Teaching Expertise

• Mental Health

• Community resources and supports for troubled youths

Background

Clinical Instructor Michael Ottone joined the College of Social Work in 2007 as an adjunct faculty. He has held his current title since 2012 and was named coordinator for the dual degree programs and non-credit continuing education courses in 2019. Prior to joining the University of South Carolina, Ottone worked as a social worker for the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice.

As clinical instructor, Ottone provides support for the Field Education Office including, developing trainings for students and field instructors, recruiting potential agency placement opportunities and serving as a field liaison annually for more than 40 Master of Social Work students. He has previously conducted portions of both the annual training presentation for field instructors and the training session for first-time field placement students. He also teaches the required MSW Foundation Field Seminar courses.  

Prior to joining USC, Ottone worked in several social work positions for 15 years. 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. Ottone also supervised and managed two male population dorms with 80 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, Ottone was the lead clinician for outpatient counseling, completed psychosocial assessments and developed initial treatment plans, primarily for patients with depression, anxiety and dementia. He remains active in the practice world by providing clinical licensure supervision and consultation services.  

Ottone 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 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 from 2013 to 2017.    

Ottone 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.