Youngstown State University offers an accredited Bachelor of Social Work program. The program includes general education, support, social work lecture courses and a social work field internship to prepare graduates for entry-level professional social work practice. Graduates of the BSW program are eligible for a license to practice social work as a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) in Ohio.
WELCOME
The social work profession has a long-standing tradition of delivering the energy, intelligence, and heart to make a difference in the lives of people. Through the efforts and energy of social workers, people who might otherwise suffer or go without suffer less and have what they need. Because of the knowledge and skills social workers use to help people, complex human problems are addressed responsibly using the best methods available. And through the expression of humane values held by members of the social work profession, people served are treated with compassion and dignity.
Social workers are committed to helping people adapt with a keen eye on the environment and the opportunities that exist to make this adaptation possible. Social workers work with a broad range of people and the concerns they bring and are interested in the actions that will improve their situations. Social workers are employed in a broad range of organizations both private and governmental.
If you are ready for a human services career that is challenging and offers a wide range of rewards, the Bachelor of Social Work degree is the place to start. I invite you to explore the social work major at Youngstown State University.
Department contact information
- BSW Program Director: Dr. Ron Davis, PhD, Assistant Professor, redavis01@ysu.edu
- Social Work Department Chairman: Dr. Dana Davis: (330) 941-3774 ddavis05@ysu.edu
- Social Work Department Office: (330) 941-1598
BSW Program Mission
The Bachelor of Social Work Program at Youngstown State University has as its primary mission the educational preparation of students for beginning, competent, generalist social work practice.
The Bachelor of Social Work Program at Youngstown State University prepares graduates to assume professional roles in addressing social problems that are related to the economic and social conditions of the Youngstown region. Conditions of poverty, unemployment, underemployment, racial and ethnic disparities and demands for service exist in the region. Racial and ethnic minorities, women and children are particularly vulnerable groups who are over represented with regard to disparate social and economic conditions. The Department of Social Work is committed to raising the consciousness of students with regard to these conditions as well as increasing their understanding of how vulnerable groups are often the target of the aforementioned injustices. Exposing students to these problems increases understanding and enhances the potential for thoughtful solutions and remedies.
The Bachelor of Social Work Program at Youngstown State University offers education preparation that enables students to integrate the knowledge, values, and skills of the social work profession into competent practice with individuals, families, groups, institutions, organizations, and communities. This preparation also enables students to apply their understanding of the social work profession in a broad range of client service settings with a variety of groups and presenting problems. As entry level practitioners, graduates are capable of delivering social services in a manner that is consistent with the values and ethics of the social work profession. Ultimately, students recognize their responsibility to continue their professional growth and development to include the incorporation of the latest technologies in their practice.
The mission, purpose, and philosophy of the Bachelor of Social Work Program at Youngstown State University are consistent with the overall institutional mission. The institutional mission is “dedicated to encouraging public service . . . promoting and understanding diversity . . . and advancing the intellectual, cultural and economic life of the state and region.” The Bachelor of Social Work Program embraces the institution’s commitment to address the needs of the region it which it is located.
BSW Program goals
1. Prepare students for beginning, generalist social work practice.
2. Provide students with the ability to integrate the knowledge, values and skills of the social work profession into competent practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.
3. Develop the ability of students to work with a diversity of clients, presenting problems, and social service delivery systems.
4. Facilitate the development of core values and ethics of the social work profession.
5. Prepare students to understand and to address issues pertaining to social and economic justice to include poverty, oppression, racism and discrimination.
6. Prepare students to sustain their effectiveness by instilling the value of continuing professional growth and development.
ADMISSION AND PROGRESSION
Pre-Social Work
Students enter the BSW program by declaring themselves as pre-social work majors and begin progress toward a degree by enrolling in General Education Requirement, support, and pre-social work courses. These courses are typically completed in the freshman and sophomore years.
Neither admission to the University nor enrollment in social work courses as a pre-social work major guarantees full admission to the social work major. Full admission to the major is required to enroll in 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 Social Work 3736 and subsequent social work courses for which Social Work 3736 is a prerequisite. To be admitted to the program as a social work major, pre-social work majors must meet the following requirements:
Social Work Major
To gain entry into upper-division social work courses beginning with SCWK 3736 Social Work Methods with Individuals, students must be formally admitted to the social work major. To be admitted to the social work major, students must be declared pre-social work majors and meet the following requirements:
- Complete all pre-social work courses with a C or better.
- Possess an overall GPA of 2.5 or better.
- Submit a completed Social Work Program Admission Application (available online or from the Department of Social Work) before the fourth week of the semester preceding the semester for which admission is sought.
- Participate in an admission interview and be approved for admission by the BSW Program Admission Committee.
ADVISORS
Dr. Ron Davis redavis01@ysu.edu
Dr. Dana Davis (330) 941-3774 ddavis05@ysu.edu
ACCREDITATION
The Bachelor of Social Work program at Youngstown State University is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. The program was originally accredited in 1990, has remained accredited to-date. Graduates of the BSW program are eligible for social work licensing in the State of Ohio.
