To receive your bachelor of arts degree from The University of Findlay, you must also complete
BA/Graduation and Degree Requirements in addition to your social work curriculum.
The Social Work Program at The University of Findlay is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
The primary mission of the social work program is to prepare students for entry-level, generalist social work practice. The educational experience is centered within a strong liberal arts framework. Designed for sequential learning, the social work curriculum is based on the Curriculum Policy Statement of the Council on Social Work Education, and emphasizes the requisite knowledge base, skills, ethics, and values of the social work profession. The first two years of study are devoted to the general education requirements set by the University, coupled with introductory social work and social science courses. The junior and senior years are generally devoted to specific skill/knowledge development and professionally supervised field placement experiences.
All students intending to major in social work must make formal application to the program, normally during the second semester of the sophomore year. Social work faculty review each application separately. The final decision of acceptance or rejection is based on a combination of academic excellence and professional potential. To be formally admitted to the program, a student must provide professional and personal references, have at least a 2.2 overall grade point average, have at least a 2.5 grade point average in all social science courses (with no grade below a "C"), and demonstrate a commitment to the values and ethics of the social work profession. Students who have not been formally admitted to the program may not enroll in either professional practice or field instruction classes.
In order to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from The University of Findlay, the student must maintain a 2.2 overall GPA and also a 2.5 GPA in all social science courses (with no grade below a "C").
A major in social work consists of 47 semester hours, including SOWK 101, 210, 305, 306, 307, 308, 347, 355, 360, 361, 405, 447, 450, 452, and 495. In addition, students are required to take SOCI 250 and one of the following: SOCI 105, 220, or 230. Also, students must take three hours of history, public administration, or political science; PSYC 100; three hours of upper-level PSYC; ECON 199 or 200; one course from PHIL 100, 101, 220, or 221; BIOL 240; and MATH 123.
In addition to classroom work, field instruction supervised by professional social workers in a variety of social welfare agencies in the community provides "hands-on" learning experience for students. Field instruction begins with SOWK 210, a one-semester course usually completed during the second year and is followed by SOWK 450 and 452, a two-semester sequence completed during the senior year. Upon graduation, each student will have completed almost 600 hours of supervised placements. The social work program is currently contracted with almost 30 human service agencies in a five-county area surrounding the University. The following is a listing of those agencies contracted with during recent years:
- Allen County Department of Job and Family Services, Children's Services, Lima
- Birchhaven Retirement Village, Findlay
- Blakely Care Center, North Baltimore
- Blanchard Valley Center, Findlay
- Blanchard Valley Regional Health Center, Findlay
- The Bridge Home Health and Hospice Care, Findlay
- Century Health, Findlay
- Crime Victim Services, Inc., Lima
- David’s House Compassion, Inc., Toledo
- Diversion, Adolescent Foster Care of Ohio, Findlay
- Family Resource Centers, Findlay
- Findlay Hope House for the Homeless, Inc.
- Fostoria Community Hospital
- Fox Run Manor, Findlay
- The Friendly Center, Toledo
- Hancock County Adult Probation, Findlay
- Hancock County Area Agency on Aging
- Hancock County Board of Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health Services
- Hancock County Department of Job and Family Services
- Hancock County Children's Protective Services Unit
- Hancock County Prosecutor's Office
- Hancock/Hardin/Wood/Putnam Community Action Center
- Harmony House Visitation Center
- The Heritage (nursing home), Findlay
- Lima Memorial Hospital
- North Coast Behavioral Health Care System, Toledo
- Oakwood Correctional Facility, Lima
- Open Arms Council on Domestic Violence, Inc., Findlay
- Specialized Alternatives for Family and Youth, Findlay
- Wood County Department of Job and Family Services, Children's Protective Services Unit, Bowling Green
The Social Work Program welcomes transfer students. Academic credit is granted to those students based on an analysis of course work taken and whether or not the transferring credit was granted by a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Under no circumstances will academic credit for life experience and previous work experience be given any student, in whole or in part, in lieu of the field practicum or of courses in the professional foundation areas specified in the Curriculum Policy Statement of the Council on Social Work Education.
The social work major wishing to complete requirements for a double major must consult with both his or her academic adviser and a faculty adviser in the second discipline. However, the social work major is regarded as primary.
The University of Findlay Social Work Program conducts all aspects of its program without regard to race, color, gender, age, religion, disability, political orientation, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or national origin.
