Start your social work journey at Ohio State, where our Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW) curriculum prepares you to practice social work right after graduating and earning your licensure. Whether you are a high school student looking for a fulfilling path to make a difference in the world or a non-traditional student ready to pursue an exciting career in social work, we offer several entry points to the BSSW — as well as popular minors in Child Abuse and Neglect and Substance Misuse and Addiction, open to all Ohio State undergraduates.
You can choose to study at four of Ohio State’s campuses, or through our online program that allows those with 30+ transfer credit hours the opportunity to complete their degree online. You’ll benefit from:
- A curriculum that offers an immense breadth of experience, with a wide range of courses taught by engaging instructors
- A 400-hour practicum education experience with a partner agency in your community
- Easy-to-navigate transfer pathways from other universities and community colleges, as well for Ohio State undergraduates who want to change majors
- A Career Center that supports your professional success with resources that prepare you for licensure and personalized career coaching
- Research opportunities with faculty or through the five college and one university research centers
- Honors projects that let you take a deep dive into your area of interest
- Financial aid options including scholarships, grants and work-study to help make your degree an affordable investment
- Our better-than-national success rate, with 80% of Ohio State BSSW students passing their licensure exams the first time
As an undergraduate in the College of Social Work, you’ll be welcomed into our supportive community of Buckeyes who want to change the world — half of whom are first in their families to go to college (a major point of pride for our college).
Learn which path is right for your social work journey!
4+1 BSSW/MSW Program
Admitted first-year students to Ohio State Columbus campus majoring in social work can opt-in to both the Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW) and the Master in Social Work (MSW) program by the first Friday of their first enrolled Autumn semester at Ohio State.
Curriculum
Our BSSW degree includes 120 hours of coursework. You’ll begin the program completing a blend of social work courses and general education requirements in social and natural sciences, math, writing, humanities and themes focusing on areas such as health and well-being, lived environments, sustainability, citizenship and more.
Transfer Pathways
Transfer students make up the highest percentage of enrolled social work students and bring with them unique perspectives and experiences. Our social work major offers flexibility to accommodate a wide range of learning needs including full-time working students, adult learners, students with families, and part-time students.
Honor’s Program
Our Honors Program promotes the intellectual and personal development of our undergraduate students through an enriched academic experience and integration of curricular and co-curricular programming.