Program Locations
The Bachelor of Social Work program is available on the main (Youngstown) campus. This program is also available in partnership with Lakeland Community College in Kirtland, Ohio and Lorain County Community College in Elyria, Ohio, For more specific information pertaining to the BSW program at the partnership sites contact the following program coordinators:
Lakeland CC: Dr. Dana Davis ddavis05@ysu.edu
Lorain CCC: Ms. Karla Wyant kawyant@ysu.edu
The Bachelor of Social Work program at all sites is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
| COURSE | TITLE | S.H. |
|---|---|---|
| FIRST YEAR REQUIREMENT -STUDENT SUCCESS | ||
| YSU 1500 | Success Seminar | 1-2 |
| or YSU 1500S | Youngstown State University Success Seminar | |
| or HONR 1500 | Intro to Honors | |
| General Education Requirements | ||
| ENGL 1550 | Writing 1 (Completed in advance of entering the social work major) | 3-4 |
| or ENGL 1549 | Writing 1 with Support | |
| ENGL 1551 | Writing 2 (Completed in advance of entering the social work major.) | 3 |
| Any Gen Ed Math | 3-4 | |
| Natural Science (2 courses; one with lab) | 6-7 | |
| Arts and Humanities (6 s.h.) | 6 | |
| Social Science (6 s.h.) | 6 | |
| Introduction to Sociology (required for the major) | ||
| General Psychology (required for major) | ||
| General Education Electives (9 s.h.) | ||
| CMST 1545 | Communication Foundations (Completed in advance of entering the social work major.) | 3 |
| Any Gen Ed Course | 3 | |
| Any Gen Ed Course | 3 | |
| Social Work Major Requirements | ||
| SCWK 1510 | Introduction to Social Work | 3 |
| SCWK 2600 | Health Issues for Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SCWK 2622 | Social Work Processes | 3 |
| SCWK 2641 | American Social Welfare | 3 |
| SCWK 2642 | Human Behavior and the Social Environment for Social Workers 1 | 3 |
| SCWK 2644 | Human Behavior and the Social Environment for Social Workers 2 | 3 |
| The following courses are completed in advance of the field internship SCWK 4825. | ||
| SCWK 3736 | Social Work Methods with Individuals | 3 |
| SCWK 3760 | Research Methods for Social Workers | 3 |
| SCWK 3770 | Social Policy | 3 |
| The following courses may be taken concurrently with the field work in social services SCWK 4825: | ||
| SCWK 4825 | Field Work in Social Services (SCWK 4825 is taken 2 consecutive semester at 6 semester hours each.) | 12 |
| SCWK 3737 | Social Work Methods with Groups | 3 |
| SCWK 3738 | Social Work Methods with Families | 3 |
| SCWK 3739 | Social Work Methods with Communities and Organizations | 3 |
| SCWK 3742 | Substance Use & Recovery | 3 |
| SCWK 3743 | Mental Health | 3 |
| SCWK 3720 | Cultural Diversity | 3 |
| SCWK 4826 | Integrated Field Work Seminar (Must be taken concurrently with SCWK 4825 Field Work in Social Services. See course descriptions for pre-requisites.) | 3 |
| SCWK 4827 | Integrated Capstone Seminar (Must be taken concurrently with SCWK 4825 Field Work in Social Services. See course descriptions for pre-requisites.) | 3 |
| Electives to meet 120 hours | 20 | |
| Total Semester Hours | 120-124 | |
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | S.H. | |
| YSU 1500 | Success Seminar or Youngstown State University Success Seminar or Intro to Honors | 1-2 |
| ENGL 1550 or ENGL 1549 | Writing 1 or Writing 1 with Support | 3-4 |
| SOC 1500 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| PSYC 1560 | General Psychology | 3 |
| Arts and Humanities | 3 | |
| Elective | 1-2 | |
| Semester Hours | 14-17 | |
| Spring | ||
| ENGL 1551 | Writing 2 | 3 |
| CMST 1545 | Communication Foundations | 3 |
| SCWK 1510 | Introduction to Social Work | 3 |
| Natural Science + Lab | 4 | |
| Arts and Humanities | 3 | |
| Semester Hours | 16 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| SCWK 2622 | Social Work Processes | 3 |
| SCWK 2641 | American Social Welfare | 3 |
| SCWK 2642 | Human Behavior and the Social Environment for Social Workers 1 | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Semester Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| SCWK 2644 | Human Behavior and the Social Environment for Social Workers 2 | 3 |
| SCWK 2600 | Health Issues for Social Work Practice | 3 |
| Natural Science | 3 | |
| Gen Ed Elective | 3 | |
| Any Gen Ed Math | 3-4 | |
| Semester Hours | 15-16 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| SCWK 3736 | Social Work Methods with Individuals | 3 |
| SCWK 3742 | Substance Use & Recovery | 3 |
| SCWK 3743 | Mental Health | 3 |
| SCWK 3770 | Social Policy | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Semester Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| SCWK 3760 | Research Methods for Social Workers | 3 |
| SCWK 3737 | Social Work Methods with Groups | 3 |
| SCWK 3738 | Social Work Methods with Families | 3 |
| SCWK 3720 | Cultural Diversity | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Request a Graduation Evaluation after completing 80-85 s.h. from the BCHHS Advising /Dean’s Office, 2104 Cushwa Hall, (330) 941-3321. | ||
| Semester Hours | 15 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| SCWK 4825 | Field Work in Social Services | 6 |
| SCWK 4826 | Integrated Field Work Seminar | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| SCWK 3738 | Social Work Methods with Families | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| SCWK 4825 | Field Work in Social Services | 6 |
| SCWK 4827 | Integrated Capstone Seminar | 3 |
| SCWK 3739 | Social Work Methods with Communities and Organizations | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Semester Hours | 15 | |
| Total Semester Hours | 120-124 | |
Learning Outcomes
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:
1. Demonstrate ethical and professional behavior.
2. Engage diversity and difference in practice.
3. Advance human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice.
4. Engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice.
5. Engage in policy practice.
6. Engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
7. Assess individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
8. Intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
9. Evaluate (practice with) individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.