Social Work Program

The Bachelor of Social Work degree is the minimal educational requirement for the social work profession and licensure.

Social Work Program Policies

Admission to the Traditional Social Work Program

  1. The traditional social work student submits an application to the Social Work Program Director by March 1 of the second year. The student must complete the required cognates (pre-social work fundamentals) and 1000 and 2000-level required social work courses prior to formal admission to the social work program.
  2. Admission criteria to the traditional social work program include:
    • a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 or higher on all course work attempted at the University;
    • a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 or higher on all course work accepted by transfer;
    • completion of required cognates, including SOC-1013G Introduction to Sociology, BIO-1014G Principles of Biology, PSY-1013G General Psychology, PSY-3063 Abnormal Psychology, and MAT-2063 Introduction to Statistics;
    • No grade below a "C-" in required cognate courses; 
    • completion of foundation courses in social work, including SWK-1013 Introduction to Social Work, SWK-1012 Social Work Field Observation I, SWK-2012 Social Work Field Observation II, SWK-2003G Cultural and Human Diversity, SWK-2013 Social Work Interviewing and Documentation, and SWK-2073 Social Justice and Advocacy;
    • no grade below "C" in 1000 and 2000-level social work courses;
    • completion of the application for admission to the social work program;
    • status of "student in good standing" with the University’s Student Life Office;
    • receipt of satisfactory evaluations from Social Work Field Observation I and II;
    • completion of an interview with the Social Work Admissions Committee and their positive recommendation as to the student's suitability for the practice of social work; and
    • demonstration of behavior congruent with accepted social work practice, such as, but not limited to: valuing diversity, cultural humility, good oral and written communication skills, and adherence to the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics and State of Ohio Standards of Ethical Behavior and Professional Conduct.
  3. Admission into the social work program is a prerequisite for enrolling in any social work course numbered 3000 or above.
  4. The members of the Social Work Department will review each admissions application and decide on one of the following four options:
    • Unconditional acceptance: The applicant has met all admissions criteria and will be notified in writing of unconditional admission by the Social Work Program Director.
    • Conditional acceptance: The applicant will be notified in writing by the Social Work Program Director of the specific areas that need improvement, correction, or completion. Students may take 3000-level social work classes, but must correct the specified deficiencies prior to admission to 4000-level courses, including practica. Students are responsible for meeting the specified conditions, and reporting to the Social Work Department prior to June 1 for consideration for admission to 4000-level courses.
    • Provisional acceptance: The applicant will be notified in writing by the Social Work Program Director of specific conditions which must be met before admission will be reconsidered. Students will not be allowed to take 3000-level social work courses. Students are responsible for correcting the specified conditions, and reporting progress to the Social Work Department prior to June 1. Re-evaluation for admission will be completed prior to the start of the fall semester.
    • Denial of admission: The applicant will be notified in writing by the Social Work Program Director of specific reasons for rejection of his/her application for admission into the Social Work Program.
    • In the event a student is denied admission, admitted with conditions, or has a provisional acceptance, the Social Work Department will provide the student with a written explanation for the decision and, if applicable, an explanation of the conditions that must be met for admission. A student may appeal the decision of the Department. See academic policy decision appeals process in Academic Regulations and Procedures section of this Catalog.
  5. Admission to the social work program does not guarantee admission to the practica experiences or completion of the program for graduation.

Note: Traditional students transferring into the program might not complete the program in four years, because the program is tightly structured and sequenced. Traditional students combining social work with another major might find that the program structure and sequence prevent completion of two majors in four years.

