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The University of Texas – Rio Grande Valley

Social Work Department

M.S.S.W. Program __________________________________________________________

Student Handbook

THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS

RIO GRANDE VALLEY

UTRGV.EDU

2015-2016

(revised: July 2015)

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Table of Contents

Introduction to the Social Work Department

Introduction 2

Administrative and Clerical Staff 2

Faculty 2

Overview of Program 3

Mission Statement 3

Goals & Objectives 3

History 5

Admission Criteria 5

MSSW Curriculum 6

Foundation Year 7

Concentration – Direct Practice with Latino Individuals, Families and Groups 8

Concentration – Community Practice and Administration 8

Full Time Plans of Study 9

Foundation Year 9

Concentration – Direct Practice with Latino Individuals, Families and Groups 9

Concentration – Community Practice and Administration 9

Academic Advising 10

Faculty Advisor Responsibilities 11

Student Responsibilities 11

Request for exceptions 12

Ethics 12

Introduction 12

Student Responsibilities

Dismissal Policies and Procedures 13

Academic Dismissal 13

Non-Academic Dismissal 13

Initiation of Proceedings 13

Mandatory Advising 14

Faculty Review 14

Appeal of Program Director to Department Chair 15

Implementation of Remediation 15

Student Complaints & Appeals 15

Appendix A 16

CSWE Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards 16

Appendix B 19

NASW Code of Ethics 19

Appendix C 21

Termination and Professional Misconduct Form 21

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Introduction to the Social Work Department

INTRODUCTION

The faculty and staff welcome you to the Master of Science in Social Work Program.

You have embarked on an academic path that will prepare you for social work practice at an

advanced level. During your course of study, you will acquire values, knowledge, and skills that

are essential for independent professional practice. We urge you to use the program resources

that are available to you, including your Faculty Advisor, the MSSW Program Director, the

social work faculty, and the Graduate Association of Student Social Workers.

This handbook, along with the University’s Graduate Catalog, should assist you in

successfully progressing through your course of study.

ADMINISTRATIVE AND CLERICAL STAFF

Sudershan Pasupuleti, Chair 665-2413

John González, MSSW Program Director 665-2895

Sonja Arredondo, BSW Program Director 665-2124

Nelda Rodriguez, Director of Field Education 665-3190

Estela Rojas, Administrative Assistant II 665-3575

Cynthia Cisneros, Office Assistant II 665-3578

FACULTY

Sonja Arredondo, LMSW, Lecturer 665-2124

Enedina (Nina) Enriquez, LCSW, Lecturer 665-2555

*Catherine Faver, Ph.D., LMSW, Professor 665-2628

*Janis Feldman, Ph.D., Associate Professor 665-7369

Celina Garza, LCSW, Lecturer 665-2972

*John González, Ph.D., Associate Professor 665-2895

*Denise Longoria, Ph.D., Assistant Professor 286-8385

Héctor X. Palacios, LCSW, Lecturer 665-3820

*Sudershan Pasupuleti, Ph.D., Professor 665-2413

*Noe Ramírez, Ph.D., LCSW, Associate Professor 665-3577

*primary assignment in the MSSW Program

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Overview of Social Work Program

MISSION STATEMENT

The Department of Social Work is committed to preparing entry-level generalists and advanced

professional social workers to meet the needs of a bi-national and multicultural community. The

educational emphasis is on social work practice with Latino families considering multicultural

awareness, professional competence, ethical practice, knowledge building, and social services

that promote social and economic justice in a bi-national environment.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

1. To prepare graduates to practice with diverse, vulnerable, and at-risk populations to

promote human well-being and social and economic justice especially in the Texas-

Mexico border region.

Foundation Objective 1: Apply critical thinking skills in social work practice.

Foundation Objective 2: Understand and practice according to the value base of the

profession and its ethical standards and principles.

Foundation Objective 3: Practice without discrimination and with respect, knowledge,

and skills related to clients' age, class, color, culture, disability, ethnicity, family

structure, gender, marital status, national origin, race, religion, and sexual orientation.

Foundation Objective 4: Understand and interpret the history of the social work

profession and its contemporary structures and issues.

Foundation Objective 5: (BSW) Apply the knowledge and skills of generalist social

work practice with systems of all sizes. (MSSW) Apply the knowledge and skills of a

generalist social work perspective with systems of all sizes.

Foundation Objective 6: Apply theoretical concepts and research findings to assessments

at all system levels, including individual, family, group, organization, and community.

