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school social work


Frequently Asked Questions

What are the eligibility requirements to become a school social worker?

(Effective January of 1998 The Ohio Department of Education's regulations concerning school social work licensure are in effect)

  1. Master's degree in social work in a clinical/direct practice concentration,
  2. One year of successful experience in a chartered school or school district under a professional license; or one year of social work experience under a current license issued by the Ohio Counselor and Social Worker Board; or a graduate level social work practicum of at lease ten weeks in a chartered school or school district
  3. Current license to practice social work issued by the Ohio Counselor and Social Worker Board (Administrative Code Chapter 3301-24)
  4. Additional coursework specific to school social work practice
Are there any specific requirements in completing the certification program at Ohio State University, College of Social Work?

  1. Satisfactory completion of all course required of all by the College of Social Work for the MSW degree;
  2. Satisfactory completion all courses required for the clinical concentration;
  3. School social work students MUST satisfactorily complete the following (These are required courses. Therefore, they cannot be taken as an independent study nor can other courses be substituted in their place):
  4. SWK 713 - Social Work Practice in the Schools (3 credits); and
  5. EDU PAES 650 - Introduction to Exceptional Children (3 credits); and
  6. Either
    1. SWK 741.F09 - Clinical Social Work Practice with the Adolescent (3 credits); OR
    2. SWK 741.D09 - Clinical Social Work Practice with the Young Child (3 credits)
  7. Enroll in ONE of the following advance policy courses:
    1. SWK 750.01 - Child and Family Services (Most highly recommended)
    2. SWK 750.03 - Health;
    3. SWK 750.04 - Mental Health; or
    4. SWK 889 - Field Practicum II - The second year advance field practicum, over three quarters, MUST be completed in a school setting, officially approved by the field office

Please note that SWK 750.02 - Aging - WILL NOT be accepted as meeting the requirements for the advance policy course SWK 750.XX

I have my MSW degree but did not complete a field practicum experience in an approved setting. What is needed for me to complete the certification process?

  1. A transcript verifying your MSW with clinical/direct practice concentration from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited institution
  2. Documentation of one year full time employment experience post MSW providing social services in a school 
  3. One does not need have the title "Social Worker" during this employment
  4. Evidence of social work licensure status
  5. Evidence of appropriate additional coursework
I am not a graduate of The Ohio State University. How do I register for courses?

  1. Contact The Graduate School at 247 University Hall, 230 North Oval Mall, Columbus, OH 43210, Phone (614) 292-6031 to obtain the graduate non-degree form.
  2. Only individuals who have NEVER previously enrolled in the Graduate School at Ohio State are required to follow these application procedures.
  3. Website
I am a graduate of The College of Social Work/MSW Program and need the courses. How do I register for the additional classes?

  1. Former Ohio State graduate students should contact the MSW Program Office, (614) 292-2972 to reactivate your status with the Graduate School.
I have completed the course work, what do I do next?

  1. Documentation of completion of course work for MSW with clinical/direct practice concentration
  2. Transcript
  3. Evidence of completion of a field practicum in an approved school setting  and/or documentation of work experience in a school
  4. Evidence of social work licensure status
  5. When all REQUIRED course work and documentation is completed the applicant contacts the MSW Academic Counselor, (614) 292-7684, to obtain the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) Certification Application
  6. Accompanied by a $60.00 money order or check made out to Ohio T.E.C.
    1. Fingerprint Card (requires a $15.00 money order made out to Treasurer, State of Ohio for processing your fingerprints). For more information call The Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCI) at (330) 659-4600. Do not fold the fingerprint cards
    2. If not a resident of the State of Ohio for the past five years, applicants also need a $24.00 money order made out to Treasurer, State of Ohio to send with your FBI fingerprints
What occurs after completion of the coursework?

  1. Director of Field Instruction verifies approved field placement or work experience in a school
  2. MSW program verifies transcript information for Ohio State University graduates
  3. Faculty Coordinator formally approves the application and submits forms to the College of Education  

Use the attached Checklist to help you out!

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