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Current Students

Declare the Social Work Major

Have you completed or are you in the process of completing the program pre-requisites?

  • Social Work 1100 Social Work Survey (or equivalent)
  • Social Work 1120 Introduction to Social Welfare
  • Social Work 1130 Introduction to Social Work
  • Social Work 1140 Issues in Social Justice (or other Race, Ethnic and Gender Diversity GE)
  • Social Work 3301 Lifespan Development (or equivalent)
  • Psychology 1100 Introduction to Psychology
  • Sociology 1101 Introduction to Sociology
  • Writing & Information Literacy GE

Do you have a cumulative GPA and pre-requisite GPA of 2.0 or higher?

If you meet these requirements and are a current Ohio State University student, you may submit the BSSW Declaration Form between Feb. 1 and Aug. 1 to start the major in Autumn Semester and between Sept. 1 and Dec. 15 to start the major in Spring Semester.

If you are a transfer student, you will need to apply to The Ohio State University and be admitted to Ohio State before you can complete the BSSW Declaration Form.

If you are a current Ohio State student interested in changing your area of study to social work by declaring the social work major, adding social work as a second major, or adding social work as a second degree you should contact one of the social work advisors listed below.

Declare the social work major

 

Once approved for the major, meet with your social work academic advisor to enroll in major classes!

If you do not meet Social Work major pre-requisites, you may contact the College of Social Work Admissions Manager at cswadmissions@osu.edu to discuss qualifications and consideration for an interview. If you are admitted through the interview process, you will receive support from an Academic Mentor during your initial semester in the major.

Please remember that your admission is contingent upon successful completion of all pre-major courses (unless you have received advisor approval of exception) and maintaining a cumulative and pre-requisite GPA of 2.0 or above. Inability to meet these conditions will void acceptance into the major. Should this occur, you may submit a declaration form for a later semester.

As a Social Work Major Student

  • Attend the social work major orientation and complete the online Carmen-Canvas orientation modules in August (Autumn Semester start) or January (Spring Semester start).
  • Complete 59 credit hours of Social Work major coursework, including 13 credits of social work electives, allowing you to explore areas of interests such as substance misuse, child welfare, school social work, corrections, international social work, human trafficking, poverty, and more.
  • Earn a C or higher grade in all Social Work major and elective coursework and maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA.
  • Complete 420 hours of hands-on social work experience through your Social Work Field Placement.
  • Consider a Minor or Certificate Program: The Social Work degree allows for a minor area of study or certificate program. Suggested minors offered by the College of Social Work include Child Abuse & Neglect or Substance Misuse.
  • If your cumulative GPA is 3.4 or higher, consider applying to the Social Work Honors Program, which provides you with the opportunity to engage in in-depth classroom study, conduct independent research, and create and implement social change projects.
  • Interested in working with children and families? The University Partnership Title IV-E Child Welfare Program fast-tracks you to a career in child welfare. Training includes specialized child welfare courses and a field placement in an Ohio Public children’s services agency.