Updated for the 2024-2025 academic year
Table of Contents
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Dear MSW Student
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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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.
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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.
School of Social Work Faculty and Staff
MSW Program
Full-Time Master of Social Work (MSW) Degree
Full-time students typically complete the MSW degree in two academic years. Degree requirements for the MSW appear in the Syracuse University Graduate Course Catalog. The Foundation Curriculum is taken by all students except those with a BSW degree and who have been admitted to the Advance 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). Only limited variations in this plan are possible and then only after discussions with a student’s academic advisor and approval by the MSW Program Director and Department Chair. Please refer to the Graduate Course Catalog or your academic advisor for the MSW degree requirements and course sequence plan.
Part-Time Master of Social Work (MSW) Degree
Part-time students may complete the MSW degree in four years, although many accelerate their pace in the 2nd and 3rd years and finish in three years. Degree requirements for the MSW appear in the Syracuse University Graduate Course Catalog. The Foundation Curriculum is taken by all students except those with a BSW degree, who complete only the concentration-level curriculum (Advanced Standing Program). All students choose one of the two Advanced Concentrations: Advanced Clinical Practice (ACP) or Advanced Integrated Practice (AIP). Only limited variations in this plan are possible and then only after discussions with a student’s academic advisor and approval by the MSW Program Director and Department Chair. Please refer to the Graduate Course Catalog or your academic advisor for the MSW degree requirements and course sequence plan.
NOTE: All students must take 6 credits per semester. If there are extenuating circumstances that require a student to take less than 6 credits per semester, the student must have approval by the academic advisor and the MSW Program Director and submit a Petition to Faculty requesting the reduction in required credits.
Non-Matriculated Students
Non-Matriculated students may take up to a maximum of six (6) graduate credits in the MSW program with permission of the MSW Program Director and the Director/Department Chair. Courses must be selected from the following list:
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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.
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. 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 required 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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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 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.
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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, 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 capacities necessary to provide reasonable assurance that students can complete the entire course of study and participate ethically participate in the full spectrum of experiences, requirements and practices of the curriculum.
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Professional Behavior: The social work student must behave professionally by practicing within the scope of their 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 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) 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 of others, you should not hesitate to seek guidance.
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Read the complete University Academic Integrity Policy effective May 24, 2021.
Disciplinary, Grievance, and Appeal Procedures
Formal disciplinary and grievance procedures exist at both the College and University level for handling allegations of academic dishonesty or violation of other university policies. The document, "Falk College Grievance Policies and Procedures," issued by Falk College, explains where different types of allegations are heard.
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 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 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 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.
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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.
Health Forms & Immunization Policy
In accordance with New York State Public Health Law, Health Services requires that all students provide documentation of immunization. Visit the Patient Portal.
Incomplete Grades
The grade of “I” (incomplete) may be granted to a student only if it can be demonstrated that it would be unfair to hold the student to the normal limits of the course. This may include illness, job conflict, or other exceptional circumstances that prevent them from fulfilling all course requirements on time. An Incomplete Grade Request must be approved by the 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. 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.
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An Incomplete calculates as an F in the student’s GPA. The instructor calculates a grade for the student based on work completed to date, counting unsubmitted work as zero.
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.
References
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 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.
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.
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.
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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.
Appendices
Appendix A: Petitions for, and Evaluation of Graduate Transfer Credit
Students in the regular MSW program may transfer a maximum of 12 credits from graduate institutions other than a CSWE accredited school of social work. They may transfer up to 30 credits from a CSWE accredited school of social work. No more than 30 credits may be transferred in. All credit applied toward the graduate degree must be completed within the seven years preceding the student's graduation date (under exceptional circumstances courses older than seven years may be petitioned in). All courses must be at the graduate level, be considered appropriate for the student’s program of study, and a grade of B or better must be earned (transcript must be provided).
MSW students who are planning to transfer graduate credits from other institutions must follow the procedures outlined below. No credit is granted for life experience. The School of Social Work has developed its own policy about the transfer of courses taken online (see below). Students in the Advanced Standing Program may not transfer any credits from other institutions toward the MSW.
