Associate of Arts with a concentration in Social Work
Transfer Degree
Overview
The Associate of Arts in Social Work is ideal for students who want to pursue a bachelor’s degree in social work and have an interest in case management and counseling. After completing your degree, you will have a guaranteed transfer path to Ohio’s public universities and some private institutions.
You will complete most of the required general education courses needed for a bachelor’s degree plus several social work courses, including:
- social welfare and policy
- family studies
- addiction studies
- psychology
- ethics
Starting college with an associate degree can save you thousands of dollars on tuition while providing a pathway to many four-year institutions. Keep scrolling to see your transfer options.
Future Start Dates
Admission Requirements
This is an open enrollment program. To be admitted, students must submit a free application for admission and complete the standard steps to enroll.
Plan of Study
Associate Degree
Associate of Arts in Social Work
All courses require a “C” (2.00) grade or better to progress and graduate from this program.
Total hours required: 62
|
English Composition |
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|---|---|---|
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Complete both courses (6 credit hours): |
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| ENGL-100 | Composition I* | 3 |
| ENGL-101 | Composition II* | 3 |
|
Oral Communication |
||
| Complete 1 course (3 credit hours): | ||
| SPCH-100 | Introduction to Communication | 3 |
|
Public Speaking |
3 | |
| SPCH-210 |
Small Group Communications |
3 |
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Mathematics, Statistics and Logic |
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| Complete 1 course (3 credit hours): | ||
|
Quantitative Reasoning* |
3 | |
|
Introduction to Statistics* |
3 | |
|
Arts |
||
| Complete 1 courses (3 credit hours): | ||
| ARTS-110 | American Popular Music* | 3 |
| ARTS-120 |
Dance Appreciation* |
3 |
|
Humanities |
||
|
Complete 1 course (3 credit hours): |
||
| HIST-100 | American Politics & Government* | 3 |
| HIST-150 | US History I: to 1877 | 3 |
| HIST-151 | US History II: Since 1877 | 3 |
| ENGL-211 | Survey American Literature* | |
| ENGL-212 | Survey American Literature II* | |
| ENGL-221 | Survey British Literature I* | |
| ENGL-222 | Survey British Literature II* | |
| PHIL-105 | Critical Thinking* | 3 |
| PHIL-150 | Introduction to Philosophy* | 3 |
| PHIL-200 | Introduction to Ethics* | 3 |
|
Social and Behavioral Sciences |
||
| Complete 1 course (3 credit hours): | ||
| Introduction to Psychology | 3 | |
| SOC-100 |
Abnormal Psychology* |
3 |
| SOC-110 | Cultural Diversity | 3 |
|
Natural Sciences |
||
| Complete both courses (8 credit hours): | ||
|
Environmental Science |
4 | |
|
Human Biology* |
4 | |
| Major Courses | ||
| Complete all four course (12 credit hours): | ||
| SWA-100 | Introduction to Social Work | 3 |
| SWA-111 | Addiction Studies I | 3 |
| SWA-150 |
Social Welfare and Policy |
3 |
| SWA-200 | Family Systems | 3 |
| General Electives | ||
|
Complete 5 courses (15) credit hours: |
||
| Survey American Literature | 3 | |
| ENGL-212 |
Survey American Literature II |
3 |
| ENGL-221 |
Survey British Literature I |
3 |
| ENGL-222 | Survey British Literature II | 3 |
| HIST-100 | American Politics & Government* | 3 |
| HIST-150 | US History I: to 1877 | 3 |
| HIST-151 | US History II: Since 1877 | 3 |
| PHIL-150 | Introduction to Philosophy* | 3 |
| PHIL-200 | Introduction to Ethics* | 3 |
| Abnormal Psychology* | 3 | |
| PSY-210 | Developmental Psychology* | 3 |
*Course may have prerequisites. Please check the course description to view all prerequisites and requirements.
The college reserves the right to change curricula without notice.
Published: May 2025
Transfer Options
COTC’s Associate of Arts is designed to allow graduates to move seamlessly to bachelor’s degree programs at all state-supported colleges and universities in the state of Ohio, as well as at many private institutions. In fact, every course on the AA plan of study is fully transferable to any school that accepts the Ohio Transfer Module or Transfer Assurance Guides.
In addition to public universities, students can consider the following private four-year universities with which COTC has a transfer agreement:
Frequently Asked Questions
How quickly can I complete the Associate of Arts in Social Work?
Students who enroll full time will complete their degree in two years.
Can I take classes online or face-to-face?
Classes in the social work assistant program may be completed in person or online in an asynchronous format for your flexibility and convenience.
What is the difference between the Associate of Applied Science in Social Work Assistant and the Associate of Arts in Social Work?
The Associate of Applied Science in Social Work Assistant prepares you to enter the workforce immediately after graduation. If you decided to continue your education for a bachelor’s degree, your credits will transfer to universities with which COTC has an articulation agreement (see Transfer Options above).
The Associate of Arts in Social Work is a transfer degree that prepares you to continue your education for a bachelor’s degree immediately after graduation. Your credits will transfer to all public four-year institutions in Ohio.
For help determining which degree is right for you, read Which COTC degree is for me?
What financial assistance is available to help me pay for college?
COTC awards more than $1 million in scholarships to students each year.
Every student is encouraged to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid(FAFSA) to be considered for grants, scholarships and loans. Students who complete the FAFSA are automatically considered for some scholarships. Other scholarships require an application.
See Paying for College for more information, or connect with the Office of Student Financial Services at 740.366.9435 or email NWK-studentfinancialservices@mail.cotc.edu.