Social Work | Ohio University

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 Eastern 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.

16:1

Student to faculty ratio for classroom instruction at OHIO Eastern

97%

OHIO Eastern first-year students received financial aid in Fall 2021*

Social Work Courses

You will complete course work in human behavior and the social environment, social welfare history and policy, research, social work practice methods and field instruction. Visit the BASW or BSW undergraduate catalogue pages to see the complete major requirements.

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.

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.
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.

Learn More About the OHIO Guarantee
West Virginia and Kentucky Residents

Exploring the Southern or Eastern Campus? Residents of West Virginia can now qualify for in-state tuition. Kentucky residents in nearby counties can qualify for in-state tuition at OHIO Southern or Athens. Access the resources of a large, public university at an affordable, regional campus rate.

Learn More About Out-Of-State Tuition
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

Lacey Cordery, May 2023 expected graduate, Social Work

“OHIO Eastern was the best choice for me in my freshman year since I was not quite ready to move away from home. Ohio University Eastern has allowed me to stay close to my family while I work towards earning my degree. I have been able to form strong bonds with my professors, advisers, and classmates. The social work program at Eastern has introduced me to new experiences and learning opportunities that will guide me in my future.”

Student Lacey Cordery stands outside in the snow

Accreditation Information

Ohio University social work programs are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

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Dr. Warren Galbreath
galbreath@ohio.edu
740.699.2341

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* Includes scholarships, grants, loans, federal work student and CARES/HEERF funding.

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