Updated for the 2021-2022 academic year
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Jennifer C. Genovese, Ph.D., ACSW, LCSW
IVMSW MSW Program Director, Assistant Teaching Professor
Joseph L. Smith, Ph.D., LCSW-R, Master CASAC
Online MSW Program Director, Associate Teaching Professor
Introduction
The School of Social Work is located on the second floor of White Hall in the Falk Complex at Syracuse University. White Hall is situated on a hill and has two levels: the west side has four stories and the east has three. The Arnold M. Grant Auditorium was added in 1966. It is attached to the southern end of White Hall. White Hall is named for Ernest I. White, a lawyer who served as president of The Post-Standard. A 1997 expansion project included renovations to White Hall as part of the $12.5 million budget when MacNaughton Hall was added to the north. White Hall’s campus location is north of the Carrier Dome, west of Heroy Geology Building and south of Crouse College. Made of reinforced concrete with brick facing and limestone trim, it was begun by architect Lorimer Rich and Associates, and completed by King & King Architects.
The School of Social Work offers educational programs leading to the Bachelor of Science in Social Work and the Master of Social Work degrees. The MSW is offered in 2 delivery methods, residential and online (see the Online MSW Student Handbook for operational differences for students taking courses in the online delivery format) The School is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. A copy of the 2022 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards for Master’s Degree Programs is provided in Appendix E. Both the BSSW and BSSW and MSW programs of the School of Social Work are offered in collaboration with participating human service agencies across Central New York that provide professional internship settings. These agency collaborations are vital to the field instruction programs of the School.
The Director/Department Chair is the chief administrator in the School of Social Work, responsible for all budgetary, personnel, and programmatic operations of the School in collaboration with the appropriate College and University officers. The Master of Social Work Program Director/s is responsible for the implementation of the graduate social work degree program. The Baccalaureate Program Director is responsible for the implementation of the undergraduate social work degree program. The Director of Field Instruction oversees the field placement process for students in both the graduate and undergraduate programs.
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Passing graduate social work courses is not an automatic acceptance into program. Students are admitted based on a number of criteria, only one of which is grades. Learn more about getting admitted.
Field Education
Field education occurs throughout the graduate social work curriculum and is concurrent with specific coursework. Please see the School of Social Work Field Instruction Manual for specific field education policies and procedures.
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MSW Advanced Standing Program: Advanced Standing students are required to complete one internship at the concentration level, either Advanced Clinical Practice (ACP) or Advanced Integrated Practice (AIP). This field placement is a minimum of 500 hours and typically occurs across two semesters in one academic year.
MSW/MFT Dual Degree: Students are required to complete separate internships with the Social Work and Marriage and Family Therapy programs. In Social Work, students follow curriculum specific requirements as appropriate to their status.
Academic Advising
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Academic Advising
Each matriculated graduate student is assigned an academic advisor who is a member of the faculty or professional staff in their degree program(s). Academic advising is a shared responsibility between the student and the academic advisor. The student has the ultimate responsibility for ensuring academic progress. You are encouraged to frequently review your academic progress in Degree Works – the University’s system in mySlice where your academic progress is recorded. Efforts are made to preserve continuity of advisor assignment throughout the student's course of study and changes to advisor assignments are only done in exceptional situations with the approval of the Director of the MSW program. The academic advisor provides the consultation and guidance necessary to foster the professional development of the student. The advisor aids the student in the selection of courses, in registration, in meeting degree certification requirements, and in assessing professional interests and development. Students are are required to to meet with their advisors before registering for courses each semester and submit an electronic SCORE registration form, signed by the advisor and the student, and electronically to the Social Work office before completing the registration process online in MySlice.
