Social Work

Department Chair and BSW Program Director Renda Ross, PhD., LISWS

Associate Professors-Pamela Ellwanger-Schmidt, PhD., LISWS, Katie Gorman, PhD., LISWS, & Renda A. Ross, PhD., LISWS,

Field Education Director- Debbie Fournier, BSW, MSW, LISWS

The Social Work Program of Capital University educates students for generalist social work practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Accredited by the Council on Social Work Education since 1974, the Program provides traditional and non-traditional undergraduates the opportunity to obtain the Bachelor of Social Work. The Social Work Program adheres to the principle that education for social work proceeds from a common core of values and knowledge incorporated into social work practice.

Social Work Department Mission

The Capital University Department of Social Work is committed to the provision of excellent educational preparation for generalist and advanced social work practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Consistent with the mission of Capital University the Social Work program transforms the lives of students through an inclusive and supportive learning community. They learn the knowledge, skills, and practice behaviors that support their work with diverse populations, cultures, and practice settings.

Mission Statement of the BSW Program

The Social Work Baccalaureate Program at Capital University mission is to provide a high-quality social work education that prepares students for generalist practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Through a liberal and professional education, students learn foundational knowledge about social problems, policy, and service delivery through multiple lenses that are theory and research based. The BSW program prepares them to engage in critical thinking, self-reflection, with a commitment to human rights, equity, and systemic change.

Relationship to University Mission

Transforming students through a liberal arts education including content courses and Field Education Program prepares students for a professional life of service across environments and populations.

BSW Program Goals:

Prepare students for generalist practice in rural and urban settings with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.
Prepare students with a foundation for lifelong learning, including graduate education and an awareness of their responsibility to continue their professional growth and development.
Prepare students with a broad liberal arts foundation emphasizing the development of knowledgeable, independent, critical thinkers.
Prepare students to practice within the values and ethics of the social work profession with an emphasis on service to vulnerable populations and the promotion of social and economic justice and empowerment worldwide.
Prepare students to understand scientific, analytic, and ethical approaches for practice and evaluation.

Social Work Learning Outcomes:

Competency 1: Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior

Competency 2: Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice

Competency 3: Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice

Competency 4: Engage In Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice

Competency 5: Engage in Policy Practice

Competency 6: Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

Competency 7: Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

Competency 8: Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

Competency 9: Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

Curriculum

The B.S.W. curriculum reflects a commitment to social welfare, human diversity, and social work practice in both rural and urban environments. It is integrated with Capital’s liberal arts core education goals and provides a professional foundation for practice in a variety of areas including health, mental health, education, children’s services, social welfare policy, and aging.

A two-semester field practicum experience is required in the senior year for the integration of theory and practice, and as an application of social work knowledge, skills, values, and cognitive/affective processes. Application for agency placement is required in the junior year, by the last day of fall semester (a year before the internship begins). The Social Work Program has strong ties to many agencies and organizations that provide students with rich field placements in a variety of practice areas including outside the metropolitian area of Columbus. Qualified social workers and professional agency staff serve as field instructors. Field instructors, alumni, other human service workers, and students serve on the BSW Program Community Advisory Committee actively participating with faculty in policy formulation, curriculum development, and reviews of placement agencies.

State licensure is required for professional social work practice. Graduates from the Social Work Program are prepared to take state licensing examinations and are eligible to apply for a one-year accelerated Master of Social Work degree which Capital Universiry launched in 2025, with CSWE accreditation timeline - Oct/2027.

Social work majors need to maintain a 2.5 Cumulative GPA to be formally admitted to the BSW Program/Field Education, and to graduate with the BSW.