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 Southern 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.
Sample Curriculum Schedule
Year 1
- SW 1000 - Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare
- ENG 1510 - Writing and Rhetoric I
- MATH 1200 - College Algebra
- BIOS 1030 - Human Biology I
- PSY 1010 - General Psychology
- Political Science course
- Anthropology course
- Natural Science course (approved)
- Humanities course (approved)
- Electives
Year 2
- SW 2601 - Social Welfare Overview and Trends
- PSY 2110 - Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences
- PSY 2410 - Child and Adolescent Psychology or
- EDEC 1600: Introduction to Child Development
- Economics course
- Sociology course
- Tier II Humanities
- Tier II Natural Sciences
- Social Science (approved)
- Humanities (approved)
- Elective
Year 3
- SW 3602 - Social Welfare Policy
- SW 3701 - Dynamics of Human Behavior
- SW 3801 - Introduction to Social Work Practice Methods
- SW 3870 - Research Methods in Social Work
- ENG - Junior composition course
- Psychology course
- Natural Science (approved
- Elective
Year 4
- SW 4801 - Social Work Practice I
- SW 4802 - Social Work Practice II
- SW 4921 - Field Seminar I
- SW 4923 - Field Practicum I
- SW 4922 - Field Seminar II
- SW 4924 - Field Practicum II
- PSY 2710 - Abnormal Psychology
- Elective
Program Progression
The senior-level practice sequence is designed to provide students with experience in an agency setting in conjunction with a practice class and a seminar. The practicum provides an opportunity for the student to apply their social work education and training, while utilizing professional supervision, and is a significant part of the senior year in social work. A student seeking to enroll in the senior-level practice sequence must be admitted to the major by the end of the seventh week of the spring semester of their junior year.
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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 2022, child, family and school social workers in Ohio earn an annual mean wage of $48,780.
- Employment demand for child, family and school social workers in Ohio is projected to grow by 7.2% by 2028.
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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
Jessica Collier, Master of Social Work ‘22
Accreditation Information
Ohio University social work programs are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
Ready for the Next Step?
Contact Us
Glenn J Abraham, Ph.D.
Director, Social Work
740.547.3839
abrahamg@ohio.edu
Request Info
* Includes scholarships, grants, loans, federal work student and CARES/HEERF funding.