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Denial of Admission

Students not accepted into the major may appeal the decision by requesting, through the Undergraduate Social Work Program Director, a hearing with the social work faculty.

Employment Limitations

Applicants to the Social Work Program should be committed to using this education in their roles as employees, volunteers, or graduate students in professional programs. Students should be aware, however, that past problems might limit employment and career opportunities. Applicants should know that criminal convictions are subject to review by the  and a prior conviction may preclude licensure in the state of Ohio.

Background Checks

Because social workers work with many vulnerable and dependent populations, security background checks are frequently required for employment and may be required for participation in Field Practicum. Substantiated complaints of child abuse or abuse of vulnerable adults could preclude employment in settings related to those populations. Previous termination from volunteer, internship, or paid positions because of sexual abuse or sexual harassment would also limit employment. Applicants with a history of violence or sexual harassment should have successfully completed rehabilitation for these problems.

While the social work profession believes in the possibility of growth and change, applicants to the program must assume responsibility for removing any barriers to their service to clients. Chemical dependency, mental illness, emotional illness, substance abuse, and severe unrelieved stress may impair service to clients. These issues should be confronted, resolved, or controlled before entering the program.

Field Education

To complete the social work program, students do a two-semester field experience in a social agency.  Agencies may have particular requirements because of the populations served and the service settings. Agencies may require additional information from students to assure the safety of clients, the confidentiality of services, and the absence of conflicts with agency programs and policies.

In general, students are supervised during their field experience by a professional social worker who holds an MSW degree and has a minimum of two (2) years of post-MSW experience or a BSW degree and a minimum of five (5) years post-graduate work experience. While in the field, students are also enrolled in a Field Education Seminar, which meets on a weekly basis. The Seminar facilitates the integration of field and classroom learning.

Tau Psi chapter of the Phi Alpha Social Work Honor Society

Eligible students may apply for membership into the Phi Alpha National Social Work Honor Society. Applications are accepted throughout the year; induction ceremony into the Society is held in the Spring Term. More information and the application are available in the Social Work Program Office (101A McGuffey).

Job Outlook: Careers in Social Work

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that employment of social workers is expected to grow by 25 percent from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average for all occupations. Growth will be due to an increase in demand for health care and social services and will vary by specialty.

Majoring in social work provides students with many opportunities. Social workers provide the bulk of mental health services in the US. BSW graduates are employed in family service agencies, child welfare organizations, nursing homes, criminal justice agencies, and schools to name just a few. Clients may consist of individuals, families, groups, organizations or communities.

For more information

If you want more information about social work or want to discuss your application, please make an appointment to talk with a social work advisor by calling the Social Work Program Office, 513-529-3314.