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The baccalaureate degree with a major in social work prepares students for entry into beginning, generalist, and entry-level professional social work practice. Social workers are employed in a variety of settings such as public and private welfare agencies, mental health centers, health care settings, educational systems, correctional institutions, and business and industry.
The Bachelor of Social Work program is available on the main (Youngstown) campus. This program is also available in partnership with Lorain County Community College in Elyria, Ohio, and Lakeland County Community College in Kirtland, Ohio. For more specific information pertaining to the BSW program at the partnership sites, visit BSW and MSW Partnership Programs.
The BSW program at all sites is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
Course work at the host community college and combine credits earned with YSU social work courses taught on the site of the respective community college fulfill requirements for the BSW degree. All YSU instruction is provided by YSU faculty members. Students have access to Ohio LINK online research services, YSU student support, and additional academic support available through the community college.
Core Competencies of Social Work Practice
The BSW program at Youngstown State University applies a competency-based curriculum that develops in students core competencies of generalist social work practice as defined by the Council on Social Work Education. Upon graduating from the BSW program students are expected to:
- Demonstrate ethical and professional behavior
- Advance Human Rights and Social, Racial, Economic and Environmental Justice
- Engage Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (ADEI) in Practice
- Engage in research-informed practice and practice-informed research.
- Engage in policy practice
- Engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.
- Assess individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities
- Intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.
- Evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities
Admission Policy
Neither admission to the University nor enrollment in social work courses as a pre-social work major guarantees full admission to the social work program. Full admission to the program is required to become a social work major and to gain access to upper-division social work classes. Pre-social work majors who are not formally admitted to the social work program will be unable to obtain a permit to register for SCWK 3736 Social Work Methods with Individuals and subsequent social work courses for which SCWK 3736 Social Work Methods with Individuals is a prerequisite.
Qualified students who have been convicted of misdemeanor or felony offenses may be admitted to the program. However, field internship opportunities may be restricted due to agency prohibitions pertaining to the engagement of students in agency work in possession of criminal records. Additionally, students should be aware that state licensure in social work may not be possible for individuals with past convictions. Students with convictions are advised to become informed of requirements pertaining to social work licensure and possible avenues of appeal as they consider their enrollment in the Bachelor of Social Work program and the limitations prior convictions may impose on their ability to practice the profession of social work.
For more information, visit the Department of Social Work.
Chair
Dana Davis, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Chair
Professor
Mari L. Alschuler, Ph.D., Professor
Dessalegn Guyo, PhD, Assistant Professor
Meenakshi Venkataraman, Ph.D., Assistant Professor
Sherri Harper Woods, D.M., Assistant Professor
Lecturer
Meghan Bileci, M.S.W., Senior Lecturer
Heather Eynon, M.S.W., Lecturer
Angela Kearns, M.S., Lecturer
Charles T. Morgan, M.S., Lecturer
Willie Peterson, M.A., Lecturer
Jennifer Walker, M.S., Lecturer
Karla A. Wyant, M.S., Senior Lecturer
SCWK 1510 Introduction to Social Work 3 s.h.
An overview of the values, systems, policy, theories and concepts central to the profession of social work. This course will also review roles, licensure requirements and history of the social work profession. This is the first course orienting students to the social work profession.
SCWK 2600 Health Issues for Social Work Practice 3 s.h.
Explores impact of physical and biological forces on client issues/needs and importance of understanding these factors for professional social work practice. Emphasis given to biological development across the human lifespan, ecological issues, genetic influences, health concerns.
SCWK 2622 Social Work Processes 3 s.h.
Addresses the full range of communication skills in systems of all sizes for professional social work practice. Includes principles of effective communication, functions and purposes of communication, and the roles of social workers. Thirty clock hours of volunteer engagement required. Three hours lecture.
Prereq.: SCWK 1510.
SCWK 2641 American Social Welfare 3 s.h.
Overview of the history and evolution of social welfare programs and services in America. Emphasis on the identification and interrelationships of social values and structures, political factors, and economic conditions on resource allocation, including meeting the needs of special populations.
SCWK 2642 Human Behavior and the Social Environment for Social Workers 1 3 s.h.
A general social systems approach as a conceptual framework to the understanding of culture and society, communities, organizations, groups, families, and individuals as they develop over the lifespan. Application of theory and research to social work.
SCWK 2644 Human Behavior and the Social Environment for Social Workers 2 3 s.h.
An ecosystems perspective in understanding families, groups, organizations and communities. Focus on individuals and their transactions with each other and their environment. Application of theory and research to social work.
SCWK 2695 Applied Social Work 3-6 s.h.
A practicum in human service agencies for the Social Services Technology major. The student must spend 225 hours in an agency for a total of 6 s.h. credit.
SCWK 3720 Cultural Diversity 3 s.h.
This course emphasizes understanding the experiences, values, beliefs, and inherent problems of racial, ethnic, and other vulnerable population groups. The course focuses on groups affected by socioeconomic disparities, gender, sexual orientation and expression, religion, physical and cognitive challenges, and age. Students will be asked to apply theories, use differential assessments, and develop and use intervention skills necessary for effective social work practice with a diverse population.
SCWK 3726 Child Welfare and Case Planning 3 s.h.
This course provides the knowledge, concepts, and skills needed for beginning level social work practice in public and child welfare settings. Major focus is on protecting at-risk children by strengthening, supporting and empowering families.
Prereq.: SCWK 1510.
SCWK 3727 Child Welfare Permanency Planning 3 s.h.
Provides the knowledge, concepts, and skills needed for beginning level social work practice in public child welfare settings. Major focus is on the developmental needs and permanency planning associated with at-risk children served by the child welfare system.
Prereq.: SCWK 1510.