Foundation Objective 7: Use communication skills appropriately with clients,

colleagues, and community members.

Foundation Objective 8: Use supervision and consultation appropriate to social work

practice.

Concentration Objective 1: Demonstrate advanced family focused intervention

knowledge and skills appropriate for Latino individuals, groups and families.

Concentration Objective 2: Use communication skills appropriately with clients,

colleagues, and community members.

Concentration Objective 3: Use clinical supervision and consultation to enhance clinical

practice skills for work with Latinos.

Concentration Objective 4: Identify and prepare action plans for addressing ethical

issues and dilemmas associated with the delivery of clinical services and programs to

Latinos.

Concentration Objective 5: Apply theoretical concepts and research findings to family

focused practice with Latino individuals and families.

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Concentration Objective 6: Practice without discrimination and with respect, knowledge,

and skills related to clients' age, class, color, culture, disability, ethnicity, family

structure, gender, marital status, national orgigin, race, religion, sex, and sexual

orientation.

2. To prepare graduates for leadership in developing and implementing policies and services

for at-risk populations with an emphasis on the Texas-Mexico border region.

Foundation Objective 9: Understand the forms and mechanisms of oppression and

discrimination and apply strategies of advocacy and social change that advance social and

economic justice.

Foundation Objective 10: Analyze, formulate, and influence social policies.

Foundation Objective 11: Function within the structure of organizations and service

delivery systems and seek necessary organizational change.

Concentration Objective 7: Demonstrate advanced skills in social work policy practice,

including research, analysis, formulation, influence, and advocacy for family programs

and services consistent with social work values.

Concentration Objective 8: Function within the structure of the placement agency and, as

appropriate, seek necessary change.

3. To develop the knowledge base of the social work profession, particularly as it relates to

addressing the needs of at-risk populations with an emphasis on the Texas-Mexico border

region.

Foundation Objective 12: Critically analyze and apply research findings to practice and

evaluate his/her own practice intervention.

Concentration Objective 9: Evaluate the effectiveness of family focused practice with

diverse client systems.

The Council on Social Work Education delineates critical components in its Educational

Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS) in Social Work Education (Appendix A). Based on

these practice expectations, UTRGV social work graduates are taught the following knowledge

and skills related to the following:

Social work values and their ethical implications;

Ethical problem-solving;

Human diversity, i.e., curriculum content about differences and similarities in the

experiences, needs, and beliefs of people;

Differential assessment and intervention skills related to groups who can be distinguished by

race, ethnicity, culture, class, gender, sexual orientation, religion, physical or mental ability,

age, and national origin;

The dynamics and consequences of social and economic injustice, including all forms of

human oppression and discrimination;

Social change and interventions that advance the achievement of individual and collective

social and economic justice;

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People of color, women, LGBT populations, and the impact of discrimination, economic

deprivation, and oppression upon these groups;

Theories of human bio-psycho-social development, including theories about the range of

social systems in which individuals live (families, groups, organizations, institutions, and

communities);

Social welfare policy and services, including the history, mission, and philosophy of the

social work profession;

The role of social policy in helping or deterring people in maintaining or achieving optimal

health and well-being, and the effect of policy on social work practice;

Advanced social work practice, including the skills for practice with clients from differing

social, cultural, racial, religious, spiritual, and class backgrounds, and systems of all sizes;

The scientific, analytic approach to building knowledge for independent practice and for

evaluating service delivery in all the areas of social work practice and educational

contracting, supervision, and agency practice.

PROGRAM HISTORY

The Master of Science in Social Work was granted Candidacy Status by CSWE in 1999

and received initial accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education in 2003. Graduates

of the MSSW Program are eligible to take the LMSW examination. The master’s degree was

initiated to meet the growing demand for increased social work practice at the supervisory and

independent level in the Rio Grande Valley. Since the closest master’s program available was in

San Antonio, the necessary commute discouraged baccalaureate level social workers from

pursuing graduate degrees at the rate needed to fulfill the social service needs of the Rio Grande

Valley.

Community agencies and social service providers have been a strong mechanism in

providing the needed support required for a successful master’s degree program. Students

realize the sense of community when they experience the practicum component of the program.

Our field program relies heavily on this community support.

The Department of Social Work is administratively under the College of Health

Affairs, and the faculty is housed in SWOT Building.

ADMISSIONS CRITERIA

MSSW Program admission requirements include:

1. Clear admission to the UTRGV graduate school, based on a 3.0 cumulative

Grade Point Average (GPA)

2. Admission into the 33-hour (Advanced Standing) program, requires a 3.0

cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) and a 3.2 GPA in core undergraduate

social work courses.