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Students are responsible for seeking the advice and consultation of their academic advisors when they perceive they are having academic problems. They also are responsible for making and keeping advising appointments during the advising period that precedes course registration for the following term. (See Problem Solving in Advising – Appendix G)
MSW Full Time Study Course Sequence Plan
MSW Part Time Study Course Sequence Plan
Registration
Information regarding advising and registration dates is emailed to students prior to the advising and registration period. Both full-time and part-time students may register for courses after meeting with their advisors and obtaining a signed electronic SCORE MSW Advising registration form. The signed form is submitted electronically to the Social Work office. Any changes to the student/advisor agreed upon course registration schedule must be reported to and approved by the academic advisor in writing. Faculty advisors must also approve summer enrollment. Students authorized to register will do so on their own using the university's web-based online registration system. For information on how to use this system, visit the Registrar's Office website. Information regarding dates that registration is available for the upcoming semester can also be found at the Registrar's Office website. Courses may be added after initial registration through the first two weeks of the semester. There are two deadlines for dropping courses. If a course is dropped before the financial drop deadline, the tuition for that course will be refunded. Tuition for a course dropped after the financial drop deadline, but before the academic drop deadline, will not be refunded. More detailed information about this and the exact dates for adding and dropping courses can also be found on the University Registrar's website.
Academic Progress and Professional Behavior
Academic Standing
University Rules and Regulations set out the minimum GPA that graduate students in good academic standing must maintain. Students in the School of Social Work must maintain an overall grade point average of 3.0. You cannot receive the MSW degree without attaining a final cumulative GPA of 3.0 and good standing regarding professional behavior. The standards for good academic standing and the procedures that the School of Social Work follows when a student’s GPA falls below 3.0 are described in Appendix C. Students must be aware that they bear the risk and responsibility for the financial investment involved when continuing in the MSW program with a GPA below a 3.0 and/or when not in good academic standing.
Professional Behavior
The Code of Ethics as adopted by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) serves serves as the primary basis for judgments concerning the appropriateness of the behavior conduct of students, as well as relevant sections of the New York State Education law regarding the professions and New York State Regents Rules and Regulations. A student whose actions have raised concerns about ethical professional behavior may be brought before the Academic Hearing and Professional Review Board of the School of Social Work under the policy for Academic Progress and Professional Behavior. The standards for Academic Progress and Professional Behavior and the procedures of the Academic an and Professional Review Board of the School of Social Work are described in Appendix C.
While recognizing a responsibility to guide and support students during the course of their professional education, the faculty and professional staff also recognize a responsibility to the profession of social work and to the people it serves. Consistent with the Council on Social Work Education Evaluation Standards and the Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers (see Appendix F), the School of Social Work considers both the performance and behavior of students in the classroom, in the field placement, and in and around the university as matters of academic standing. Performance and behavior are treated as indicative of likely performance as a social work practitioner. In addition to poor performance in the classroom, as indicated by course grades, performance or behavior that demonstrates poor interpersonal skills, unethical, threatening or otherwise unprofessional conduct will be considered grounds for academic disciplinary action. This may include, but it is not limited to, academic probation or dismissal.
Essential Abilities for Performance in the School of Social Work
The following standards, distinguished from academic standards, describe the cognitive, emotional and character
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capacities necessary to provide reasonable assurance that students can complete the entire course of study and participate
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ethically participate in the full spectrum of
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experiences, requirements and
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practices of the curriculum.
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Students in the Syracuse University School of Social Work are expected to possess the following abilities and attributes at a level appropriate to their year in the program. They are expected to meet these standards in the classroom, in their practice, and
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in their field placements. Attention to these standards will be part of evaluations made by those responsible for evaluating students' practicum and academic performance.
Academic Integrity:
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The student is expected to demonstrate academic integrity in the preparation of written assignments, research and scholarly papers and must understand and adhere to the Syracuse University Policy on Academic Integrity
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which prohibits academic dishonesty, such as cheating, plagiarism, internet plagiarism (including chat bot mining) or, the resubmission of assignments in multiple courses.
Communication Skills: The social work student must communicate effectively and sensitively with other students, faculty, staff, clients, and other professionals. Students must express their ideas and feelings clearly and demonstrate a willingness and ability to listen to others, even when disagreements exist. They must have sufficient skills in spoken and written English to understand the content presented in the program.
Self-Awareness: The social work student must know how
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their values, attitudes, beliefs, emotions, and past experiences affect
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their thinking, behavior, and relationships. The student must be willing to examine and change
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their behavior when it interferes with work with clients and other professionals and must be able to work effectively with others in subordinate positions as well as with those in authority.
Professional Commitment: The social work student must have a strong commitment to the goals of social work and to the ethical standards of the profession
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as articulated in the NASW Code of Ethics.
