Cleveland State University

A practical and important program that prepares individuals for the professional practice of social work. Social work is the study of organized means of providing basic support services for vulnerable individuals and groups and allows the person to be licensed as a professional (LSW) in the state of Ohio. Social work professionals work across hundreds of agencies, helping others address the myriad of challenges and problems they may encounter - for example, mental health, substance use, geriatric care, poverty, juvenile justice, schools, veterans, and many more.

WHAT CAREERS CAN THIS MAJOR PREPARE YOU FOR?

As noted, licensed social workers perform hundreds of different roles helping others in our community. Some of these include: child, family and school social workers; medical social workers; mental health and substance abuse social workers; military social workers; community social workers; and social work administrators, researchers, planners, and policymakers.

WHAT SKILLS ARE DEVELOPED WITHIN THIS MAJOR?

Skills developed within this major include: assessment and clinical intervention skills; policy analysis skills; mental health and substance abuse training; advocacy; and community organizing.

ACCREDITATION

The undergraduate Social Work Program is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

STUDENT GROUPS

Students in the BSW program are eligible for student membership in the National Association of Social Workers and the National Association of Black Social Workers. Graduates of the Program are eligible for full professional membership in both organizations. Students achieving a 3.75 in their social work courses are eligible for membership in Phi Alpha, the social work honor society.

SOCIAL WORK LICENSURE

Students graduating from the Program are eligible to take the Ohio Social Work Licensure Examination (LSW). Only students graduating from a fully accredited undergraduate program in social work are eligible to take the Ohio Social Work Licensure Examination. The LSW is required to practice social work in most health and human services organizations and agencies. Some public agencies do not presently require the licensure. Individuals who refer to themselves as social workers must hold the LSW and/or LISW.

FELONY HISTORY

Students interested in the social work major should be aware that having a prior felony conviction or prior sanctions for unprofessional conduct may impact future potential for obtaining field placements, social work employment, and licensure. All applicants to social work licensure are required by the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board to report all misdemeanor and felony convictions with the exception of minor traffic violations (DUI/OVI charges are not considered traffic violations and must be reported as criminal convictions) for licensure. For the licensure application, all charges and or convictions require a "yes" answer to the question, "Have you been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor other than a minor traffic violation?" even if the original charge and conviction is an expunged status. Falsification could result in delayed placement and other action, including Student Conduct Code charges up to and including dismissal from the program.