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3. A course in statistics (3 credit hours) before admission into the MSSW Degree

Program.

4. A writing sample: arrangements to produce a writing sample can be made by

calling the Department of Social Work at 956-665-3575.

5. Copies of all academic transcripts

6. A Personal Statement: see department webpage for instructions related to the

content of the narrative:

7. Three letters of reference from each of the following: Current or former

professor, current or former employer/supervisor and field instructor (if

applying for the Advanced Standing Program)

8. Signature attesting that student will adhere to the National Association Code of

Ethics (NASW)

Application Review

The evaluation process for admission to the program begins after the Spring deadline for receipt

of all materials. At least two reviewers, of the departmental graduate faculty, independently

review completed applications. Reviewers assign points based on accomplishments in four

categories: GPA, three letters of reference, professional experience, and a personal narrative.

Offers of Admission to the Graduate College

The Graduate College Official makes admission offers and are valid only for the semester

requested on the application. Through the online application web site, you will be able to view

the status of your application. Students who are accepted but do not attend the semester

requested on the application must submit an application for readmission to enroll for a later

semester. An additional fee will be charged if the student applies more than one year from the

semester originally requested.

Conditional Admission

Conditional Admission may be offered to applicants with a lower GPA in exceptional cases.

These students may not enroll for more than 12 credits. A student on conditional status who

earns any grade less than a B will not be allowed to continue at UTRGV graduate programs.

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MSSW Curriculum

The Council on Social Work Education, which is the accrediting body for BSW and

MSSW Programs, delineates critical educational content areas for BSW & MSSW programs

in its Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards – see Appendix A. According to

CSWE, social work students must acquire knowledge and skills in the following areas:

Values and Ethics

Diversity

Populations-at-Risk and Social and Economic Justice

Human Behavior and the Social Environment

Social Welfare Policy and Services

Social Work Practice

Research

Field Education

With the exception of knowledge related to social work values and ethics, social and economic

justice, and populations-at-risk, which are infused throughout the entire curriculum, content areas

are taught principally in specific courses. The knowledge areas and the corresponding course are

outlined below:

Content Area Course Number & Title

Social Work Foundation SOCW 6311 Social Work as a Profession

Human Behavior and the Social

Environment

SOCW 6300 HBSE Individual Families & Groups

SOCW 6301 HBSE Social Institutions, Communities &

Organizations

Social Work Practice SOCW 6321 Generalist Practice I

SOCW 6322 Generalist Social Work Practice II

SOCW 6323 Generalist Social Work Practice III

SOCW 6330 Advanced Family Practice I

SOCW 6331 Advanced Family Practice II

SOCW 6335 Advanced Clinical Assessment

Research SOCW 6381 Research Designs and Applications

Diversity SOCW 6315 Social Work with Diverse Populations

Welfare Policy and Services

SOCW 6302 Social Welfare Policy

SOCW 6342 Advanced Policy Analysis and Development

Latino Family Focus SOCW 6350 Advanced Family Practice with Individuals

SOCW 6351 Advanced Family Practice with Groups

SOCW 6332 Social Work Practice with Latinos

Field Education SOCW 6376/6377 Concentration Practicum

Electives SOCW XXXX Graduate Electives (3 hours)

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The primary objective of the graduate program in Social Work is the preparation of

students for effective independent professional social work practice and supervision at the

advanced level of the profession. The regular 63-hour MSSW Program begins with a

foundation year during which students enroll in generalist social work course work. During the

second year, students enroll in concentration courses. Upon their admission to the program,

students are asked to choose from the two concentrations offered by the program: Direct

Practice with Latino Individuals, Families and Groups or Community Practice and

Administration. The concentration curriculum is offered during the second year of study as

outlined below. Students who have earned a BSW degree are eligible for Advanced Standing. If

they meet admissions requirements for Advanced Standing, they will enroll in our 33-hour

master’s program.

All students will pursue a specific plan of study based on their enrollment in our 63-

hour or 33-hour programs, their choice of concentration and their full-time or part-time status.

Because any deviation from their specific plan of study could result in delayed graduation from

the program, students should discuss any proposed change of circumstances or plan of study

with their Faculty Advisor at the first opportunity. Below you will find full-time schedules for

both 63/hr and 33/hr programs.

