The College of Social Work offers two graduate specialization programs and one certificate program: the School Social Work Specialization, the Interdisciplinary Specialization in Aging, and the HIV/AIDS Certificate. Additional interdisciplinary specializations and graduate minors are available through the OSU Graduate School. All of these programs are available to MSW students at Ohio State.
School Social Work Specialization
School Social Work is a profession for social workers who seek a high energy job working with youth. School Social Workers interact with students, parents, school personnel (teachers, staff, and administrators), community members, and other social service professionals. School Social Workers help reduce non-academic barriers to learning to insure that students are successful academically. Through partnerships with other professionals within and outside of the school, School Social Workers link students and families to the services and resources they need to overcome the barriers they face. Read more about School Social Work.
Graduates of the MSW School Social Work Specialization are eligible for a School Social Work (SSW) License from the Ohio Department of Education. All of the licensure requirements are completed during the MSW studies. The specialization includes coursework specific to school social work and an advanced field practicum completed in a school setting. Graduates of the School Social Work program work in public, private, and charter schools and in community mental health agencies that contract services to schools.
To learn more about a career in School Social Work, contact Field Education Coordinator Teri Kinsway (kinsway.1@osu.edu or 292-0785). The School Social Work Specialization is available under both the quarter system and the future semester system at Ohio State.
Interdisciplinary Specialization in Aging
The Interdisciplinary Specialization in Aging offers students an opportunity to gain specific expertise in the care of older adults through both required and elective coursework. The Specialization core curriculum focuses on the basic components of gerontology shared by many disciplines, while the electives allow students to pursue either a research agenda or a more clinically-oriented education.
To learn more about the Interdisciplinary Specialization in Aging, contact Dr. Holly Dabelko-Schoeny (292-4378) and click on the link above to read about the specialization curriculum. The Interdisciplinary Specialization in Aging is available under both the quarter system and the future semester system at Ohio State.
HIV/AIDS Certificate
The College of Social Work offers a certificate program in HIV/AIDS counseling. The certificate program is open to both undergraduate and graduate students. To earn the certificate under the quarter system, students are required to successfully complete three courses: HIV/AIDS Facts and Issues (695.17), Psychosocial Aspects of HIV/AIDS (695.18), and Community Response to HIV/AIDS (695.19). Each course is a three credit hour offering. The courses are taught in sequence; one each in autumn, winter, and spring quarters. To begin the certificate program of study, students need only enroll in the first course.
To earn the certificate under the semester system, students are required to successfully complete two semester courses: HIV/AIDS Facts and Issues (SWK 5002) and Psychosocial Aspects of HIV/AIDS (SWK 5003). Each course is a three credit hour offering. The courses are taught in sequence: SWK 5002 during the autumn term and SWK 5003 during the spring term. To begin the certificate program of study, students need only enroll in the first course.
Additional Opportunities
Other Interdisciplinary Specializations (e.g. Disability Studies, Early Childhood Intervention, International Studies, Literacy Studies, Sexuality Studies)
Graduate Minors (e.g. African and African American Studies, Research Methods in Human Resource Development, Statistical Data Analysis, Women's Studies)
