Curriculum: Bachelor of Social Work

Next Term Application Deadline

03.15.2025

Total Credits

120

Next Term Starts

05.12.2025

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Curriculum at a Glance

Through a partnership with CECH at the University of Cincinnati, students of our online social work program can gain additional credentials in Substance Abuse Counseling. By participating in this special course, students will fulfill the educational requirements for the Ohio Chemical Dependency Counseling Assistant Phase 1 (CDCA Phase 1) Exam or a similar exam in their home state. Students should check with their home state’s addictions counseling credentialing board for specific requirements.

Free Elective Courses	12 Credits
General Education Courses	42 Credits
Social Work Prep Courses	9 Credits
Foundation Courses	9 Credits
Social Work Core Courses	27 Credits
Field Work	21 Credits
Total Credits	120

*Bachelor’s degree-seeking students at the University of Cincinnati are required to complete a minimum of 120 semester credit hours for graduation. 24 credits are required to transfer into the program and up to 90 semester credit hours of prior college coursework taken at an accredited institution can be transferred in and applied to the program.

CURRICULUM AT A GLANCE

Social Work Prep Courses Foundation Courses Core Courses Field Work Courses

9 Credits

Course	Title / Description	Credit
SW3030	Introduction to Social Welfare Institutions and the Social Work Profession Course: SW3030 Credit: 3 This introductory course provides students with anoverview of social services and the social work profession, including social work fields of practice, social service agencies, and levels of social work practice. Students will learn about the knowledge, beliefs, and values on which socialwelfare institutions and the profession of social work are based; the effects of political and economic resources on social service delivery systems; poverty; human diversity (e.g. gender, ethnicity, age, physical ability, sexual orientation); and fields of practice. The course also provides a service learning opportunity (a required volunteer experience).	3
SW2050	Families in America Course: SW2050 Credit: 3 Through the lens of critical theory, the overarching goal of this course is to study the diversity of American families from a multigenerational developmental perspective. The family will be examined as a social system moving through time, with a focus on the challenges the family faces as they go through the family life cycle from courtship to old age. Because families are embedded within a social environment, we will explore how culture and societal forces affect the family life, and how certain policies, structures, attitudes, and behaviors marginalize and discriminate against non-traditional families. This course focuses on the ways in which the social work profession responds to contemporary families under stress, and how the values and ethics of the profession guide social work practice. In order to understand family processes that enable the family to meet the needs of its members, students will learn the importance of the person-in-environment fit, specifically examining how diversity, equity and inclusion issues impact family from a systems perspective. Students will learn about the major theoretical models that help us understand how family’s function such as systems, role, feminist, intergenerational, social learning, conflict, and ecological theories.	3
SW2055	Poverty in America Course: SW2055 Credit: 3 This course explores multiple aspects of poverty including the number of Americans affected, the role of the government in the plight of the poor, and the evolution of the welfare system and welfare reform policies. Groups at highest risk for poverty will be highlighted, including children, single parent households, older adults, and those with chronic illness and disabilities. Social work values of self-reliance, economic security, productiveness, advocacy, and self-determination and their role in finding solutions to poverty will be highlighted.	3

9 Credits

Course	Title / Description	Credit
SW3040	Human Behavior in the Social Environment I Course: SW3040 Credit: 3 This is the first course of a two semester sequence required of all social work majors. Its bio-psycho-social systems approach focuses on the life stages of infancy, childhood and adolescence.The course utilizes a general systems theoretical approach that incorporates concepts from both the eco-systems and family life cycle perspectives. This course seeks to provide the student with a broad understanding of human behavior and developmental theories such as Erikson, Piaget, Bowlby and other psycho-social theories as well asthe research evidence that supports those theories. The primary goal of this course is the enhancement of the generalist's ability to apply these theoretical frameworks for direct practice, and to critically analyze policies and programs that affect both individual and family development.	3
SW3041	Human Behavior in the Social Environment II Course: SW3041 Credit: 3 This is the second course of a two semester sequence required of all social work majors. Its bio-psycho-social systems approach focuses on the life stages of young adulthood through later adulthood. The course utilizes a general systems theoretical approach that incorporates concepts from both the eco-systems and family life cycle perspectives. This course seeks to provide the student with a broad understanding of human behavior and developmental theories such as Erikson, Glasser, and other psycho-social theoriesrelated to adulthood and aging as well as the research evidence that supports those theories. A primary goal of this course is the enhancement of the generalist's ability to apply these theoretical frameworks to direct practice, and to critically analyze policies and programs that effect both individual and family development.	3
SW3050	Introduction to Generalist Social Work Practice Course: SW3050 Credit: 3 This course is the first in a series designed to prepare students for entry-level professional social work practice. A conceptual framework for practice at multiple levels of the client system is introduced. The framework uses ecological and systems theory to focus on the	3

