Undergraduate - Admission to the Major

Admission to the program is divided into two stages: pre-major and major. First year students are admitted as pre-majors to work on first year and sophomore level requirements. However, to be admitted to the program as a major, all prospective students, including Ohio University and transfer students, are required to submit a written application and an admissions essay to the department's screening committee by the end of the second full week of Fall, Winter, or Spring Quarter. (Application forms and guidelines for the essay are available from the department office located in 416 Morton Hall, Email: social.work@ohio.edu. To be considered for admission students are required to have a minimum overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.5. In addition, they must have completed the following: (1) SW 101 and SW 290 with a minimum grade of "C" attained in both courses. (2) BIOS 103, PSY 221, PSY 273, as well as one course in any two of these areas: anthropology, economics, political science, or sociology; (3) Tier I composition (ENG 151 or 152) and quantitative skills requirements; and (4) at least one quarter of the foreign language requirement other than high school; (5) a paid or volunteer experience in the area of social work (20 hours). Meeting minimal requirements does not insure admission to the major. To maintain compliance with the Council on Social Work Education's student/faculty ratio standards, no more than 40 students are admitted annually.

A student seeking to enroll in the senior-level practice sequence (SW 396, 397, 398, 491A-C & 492A-C) must have been admitted to the major by winter quarter of the junior year. In addition, the student is expected to (1) have maintained an overall g.p.a. of 2.5; (2) have completed one year of the foreign language requirement; and (3) have completed the prerequisites (SW 290, 350, 383, 390, 393, 394) for senior placement.

Admission Procedure

1. Applications for "Major" status will be accepted during the second full week of each quarter. All applications are to be submitted to the department secretary located in 416 Morton Hall.

2. Faculty will review applications during the third full week of each quarter.

3. Notification of acceptance/rejection will be mailed by the fifth week of the quarter.

4. Social Work pre-major students may apply for major status after completing a minimum of 48 quarter hours (includes transfers from majors/programs within Ohio University). Students transferring from colleges or universities other than OU must complete a minimum of 12 quarter hours at OU before applying.

5. All students must have earned a minimum grade of "C" in the two basic social work courses, SW 101 and SW 290.

6. All students must have an overall cumulative grade point minimum of 2.50 to be considered for major status.

7. A completed "Application for Major Status" must be submitted to be considered.

8. Acceptance will be determined based on consideration of the following:

   1. Academic g.p.a.
   2. Hours completed
   3. Courses completed
   4. Reference Letters
   5. Experience in Human Services
   6. Personal Statement

9. If not accepted at initial application, a student may reapply in writing at one of the next application dates. A student must submit the Reapplication Form, available in the Department Office, (416 Morton Hall, office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) to be reconsidered. A student may reapply only twice.

10. The Department of Social Work will admit no more than forty (40) students into the program each year.

11. Students must have a minimum grade point average (g.p.a.) of 2.50 the quarter before beginning their field placement plus a 2.50 in the social work core.

12. Two reference forms must be stapled to the application. References should be from professionals who can speak to the applicant's capabilities and potential as a social worker (i.e., counselor, social worker program director or administrator, and preferably someone who has observed you or worked with you on a human service project or program as a college student). References should not be family members, friends, or former teachers. Student must request that each person enclose the completed reference form in the envelope (supplied by the student with his/her name and address on it), seal it, sign across the seal and return the envelope to the students. THE SEAL MUST NOT BE BROKEN.