree, graduates may apply to Master of Science in Social Work (M.S.W.) programs with an advanced standing status, which allows them to finish the degree in a minimum of one additional year. The B.A.S.W. or B.S.W. degree qualifies students to take Ohio’s L.S.W. licensure exam; then the M.S.W. degree qualifies students to take the L.I.S.W. licensure exam. Students are eligible to take similar licensing exams in other states. These licenses are vital keys for career opportunities in the profession.

The program provides students with:

1. a core of social work practice knowlege and skills through a series of courses and tutorials;
2. the requisite skills to critically analyze social problems from a theoretical perspective;
3. the opportunity to apply theory to practice in social service internships; and
4. guidance through the process of conducting a research study on a topic of their choice that will lead to the completion of a thesis.

Admissions Information

Freshman/First-Year Admission

Students are selected by the director of studies of the social work program and the Honors Tutorial College on the basis of superior ability, initiative, and sustained motivation. In most cases, admission to the program requires a 30 composite score on the ACT (1300 combined on the SAT), as well as high school class standing in the top 10%. Supplemental requirements for application include two academic letters of reference and a writing sample that explains the applicant’s goals and interest in social work. Prioritiy deadline for application is December 1st; admission interviews are held in January.

Change of Program Policy

First-year students at Ohio University may apply to transfer into the social work program and the Honors Tutorial College. These students must meet the same entrance requirements as entering freshmen. The priority priority deadline for application is December 1st. Depending on program capacity, second-year students may be considered for transfer as well.

External Transfer Admission

First-year students at another institution may also apply to transfer into the social work program and the Honors Tutorial College. These students must meet the same entrance requirements as entering freshmen. The deadline for application is December 1st, and admission interviews are held in January. Depending on program capacity, second-year students may be considered for transfer as well.

Opportunities Upon Graduation

A bachelors degree in social work with the L.S.W. licensure prepares graduates to pursue advanced degrees and a wide range of career opportunities. Most of our students continue to graduate school to earn the Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) degree and gain the L.I.S.W. licensure. Recent Ohio University graduates have been accepted to top ranked Schools of Social Work such as George Warren Brown School of Social Work at Washington University, Tulane University, and the University of Pittsburgh.

Because social work skills are valuable in multiple settings and the discipline is inherently an interdisciplinary field, graduates have a wide range of career options. For a full explanation of career directions and experiences of social workers and current opportunites, see http://helpstartshere.org/

Requirements