Programs of Study
Social Work
The tutorial program in social work is designed for talented and highly motivated students who wish to pursue an undergraduate degree in social work. The program emphasizes learning through service to the community and focuses on the applied aspects of the profession of social work that link theory with practice in a social service setting.
The program seeks to: 1) provide students with a core of social work knowledge through a series of tutorials that expose students to an in-depth and intensive study of social work; 2) assist students in developing the special skills necessary to critically analyze social problems from a theoretical perspective; 3) give students the opportunity to apply theory to practice by serving in a social agency in the community; and 4) help students conduct a research project on a topic of interest that will lead to the completion of a thesis.
ELIGIBILITY
Applicants to the program are selected by the Honors Tutorial College and the Social Work faculty on the basis of superior academic ability and the potential for self-motivated, undergraduate study and research. A high school class rank in the upper ten percent, a minimum combined score of 1300 on the SAT or an ACT composite of 30 are generally required for entry into the program. Students currently enrolled at Ohio University may apply before the fourth quarter of study. Previously stated criteria for entry into the program must be met along with an overall, college GPA of 3.5.
TUTORIAL REQUIREMENTS
In the first year, students will take two social work tutorials that introduce them to the general field of social work practice and social policy. In addition, students will begin to work on the foreign language requirement, take a statistics course, English and electives in the social sciences. The second year will consist of students taking social work tutorials in social work practice, human behavior, and research methods to begin to prepare for the thesis. In addition, students will work to complete the foreign language requirement and take other electives in the social sciences or humanities.
During the third year, students will engage in an independent research project. The research proposal will be submitted to the Director of Studies by the end of fall quarter.
COLLATERAL STUDY
The tutorial program offers students the opportunity to design a curriculum specifically tailored to the needs and interests of the individual; however, all collateral courses must be approved by the Director of Studies. The Department of Social Work feels that language skills are an important part of a student’s undergraduate education in social work. Honors Tutorial College students are expected to complete a minimum of two years of a foreign language. In addition, students are expected to complete courses in statistics, psychology, sociology, political science and economics. Other collateral courses may be taken in such fields as anthropology, computer science, philosophy, history and the biological sciences in consultation with the Director of Studies.
FIELD PRACTICUM
Students will enroll in a one-year, three-quarter sequence that seeks to integrate class work, seminar and a field practicum experience in a social agency in the community. Students will work 120 hours in an agency during the fall quarter and 160 hours in the winter and spring quarters of the third year of their program.
EVALUATION AND GRADING
Honors Tutorial College students are evaluated and graded by their tutors based on successful mastery of specific knowledge and skills. Mastery of the course content and demonstration of skills is achieved through the successful completion of research papers, projects, service learning assignments, journals, seminar meetings, and examinations. Weekly individual meetings with faculty tutors are required. In the third year, students are expected to write and defend a thesis. The thesis will reflect the ability to understand and apply theoretical concepts, to conceptualize a research methodology, and to conduct an original research project in a substantive area.
FURTHER INFORMATION
The deadline for submission of application materials is December 1. Interviews are held in January. For further information about this program, call or write:Dr. Karen Carlson
Director of Studies
Social Work Tutorial Program
Department of Social Work
Morton Hall 531
Athens, OH 45701-2979
(740) 593-1297
Additional information can be found on the Department of Social Work web site: