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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.

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The second organization is the Zeta Gamma Chapter of Phi Alpha Honor Society in the School of Social Work. To be eligible for Phi Alpha, graduate students must have completed nine semester hours of required social work graduate courses, or at least 37.5% of the total credits for the graduate degree and rank in the top 35% of their class.

A message from Falk College Leadership

Welcome to the graduate program of the School of Social Work. We are pleased that you chose to study with us and look forward to working with you to achieve your academic and professional goals. We hope that working toward these goals will be both exciting and challenging for you.

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Kristin Esposito, LMSW
Assistant MSW Online Field Director

Master of Social Work (MSW) Online Degree

Degree requirements for the online MSW can be found in Appendix H. The Foundation Curriculum is taken by all students except those with a BSW degree and who have been admitted to the Advanced Standing MSW Degree program, who complete only the concentration level curriculum within what is called the Advanced Standing Program. All students choose one of the two Advanced Concentrations: Advanced Clinical Practice (ACP) or Advanced Integrated Practice (AIP).

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Additionally, all students should familiarize themselves with the Academic Rules section of the Syracuse University Graduate Course Catalog.

Online Learning: Expectations and Navigation Synchronous Live Class Session Required Attendance

Every student is required to attend a weekly live session for each of his or her classes in which students are online and interacting at the same time, synchronously. These synchronous sessions are held in the virtual classroom, where students and faculty have audio and an active camera on themselves during the session.

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Please note that students should not log into live class meetings using the learning platform mobile app or Zoom Mobile App. You will not be able to experience the full functionality of the live meeting room.

"Cameras On" and Student Conduct Policy While Participating in Social Work Courses

Effective May 3, 2023

The following represents our “cameras on” and student conduct policy for students while participating in Social Work courses.  This policy is clearly addressed in the Social Work student handbooks.  This policy is non-negotiable and should be considered as part of your participation in the course.  We view non-compliance in this area as a form of misconduct that compromises the integrity of the learning environment. The only exception to this policy would be permission in advance by the professor under extraordinary circumstances or by the Center of Disability Resources.

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It is our ethical obligation to structure a learning environment consistent with the mission and values of the social work profession.

Time Management

As an online student, you have the power to engage with your courses at the time and place of your choosing. This delivery mode has proven to be both effective and convenient for students who may have life/career responsibilities that prevent them from being physically present on campus or who prefer the flexibility and interactivity of the online learning environment. This model also presents a host of challenges for online students who must take responsibility for keeping up with a continuous stream of content and assignments in a way that fits their learning habits, styles and needs. To address these challenges, online learners must develop a personal plan to focus their time and attention on coursework on a regularly scheduled basis.

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Please refer to B.1 Online Learning Navigation in the Online MSW Student Orientation in the LMS for additional information to online learning.

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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Online 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 consecutive semesters.

Academic Advising

Each online matriculated graduate student is assigned a faculty academic advisor for their degree program(s). Academic advising is a shared responsibility between the student, the faculty academic advisor and the Online MSW Program Director. The student has the ultimate responsibility for ensuring academic progress.

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Students are responsible for seeking the advice and consultation of their faculty academic advisor and/or the Online MSW Program Director when they perceive they are having academic problems. They also are responsible for making and keeping advising appointments during the course of their degree program. (See Problem Solving in Advising – Appendix G)

Registration

Information regarding advising and registration dates are emailed to students prior to the advising and registration period. Students will register using the university's web-based online registration system MySlice. For information on how to use this system, visit the Registrar's Office website. You will also receive additional support/ instructions on how to register from the Falk Office of Online & Distance Education and the Online MSW Program Director.

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Note: A Petition to Faculty Form request to take additional courses outside of the outlined course sequencing only applies to students who have extenuating circumstances OR upon admission students were instructed to take a course that would not transfer over from their previous degree. All other requests to take additional credits outside of the regular course sequencing pattern will not be permitted.

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.

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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 requirements necessary to provide reasonable assurance that students can complete the entire course of study and participate fully in all aspects of social work education and practice. Acquisition of competence as a social worker is a lengthy and complex process that will be undermined by significant limitations of the student's ability to participate in the full spectrum of the experiences and the requirements of the curriculum.

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Professional Behavior: The social work student must behave professionally by practicing within the scope of one's skills and knowledge, adhering to the profession's code of ethics, 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 one's 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) documents found on the web. 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 of others, you should not hesitate to seek guidance.

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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 document 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

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.

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No graduate course credit toward the master's degree is granted for life experience.

Grades

Official grade reports will be available on MySlice from the University Registrar's Office after the end of the semester. You can view your grades online using the MySlice system.

Incomplete Grades

The grade of "I" (incomplete) may be requested by the student if they have exceptional circumstances that prevent them from fulfilling all course requirements on time. This may include illness, job conflict, or other exceptional circumstances. An Incomplete Grade Request must be approved by the course instructor, with all requirements and provisions agreed upon beforehand. A student will need the instructor's approval and will need to have completed enough course content to have a grade assigned based on the work to date. An Incomplete is not available if the student has not completed enough work on which to base a grade.

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If the student takes a leave of absence or is withdrawn from the University, the student cannot receive Incompletes for courses in which the student was registered.

Petition Petition Process

The petition to faculty form is the process by which the student obtains approval to make variations from established academic requirements, and University or School of Social Work policies and procedures. All student forms can be found on the Office of the Registrar - Student Forms. Students can also contact the Online MSW Program Director to obtain these forms.

ReferencesReferences

In response to requests for references from prospective employers and academic programs, the School of Social Work provides only the following information: dates of enrollment, date of degree award, and concentration. This limitation complies with current legislation regarding individual rights and privacy. Candidates and graduates seeking personal references should arrange to have such requests forwarded directly to individuals (i.e., academic advisor, classroom instructor, field instructor, etc.). Personal references are those that deal with character, quality of performance, and potential for practice and academic endeavors. Transcripts are available by request to the Office of the Registrar - Transcripts.

School of Social Work Governance Committees

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 Online MSW Program Director, MSW Program Director and Department Chair/Director.

Transfer Credit

Matriculated graduate students enrolled in the 60-credit hour Online 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.

University Rules and Regulations

Syracuse University policies prescribing student rights and obligations are presented in "University Rules and Regulations" located in the Graduate Course Catalog online.

Leave of Absence (LOA) or Medical Leave of Absence (MLOA)

If it becomes necessary for the student to leave the University before completing your degree requirements, you must file for an official leave of absence, whether or not you intend to return to SU. If you register but then leave without notifying the University, you will continue to incur tuition, and other changes. On your transcript, course registrations will remain, and any grades or grading symbols submitted by your instructors will appear. If you fail to register at all, the notation of “Discontinuation – no attendance” will appear on your transcript. Discontinued students must follow formal readmission procedures. Leave of absence requests are not retroactive. Leaves taken after the withdrawal deadline but before the end of the semester result in F grades for all classes. If the leave is taken after the end of the semester, the classes are graded normally for the semester. Students may take a leave of absence from the Online MSW Program for the period of one (1) year.

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• Plan ahead: Initiate the reinstatement process with the department at least two (2) months prior to the first day of the term/year you wish to return from your approved LOA.
• Registration: You must register the term/year for which you are approved for reinstatement. Failure to do so by the semester add deadline will invalidate your reinstatement and be discontinued for non-attendance or administratively withdrawn for non-attendance.
• Students returning to program that are in field placement: The School of Social Work field placement team requires 120-days.

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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