Social Work

Our program emphasizes client strengths and diversity, and our classes provide an excellent educational environment. You’ll receive a professional foundation in social work values and ethics, diversity, social and economic justice, at-risk populations, human behavior and the social environment, social welfare policy and services, and social work practice and research.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Miami University Social Work (BSW) Program is to educate and prepare competent and effective professionals for generalist practice in social work. The program seeks to develop a solid foundation of knowledge and skills to facilitate students in becoming effective social workers. In preparing students for effective generalist social work practice, the program’s mission instills in students the knowledge, values, and ethics of the social work profession based on our competency standards as set forth by the CSWE and the NASW Code of Ethics.

Advantages of Miami’s BSW program

  • Miami’s undergraduate social work program is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
  • Our faculty have expertise in a wide range of areas including gerontology, cultural diversity, interpersonal violence, veteran concerns, mental health, and clinical care (psychotherapy).
  • In your senior year, you complete an internship at one or more agencies. You chose your internship placement based on your interests and career goals.
  • Graduates of our program are eligible to take the national Social Work Board licensure examination. Our licensure pass rates are well above state and national averages.
  • Graduates of our program are eligible for advanced standing and can complete their master’s degree in social work in one year.
  • Our low faculty-student ratios provide opportunities for personal attention and interaction with faculty in and out of the classroom.
  • Our graduates are employed in a variety of settings including schools, mental health clinics, hospitals, military bases, public social service agencies, and corporations.
  • Graduates of our program are eligible to become professionally certified as a family life educator through the National Council on Family Relations. 

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Students will be able to demonstrate ethical and professional behavior.
  • Students will be able to engage diversity and difference in practice.
  • Students will be able to advance human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice.
  • Students will be able to engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice.
  • Students will be able to engage in policy practice.
  • Students will be able to engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
  • Students will be able to assess individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
  • Students will be able to intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
  • Students will be able to evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.

Program and Licensure Information

Miami University’s undergraduate program in social work leads to a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and prepares students for generalist social work practice. Through classroom instruction and field-based classes, students gain the knowledge and skills to assess the needs and resources of people and their social environment; provide services to individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities; link people with needed resources; and improve the resources available in the community.

Curriculum

To complete the BSW degree program, students need to successfully complete a variety of traditional courses, field-based classes, and a field practicum. Please note: requirements may be different depending on the year of your enrollment. Please contact your advisor for details.

Course Requirements

BSW Field Practicum

Social work majors are required to complete an internship consisting of 450 hours at one or more agencies over a two-semester period their senior year. Students choose from a variety of field placements.

For more information or questions, please email socialwork@MiamiOH.edu

Family Life Education Certification

Upon completion of the BSW degree, graduates are eligible to apply for provisional certification as a Family Life Educator from National Council on Family Relations.
The certification emphasizes academic preparation and experience to enable the individual to know how to design and implement curricula, workshops and other family life education programs. Family life education substance areas include families in society, internal family dynamics, lifespan human growth and development, human sexuality, interpersonal relationships, family resource management, parent education and guidance, family law and public policy, ethics, and family life education methodology.

Student Experiences

Helping Struggling Communities Heal and Thrive

There are a lot of different ways to help struggling communities heal and thrive. And in this podcast episode, we hear from Naomi Gaston, a social work and individualized studies major, who wanted learn how she could better serve her local community by learning the ins and outs of our political system. And, along the way, she also unexpectedly found herself helping another local community heal in the aftermath of a national tragedy.

Student Spotlights

Natasha Marshall '15

Shannon Branning '14