ABOUT THE SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK

In 1974 the School of Social Work admitted the first Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) students and in 1980 its first Master of Social Work (MSW) students. All of our programs are fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

Our graduates provide excellent and compassionate care and assistance to people they serve in such areas as mental health, health and gerontology, social work administration, and working with children, adolescents, and families.

The School of Social Work has experienced dramatic growth in recent years with an overall 70 percent increase in enrollment.  In the 2007/08 academic year, the School has approximately 530 undergraduate and graduate students, with many attending on a part-time basis while working full time in the social service field. Recent program initiatives include:

 

a MSW-JD program in conjunction with the College of Law

a school social work program

classes being offered in Dayton and Butler County

one-credit-hour courses that attract students, alumni and other professionals seeking continuing education opportunities for professional social work licensure, which is increasingly becoming an employment requirement of social service agencies.

The School envisions itself being designated as a full-fledged college and is moving forward with plans to realize that goal. This change would help raise the prestige of the school locally and nationally, widen exposure for its programs and leading-edge efforts, help deepen the pool of potential students, and help attract private and public financial support for current and future innovations, including establishing a behavioral science research institute.

TIMELINE

The University of Cincinnati School of Social Work was established in 1978, but it traces its roots to 1923. Here’s a brief history of social work education at UC: 

1923. UC and the Community Chest join forces to offer a social work program within the sociology department. This program ends in 1931, but other programs follow. 

1933-1938. The political science department offers a public welfare administration program. 

1959-1972. University of Cincinnati campus hosts The Ohio State University School of Social Work branch program for graduate social work students. 

1969. UC establishes the College of Community Services, offering an undergraduate social work program.

1974. The Council on Social Work Education accredits the undergraduate program of the School of Social Work.

1975. A graduate social work program is established.

1978. The University of Cincinnati Board of Trustees establishes a School of Social Work that consolidates the BSW and MSW programs. 

1981. The College of Community Services dissolves, and the School of Social Work becomes an independent academic unit.

1981. The Council on Social Work Education accredits the graduate program of the School of Social Work.

1983. The School of Social Work offers a direct practice concentration in the graduate program.

1998. The School of Social Work initiates the specializations of child and  family services, health and gerontology, and mental health in the direct practice concentration of the graduate program.

2003   The School of Social Work receives accreditation reaffirmation from the Council on Social Work Education. 

2006  MSW off campus programs begin in Dayton, Ohio and Butler County, Ohio.

2007   Freshmen are admitted to the pre-social work program.