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Bachelor of Social Work 

This program is designed for students to be enrolled at both institutions at the same time after the first year or after approximately 30 credits. To progress in a timely manner, do not take all of the LCCC credits before applying to YSU. Classes with YSU start Fall only.

The baccalaureate degree with a major in social work prepares students for entry into beginning, generalist, professional social work practice. Social workers are employed in various settings such as public and private welfare agencies, mental health centers, health care settings, educational systems, correctional institutions, and business and industry. The Social Work Program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. A baccalaureate degree in social work from an accredited degree program qualifies a person to apply for licensing in the state of Ohio. 

Youngstown State University Website – Social Work

Why choose the Social Work Partnership Program?  

  • A quality education with affordable tuition close to home
  • You will graduate from an accredited state university with a BSW from an accredited Social Work Program
  • On-campus faculty and curriculum
  • All classes are held onsite at Lorain County Community College
  • All classes are held one night a week, Monday through Thursday, from 6-8:45 p.m.
  • Students take YSU and LCCC courses simultaneously to meet University requirements
  • Students can complete YSU coursework in 3 years following the suggested, structured cohort format (starting Fall semester)
  • Coursework includes:
    • Introduction to Social Work Poverty and Social Welfare
    • Interviewing and Counseling
    • Social Policy
    • Cultural Diversity
    • Human Behavior and the Social Environment
    • Methods with Individuals, Groups, Families, Communities and Organizations
    • Research and Statistics
    • Capstone and Integrated Seminar
  • Courses are taught by experienced faculty who possess many years of social work practice experience
  • Academic advisement and student success are supported through frequent and personable interaction with students
  • Required internship experience will help connect coursework to practice to prepare students to enter into a professional position
    • Internship will be organized by the internship coordinator with many social service organizations to choose from
    • Internship will consist of 450 hours over two semesters, equaling 12-15 hours/week
  • Seminar courses will prepare students to write effective resumes and cover letters, interview for a job, create a portfolio, and test for their licensure
  • Following graduation, you will be eligible to take the Basic Examination for licensure (LSW) in Ohio

Parallel LCCC Programs

Associate of  Applied Science in Human Services
Associate of Arts

Program Curriculum (2023-2024 pathway forthcoming)

Associate of Arts to Bachelor of Social Work Curriculum Pathway

Admission Requirements

  1. The admission application can be submitted as early as a student starts their last term/semester at Lorain.  For example, if you plan to apply to start at YSU for the fall semester, please apply no earlier than the beginning of the spring semester before that fall start.
  2. Credit from any regionally accredited college or university will be accepted and applied to either general education, major coursework, or elective credits.
  3. Credits from a non-regionally accredited institution may be accepted case-by-case and must be reviewed through the same process as those from a regionally accredited institution.  All credits considered must be a minimum of 1 credit and cannot be developmental.  Additional information can be found online here.
  4. Be in good standing at the previously attended school with a minimum 2.0 GPA.  Students recently dismissed, suspended, or expelled must sit out one semester before being considered at YSU, excluding summer.
  5. Students must have a minimum 2.00 cumulative grade point average from all colleges and universities.  Any student below a GPA of 2.0 may be considered for conditional admission, but that is determined on a case-by-case basis, and a personal statement may be required to be submitted.
  6. A high school diploma would be required unless the associate degree is earned before a student starts at YSU.

Additional Program Admission Requirements

The formal admission of students into the Program considers general education requirements and required support courses, as well as criteria established by full-service faculty in the YSU Department of Social Work.

Formal admission to the BSW Program is a selective process that considers objective academic requirements and qualitative attributes specific to the student. Students who have completed the requirements necessary for admission and intend to register for SCWK 3736 (Social Work Methods with Individuals) must sign a roster distributed by the instructor of the SCWK 2644 (Human Behavior in the Social Environment II) course. The following objective components are reviewed for completion before admission to the BSW Program can be considered:

An overall GPA of 2.5 or better (LCCC and YSU GPA will be considered).
Successful completion (C or better) of the following courses according to sequencing: ENGL 161 and 162; CMMC 151; BIOG 152; SOCY 151; PSYH 151; SOCY 161; PLSC 156; PHLY 174 and 161; RELG 181; SOWK 151 and 251; HMSR 111; and SCWK 2642 and 2644 (YSU courses).
Completion and submission of the BSW Program Admission Application by the 4th week of the semester preceding the term in which admission is being requested. Admission applications are available through the SCWK 2644 instructor. Students must also sign the SCWK 3736 list (no later than the 4th week) distributed by the SCWK 2644 instructor.
In addition to reviewing the above materials for completeness, the admissions committee will evaluate qualitative concerns by conducting an admissions interview.