FOUNDATION YEAR CURRICULUM - 30 hours

The foundation curriculum consists of 8 courses, and a 400-hour internship that can be

completed in 1 semester (SOCW 6370 & 6371) or 2 semesters (SOCW 6370 & 6371). The

courses are listed below:

SOCW 6311 Social Work as a Profession

SOCW 6300 HBSE Individual Families & Groups

SOCW 6301 HBSE Social Institutions, Communities & Organizations


SOCW 6321 Generalist Social Work Practice I



SOCW 6381 Research Designs and Applications

SOCW 6370 Field Practicum

SOCW 6371 Field Practicum

CONCENTRATION CURRICULUM – 33 hours (Direct Practice with Latino Individuals,

Families & Groups) or Advanced Standing

The concentration curriculum consists of 9 courses, and a 500-hour internship that can be

completed in 1 (SOCW 6376 & 6377) or 2 semesters. The courses are listed below:

SOCW 6315 Social Work with Diverse Populations




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SOCW 6350 Advanced Social Work Practice with Individuals

SOCW 6351 Advanced Social Work Practice with Groups

SOCW XXXX Graduate Elective (3 hours)

SOCW 6376 & 6377 Field Practicum

CONCENTRATION CURRICULUM – 33 hours (Community Practice and Administration)

or Advanced Standing

The concentration curriculum consists of 9 courses, and a 500-hour internship which can be

completed in 1 (SOCW 6378 & 6379) or 2 semesters. For this concentration, students must

enroll in two social work electives. The program is in the process of developing an introductory

course for this concentration that will replace one of the electives currently required. The courses

are listed below:



SOCW 6336 Advanced Macro Assessment

SOCW 6340 Advanced Social Work Practice with Organizations

SOCW 6341 Advanced Social Work Practice with Communities


SOCW 6380 Accountability and Evaluation in Macro Practice



SOCW 6378 & 6379 Field Practicum

Full Time Plans of Study: Regular Program (63-hour)

FOUNDATION YEAR

1st Year-Fall

SOCW 6300 Human Behavior and the Social Environment I


SOCW 6311 Social Work as a Profession

SOCW 6321 Generalist Social Work Practice I

1st Year-Spring

SOCW 6301 Human Behavior and the Social Environment II



SOCW 6381 Research Designs & Applications

SOCW 6370 & 6371 Field Practicum (400-hour Agency Internship)

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1st Year-Summer

SOCW XXXX Elective


2nd Year-Fall

SOCW 6330 Advanced Family I




2nd Year-Spring


SOCW 6342 Advanced Policy Analysis


SOCW 6376 and 6377 Field Clinical Practicum (500-hour Agency Internship)

ADVANCED STANDING (33-hr) Program:

CONCENTRATION: Direct Practice with Latino Individuals, Families and Groups

First Semester – Fall





Second Semester – Spring





Third Semester – Summer


SOCW XXXX Elective

ADVANCED STANDING (33-hr) Program:

CONCENTRATION: Community Practice and Administration

First Semester – Fall


SOCW 6336 Advanced Macro Assessment

SOCW 6340 Advanced SW Practice with Organizations

SOCW 6341 Advanced SW Practice with Communities

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Second Semester – Spring


SOCW 6380 Accountability & Evaluation

SOCW XXXX Elective


Third Semester – Summer


SOCW XXXX Elective

Academic Advising

MSSW majors are assigned an academic advisor at the time of admission into the

program. Normally, the student will not have the same advisor during his/her entire academic

tenure. Faculty advisors are selected from faculty who are assigned primary teaching

responsibility in the MSSW Program (see list of graduate faculty below). The official

university’s advisement period will be announced every semester. The hours available to

advisees during the official advisement period are posted on the faculty member’s office door. In

addition, faculty advisors are available during their office hours. According to the University of

Texas-Rio Grande Valley Handbook of Operating Procedures, Section 6.5.4 (Faculty duties and

responsibilities), “during any semester full-time faculty shall schedule a minimum of two hours

of accessibility time each week for each three-semester-credit-hour teaching load to provide

instructional assistance and other student support activities (e.g., advisement).”

Faculty Assigned Primary Teaching Responsibility in the MSSW Program (2015–2016):

Dr. Catherine Faver Dr. Denise Longoria (Laredo)

Dr. Janis Feldman Dr. Sudershan Pasupuleti

Dr. John González Dr. Noe Ramirez

According to Macy et al. (1995), social work advising should be designed to promote the

following basic purposes:

A. Orientation and initial assessment of interests, aptitudes, values, and abilities for

professional social work practice.

B. Integration of liberal arts perspective with the professional foundation content contained

in the professional curriculum areas.