Knowledge Base for Social Work Practice: The professional activities of social work students must be grounded in relevant social, behavioral, and biological science knowledge and research. This includes knowledge and skills in relationship-building, data-gathering, assessment, interventions, and evaluation of practice.
Objectivity:
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Although social workers recognize the existence of multiple perspectives and the role of power in knowledge production, the social work student must be sufficiently objective to systematically evaluate clients and their situations in an unbiased, factual way.
Empathy: Upon entrance into the program and increasingly as the student progresses through the program,
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the student is expected to work diligently to understand and appreciate
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a diversity of worldviews, ways of life, and value
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systems of others. Students must be able to
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demonstrate empathy and support to a diversity of clients and community members as a basis for a productive professional relationship.
Self-Care: The social work student must be
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resilient to the undesirable effects of stress
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. It is the student’s responsibility to exercise appropriate self-care
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, maintain cooperative and
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supportive relationships with faculty, field educators, administrators, colleagues, and peers, and seek outside support as necessary to make their work sustainable.
Acceptance of Diversity: As the student progresses through the program,
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they are expected to demonstrate an appreciation for the value of human diversity. In the field practicum,
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they must serve and be willing to serve in an
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ethical manner, all persons in need of assistance, regardless of the person’s age, class, race, ethnicity, religious affiliation (or lack thereof), gender, gender identity, ability, sexual orientation, and value system.
Interpersonal Skills: The social work student must demonstrate the interpersonal skills needed to relate effectively to other students, faculty, staff, clients, and other professionals. These include compassion, altruism, integrity, and the demonstration of respect for and consideration of others.
Professional Behavior: The social work student must behave professionally by practicing within the scope of ones their skills and knowledge, adhering to the profession's code Code of ethicsEthics, respecting others, being punctual and dependable, prioritizing responsibilities, and completing assignments on time. The social work student must demonstrate a willingness to accept feedback and must not practice outside ones their areas of competence without engaging in training, consultation, and supervision.
Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures for Allegations of Academic Dishonesty or Violation of Other University Policies
Academic Dishonesty
The faculty and professional staff of the School of Social Work consider academic dishonesty a very serious matter. This includes how students utilize and quote (or fail to quote)
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the words and ideas of others. Inadequate attribution is considered plagiarism, a type of academic dishonesty, and will result in sanction. If you are uncertain about how to properly use others’ writings or cite the work
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of others, you should not hesitate to seek guidance.
Bird library is an excellent resource for assistance. In addition, there are numerous resources available on the web to instruct you on various writing styles and how to appropriately document sources of information. Please be sure to check with your professors regarding web sources to make sure they are acceptable for your coursework. Center for Student Learning and Success-Academic Integrity
Read the complete University Academic Integrity Policy effective January 1, 2017effective May 24, 2021.
Disciplinary, Grievance, and Appeal Procedures
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Violations of Other University Policies
The University has offices and committees that are responsible for hearing complaints of both student and faculty violations of conduct and policy. Tables 1 and 2 in the College Grievance Committee Policies and Procedures
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outline where in the University various issues are handled (these tables are reprinted in Appendix D). Should you have a complaint involving potential violation of university policy with regard to racial or sexual harassment, disability accommodation, or the Code of Student Conduct, consult these tables to learn where in the University you should direct your complaint. You may also consult the Office of the Associate Dean of Falk College. They will assist you in determining whether the problem can be handled informally or whether it should be directed to the appropriate University office.
General Information
Audit
Matriculated graduate students wishing to audit a course (no credit) must have approval of the faculty advisor and the course instructor. Auditing requires formal registration
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and is not available to non-matriculated students. No tuition is charged for students registered full-time (9 or more credits) or appointed as Graduate Assistants during a Fall or Spring semester. Students registered for fewer than 9 credit hours are charged
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60% of the tuition rate for courses audited.
Classroom Visitors
The School of Social Work has a formal policy about bringing visitors with you to class. This is because client cases are sometimes discussed in class or students may disclose sensitive information about themselves. The text of the policy is located in Appendix B of this handbook.
Degree Certification
In order to certify your master’s degree at the end of your study, we must have a degree-bearing transcript from your baccalaureate program.