SCWK 3730 Social Services and the Aged 3 s.h.
An empirical and analytical base for understanding the policies, problems, and trends in services for the aged.
Prereq.: none.
SCWK 3731 Social Services and the Disabled 3 s.h.
Problems arising from or related to illness and disability; adjustment of disabled persons. General interventive techniques for working with the disabled; recent research and treatment innovations.
Prereq.: SCWK 2622.
SCWK 3736 Social Work Methods with Individuals 3 s.h.
Overview of generalist practice methods with client systems of varying sizes. In-depth analysis of problem solving strategies and skills in working with individuals. Theory and research relating to practice. Social work purposes, functions, and values are addressed from the systems perspective.
Prereq.: Admission to SCWK Program.
SCWK 3737 Social Work Methods with Groups 3 s.h.
In-depth analysis of problem-solving strategies and skills in working with small groups. Theory and research relating to practice. Social work purpose, functions, and values are addressed for the systems perspective.
Prereq.: Social Work Majors Only.
SCWK 3738 Social Work Methods with Families 3 s.h.
In-depth analysis of problem-solving strategies and skills in working with families. Theory and research relating to practice. Social work purposes, functions, and values are addressed from the systems perspective.
Prereq.: Social Work Majors Only.
SCWK 3739 Social Work Methods with Communities and Organizations 3 s.h.
This course presents an in-depth analysis of problem-solving strategies and skills in working with organizations and communities. Theory and research relating to practice will be examined. Social Work purpose, functions, and values are addressed from the systems perspective.
Prereq.: Social Work Majors Only.
SCWK 3740 Mental Health and Addictions 3 s.h.
This course focuses on the study of mental health and addictions in the Social Work discipline. The course includes social work theory, practice and service delivery methods, and research. Policy considerations will also be addressed.
Prereq.: Social Work Majors Only.
SCWK 3742 Substance Use & Recovery 3 s.h.
This course explores traditional and contemporary theories related to substance misuse and substance use disorders. Students will develop beginning-level practice application skills for intervening with individuals regarding their substance misuse. The course surveys a range of evidence-based approaches to: screening, assessment, and diagnosis of substance misuse/substance use disorder and related problems; determining the nature and severity of problems associated with substance use; evaluating readiness to change; and, treatment planning and intervention to ameliorate substance use problems. Content of this course meets the forty (40) hours of chemical dependency specific education in: theories of addiction (5 hours), counseling procedures and strategies with addicted populations (14 hours), group process and techniques working with addicted populations (5 hours), assessment and diagnosis of addiction (3 hours), treatment planning (7 hours), ethics (6 hours). Three hour lecture per week.
SCWK 3743 Mental Health 3 s.h.
This course will provide students with knowledge and skills in mental health treatment, with an emphasis on understanding people with mental illnesses. Students will learn how to: use the DSM to assess and diagnose clients; conduct case conceptualization; conduct a mental status exam; write a narrative diagnostic summary; and develop a basic understanding of psychiatric medications.
Prereq.: Social Work Major.
SCWK 3760 Research Methods for Social Workers 3 s.h.
Quantitative and Qualitative research methodologies for building knowledge for social work practice. Systematic evaluation of outcomes, theoretical bases, relevant technological advances, and ethical standards.
Prereq.: Social Work Majors.
SCWK 3770 Social Policy 3 s.h.
Review of the programs, structures and functions of social services including historical development and social, political and economic issues. Application of scientific method to analyze and develop social work policies designed to achieve social work goals and purpose.
SCWK 4820 Special Topics Elective in Social Work 1-6 s.h.
An examination of various social work topics and issues of both current and long standing interest.
Prereq.: BSW Student or permission of the BSW coordinator.
SCWK 4821 BSW Independent Study 1-6 s.h.
This course involves study under the personal supervision of a faculty member with the approval of the BSW Coordinator. The course demands that student and faculty member choose a topic related to the Social Work field. For successful completion students will tie the topic to at least three different CSWE.
Prereq.: BSW Student.
SCWK 4825 Field Work in Social Services 6 s.h.
Professionally supervised practice in an approved social agency. The student must complete 225 hours per semester in an agency for each 6 s.h. of credit. Must be taken two consecutive semesters for a total of 12 s.h. CR/NC grade option only.
Prereq.: Social Work Majors Only.
SCWK 4826 Integrated Field Work Seminar 3 s.h.
Integration and evaluation of conceptual, affective, and experiential learning achieved from previous social work courses and field-based assignments. Concurrent: SCWK 4825 first enrollment.
Prereq.: Social Work Majors Only.
SCWK 4827 Integrated Capstone Seminar 3 s.h.
Provides opportunities to synthesize and integrate all the previous coursework from social work education. Includes both theoretical and experiential assignments to assist students with increased self awareness and to prepare them for the transition from college to entry-level generalist practice. Concurrent: SCWK 4825 second enrollment.
Prereq.: Social Work Majors Only.
Gen Ed: Capstone.
SCWK 4860 Seminar Special Topics in Social Work 1-3 s.h.
Study of selected topics in social work theory, methods and research. May be repeated with different topics.
Prereq.: Junior standing or permission of instructor.
SCWK 5826 Child Welfare and Case Planning 3 s.h.
This course provides the knowledge, concepts, and skills needed for beginning level social work practice in public and child welfare settings. Major focus is on protecting at-risk children by strengthening, supporting and empowering families.
Prereq.: SCWK 1510.
SCWK 5827 Child Welfare Permanency Planning 3 s.h.
Provides the knowledge, concepts, and skills needed for beginning level social work practice in public child welfare settings. Major focus is on the developmental needs and permanency planning associated with at-risk children served by the child welfare system.
Prereq.: SCWK 1510.