C. Systematic self-appraisal of professional values, knowledge, and competencies.

D. Development of a life-long orientation towards professional growth.

E. Integration of the cognitive, affective, and experiential learning components of the

structured curriculum.

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F. Effective use of campus and community-based academic and personal improvement

services to facilitate professional development.

G. Selection of elective courses and fieldwork settings that meet professional development

needs and career interests.

FACULTY ADVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES

The advisor will:

A. engage the student in a process of orienting and assisting the student in evaluating his/her

aptitude and motivation for a career in social work;

B. engage the student in a process that allows for early and periodic evaluation of his/her

performance in the total educational program;

C. refer students with academic or personal problems to appropriate resources within the

university and in the community, e.g., tutorial, medical, psychological, financial, housing,

child care, employment, or career counseling; and

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

The social work faculty is committed to the provision of quality academic advising;

however, the student has the major responsibility for the satisfactory completion of his/her

degree program. The specific responsibilities of the student include:

1. Planning his/her schedule each semester to ensure that there is reasonable progress

toward completion of the degree.

2. Maintaining updated contact information (e-mail, telephone numbers) in student “Assist”

system.

3. Satisfactorily completing all courses for which he/she registers.

4. Reviewing the Graduate Catalog and University Student Guide to be aware of the

academic policies and procedures related to admission, tuition, financial assistance,

registration, library services, graduation, student services, and he learning assistance and

guidance center.

5. Maintaining contact with his/her faculty advisor during each semester for academic

planning.

6. Participating in registration advising.

7. Maintaining a current mailing address with the office of admissions and records and

responding promptly to all communications from the Department of Social Work. The

UTRGV email is the official communication of the University.

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REQUEST FOR EXCEPTIONS

A student who wishes to take a 3-credit hour graduate elective outside of the social work

department must obtain approval from his/her academic advisor and from the MSSW Program

Director. A written request should be initiated by the student.

The same process should be followed for other requests.

Ethics

INTRODUCTION

Social work is a value based profession with a strong ethical foundation. The Code of

Ethics is found in Appendix B. This section deals with ethical standards that are particularly

relevant to the student role.

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

In addition to the privileges that are associated with admission into the MSSW Program,

students assume personal and professional responsibilities. Implicit in the process of being

admitted into the program is the expectation that the National Association of Social Worker’s

Code of Ethics (Appendix B) will guide the student’s behavior. The Code of Ethics addresses six

areas outlined below:

1) The Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Clients

2) The Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to Colleagues

3) The Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities in Practice Settings

4) The Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities as Professionals

5) The Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to the Social Work Profession

6) The Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities to the Broader Society

Students at the graduate level are expected to conduct themselves as professional social

workers; they are expected to use the NASW Code of Ethics to guide their interaction with

faculty, program support staff, peers, and clients. Additionally, students must adhere to

university rules and regulations – see University Handbook of Operating Procedures

http://www.utrgv.edu/hop/handbook/index.htm Sections: STU 02-100 and STU 02-200

STUDENT ACADEMIC RESPONSIBILITIES AND APPEALS

STUDENT CONDUCT

STUDENT CONDUCT CODE

STUDENT DISCIPLINARY HEARING AND APPEALS

PROCEDURES

STUDENT COMPLAINT PROCEDURES

http://www.utrgv.edu/hop/handbook/index.htm

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Dismissal Policies and Procedures

ACADEMIC DISMISSAL

Policies and procedures from the university and its academic programs are explicated in the

University of Texas-Pan American Graduate Catalog and the UTPA Student Guide. Copies of

the catalog are available at the Office of Admissions and Records and copies of the Student Code

of Conduct are available through the Office of the Dean of Students or


Graduate students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 or above on a

4.0 scale to remain in good standing. Persistent substandard academic performance may result in

probation, followed by academic suspension. If a student’s GPA falls below a 3.0, he/she has one

semester to recoup an overall 3.0 average or be automatically suspended (2015-2017 Graduate

Catalog, p. 27).

NON-ACADEMIC DISMISSAL (Professional Social Work Misconduct)

The profession of social work embraces a set of core values that provide the basis for its

standards of professional conduct. These values include service, social justice, the dignity and

worth of individuals, the importance of human relationships, integrity and competence. The

National Association of Social Work (NASW) has established a code of ethics to guide the

professional conduct of members of the profession. Students enrolled in the MSSW or BSW in

the UTRGV Department of Social Work are expected to demonstrate conduct consistent with

those values and ethics. Students who are found to consistently disregard the values and ethics of

the profession may be subject to termination from the Social Work Program. The NASW Code

of Ethics will be the guiding framework and source for identifying professional misconduct.

The procedures outlined below will be used to address professional misconduct concerns.

INITIATION OF PROCEEDINGS

Any full-time faculty member may initiate departmental proceedings for addressing professional

misconduct of a student by completing the Termination and Professional Misconduct Form (see

Appendix C). The faculty member should describe in detail the specific behaviors or acts which

indicate ethical violations or which reveal a failure to understand and uphold the values of the

profession. The form will be submitted to the MSSW or BSW Program Director with a copy to

the student’s Academic Advisor.


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MANDATORY ADVISING MEETING

Within seven (7) academic days of receipt of the Termination and Professional Misconduct

Form, the student’s Academic Advisor will hold a mandatory meeting with the student to review

and discuss the professional misconduct concern.

A student’s refusal to attend the meeting or to cooperate with any part of the process will result

in referral to the Office of the Dean of Students for the initiation of disciplinary action for

misconduct pursuant to the hearing and appeals procedures outlined in Section 5.5.3 of the

UTRGV Handbook of Operating Procedures (H.O.P.).

Before meeting with the student, the Advisor may seek clarification of the misconduct concern

from the faculty member initiating the action. At the meeting, the student will be apprised of the

concern and will be asked to submit a written response within seven (7) days to the MSSW or

BSW Program Director with a copy to the Advisor.

Within seven (7) days of receipt of the student’s response, the Advisor will issue his/her written

opinion regarding the alleged misconduct, recommending one of the following actions: 1)

develop a remediation plan; 2) refer to a Faculty Review Committee; 3) initiate the termination

process; or 4) no action to be taken. The Advisor’s recommendation will be submitted to the

MSSW or BSW Program Director.

FACULTY REVIEW COMMITTEE

If the Advisor recommends referral to the Faculty Review Committee, the Committee will hold a

hearing within seven (7) academic days. The student, the faculty member initiating the

proceedings and the Advisor may appear in person before the Committee. The hearing will be

closed to the public and no persons other than the student, the faculty member initiating the

proceedings and the Advisor may attend the hearing. Within three (3) days, the Committee will

submit a written opinion to the Program Director, proposing termination or a remediation plan.

Within seven (7) days of receipt of the Committee’s decision, the Program Director will issue

his/her determination. In the case of a remediation plan, the Program Director will have the

authority to amend the plan proposed by the Committee.

APPEAL OF PROGRAM DIRECTOR’S DETERMINATION TO DEPARTMENT

CHAIR

Within seven (7) days of receipt of the Program Director’s determination, the student may appeal

to the Department Chair, who will review all of the documents and testimony presented at every

stage of the proceedings. The Chair will issue his/her determination within seven (7) days.

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IMPLEMENTATION OF REMEDIATION PLAN OR PURSUANT APPEALS

If a remediation plan is developed and is accepted by the student, the student’s Academic

Advisor will be responsible for monitoring the plan. Should the student fail to comply with the

mandates of the remediation plan, the Advisor will inform the Department Chair, who will meet

with the student within five (5) academic days to discuss the noncompliance. If there is no

resolution, the Department Chair may withdraw the remediation plan and initiate the termination

process.

Upon a decision to initiate the termination process, the student may appeal the decision under the

university’s Student Disciplinary Hearing and Appeals Procedures, as outlined in Section 5.5.3

of the H.O.P.

Students may also be dismissed for other misconduct outlined in University policies and

procedures found in Sections 5.5.1, 5.5.2 and 5.5.3 of the H.O.P.

STUDENT COMPLAINTS AND APPEALS

The procedures for appealing grades and addressing misunderstandings related to academic

standards and expectations in individual courses are found in Section 5.2.1 of the H.O.P.

Students are encouraged to discuss these matters with the instructor of the individual class before

resorting to the formal appeals process.

Student complaint procedures for resolving complaints against faculty or staff related to matters

other than discrimination or grade appeals are found in Section 5.8.1 of the H.O.P. Students are

encouraged to resolve complaints informally, including discussing the complaint with the Chair

of the department.

Note: The provisions of this handbook are not contractual in nature. They are simply a

description of the program that attempts to summarize the practices, policies and procedures

currently used in the MSSW Program. Some of these practices, policies and procedures are

prescribed by the CSWE, our accrediting body, and others are not. This handbook is a working

document subject to change and designed to better serve our student population.

