Bachelor of Social Work
Train for a career in advocacy and direct practice — with structured field placements, faculty who know your name, and a curriculum tuned to the realities of Appalachian and rural Ohio.
Program Overview
Shawnee State University’s Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program is designed for students who want to create real, lasting change. With courses focused on advocacy, justice, and service, the program prepares you to step into a profession that supports individuals and strengthens communities—especially in high-need areas like Appalachia. Through a balance of classroom learning and field experience, you'll gain the tools and confidence to become a trusted leader in the lives of the people you serve on the job.
Our courses build more than credentials— they build competence. You’ll study social policy, ethics, and human behavior while developing specialized skills in areas like substance use, crisis intervention, mental health, and child welfare. By implementing a holistic approach to education, our courses combine regional cultural awareness with national professional standards to prepare you for the unique realities of social work in different communities.
Hands-on learning is a fundamental part of your journey at SSU. From simulation labs and case studies to personalized field placements at local agencies, you’ll gain meaningful experience before graduation. You’ll also benefit from strong mentorship, small class sizes, and a supportive community that knows your name and your goals. Our program is currently in Pre-Candidacy for accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
Whether you’re helping families through crisis, supporting mental health recovery, or advocating for systemic change, a BSW from Shawnee State sets you on a path to make a meaningful impact. Graduates from this program will have the skills and confidence to be change-makers who work in schools, hospitals, shelters, and government agencies, among other various settings. And, if you choose to continue your education, your BSW opens the door to advanced standing in Master of Social Work (MSW) programs nationwide.
Career Outcomes
How to Apply
-
Start your application
Free, takes about 15 minutes.
-
Send transcripts
Have your high school guidance counselor send them to admissions@shawnee.edu
-
File the FAFSA
School code 009942. Required for Free Tuition.
-
Get your decision
Most decisions in under 7 days.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the Bachelor of Social Work Program is determined on a competitive basis.
The total number of students admitted to the program is based upon the faculty-student ration determined by the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE) of 1:25.
Qualified applicants are admitted to the Bachelor of Social Work Program annually in the Fall semester.
Contact
Courtney Ruggles, DSW, LSW
Program Director, Bachelor of Social Work
cruggles@shawnee.edu
(740) 351-3089
At A Glance
Bachelor of Social Work
Degree
B.S.W.
Format
On campus
Length
Four years (full-time)
Class Size
12:1
Location
Main Campus, Health Sciences Building with field placements at local agencies
Why Study Bachelor of Social Work at Shawnee University
Field placements are built into the program. You spend supervised time at local agencies — schools, hospitals, shelters, child welfare offices, behavioral health and recovery providers — and apply what you're learning in real settings.
The curriculum is built for the communities you'll likely serve. Coursework in policy, ethics, human behavior, substance use, crisis intervention, mental health, and child welfare is grounded in the realities of Appalachian and rural Ohio.
Small classes and faculty who know you. You get mentorship and personal advising, not anonymous lectures.
Designed for what comes next. Graduates are eligible for licensure in most states, and our coursework prepares you to apply for advanced standing in MSW programs.
The program is in Pre-Candidacy with the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
BSW coursework moves from foundations (human behavior, social welfare policy, ethics, research methods) into generalist practice and supervised field work. You'll cover:
- Generalist social work practice with individuals, families, groups, and communities
- Social welfare policy and policy practice
- Human behavior in the social environment
- Social work research and program evaluation
- Ethics and professional values
- Specialized topics: substance use, mental health, crisis intervention, child welfare
- Supervised field education in community agencies
Field education is the heart of the BSW. You complete a structured sequence of placements in social service agencies, schools, healthcare settings, and community organizations, supported by a dedicated field director who matches you to a setting that fits your goals. Simulation labs and case studies in coursework give you a place to practice skills before you take them into the field.
By graduation, you'll be able to:
- Apply ethical, evidence-informed social work practice
- Advocate for individuals, families, and communities
- Deliver culturally responsive and inclusive care
- Analyze systemic issues and engage in policy practice
- Work effectively as part of interprofessional teams in human services
On campus in Portsmouth, Ohio, in the College of Health and Human Services, with field placements at agencies across the region.
Graduates work in:
- Child welfare and family services
- Schools and student support roles
- Hospital and medical social work
- Mental health and substance use treatment agencies
- Shelters, housing, and community advocacy organizations
- County, state, and federal human services
Many graduates use the BSW to enter advanced-standing MSW programs, which can shorten the master's by up to a year. Demand for licensed social workers in Ohio and nationally is strong.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Shawnee State’s tuition is among the lowest in Ohio, and the Shawnee Advantage Tuition Guarantee keeps your rate flat for four years. Scholarships including Choose Ohio First and the Pell-Eligible Free Tuition Program may also apply.
Bachelor of Social Work Frequently Asked Questions
Applications are accepted for fall start. You can identify as pre-social work while you complete prerequisite coursework.
Yes. All students complete a structured sequence of supervised field placements before they graduate.
The curriculum is built around the communities you'll likely serve — Appalachian and rural Ohio — and class sizes are small enough that faculty know your goals and your work.
You're eligible for licensure in most states (LSW in Ohio), and you can apply for advanced standing in MSW programs, which can shorten the master's substantially.
This program will not meet the requirements for licensure in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, and Georgia as these states require a Master of Social Work (MSW) for licensure.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) Program at Shawnee State University is to prepare competent, ethical, and culturally responsive social workers devoted to serving and empowering individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities in Appalachia and all regions.
Vision Statement
The vision of the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) Program at Shawnee State University is to be a leading force in social work education, dedicated to transforming lives and communities in Appalachia.
We envision a region where all individuals and families have access to resources and supports they need to thrive. Through innovative teaching, research, and unwavering commitment to social justice and human rights, we aim to develop future leaders who are prepared to address the unique social, economic, and health challenges of Appalachia.
Our graduates will be agents of change, equipped with the knowledge and skills to advocate for equity, foster diversity, and enhance the well-being of diverse populations locally, nationally, and globally.
Program handbook
Contact the BSW Program Director or the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences for the current student handbook.
Accreditation
Shawnee State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Our program is committed to excellence in social work education and is actively seeking accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) to ensure the highest academic and professional standards. The SSU BSW program is currently in Pre-Candidacy with CSWE.
