Social Work, Department of

College of Health Sciences and Professions
Morton Hall 416
Athens, OH 45701
Phone: 740.593.1269
Fax: 740.593.0427
www.ohio.edu/chsp/social-work

Terry Cluse-Tolar, Chair
Deb Pack, Administrative Specialist

Mission

The Department of Social Work provides students with the lifelong ability to seek and acquire information and transform this knowledge into responsible action within the social service community. This mission recognizes that the education of students through the critical thinking process is our highest priority.

The Department of Social Work is committed to the provision of quality education to our students in the social service professions. The Department values the personal and professional growth of both students and faculty through the contribution of knowledge disseminated by scholarly activities as well as the integration of research and classroom activities into professional settings. The Department also encourages participation in community outreach activities that support and facilitate a wide variety of community development initiatives.

The Department of Social Work is committed to the provision of a healthy learning atmosphere for students, as well as a professionally stimulating work environment for faculty and staff. This manifests itself through the demonstration of mutual respect and concern for others, while simultaneously embracing the cultural and ethnic diversity among students, faculty, staff, and community members.

Programs

The Department of Social Work in the College of Health Sciences and Professions offers the following academic undergraduate programs:

Social Work (B.A.S.W.) - BA6601
Social Work (B.S.W.) - BS6605
Social Work (B.A.S.W.) [offered through Honors Tutorial College] - BA1930

Social Service Minor - OR6602

Human Services Technology (A.A.S.) - AA5201

Department Accomplishments

The Department houses Council on Social Work Education accredited Social Work (SW) programs.

Opportunities

Opportunities for professional preparation vary in the department. Social Work prepares students for entry-level staff and management positions in social service task force agencies. Social Work programs prepare students to enter generalist social work practice or pursue a clinical graduate degree in social work or a related field. Graduates qualify to apply for licensure as a social worker in Ohio and most other states.

Most programs provide practica and/or internships in order to provide students with practical experiences that are complimentary to their academic coursework.

Student Organizations

Alpha Beta Chapter of Phi Alpha Honor Society

The purposes of Phi Alpha Honor Society are to provide a closer bond among students of social work and promote high academic standards in social work education. Undergraduate students are eligible for membership after achieving the following (see below) national requirements and meeting local chapter requirements. Local chapters may establish higher eligibility requirements. The application process begins in spring semester with the deadline for applications being January 31st. A membership fee of $35 is also required upon acceptance to the Phi Alpha Honor Society. Requirements for application include:

Declared social work major
Achieved sophomore status
Completion of three social work courses
Achieved an overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale)
Achieved a 3.25 grade point average (GPA) in required social work courses
Submit an essay of no more than 500 words describing the reasons why you want to belong to Phi Alpha and why you are qualified to be a member of Phi Alpha (beyond the requirements for admission)

Advisors:

Alicia Casto, alicia.castro@ohio.edu, Phone: 740.597-1726

Joy Shytle, shytle@ohio.edu, Phone: 740.547.3871

Annelle Edwards, edwarda2@ohio.edu, Phone: 740.593.1301

Student Social Work Association (SSWA)

SSWA is open to all social work students and others interested in social issues. SSWA promotes community service on campus and in the region. The organization has regular meetings which are announced in classes and posted on the organization’s Blackboard site, as well as its Facebook page.