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Appendix A

CSWE Education Policy and Accreditation Standards

Below are excerpts from the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) Educational

Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS) that explains the use of EPAS, its curriculum

standards in the form of ten core competencies, advanced practice, field education as

signature pedagogy and its requirements for student development.

The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) uses the Educational Policy and Accreditation

Standards (EPAS) to accredit baccalaureate and master’s social work programs. EPAS supports

academic excellence by establishing thresholds for professional competence. It permits programs

to use traditional and emerging models of curriculum design by balancing requirements that

promote comparability across programs with a level of flexibility that encourages programs to

differentiate.

2. Explicit Curriculum

Educational Policy 2.0—The Social Work Curriculum and Professional Practice

The explicit curriculum constitutes the program’s formal educational structure and includes the

courses and the curriculum. Social work education is grounded in the liberal arts, which provide

the intellectual basis for the professional curriculum and inform its design. The explicit

curriculum achieves the program’s competencies through an intentional design that includes the

foundation offered at the baccalaureate and master’s levels and the advanced curriculum offered

at the master’s level. The BSW curriculum prepares its graduates for generalist practice through

mastery of the core competencies. The MSW curriculum prepares its graduates for advanced

practice through mastery of the core competencies augmented by knowledge and practice

behaviors specific to a concentration.

Educational Policy 2.1—Core Competencies

Competency-based education is an outcome performance approach to curriculum design.

Competencies are measurable practice behaviors that are comprised of knowledge, values, and

skills. The goal of the outcome approach is to demonstrate the integration and application of the

competencies in practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. The

ten core competencies are listed below [EP 2.1.1–EP 2.1.10(d)], followed by a description of

characteristic knowledge, values, skills, and the resulting practice behaviors that may be used to

operationalize the curriculum and assessment methods. Programs may add competencies

consistent with their missions and goals.

Educational Policy 2.1.1—Identify as a professional social worker and conduct oneself

accordingly.

Educational Policy 2.1.2—Apply social work ethical principles to guide professional practice.

Educational Policy 2.1.3—Apply critical thinking to inform and communicate professional

Judgments.

Educational Policy 2.1.4—Engage diversity and difference in practice.

Educational Policy 2.1.5—Advance human rights and social and economic justice.

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Educational Policy 2.1.6—Engage in research-informed practice and practice-informed

research.

Educational Policy 2.1.7—Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment.

Educational Policy 2.1.8—Engage in policy practice to advance social and economic well-being

and to deliver effective social work services.

Educational Policy 2.1.9—Respond to contexts that shape practice.

Educational Policy 2.1.10(a)–(d)—Engage, assess, intervene, and evaluate with individuals,

families, groups, organizations, and communities.

Educational Policy M2.2—Advanced Practice

Advanced practitioners refine and advance the quality of social work practice and that of the

larger social work profession. They synthesize and apply a broad range of interdisciplinary and

multidisciplinary knowledge and skills. In areas of specialization, advanced practitioners assess,

intervene, and evaluate to promote human and social well-being. To do so they suit each action

to the circumstances at hand, using the discrimination learned through experience and self-

improvement. Advanced practice incorporates all of the core competencies augmented by

knowledge and practice behaviors specific to a concentration.

Educational Policy 2.3—Signature Pedagogy: Field Education

Signature pedagogy represents the central form of instruction and learning in which a profession

socializes its students to perform the role of practitioner. Professionals have pedagogical norms

with which they connect and integrate theory and practice.4 In social work, the signature

pedagogy is field education. The intent of field education is to connect the theoretical and

conceptual contribution of the classroom with the practical world of the practice setting. It is a

basic precept of social work education that the two interrelated components of curriculum—

classroom and field—are of equal importance within the curriculum, and each contributes to the

development of the requisite competencies of professional practice. Field education is

systematically designed, supervised, coordinated, and evaluated based on criteria by which

students demonstrate the achievement of program competencies.

Educational Policy 3.2—Student Development

Educational preparation and commitment to the profession are essential qualities in the

admission and development of students for professional practice. To promote the social work

education continuum, BSW graduates admitted to MSW programs are presented with an

articulated pathway toward a concentration. Student participation in formulating and modifying

policies affecting academic and student affairs are important for the student’s professional

development.

Accreditation Standard 3.2—Student Development: Admissions; Advisement, Retention,

and Termination; and Student Participation

Admissions

M3.2.1 The program identifies the criteria it uses for admission. The criteria for admission to the

master’s program must include an earned bachelor’s degree from a college or university

accredited by a recognized regional accrediting association.

