Social workers are champions of human rights and social justice, the voice for people who aren’t heard. A social work degree from Ohio University Lancaster will prepare you to be an advocate for people in your community and to help them reach their full potential. The undergraduate program in social work prepares you for beginning generalist social work practice, with the ability to work with individuals, groups, larger organizations, and communities from a wide variety of perspectives.
The Department of Social Work offers two undergraduate degrees in social work: a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW) and Bachelor of Social Work (BSW). The only difference between these two degrees is that the BASW requires the student to complete four semesters of a foreign language; the BSW does not require a foreign language.
Social Work Courses
You will complete coursework in human behavior and the social environment, social welfare history and policy, research, social work practice methods and field instruction. Visit the Social Work overview, BA or BSW undergraduate catalog pages to see the complete major requirements.
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Potential Careers
A bachelor's degree in social work allows the graduate to pursue employment in many different fields, including child welfare, mental health, foster care and residential treatment, adoption services and in nursing homes, schools, governmental agencies and medical facilities. Social workers at the bachelor's level may work with many different populations. With a bachelor’s degree in social work, you will be able to sit for the social work licensing exam for any state that has undergraduate licensing.
- As of May 2024, social workers earn an annual median wage of $61,330.
- Employment demand for child, family and school social workers in Ohio is projected to grow by 4.3% by 2032.
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Tuition and Fees
The OHIO Guarantee takes the guesswork out of budgeting for college and provides a fixed rate table for tuition and most fees for four years (or 12 consecutive semesters).
Financial aid for undergraduate students (regardless of discipline) is available in the form of scholarships, grants and student loans. Visit our Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships to learn more.
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West Virginia and Kentucky Residents
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Learning Environment
The social work program aims to work closely with local social services agencies and organizations to provide learning opportunities for students in practicum. Faculty providing instruction in the programs are all accomplished social workers and well connected in the community. The faculty also are actively engaged in collaborating with social service agencies on projects and continuing education.
Program Admission Requirements
First-Year Students
Students may designate Pre-Social Work major within the College of Health Sciences and Professions in their application to Ohio University
. This allows the student to be assigned an advisor within the program during their first semester at Ohio University. The social work program has no additional selective or limited admissions requirements to be admitted as a Pre-Social Work major beyond those required by the University and the College of Health Sciences and Professions.
For full requirements for applying to the major, visit the College of Health Sciences and Professions
.
Transfer and Current Ohio Students
All students seeking admission to the major, including transfer students, are required to submit an online application. The link to the online application is listed as 'Social Work Major Application' on the College of Health Sciences and Professions website . Before beginning online application, please have the following items ready: an electronic copy of your personal statement and a copy of your Human Service form (if applicable.)
Applications to the major are accepted fall and spring semesters. Deadline for the application is the Friday of the second week of the selected semester.
For full requirements, visit the College of Health Sciences and Professions
Accreditation Information
Ohio University social work programs are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
Ready for the Next Step?
Request Info
Please request application information regarding admission as a student using the form below.
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* Includes scholarships, grants, loans, federal work student and CARES/HEERF funding.