27 Credits

Course	Title / Description	Credit
SW3042	Mental Health Perspectives in Social Work Course: SW3042 Credit: 3 This course will focus on social work with individuals who suffer from mental illness. It will include an overview of the systems of the service that are currently in place and interact with individuals and families who suffer from the effects of mental illness and mental disorders. Issues for clients and families will be explored and the history of mental illness will be examined in relation to progress that has been made in the service system. Social justice, ethical issues, and the elimination of stigma for persons with mental disorders will be focused on. Human diversity will be examined in relation to treatment issues. The course focuses on approaches that enhance problem-solving and coping strategies and are empowering and supportive to clients, both individually and in groups and families.	3
SW3051	Human Diversity and Generalist Social Work Practice Course: SW3051 Credit: 3 This course is designed to prepare students to recognize and address issues of diversity in Social Work practice through the acquisition of knowledge and skills for cultural competence. Cultural competence "refers to the process by which individuals and systems respond respectfullyand effectively to people of all cultures, languages, classes, races, ethnic backgrounds, religions, and other diversity factors in a mannerthat recognizes, affirms, and values the worth of individuals, families, and communities..." (NASW, 2006). In addition, this course distinguishes implications for culturally competent practice with diverse groups at the micro, mezzo, and macrolevels. As students gain greater understanding of the strengths, values, family structure, and communication styles of various groups within our society, they will demonstrate the ability to establish a working relationship across lines of difference. Human suffering, oppression, and discrimination result from social and economic injustice. With this in mind, this course also includes an emphasis upon identifying and eradicating forms of institutionalized oppression and discrimination.	3
SW3031	Social Welfare Policy Course: SW3031 Credit: 3 This course builds upon the basic content of social welfare policy introduced in previous social work courses (SW1050 or SW3030). It presents a framework for analyzing social welfare policy and programs. The framework is applied to examples from policy areas of special interest to social workers, including income maintenance, health care and personal social services. Studentsare exposed to some of the major contemporary themes in social policy including universalism andselectivity, entitlements and state control, blockgrants versus open-ended funding, cash/in-kind benefits, privatization, decentralization, the social role of government, and selected topics on the public agenda (e.g. welfare reform, homelessness, child and family welfare).	3
SW4050	Generalist Social Work Practice with Communities and Organizations Course: SW4050 Credit: 3 This course builds on Introduction to Generalist Social Work Practice and Generalist Social Work Practice with Groups by applying ecological and systems theory and the problem-solving framework to generalist social work practice with macro systems. Students will examine social work theory and methods for practice with communities and organizations. Skills for analyzing organizations,identifying needs for change, and planning and implementing interventions for changing organizational policies and procedures will be emphasized. The definitions of community will be examined, and skills for assessing communities' needs as well as planning and implementing interventions to improve community well-being willbe highlighted. Attention is focused on the ways issues of human diversity affect organizations andcommunities, and on enhancing the ways organizations can promote social and economic justice for groups experiencing oppression and discrimination. SW4050 is to be taken concurrentlywith SW4060, SW4070 and SW4080.	3
SW3052	Generalist Social Work Practice With Groups Course: SW3052 Credit: 3 This course builds upon Introduction to GeneralistSocial Work Practice by using ecological and systems theories and the problem-solving frameworkfor generalist social work practice with groups. The main focus of this course will be on the stepsof group development including planning a group, clarifying purpose, group composition, group cohesion, assessing group process and member goal achievement and termination processes. Students will develop leadership skills including communication, engagement, facilitation of group process and self-awareness in the group leader role. This course will provide opportunities for students' skill development through experiential groups. Students will learn both task and treatment modalities and the appropriate selectionof specific interventions based on research evidence for effective and ethical group practice.Issues of human diversity and their impact on group development will be emphasized.	3
SACN1000	Introduction to Substance Abuse Counseling Course: SACN1000 Credit: 3 This course is designed to provide an overview of the field of substance abuse counseling and its graduate level academic trajectories (counseling, social work, psychology, etc.) Students will be oriented to the learning expectations of the program and the university consistent with UC's baccalaureate competencies. Students will develop a portfolio, including a career plan and personal learning contract, which will be supplemented throughout the course of the substance abuse counseling program.	3
SACN2000	Basic Pharmacology Course: SACN2000 Credit: 3 This course provides students with concepts in pharmacology explored through the lens of substance use disorders. Students will gain an understanding of the human nervous system, learning how it reacts to addictive drugs and the physiological reasons one becomes dependent. In addition, students will learn about clinical trials and the research designs used to test the safety and efficacy of prescription medications. Finally, students will explore the role of drug therapies, including opioid replacement therapies,in substance abuse treatment settings.	3
SACN2011	Drugs and Behavior Course: SACN2011 Credit: 3 In this course, students will review the individual, family, and societal factors that are associated with individual substance use. In addition, this course will explore the biochemical and predisposition variables of chemical dependency, as well as the psychological and behavioral effects on the dependent person and the family system. Primary therapeutic and relapse interventions are presented as well as an overview on prevention models.	3
SACN2021	Assessment and Diagnosis in Substance Abuse Counseling Course: SACN2021 Credit: 3 The purpose of this course is to introduce students to clinical assessment and diagnostic processes in substance abuse counseling. The students will learn the key elements of the multidimensional assessment process, which will include the use of various screening and assessment tools, proper interviewing techniques, and impediments to the assessment process. Students will be introduced to the Multiaxial System in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) with specific concentrations on substance use disorders.	3