Application Procedures

  1. Review the  YSU/LCCC BSW Social Work Program Instructions.
  2. Follow the application deadlines.
  3. Complete an online application.
    • Note:  When selecting your degree, make sure the campus linked to the degree is LCCC/or Lorain.
  4. Submit the $45 nonrefundable application fee.  If you are Pell eligible and need assistance with the application fee, apply for the NACAC Transfer Application Fee Waiver. The form is downloadable within the link.
  5. Request all colleges and universities you have attended to send official transcripts directly to YSU.
  6. Once your materials are in, check your email for an admission decision.
  7. Schedule an advising appointment with your assigned YSU advisor to get registered for classes.
  8. Admitted transfer students are “highly encouraged” to complete the Transfer Student Orientation.  Students can sign up for the online Transfer Student Orientation by logging into the Penguin Portal.  Once a student logs into the Penguin Portal, they will see the Orientation heading that they can click to either sign up for the “in person” or the completely online version.

Submit all college-level transcripts to:
Youngstown State University
Attn:  Office of Admissions
One University Plaza
Youngstown, OH 44555

YSU Social Work Program and Curriculum Information Packet

How do I know if I am in the University Partnership?

  • You are following the UP Curriculum Pathway from the associate to the bachelor’s degree.
  • For 2:2 degrees, you have been admitted to the partner institution and have registered for your first classes the upcoming semester, 3rd year of partner classes.  The first day of the 3rd year class, you are officially a UP student.
  • For 3:1 degrees, you are a UP student if you are registered for the 3rd year in either bridgework LCCC classes or UP partner classes. You may not be necessarily admitted with the UP partner just yet.  The first day of the 3rd year of UP or LCCC bridgework class, you are officially a UP student.
  • UP Office will use the email address your partner institution shares with us, which is once a semester, to email out a reminder to you about the UP program supports and services.
  • If you are unsure if you are in the UP, you are welcome to email or call the UP Office to verify your status.

How do I show proof I am a UP student to receive benefits and supports offered at LCCC

  • Go to the Circulation Desk on the 2nd floor of the LCCC Bass Library  (440) 366-4026.
  • Show your class registration for UP classes with the partner institution or LCCC bridgework classes.
  • Bass Library staff will place a color coded sticker on the back of your LCCC or partner institution ID card.  If you have no LCCC or UP ID card, a UP ID card will be issued to you.
  • You will need to get a new sticker (date specific) each semester that you are registered for UP partner classes.
  • An ID card is not required but would be needed if you are seeking benefits and supports at LCCC while in the partnership.
  • Supports and services are for Elyria Campus and the Learning Centers (Community Learning  Center at Lorain High School, Lorain Learning Center at City Center, LCCC Wellington Center, and University Partnership Ridge Campus).

New Students

Students interested in this program can schedule an appointment with YSU Advisor Karla Wyant or phone at (330) 518-7076 to schedule an appointment.

LCCC Partnership BSW Advisement Packet.

Tuition and Fee Schedule

Tuition and fees are subject to change. Please contact the Youngstown State University Bursar’s Office at (330) 941-3313 or refer to the YSU Financial Aid website.

For More Information

Prospective Students

Health and Human Services
hhsdistance@ysu.edu 
(330) 941-1820

If you would like an unofficial evaluation of transfer credit, email your unofficial transcripts from all institutions to HHS Distance.  See directions to obtain your unofficial transcript using MyCampus. If you want the UP office to pull your unofficial LCCC transcript for you, complete and return the FERPA release form.

Admitted  Students
Karla Wyant, Program Coordinator
kawyant@ysu.edu
(330) 518-7076 

See the Youngstown State University Academic Calendar for important academic dates and deadlines.