Teaching Expertise

• Mental Health

• Community resources and supports for troubled youths

Background

Michael Ottone joined the College of Social Work in 2007 as an adjunct faculty. He transitioned to a fulltime Instructor position in 2012, followed by promotion to his current positions in 2020. Additionally, he was named Coordinator for the Combination Degree programs and Non-Credit Continuing Education courses in 2019. Prior to joining the University of South Carolina, Michael worked as a clinical social worker for the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice. 

As senior clinical instructor, Michael provides both instruction and support for students at the College of Social Work. He primarily teaches Field Education Seminar courses for both the BSW and MSW programs, in addition to serving as a field liaison and a field instructor. Michael has previously provided more direct support to the Field Education Office in the areas of site recruitment and development, student orientations, and training for field instructors.  

As a coordinator, Michael provides student advising for current and potential combination degree students (pursuing the MSW and an additional graduate degree concurrently). Michael coordinates the implementation and organization of continuing education courses for professionals seeking advanced clinical social work licensure. He also provides advising on process and preparation for students in preparing to pursue professional licensure. 

Prior to joining the COSW fulltime, Michael worked in several social work positions over 15 years of service. As a social worker and program manager for the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice, he created and implemented all Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) treatment services for long-term institutionalized juveniles, supervising dorms with 90+ juveniles for intensive AOD services. He also supervised psycho-education coursework and case management for all non-intensive AOD treatment. As a therapist and clinician for the Newberry (S.C.) County Memorial Hospital, Behavioral Health Services, Michael was the lead clinician for outpatient counseling, primarily for patients with depression, anxiety and dementia. He remains active in the practice world by providing clinical licensure supervision and consultation services.   
 
Michael is a member of the South Carolina Certified Public Manager Society and the National Association of Social Workers. He previously served two, three-year terms as treasurer and two additional terms as president on the NASW South Carolina executive board. From 2013 to 2017, he was a board member of the South Carolina Youth Worker’s Association.     
Michael received his associates degree in mental health from Montgomery (Md.) Community College, his bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and earned his Master of Social Work from the University of South Carolina.