Common Social Work Program Policies

  • Life Experience Policy: The Social Work Program grants no academic credit, either in part or whole for life experience, volunteer experience, and/or current or previous work experience. This policy applies to all academic social work credits, including required cognates (pre-social work fundamentals) and professional foundations courses, field observations, ad field practica.
  • Graduation Requirements: Students must complete a minimum of 120 semester hours of college course work, or its equivalent, with a minimum GPA of 2.0.
Social Work Program Retention, Remediation and Termination
  1. Once admitted, a student will continue to be evaluated for continuation in the program. BSW students maintain good standing in the social work program by following each of these minimum standards:
    • maintain at least a cumulative GPA of 2.00 on all course work attempted at the University; 
    • earn no grade below "C" in required social work courses; 
    • demonstrate ethical behavior in the classroom, field experience, and University community life; 
    • maintain status as a "student in good standing" with the University;
    • adhere to field experience policies and procedures; and
    • adhere to Social Work Program policies and procedures.
  2. Probation, suspension or termination from the Social Work Program for academic reasons is consistent with academic policies and standards established by the University. Probation, suspension or termination for professional concerns focuses on appropriate conduct and behavior in accordance with the principles of the social work profession.
    • Academic Reasons for probation, suspension or termination from the Social Work Program include, but are not limited to:
      • failure to maintain at least a cumulative GPA of 2.00 on all course work attempted at the University; 
      • earn a grade below "C" in required social work courses;
      • earning a grade below a "C-" in required cognate courses; and
      • violations of academic integrity.
    • The Social Work Program aligns with University processes in addressing academic concerns.
      • Field Experience Accommodations: Reasonable accommodations will be considered on a case by case basis for individuals who meet eligibility under applicable statutes. Any person expecting to need accommodations should request them prior to beginning the program, as some accommodations may not be considered reasonable and may impact an applicant's ability to complete all components of the program. Policies and procedures for accessing accessibility services are also found under the "Academic Regulations and Procedures" section of this Catalog.
      • Grade Appeal Process: Students who wish to submit a grade appeal must do so according to the policies outlined under the "Academic Regulations and Procedures" section of this Catalog.
      • Academic Integrity: Policies and procedures for addressing issues of academic integrity are also found under the "Academic Regulations and Procedures" section of this Catalog.
    • Professional concerns focus on the appropriate conduct and behavior in accordance with the principles of the social work profession. The Social Work Program follows the State of Ohio Standards of Ethical Practice and Professional Conduct and The National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics that applies to students in social work educational programs. Violations may result in probation, suspension or termination from the program. Social work students receive written copies of the ethical practice standards and instruction as to the meaning, value, and application of the standards.
    • If a student is struggling with ethical, non-academic development and/or behavior that impedes professional performance, the following procedures are intended to provide due process so that student evaluations (and faculty decisions regarding students) balance the professional gate-keeping responsibility and the program faculty's commitment to student development.
    • Students may be placed on probation, suspended, or terminated from the Social Work Program for any one or more violations of program policies and standards, including:
      • excessive field education absences
      • legal disqualifications
      • unethical conduct
      • professional impairment
      • lack of reliability and dependability
      • misrepresentation
      • participation in derogatory and/or disrespectful behavior
      • participation in discriminatory behavior
    • The Faculty endeavors to assist students (either declared majors or admitted in the program) in resolving issues that may interfere with professional growth and development before the situation escalates into concerns serious enough to warrant termination procedures. The Yellow Flag Alert system is designed to identify and strategize with students to correct behavior that would be egregious in the professional work place and classroom learning environment. Broad categories include professional behavior (e.g. attendance, punctuality, issues of impairment), professional dispositions (e.g. disrespectful interactions, lack of cultural responsiveness), and academic dispositions.
      • First alert: The first alert is intended to draw attention to a concern as a teaching moment in their professional development. The person who completes the alert must communicate with the student via email, telephone, or face-to-face conversation AND send/give a copy to the student. Face-to-face is the preferred method of communication but that is not possible, then a telephone or email conversation may suffice.
      • Second alert: If the student receives a second alert regarding the same issue or multiple alerts from different categories the social work department will communicate with the student and require a written response to the issue that includes an action plan for remediation of the issue. The action plan will receive follow-up by the social work department.
      • Third Alert: If the student receives a third alert for the same issue or multiple alerts from different categories, there will be a mandatory meeting with the social work department to determine the student's continuation in the Social Work Program.
    • Depending on the severity of the issue the following MAY occur:
      • Probation: A student may be place on probation for a specific period of time if it is determined that a student's continuation is in jeopardy unless changes are made. The student will be informed in writing within seven (7) days of the probationary status. Upon receipt of the notice, the student will be required to develop, with the assistance of the student's Social Work Faculty Advisor, a plan of remediation which indicates when and how any deficiencies will be made up, and any other conditions required to remediate the situation. The written Plan of Remediation must be approved and signed by the student's Social Work Faculty Advisor within one (1) month of the student being placed on probation. The student's Social Work Faculty Advisor will report to the Program Director on whether progress is being made in keeping with the Plan of Remediation. Failure to carry out the plan developed during the probationary period, according to the timeline specified in the plan, may result in suspension from the Social Work Program.
      • Suspension: Serious violation of the performance standards and/or actions taken by a student that places them and/or others in jeopardy may result in the immediate suspension of the student from the program while the issue is being resolved. A student who is being suspended will be verbally notified immediately and is not allowed to attend classes until the issue is resolved. In addition, the student will receive a letter from the Social Work Program Director within seven (7) days of the decision for suspension, stating the reason(s) for suspension, the terms of the suspension, and the steps to be taken. A copy of the letter will be given to the student's Social Work Faculty Advisor, and a copy will also be placed in the student's file.
      • Termination: Though rare, termination may result from a single grave incident or from a pattern of behaviors/incidents. As reflected in the Yellow Flag Alert System, every effort is made to identify issues and work with students to remediate concerns. However, in some cases, issues are not resolved or a student engages in a serious violation that places them and/or others in jeopardy. The student will receive a letter from the Social Work Program Director within seven (7) days of the decision for termination, stating the reason(s) for termination.
    • Appeal Process: The student may appeal a disciplinary action resulting from any of the above by accessing the Academic Policy Decision Appeals process found under the "Academic Regulations and Procedures" section of this Catalog.

