Student Spotlight: Janae Christopher (Online Bachelor of Social Work)

Janae Christopher dreamed of pursuing her Bachelor of Social Work at the University of Cincinnati. The only problem? She lives over an hour from UC’s campus.

“In-person classes simply weren't feasible,” she said. “The online Bachelor of Social Work program made it possible for me to be a Bearcat!” 

Now in her final year, Janae’s story is a shining example of online learning at its best. Even while balancing her career and education, she’s built professional relationships, engaged in advocacy, and pursued opportunities across the state through the National Association of Social Work—without ever setting foot on UC’s campus.

As is the case for many adult learners, Janae didn’t want to put her life on hold to go back to school. She wanted to keep her full-time job in community college counseling services. She also wanted to pursue a second career in social work. 

Once she decided that an online program would fit her goals, she had several other priorities: flexibility, accreditation, and support. UC’s online Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program met these needs. 

“The social work program is accredited with the Council on Social Work Education,” Janae added, “which was an absolute must on the path to licensure.” 

According to Dr. Nicole Harrington, CSWE-accredited social work programs have “gone through a rigorous review process and met national standards for social work education.” Since all state licensure exams require a degree from a CSWE-accredited program, it’s crucial to choose a program that meets this requirement. 

This can get tricky for online learners, since some universities only offer non-accredited online BSW programs. Luckily, Janae didn’t have to worry about this at UC, as the BSW program is accredited both in-person and online.

Janae wanted to be challenged academically and encouraged to develop necessary skills for the field. She found that in UC’s online BSW curriculum, which covers human behavior, social work practice, mental health in social work, social welfare, and substance abuse counseling.

“I was fortunate in having professors who made themselves available when I needed extra support and met amazing classmates to walk through this experience with,” she said. “The BSW Distance Learning Program Director, Professor Shawnieka Pope, is a dedicated educator whose investment in the program is evident through her support for students.” 

The BSW program culminates in a year-long fieldwork internship, during which students work in various social service agencies under the supervision of experienced social workers. No campus visits necessary—fieldwork placements are arranged by the School of Social Work and based on where you’re located.  

Fieldwork allows students like Janae to apply what they’ve learned in the classroom with real clients—an invaluable experience for future professional social workers. 

“Adjunct Professor Michelle Dunn was supportive during field seminars and was always available to provide guidance and insight during field placement, a time when I was being challenged at my growth edges,” Janae shared. “Adjunct Professor Ana Banos was also a pleasure to learn from, and I developed many interpersonal and client relation skills under her instruction.” 

Along with high-quality academic opportunities and invested professors, Janae received ample support from UC’s staff as a whole. 

“I had a great academic advisor during my time at UC. If I ever had a question that she didn’t know the answer to, she would either find out for me or point me toward someone who could help.” 

It's no secret: balancing full-time work and online learning can be challenging, even for the best multi-taskers. 

“Senior year has been the most challenging with work, field placement, schoolwork, and life all happening at once,” Janae reflected.

She’s thankful to have a solid support system in place, which has made navigating this season of life more manageable. An important skill she’s had to practice is advocating for herself. Whether that’s communicating her needs transparently or setting clear boundaries with others, she’s prioritized being realistic about her capacity.

“Going back to school as an adult does require some sacrifice, but it’s been worth it. Creating study plans and scheduling time to study into my week, along with scheduling downtime, has been important to create perfectly imperfect balance.”

However, it’s not all about sacrifices and difficulty. There are plenty of “wins” as Janae hones her skills and takes steps toward her future career. She makes it a point to celebrate milestones, like passing a tough exam, or capping off the end of term with close classmates.

“It’s allowed me to slow down and savor these moments that can pass by so quickly.”

A defining chapter of Janae’s BSW journey has been her involvement outside of the classroom. 

“When I decided to go back to school and pursue social work, I made a commitment to giving it 100% of my efforts. Part of that effort has been finding ways to engage with the field and begin building relationships with social workers already out there doing the good work.” 

After being encouraged by Professor Shawnieka Pope, Janae ran for and was elected as a Board of Directors BSW Student Representative. In this role, an undergraduate college student serves on the governing board of a social work organization. In Janae’s case, this was the National Association of Social Work Ohio Chapter. 

“NASW Ohio has been invaluable for making connections with social workers across the state, engaging with advocacy, and enhancing my classroom education with opportunities to learn more about my special interests within social work.” 

Janae’s involvement with NASW Ohio has empowered her as a member of the broader social work community. It’s given her the opportunity to expand her professional network and form connections with her peers—an aspect of online learning that can fall by the wayside if you aren’t proactive. 

In her time as a student representative, the accomplishments she’s most proud of are introducing a Student Membership Scholarship fund and co-founding the Social Workers for Environmental Action Team (SWEAT). 

After she graduates with her BSW, Janae plans to continue onto a Master of Social Work program.

“I’ve always been interested in macro social work, and that is what I hope to focus on in my future studies and work experience,” she said. “I’m passionate about the intersection of social and environmental justice. There are so many opportunities to explore the emergent field of environmental social work in health, housing, workers’ rights, community planning, and more.” 

For those considering UC’s online degree programs, Janae advises going in with a plan and taking advantage of opportunities to build community. 

“Having a plan helps you to stay organized when there aren’t scheduled check-ins or class time,” she said. “Professors are great resources as many of them work in the field, and fellow students are your future social work peers. Networking and getting to know one another creates a support system that can last beyond your time in school.” 

Janae’s dedication has helped her thrive at UC. She’s never let being an adult online learner stop her from engaging in her education and professional development. Congratulations on all that you’ve accomplished, Janae!

At the University of Cincinnati, our online Bachelor of Social Work program is designed with busy professionals in mind. Open to both first-time and transfer students, UC makes it easy to earn your degree quickly and without putting your life on hold. 

Many adult learners, like Kristina Lefever and Isabella White, have followed the same path as Janae and thrived in the program. So can you.

Interested in social work but still have questions? Connect with us today. Your Enrollment Services Advisor is here to offer individualized guidance as you explore your options at UC.