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Sinclair College
Sinclair College
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Social Work

What is Social Work?

Social work is a skills based profession geared towards enhancing the wellbeing of clients through empowerment and clients self-determination. Social Workers are professionals who help people with a wide range of issues; including mental, physical, and behavioral health, substance use disorder, budgeting, family relationships, child welfare, gerontology, advocacy work, and so much more. Social workers act as advocates; they educate and teach skills, links clients to resources, protect vulnerable populations, counsel clients and research social problems. Social work strives to be anti-oppressive, and is a mixture of both micro level direct practice, and marco level social justice work. 

What are the expectations of the Social Work program?

  • Demonstrate professional and ethical behavior, according to NASW Code of Ethics
  • Reflect the values of the Social Work Profession, according to the NASW Code of 
  • Critical thinking and ability to engage in complex discussion surrounding social issues
  • Complete a 48-hour practicum
 

Specialized Learning Spaces

Center for Applied Social Issues (CASI) Student Learning Lab in Building 12, Room 365 provides an active learning space for students to bolster sociological concepts based upon the Social Work outcomes and objectives, as well as facilitate general education outcomes, such as literacy and communication skills.

 

Special Learning Opportunities

  • 48-Hour Practicum
  • Social Work Club
  • Service Learning 
  • NASW Advocacy Day
  • Study Abroad
How to Enroll
 
Academic Advising
 
Paying for College
 

Book Icon Available Programs

For program specific information click on the program below:

Associate of Arts
Social Work is a profession for people who want to help those in need to overcome difficulties and improve their lives. The Associate of Arts in Social Work is dedicated to students wishing to transfer to a four year university in Social Work or a related field. With an associate's, students can begin working in the field as paraprofessionals in social service settings. Social Work will provide students with skills and knowledge necessary to help people with a wide range of issues including psychological/mental health, behavioral, financial, health, relationships, and substance abuse problems. At the Associate's level, students complete practicum and service learning opportunities and explore skills related to advocacy and case management as well as skills related to working with multicultural client populations. As part of this degree program, students must complete the requirements of the Ohio Transfer 36 in order to graduate. View Full Program Details
One-year Technical Certificate
Social Work Specialists can provide assistance to Social Work and Social Service Professionals in the field and may perform duties such as providing information or referring individuals to public or private agencies for assistance, interviewing individuals or family members to compile information on social, educational, criminal, institutional, or substance abuse history; and advising clients regarding food stamps, child care, and transportation, The Social Work Specialist Certificate is the third of three certificates within the Social Work pathway that prepares students to work with those in need to overcome difficulties and improve their lives. Job duties may include transportation, visitation supervision, documentation, detention monitoring, school enrollments etc. This certificate is especially pertinent to correctional students who may have dealt with personal and family problems and want to use their experience knowledge and passion to help others avoid the mistakes they made, which lead them to prison. View Full Program Details
Short-term Technical Certificate

A short-term certificate competency based, task-specific training for Head Start Family Specialists, Family Service Specialists and Family Workers whose job it is to provide the support services which are needed by families to enhance the quality of their family life. Courses in this curriculum will focus on achieving proficiency in the following areas: social work core knowledge, values, skills; social work ethics and theory, interviewing and documentation; group/organization and micro-level methodologies; collaboration and advocacy; understanding family dynamics, barriers to self-sufficiency, conflict resolution, cultural and social diversity issues, the relationship between social problems and institutional responses.

View Full Program Details
The Social Service Short-Term Certificate is designed to provide the tools needed for employees and volunteer leaders related to human service agencies and nonprofit organizations emphasizing the skills of: communication, critical analysis of social problems, investigative techniques, an understanding of the bureaucratic social and legal system serving the community and the role of the volunteer. View Full Program Details
 


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