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3.2.2 The program describes the process and procedures for evaluating applications and notifying

applicants of the decision and any contingent conditions associated with admission.

M3.2.3 BSW graduates entering MSW programs are not to repeat what has been mastered in

their BSW programs. MSW programs describe the policies and procedures used for awarding

advanced standing. These policies and procedures should be explicit and unambiguous.

Advanced standing is awarded only to graduates holding degrees from baccalaureate social work

programs accredited by CSWE, those recognized through its International Social Work Degree

Recognition and Evaluation Service, or covered under a memorandum of understanding with

international social work accreditors.

3.2.4 The program describes its policies and procedures concerning the transfer of credits.

3.2.5 The program submits its written policy indicating that it does not grant social work course

credit for life experience or previous work experience. The program documents how it informs

applicants and other constituents of this policy.

Advisement, retention, and termination

3.2.6 The program describes its academic and professional advising policies and procedures.

Professional advising is provided by social work program faculty, staff, or both.

3.2.7 The program spells out how it informs students of its criteria for evaluating their academic

and professional performance, including policies and procedures for grievance.

3.2.8 The program submits its policies and procedures for terminating a student's enrollment in

the social work program for reasons of academic and professional performance.

Student participation

3.2.9 The program describes its policies and procedures specifying students’ rights and

responsibilities to participate in formulating and modifying policies affecting academic and

student affairs.

3.2.10 The program demonstrates how it provides opportunities and encourages students to

organize in their interests.

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Appendix B

NASW Code of Ethics

NASW Code of Ethics

Summary of Major Principles

I. The Social Worker’s Conduct and Comportment as a Social Worker

A. Propriety. The social worker should maintain high standards of personal conduct in

the capacity or identify as a social worker.

B. Competence and Professional Development. The social worker should strive to

become and remain proficient in professional practice and the performance of

professional functions.

C. Service. The social worker should regard as primary the service obligation of the

social work profession.

D. Integrity. The social worker should act in accordance with the highest standards of

professional integrity.

E. Scholarship and Research. The social worker engaged in study and research should

be guided by the conventions of scholarly inquiry.

II. The Social Worker’s Ethical Responsibility to Clients

F. Primacy of Clients’ Interests. The social worker’s primary responsibility is to clients.

G. Rights and Prerogatives of clients. The social worker should make every effort to

foster maximum self-determination on the part of clients.

H. Confidentiality and Privacy. The social worker should respect the privacy of clients

and hold in confidence all information obtained in the course of professional service.

I. Fees. When setting fees, the social worker should ensure that they are fair,

reasonable, considerate, and commensurate with the service performed and with due

regard for the clients’ ability to pay.

III. The Social Workers Ethical Responsibility to Colleagues

J. Respect, Fairness, and Courtesy. The social worker should treat

colleagues with respect, courtesy, fairness, and good faith.

K. Dealing with Colleagues’ Clients. The social worker has the responsibility to relate

to the clients of colleagues with full professional consideration.

IV. The Social Worker’s Responsibility to Employers and Employing Organizations

L. Commitments to Employing Organizations. The social worker should adhere to

commitments made to the employing organizations.

M. The Social Worker’s Ethical Responsibility to the Social Work Profession

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N. Maintaining the Integrity of the Profession. The social worker should uphold and

advance the values, ethics, knowledge, and mission of the profession.

O. Community Service. The social worker should assist the profession in making

social services available to the general public.

P. Development of Knowledge. The social worker should take responsibility for

identifying, developing, and fully utilizing knowledge for professional practice.

VI. The Social Worker’s Ethical Responsibility to Society

Q. Promoting the General Welfare. The social worker should promote the general

welfare of society.

NASW membership applications are available in the MSSW Director’s office.

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Appendix C

Termination and Professional Misconduct Form

Termination and Professional Misconduct Form

Date: ____________________

Name: ___________________________

Student Identification Number: ___________________

Faculty Advisor: ________________________

Professional Misconduct Concern:

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

Date of Advisor Meeting: ________________

Recommended Action: Resolution Plan: _______ External Referral: _______

Probation Status: _____

Withdrawal: _____

Initiate Termination Process: ______

Student Appeal: _____

Refer for Committee Review: _____

No Action: ____

Committee Action:

Continue in Program: _____

Withdrawal: _____

Termination: _____

Refer to Program Director: _____

No Action: ____

________________________________________________________________________

_________________________ ________________________

Signature – Chair Date Signature – Dean Date

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