UndergraduateCoursework
Your Four Years at Ohio State
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. After completing prerequisites, you can declare the social work major where you’ll learn skills in client engagement, assessment, service planning, case management, crisis intervention, program evaluation, community organizing and advocacy.
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 |
Required Courses
| No. | Title | Credits | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3101 | Professional Values & Ethics | 3 | 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 | 3 | 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 | 3 | Application of research evidence to answer questions about social work problems and diverse populations. |
| 3402 | Research and Statistics for Understanding SWK Interventions | 3 | Application of research evidence to inform and evaluate social work practice at all intervention levels. |
| 3501 | Engagement & Interviewing Skills | 3 | Development of communication skills that provide a foundation for practice and facilitate entry into the field. |
| 3502 | Practice with Individuals | 4 | Theories, knowledge and skills of generalist social work practice, with an emphasis on work with individuals. |
| 3503 | Social Work Practice with Diverse Populations | 3 | 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 | 3 | 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 | 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 | 3 | Application of professional values, knowledge, and skills essential for effective generalist social work practice with families. |
| 4502 | Generalist Practice with Groups | 3 | Application of professional values, knowledge, and skills essential for effective generalist social work practice with groups. |
| 4503 | Generalist Practice with Organizations and Communities | 3 | 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 Individual 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
- 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
- Social Work Practice with Digital Technologies