Admission to the Traditional Social Work Practicum Experience

  1. Students desiring admission into the social work practicum experience must submit an application to the Social Work Field Education Director by the announced date.
  2. The criteria for admission to practicum include:
    • completion of the 3000-level social work courses with no grade below a "C";
    • earn a cumulative GPA of at least 2.00 (on a 4.0 scale) on all course work attempted at the University;
    • maintain status as a "student in good standing" with the University;
    • demonstration of behavior congruent with accepted social work practice, including, but not limited to, valuing diversity, cultural humility, good oral and written communication skills, and adherence to the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics and the State of Ohio Standards of Ethical Behavior and Professional Conduct ; and
    • removal of any conditions (with exception being an approved appeal to identified admission conditions) stipulated by the Social Work Department prior to, upon, or after admission to the Social Work Program.
  3. Students applying for admission to practicum will complete an interview and must receive a positive recommendation by the field education unit as to the student’s suitability for the practicum experience.
  4. The members of the Social Work Department will review each application and decide on one of the following four options:
    • Unconditional admission to Practicum I - The applicant has met all admissions criteria. The student will be notified in writing of unconditional admission by the Social Work Field Education Director.
    • Conditional admission to Practicum I - The applicant will be notified in writing by the Social Work Field Education Director of the specific areas that need improvement, correction, or completion. Students will be allowed to register for Practicum I and Seminar I, but admission could be revoked if a student fails to meet specified conditions. Conditions must be met prior to admission to Practicum II and Seminar II. Students are responsible for meeting the specified conditions, and reporting to the Social Work Department for reconsideration of conditional admission status.
    • Delayed decision - The applicant will be notified in writing by the Social Work Field Education Director of specific conditions which must be met before admission will be reconsidered. Students will not be allowed to register for Social Work Practicum I and Social Work Seminar I until deficiencies have been corrected, and the student requests in writing that his/her application be re-considered by the Social Work Department. Students are responsible for correcting the specified conditions, and reporting to the Social Work Department for reconsideration of delayed decision admission status.
    • Denial of admission - The applicant will be notified in writing by the Social Work Field Education Director of specific reasons why he/she has been denied admission into the practicum experience. A student who has been denied admission to Practicum I may face termination from the Program and/or a denial to graduate with a major in social work.
    • All students will be notified in writing of the decision of the Social Work Field Department prior to the end of the academic year by the Field Education Director.
    • In the event a student is denied admission, admitted with conditions, or has a delayed decision, the Social Work Department will provide the student with a written explanation for the decision and, if applicable, an explanation of the conditions that must be met for admission. A student who wishes to appeal the decision of the Social Work Department must do so according to the policies outlined under the "Academic Regulations and Procedures" section of this Catalog.
  5. Admission to Social Work Practicum II

    Once admitted to Practicum I, a student will continue to be evaluated for continuation in the practicum and admission to Practicum II. Admission to the practicum experience does not guarantee admission to Practicum II or completion of the social work program for graduation. Details about retention in the practicum experience and admission to Practicum II are included in the Field Practicum Student Manual. However, in general, a practicum student must:

    • maintain at least a 2.00 cumulative GPA;
    • earn a grade of "C" or better in 4000-level social work courses;
    • satisfactorily complete Social Work Practicum I;
    • adhere to field placement policies and procedures;
    • demonstrate ethical behavior in the classroom, field practicum, and in University community life; and
    • adhere to program policies.
  6. Accelerated Block Placement Options
    Practicum is designed to be completed over two full semesters (fall and spring), with students completing 200 practicum hours each semester totaling 400 hours. A block practicum placement (400 practicum hours completed in one semester) may be requested if special needs or circumstances exist. The Social Work Department will consider these requests on a case-by-case basis but will not guarantee the accelerated block practicum placement. Please refer to the field education manual for specific block placement guidelines.

The social work faculty will evaluate students participating in Practicum I as to their general suitability for Practicum II placement. If concerns are not raised by either the social work faculty or Practicum I field instructor and the student remains in good standing in the social work program, the Social Work Field Education Director can recommend that the student be admitted unconditionally to Practicum II. The student will be allowed to enroll in Practicum II. However, if the Practicum I field instructor or social work faculty has concerns about the student’s continuation in Practicum II, the Social Work Field Education Director will notify the student and personally discuss the concerns with the student. The Social Work Field Education Director may make a recommendation to the Social Work Department to conditionally admit the student to Practicum II, to delay the decision until deficiencies are corrected, or to deny admission to Practicum II.

The Social Work Field Education Director will notify students in writing of a conditional delay or denial admission decision.

Disclaimers

Admission into the Social Work Program may be delayed for students who do not successfully complete designated liberal arts courses and/or required cognate and professional foundation courses with satisfactory grades.

The Social Work program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The program strives to be responsive to ever-changing requirements and expectations, including those of state social work licensing boards, the social work profession itself, and CSWE.

The University cannot guarantee licensure or employment because it does not control applicable state legislation, the licensing examinations or requirements, or hiring practices of state and community social service agencies. Background checks are required prior to the issuance of licenses by appropriate licensing bodies.