All students must submit acceptable documentation of previous degrees to the Graduate School by the end of their first semester of study. After completion of the first semester of graduate study, the Graduate School may withhold registration for any student who has not produced documentation of completion of the undergraduate degree for the date reported on the application by the student, or who has not been granted a written waiver by the Academic Unit and the Graduate School. The hold on registration will only be released when the documentation has been provided.
No graduate degree will be granted unless the student has complied with the items described in the preceding paragraph. No credit that is applied to the undergraduate degree may be applied to the graduate degree, unless such double-counting falls under explicit articulation of a combined bachelor’s and master’s program that has been approved by, and registered with, the New York State Education Department. (Drawn from Academic Rules and Regulations, IX, Admission, Section 23.0 General Policies, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, 1995-96. See this document for more detail.)
No graduate course credit toward the master’s degree is granted for life experience.
Much of the internal communication of the School of Social Work is conducted via email. This includes general announcements to students. All graduate students are required to have a Syracuse University email account. All students currently registered and matriculated at Syracuse University automatically have an email account with the University. All communication from the School of Social Work and the University will be sent to your Syracuse University e-mail address. Information about accessing your S.U. email account or forwarding your S.U. email to another address can be found on the ITS website.
Grades
Official grade reports will be available on MySlice from the University Registrar's Office after the end of the semester.
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Health Forms & Immunization Policy
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Opportunities for involvement in the School of Social Work exist for graduate students through participation in the School's self-governance committees. Students are represented on the Social Work Promotion and Tenure Committee, Faculty Recruitment Committee, the MSW Program Committee, and the BSSW Program Committee. More information is available from the MSW Program Director/s.
Transfer Credit
Matriculated graduate students enrolled in the regular 60 credit hour MSW program may petition to transfer previously earned graduate credit consistent with policies of the School of Social Work as specified in Appendix A and the university Academic Rules and Regulations.. Students enrolled in the Advanced Standing Program may not transfer graduate credit from other institutions.
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Withdrawal/Leave of Absence
If it becomes necessary for the student to withdraw from school or take a leave of absence the student must submit a "withdrawal/leave of absence" form. To initiate this process students should contact their academic advisor. Withdrawals and leaves of absence must be signed by the MSW Program Director and the Department Chair of the School of Social Work.
The University treats “withdrawal” and “leave of absence” differently. A leave of absence is student initiated and signals that the student left the University in good standing. A leave of absence that is taken for medical reasons will require clearance from the Health Service before the student may return. A withdrawal is School or University initiated and signals that the student did not leave the University in good standing. Generally, the student returning from a School or University initiated withdrawal must meet specific conditions before being re-admitted.
All students returning from a leave of absence or withdrawal must contact the School of Social Work in writing to request permission to re-enroll. Permission to re-enroll is not granted automatically. The student’s record and the conditions surrounding the student’s earlier departure from the university will be reviewed by the MSW Program Director of the School of Social Work to assist in the decision to allow the student to re-enroll.
Writing Standard
Graduate students are expected to prepare all written papers consistent with the most recent version of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. Additional assistance can be found through links on the Syracuse University Library website.
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Appendix B: Policy on Allowing Visitors in the Classroom
Students are not permitted to bring visitors (friends, spouses, partners, children, clients, etc.) to class sessions. Clinical cases may be discussed and/or students may disclose sensitive or confidential information about clients or themselves during class discussions
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Interpreters, medical providers and other such assistants are expected to behave within the school’s professional code of conduct and are only permitted to participate in class discussions with permission of the instructor.
Appendix C: Academic Progress and Professional Behavior in The School of Social Work
I. General Principles for Academic Progress and Professional Behavior
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- When there is a review requested, the MSW Program Director shall convene the Academic and Professional Review Board.
- The MSW Program Director will provide a summary to the Board prior to the meeting of the Board, detailing the student’s academic history.
- When the Review is being called for reasons other than pending dismissal for academic reasons (i.e. GPA below 3.0 for two consecutive semesters), the MSW Program Director shall notify the student and the Academic and Professional Review Board of the request and provide both with a statement that forms the basis of the review request.
- The student shall be invited to appear before the Academic and Professional Review Board of the School of Social Work. Other persons also may be invited to appear as determined by the Review Board.
