Social Work Curriculum

About our BSSW Program 

The Ohio State University Bachelor of Science in Social Work Program prepares students for generalist social work practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. We develop leaders in social work whose practice promotes professional values and ethics and demonstrates commitment to difference and diversity. Our graduates will employ evidence-informed practice, advocate for and empower vulnerable populations, and advance social, economic, environmental, and political justice.

This program is designed to be completed in 4 years on a full-time or part-time basis for a total of 120 hours of coursework. Regional campus students will receive the same comprehensive social work education that they would receive on the Columbus campus.

Courses on regional campuses are taught by both faculty within the College of Social Work and regional campus faculty and offer a blend of distance learning technologies with traditional classroom instruction. Admission requirements to the social work major on regional campuses are the same as for the social work degree offered on the Columbus campus. As a pre-major student, you can begin in any semester and will complete a wide range of courses that are offered across the university (General Education Curriculum) prior to application to the College for the BSSW program. Students apply to be accepted into the BSSW program in the fall of their sophomore year. Then, as a major student, you will complete our social work major courses, including a senior year field placement.

Four-Year Coursework Plan 

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Coursework Breakdown

Social Work Pre-requisite Course Hours – 22

GE and Free Elective Course Hours – 39

Social Work Major Course Hours – 46

Social Work Elective Course Hours – 13

Total Hours – 120

Year

Autumn

Spring

Year 1

SWK 1100 Social Work Survey
SWK 1130 Intro to Social Work
Writing & Information Literacy GE
Sociology 1101
Launch Seminar
Free Electives

Race, Ethnic & Gender Diversity GE
SWK 1120 Intro to Social Welfare
SWK 3301 Lifespan Development
Psychology 1100
MATH 1116 or STAT 1350

Year 2

Literary/Visual & Performing Arts GE
Historical & Cultural Ideas GE
Citizenship Theme GEs
Free Electives

Theme GEs: Student Choice
Natural Science GE
Reflection Seminar
Free Electives

Year 3

SWK 3101 Professional Values & Ethics
SWK 3401 Research & Stats for SWK Problems
SWK 3501 Engagement & Interviewing
SWK 3600 Intro to Psychopathology
SWK Elective

SWK 3201 Social Justice and Social Welfare Policy
SWK 3402 Research & Stats for SWK Interventions
SWK 3502 Practice with Individuals
SWK 3503 Practice with Diverse Populations
SWK Elective

Year 4

SWK 4501 Practice with Families
SWK 4502 Practice with Groups
SWK 4188 Field Seminar
SWK 4189 Field Placement
SWK Elective

SWK 4503 Practice with Organizations and Communities
SWK 4188 Field Seminar
SWK 4189 Field Placement
SWK Elective
SWK Elective

 

Curriculum - Undergraduate Required Courses

No. 

Title 

Credits 

Description 

3101 

Professional Values & Ethics 

Introduction to the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics, ethical theory, issues and dilemmas that confront professional social workers. 

3201 

Social Justice & Social Welfare Policy 

Introduction to social justice and injustice; strategies to address injustice and advocate for vulnerable populations. 

3401 

Research and Statistics for Understanding SWK Problems and Diverse Populations 

Application of research evidence to answer questions about social work problems and diverse populations. 

3402 

Research and Statistics for Understanding SWK Interventions 

Application of research evidence to inform and evaluate social work practice at all intervention levels. 

3501 

Engagement & Interviewing Skills 

Development of communication skills that provide a foundation for practice and facilitate entry into the field. 

3502 

Practice with Individuals 

Theories, knowledge and skills of generalist social work practice, with an emphasis on work with individuals. 

3503 

Social Work Practice with Diverse Populations 

Foundation knowledge and a social work perspective for working with diverse populations, especially those who are oppressed and marginalized. 

3600 

Intro to Psychopathology and Social Work Practice 

Mental health conditions, strategies for building on clients’ strengths and resilience, and awareness of the mental health delivery system and resources. 

4188 

Field Seminar 2 

Integration of classroom knowledge and practice experiences; companion to field practicum (one credit per semester). 

4189 

Field Practicum 

10 

Two-semester internship in a social work agency; integration of classroom knowledge and skills with practice experiences (five credits per semester). 

4501 

Generalist Practice with Families 

Application of professional values, knowledge, and skills essential for effective generalist social work practice with families. 

4502 

Generalist Practice with Groups 

Application of professional values, knowledge, and skills essential for effective generalist social work practice with groups. 

4503 

Generalist Practice with Organizations and Communities

Application of professional values, knowledge and skills essential for effective generalist social work practice with communities and organizations. 

 

Electives

Social Work Practice in Schools
Introduction to Psychopathology and Social Work Practice
Sport and Positive Youth Development
Human Trafficking: Domestic and Global Perspectives
Adolescent Sexuality: A Global Perspective
Diagnosis and Treatment of Substance Use Disorders
Theories and Biological Basis of Substance Misuse
Preventing Substance Misuse
Intervening with Individuals Regarding Substance Misuse
Global Social Work Perspectives on Poverty and Inequality
Group and Relationship Approaches in Substance Misuse Treatment
Summer Institute of Addiction Studies
Thesis Research
Writing for Agency Practice
AIDS: Facts and Issues
International Social Work
Sexualities, Diversity and Social Work
Social Work Practice with Digital Technologies

Child Welfare I and II
Family Caregiving: Contemporary Issues, Programs and Policies
Loss and Grief: A Social Work Practice Perspective
Social Work Practice in the Field of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Global Education
Social Work Approaches to Conflict Resolution
Family Violence: Social Work Perspectives and Interventions
Integrative Body-Mind-Spirit Approach to Assessment and Treatment
Juvenile Justice and Correctional Practice in Social Work
Social Work Practice and the Law
Affirmative Practice with LGBTQ Individuals, Couples and Families
Social Work Licensure Exam: Strategies and Skills
Exploring Community Food Security Strategies
Macro-Practice in Community Youth Development