Social Work

Upon admission to the university, students pursuing social work will begin as a pre-major social work student and receive departmental advising to assist in course work selection appropriate to students’ interests and the admission requirements for the social work major.

Students can declare the social work major after meeting the following requirements:

• Completion of social work pre-major courses
• A minimum of a 2.0 cumulative point-hour ratio and a minimum of a 2.0 pre-major point-hour ratio after completion of the required pre-major courses

4+1 program

New first-year students who enter the university as social work students can opt-in to the 4+1 program, which guarantees admission into our accelerated ASAP MSW program upon completing of the BSSW program, as long as they meet the minimum grade requirements. This program is available to students on all Ohio State campuses. 

Pre-major social work requirements

•  Introduction to Psychology
•  Introduction to Sociology
•  Introduction to Social Welfare
•  Introduction to Social Work
•  Lifespan Development
•  Social Work Survey or equivalent
•  Writing and Information Literacy GE

Social work major coursework is outlined on our website. 

Students who want to prepare for the global work environment by gaining cross-cultural learning and an expanded worldview have the opportunity to examine social issues, human rights, health and mental health abroad. 

All students complete a 400-hour field practicum experience with an agency in the community, where they learn and practice increasingly advanced social work skills under the supervision of a licensed social worker. Students are placed in one of the more than 1,800 different agencies based upon their interests, career goals and other considerations.  

The honors program, which currently offers a choice of a thesis or second major pathway, seeks to enhance creative thinking and critical inquiry skills and develop dynamic leaders who are prepared to meaningfully engage with issues relevant to the social work profession.

A student may enter the College of Social Work honors program as one of the following:

1. An incoming freshman,
2. A second semester (or higher) pre-social work major,
3. A junior officially admitted into the major
4. A first-semester transfer student.

Students must have a 3.4 or higher GPA to apply.

Social work students interested in augmenting their course work with research experience may pursue an independent research project under the guidance of a faculty member. Students receive credit for research experience through Social Work 4193: Individual Studies.

Social work students may participate in College of Social Work organizations such as the Social Work Student Association, MWANAFUNZI and Out in Social Work.

Social work is one of the fastest-growing professions in the United States, offering a broad range of career opportunities. Graduates are prepared to work in careers such as:

• Aging and gerontology
• Child and family welfare
• Criminal justice and corrections
• Developmental disabilities
• Domestic violence
• Health care
• Homelessness
• Human trafficking
• Immigration and refugees
• International social work
• Mental health
• Policy and planning
• School social work
• Substance misuse treatment

Social workers are administrators, therapists, community organizers, educators and researchers. They work with a diverse population, helping people in large cities and in small communities.

Many students use the undergraduate social work major as preparation for graduate school in social work. Students who have undergraduate degrees in social work can apply for one-year accelerated master of social work (MSW) programs. An MSW degree prepares students for advanced practice and is necessary to provide mental health counseling in most states.

Some students use the undergraduate social work major as preparation for various other graduate and professional programs including business, law, medicine, occupational therapy, physical therapy and public health.
 

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median salary for social workers employed in the United States is $50,000.

• use social work values and ethics to guide professional practice.
• apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment to guide practice at multiple levels.
• possess knowledge and skills for working effectively with diverse and vulnerable populations.
• analyze social policy; promote social, economic and environmental well-being; and challenge injustice.
• employ empirical evidence to inform, evaluate and improve practice.
• develop a professional identity, with a commitment to life-long learning.