- In the case of a review of a dismissal, the student will elaborate grounds for reconsideration of the dismissal and the plan of study proposed in lieu of dismissal.
- The student may request that the Academic and Professional Review Board invite a faculty or professional staff member, student, or other person to provide information to the Board on the student's behalf.
- The Academic and Professional Review Board of the School of Social Work may seek advisory evidence from any administrative or faculty sources within the School of Social Work regarding the student’s petition, and/or plan of study proposed in lieu of dismissal.
- In the case of a review request based upon an allegation of unprofessional conduct or inadequate professional performance, the student may request that the Academic and Professional Review Board of the School of Social Work invite a faculty or professional staff member, student, or other person with information relevant to the allegation to provide information on the student's behalf.
- The Academic and Professional Review Board of the School of Social Work may seek information from any administrative, faculty or professional staff sources within the School of Social Work or persons from the student’s field agency (where appropriate) regarding the behavior that forms the basis for an inquiry on professional conduct.
- Academic and Professional Review Board of the School of Social Work must reach a unanimous recommendation regarding one of the following outcomes:
- Reverse the decision to dismiss the student with no contingencies required;
- Conditionally continue a student’s enrollment based on an agreement developed in collaboration with the student (including the option of a Leave of Absence).The agreement will specify:
- Plans for meeting program requirements
- Procedures for monitoring progress in executing those plans
- A timetable for the completion of those plans
- Dismiss the student from the program.
The Academic and Professional Review Board of the School of Social Work shall convey its written recommendation (including the plan for meeting program requirements where continued enrollment is permitted) to the Director of the School and the MSW Program Director.
The recommendations of the Academic and Professional Review Board of the School of Social Work are advisory to the Director of the School of Social Work. Decisions by the Director of the School of Social Work are final and exhaust review options in the School of Social Work. Other avenues of appeal may be available through the Grievance Procedures of Falk College or the University Judicial System.
The MSW degree will not be conferred upon students who do not have a final minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and are not in good standing regarding professional behavior. The student must be aware that they bear the risk and responsibility for the financial investment involved when continuing to pursue the MSW degree despite concerns regarding academic standing.
IX. Issues Not Resolved by the Academic and Professional Review Board of the School of Social Work
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Appendix E: Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS) Statement for Degree Programs in Social Work Education: Council on Social Work Education
Copyright © 20152022, Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), Inc. All rights reserved.
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Appendix G: Problem Solving in Advising
Academic advising is a shared responsibility between the student and the advisor. Although the student is charged with taking leadership in managing his/her academic path, the academic advisor provides the consultation and guidance necessary to foster the professional development of the student.
The advisor aids the student in the selection of courses (see Program of Study/Record of Student Progress) in the registration in meeting degree certification requirements, and in assessing professional interests and development. Students are required to meet with their advisors before registering for courses each semester and submit a registration form, signed by the advisor and the student, to the Social Work office before completing the registration process online.
In all cases regarding course registration, the student comes prepared with the necessary information to address the purpose of the advising meeting.
The following steps should be taken if problems arise, and the student seeks assistance from their advisor.
Student identifies a question or concern:
- Student consults the MSW Handbook and/or other documents that the Handbook directs the student to, in order to
- address the concern (See end of document: Possible Resolutions)
- If concern remains, the student schedules a meeting with the advisor to discuss the issue.
- In preparation for the meeting, the student emails the advisor an outline of the concern that they wish to address. They will include in an email the steps they have taken to resolve the concern and the hoped outcome for the concern.
- Student meets and/or consults with the academic advisor who coaches student regarding potential solutions.
- If there is no resolution, the advisor consults with appropriate other parties and then sets a meeting with student and/or other persons as appropriate and necessary to discuss solutions. Academic hearing may be among potential solutions at this point.
- If no resolutions are found and an academic hearing is not requested, the Academic Advisor alerts the MSW Program Directions who consults to develop a plan.
Possible resolutions include:
- Individualized modifications related to the classroom – (including, but not limited to assignments, course content, student behaviors, etc.)
- Student may be counseled out of the MSW program
- Student may take a leave of Absence
- Request for an Academic Hearing a review by the Academic Progress and Professional Behavior Review Board.