Students must successfully complete all required courses and be in good academic standing (earned a grade of a C- or better and maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or greater) before beginning the field work courses.

21 Credits

Course	Title / Description	Credit
SW4060	Social Work Research I Course: SW4060 Credit: 3 This course covers the basic concepts and methodologies used in empirical investigations of social work problems, in particular, the philosophic bases of scientific inquiry, techniques and principles of measurement, research designs, data collection, and descriptive data analysis. Experimental, single system, survey, longitudinal, and cross sectional designs are discussed in relation to knowledge generation, practice and program evaluation, and knowledge utilization in social work. Students will use knowledge gained to develop a proposal for a research project to be carried out in Research II. In addition, the influence that personal values have on the conceptualization of research questions will be examined as well as the need to appreciate human diversity when conducting research. The profession's Code of Ethics will be explored to ensure students understand and follow ethical guidelines when conducting research (e.g., protection of human subjects, informed consent, confidentiality), and mechanisms for compliance (e.g., Institutional Review Boards) will be examined.	3
SW4070	Social Work Field Learning I Course: SW4070 Credit: 5 Field Learning I is the first semester of the year-long internship designed to give senior BSW students opportunities to apply social work knowledge, values and skills to practice situations. In this placement, the fundamental principles of generalist social work practice will be carried out through engagement, assessment, intervention, or prevention activities with individuals, small groups, families, communities, and organizations. Students will develop their ability to identify the ways that contexts impact the client's circumstances with special attention to the ramifications of diversity matters as well as social and economic justice concerns. Critical thinking skills will be called upon to analyze the ethical aspects of client situations and students will be required to use available research to inform practice.	5
SW4080	Social Work Field Seminar I Course: SW4080 Credit: 1 This is the first semester of the year-long seniorField Seminar designed to promote the integration of social work knowledge, values, and skills learned in the classroom with the experiences gained through the concurrent agency-based field placement. In this semester, students will consider common experiences and concerns encountered in beginning fieldwork as they developan understanding of the organization, take on the role of social worker, and initiate the helping process with clients using the	1
SW4051	Generalist Social Work Practice with Individuals and Families Course: SW4051 Credit: 3 This is the final course in a series designed to prepare students for social work practice. This course builds on previous courses by using ecological and system theories and the problem solving framework for generalist social work practice with individuals and families. Students will explore ethical dilemmas and develop criticalthinking skills through application to field work experiences. A major focus will be refinement of skills for the planned process of change, including engagement, assessment, goal setting, treatment planning and intervention, evaluation, and termination. Managing the helping relationshipand goal-setting in the cross-cultural context andwith involuntary clients will be emphasized. Assessment skills will be enhanced through the useof previously acquired knowledge of theories of human behavior and development, issues of diversity, and mental health perspectives. Intervention methods taught may include solution focused, motivational interviewing, cognitive-behavioral, crisis intervention and family treatment strategies. Students will learn to select appropriate interventions based on research evidence for effective and ethical	3
