College of Health Professions
Social Work
Prepares students to advocate for individuals and communities through compassionate service, ethical practice, and social justice leadership.
Overview
About the Program
The Social Work program at the University of Findlay prepares future-ready social workers to lead with compassion, ethics, and real-world skills. Grounded in scientific inquiry and a person-in-environment perspective, graduates are equipped to serve diverse communities and make a meaningful impact.
Program
Highlights
At the University of Findlay, the Social Work program prepares you to make a meaningful impact in individuals, families, and communities by developing the knowledge, values, and skills needed for ethical practice, effective communication, and critical thinking. Through a focus on person-in-environment perspectives and compassionate, client-centered care, students are equipped to promote well-being, advocate for social justice, and support positive change in diverse settings.
Field Placement
Experienced Faculty
Graduate Degree Pathway to OT
College of Education
At a Glance
Admissions
Admissions Requirements
Students may declare social work as their major at any point during their academic career. Students are formally admitted to the Social Work program after meeting several requirements including:
- At least a 2.5 grade-point average in all college-level coursework
- At least a 2.75 grade-point average in all coursework in the social sciences (including social work) with no grade below a ‘C’
- Satisfactory completion of all academic competencies required by the university
- Successful completion (‘C’ or better) of SOWK 101 and either successful completion of or concurrent enrollment in SOWK 310 and SOWK 360
- Successful completion (‘C’ or better) of PSYC 100
- Submission of a completed Application for Admission to the Social Work Program
- Demonstration of a commitment to the values and ethics of the social work profession
- Demonstration of the characteristics necessary for the profession of social work
- Formal interview with members of the Social Work Program faculty
Students make formal application for admission to the program when they have completed the majority of their general education requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree. The application is usually made during the second semester of the second year of study.
Program faculty reviews each application separately. The final decision for each application is based on a combination of academic excellence and professional potential. If the final decision is favorable, full admission to the program is granted. If there are problematic areas, provisional admission to the program may be granted with a specific time frame allowed for corrective action. If at the end of that time, the student has successfully completed all corrective actions, full admission is granted.
Application Packets
Social Work Program Application
Transfer Students
With nearly 60 areas of undergraduate study and 10 areas of graduate study to choose from, your transition as an Oiler transfer student will be seamless. The social work program has 2+2 agreements with many local community colleges.
Curriculum
Course Requirements
Students pursuing a Bachelor of Social Work at the University of Findlay complete required coursework grounded in human behavior in the social environment, social welfare policy, research methods, and generalist social work practice to build a strong foundation for professional practice. Depending on academic preparation and career interests, additional coursework or specialized field experiences may be required.
Students gain hands-on experience through field education, agency-based practicum placements, and supervised practice in community and human service settings that prepare them for professional social work practice in schools, healthcare environments, nonprofits, and government agencies. The program equips graduates with the ethical decision-making, critical thinking, communication skills, and professional competencies needed for entry-level social work careers and advanced study in the field.
opportunities
Hands-On Experience
Field Placement:
In addition to classroom work, field instruction supervised by professional social workers in a variety of social service agencies in the community provides ‘hands-on’ learning experiences for social work students. Field instruction begins with SOWK 310, Field Instruction I, a one-semester course normally taken during the sophomore or junior year. In addition to classroom requirements the student will spend at least 60 hours over the course of the semester observing (and assisting as appropriate) a professional social worker in a formal agency setting.
The second component of field instruction is a two-semester sequence, SOWK 410, Field Instruction II, taken during the second semester of the fourth year. During this phase of instruction the student spends a minimum of 32 hours per week (480 hours during the semester) in an agency setting, again supervised by a professional social worker. During each of these field experiences program faculty closely monitors student progress. More information about field instruction may be found in the Field Instruction Manual.
Field Placement Options include but are not limited to:
- Awakening Minds Art; Children’s Mentoring Connection; Findlay City Mission; Family Resource Center; FOCUS Recovery and Wellness Community; Habitat for Humanity; Hancock County Children’s Services; Hancock County Veteran’s Services; Hope House; Specialized Alternatives for Families and Youth; Good Shepherd Home; Crossroads Crisis Center; Crime Victim Services; Good Grief of Northwest Ohio; Firelands Mental Health and Recovery Center; Sisters in Shelter; Equality Toledo; Ada Exempted Village Schools; Financial Opportunity Center; Wood County Board of DD
college of Health Professions
Accreditation
University of Findlay’s Social Work program has been accredited by the Council on Social Work Education since 1995.
The program provides summary data and outcomes for the assessment of each of its competencies, identifying the percentage of students achieving the benchmark. Click here to view the summary of data and outcomes.
The social work program is fully accredited as a part of the University of Findlay and the College of Health Professions through the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Contact Us
Need more information about the Social Work program at the University of Findlay? Have questions about admissions, coursework, field education, career pathways, or student support services? We’re here to help—connect with our team to learn how the Social Work program prepares students to make a meaningful difference in individuals, families, and communities through ethical practice and compassionate service.
Email: melissa.weber@findlay.edu
Phone: 419-434-5611
Location: 1000 N. Main St. | Findlay, OH 45840