SW4061	Social Work Research II Course: SW4061 Credit: 3 This course provides the student with an in-depth examination of research methodologies employed in social work practice. In particular, investigationmethods used at the Micro and Macro levels of practice will be explored. In addition, the influence of personal values, the organizational context, and human diversity on the formulation and research implementation will be a primary focus. Students will utilize information technology for the purposes of: (1) data collection, analysis, and presentation; (2) information management; and (3) information retrieval, as they revise and carry out the research project developed in Research I.	3
SW4071	Social Work Field Learning II Course: SW4071 Credit: 5 Field Learning II is the second semester of the year-long internship designed to give senior BSW students opportunities to apply social work knowledge, values and skills to practice situations. In this placement, the fundamental principles of generalist social work practice will be carried out through engagement, assessment, intervention, or prevention activities with individuals, small groups, families, communities, and organizations. Students will be able to identify the ways that contexts impact the client's circumstances with special attention to the ramifications of diversity matters as well as social and economic justice concerns. Critical thinking skills will be called upon to determine optimal ethical intervention strategies and students will be required to use available research to inform practice.	5
SW4081	Social Work Field Seminar II Course: SW4081 Credit: 1 This is the second semester of the year-long senior Field Seminar designed to promote the integration of social work knowledge, values, and skills learned in the classroom with the experiences gained through the concurrent agency-based field placement. In this semester, students will consider common experiences and concerns encountered in fieldwork as they integrate theory and knowledge with the person-in-environment perspective to assess and intervene in client situations, reason through ethical dilemmas, use research to inform their practice, and identify ways to advocate for human rights and social and economic justice. By reflecting on their own practice, students will continue the transition to professional social worker.	1

FAQs

What kind of support will I receive during my time in the BSW program?

At the School of Social Work, we are committed to ensuring your time in the academic program is both pleasant and successful. The Student Success Coordinator at UC Online will be available to help with any non-academic questions you may have. Your Program Coordinator will help answer any academic-related questions as well as assist you with the course and career planning. UC Online and the School of Social Work are here to support and guide you throughout your time in the program.

Prior to beginning your first semester, you will be enrolled and required to complete an Online Orientation. The Orientation will provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful in an online program. Additionally, an online Community Board will be available to you and includes links to various academic support resources such as the UC Writing Center and the UC Career Center.
Can students set up their own practicum?

Students outside the Greater Cincinnati/ Northern Kentucky area will work with the program Field Director to identify a suitable placement. This process is open to input, but suggested sites must be vetted before being approved.
Can I complete the BSW degree while working full-time?

Yes, the vast majority of our students work throughout their time in the academic program. In the senior year, students are also expected to attend their field placement for 16 hours each week, typically during normal business hours. It is important to assess course load and financial aid to understand how to balance school and work.