For Graduate Credits Earned Prior to Matriculation in the MSW Program
A petition requesting that transfer credit be posted to the Syracuse transcript must be filed with and approved by the School of Social Work and the Graduate School during the student's first twelve credits of registration at Syracuse.
The petition must be clear and specific, including the following information:
the institution at which the credit was earned
when the credit was earned
the course number, title, and credit hours earned for the course to be transferred
the Syracuse MSW degree requirements for which the course substitutes
The petition requires the signature of these people:
Student
Academic Advisor
MSW Program Director
The signed petition must be accompanied by an official transcript showing the course(s) involved before the petition for transfer credit can be approved.
Students petitioning for transfer credit to meet a required course should be aware that the review ordinarily requires evidence, beyond the transcript, that clarifies the substance of the course (e.g. course outline, papers or exams, catalog description, etc.). Such information is often necessary to render a reasonable judgment on equivalence of content. All student forms can be found on the Office of the Registrar - Student Forms.
For Graduate Credits Earned After Matriculation in the MSW Program
Students are required to complete a petition requesting permission to complete the course at another graduate institution. The petition must include clear and specific information about the course to be completed and how that credit is to be used in the student's program of study. (See Item # 2 above).
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. 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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Identification, assessment, and notification of the student in academic difficulty will occur as early and as often as possible during graduate study.
Policy and procedures governing graduate student academic progress will be routinely and regularly publicized to inform students and faculty.
All policies developed will be coordinated with other aspects of the School of Social Work (e.g. grading policies), College policies, and with the "University Rules and Regulations" as they apply to graduate students.
The Director of the School of Social Work is responsible for the termination of a given student's matriculated status in the MSW program, working with the Falk College School of EducationCollege Dean's office and the Graduate School.
All matters related to identification, assessment, and notification of the matriculated student in academic difficulty will be coordinated by the Director of the MSW Program.
Individual faculty members are responsible for the evaluation of student academic performance, the preparation of reports on student progress, and the award of grades in courses they teach.
II. Criteria for Determining Student Standing
The criteria for determining student standing in the graduate program may include:
Attendance in the classroom and field instruction.
Behavior that provides relevant information reflecting likely performance as a social work practitioner;
Performance in classroom tests or other evaluation exercises.
Performance in field instruction assignments as defined by the professional development plan and/or field evaluation instruments;
Overall GPA.
III. Standards for Student Standing
Student standing in the MSW program will be determined through application of the following standards:
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A member of the faculty or School administration submits a written request for a review based upon a student's unprofessional conduct or inadequate professional performance.
A member of the faculty, the Director of Field Education, or another Social Work administrator shall initiate the process by submitting a written request to the Director of the School of Social Work.
The request must outline the basis for the review.
VII. Composition of Academic and Professional Review Board of the School of Social Work
The Academic and Professional Review Board of the School of Social Work shall be comprised of three voting members, consisting of two full time faculty and one full time professional field staff. All voting members serve on the Academic and Professional Review Board of the School of Social Work in rotation. In instances where any member of the Academic and Professional Review Board of the School of Social Work has direct involvement in the circumstances of the case or other conflict of interest, that member shall recuse themself and the Director of the School shall arrange for a substitute for that review.
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Appeals of faculty-imposed sanctions for academic dishonesty (academic dishonesty is covered by the University and Falk College policies on academic integrity with appeal of faculty action heard by the Falk College Grievance Committee).
Appeals of the final grade awarded in a course (heard by the Falk College Grievance Committee).
Appeals of determinations with regard to academic standing or student conduct made by the Falk College Grievance Committee, the Dean of the College, the University Judicial System, university committees outside of the College, or senior administrators of the University.
Appendix D: Grievance and Appeals Procedures At the University and FALK College Level
University and College Policies for Conduct and Grievance
Formal disciplinary and grievance procedures exist at both the College and University level for handling allegations of academic dishonesty or violation of other university policies. The document, "College Grievance Committee Policies and Procedures," issued by the Falk College, explains where different types of allegations are heard. The kinds of issues covered by University-wide offices outside of the School of Social Work and the College include accusations of sexual or racial harassment and violations of the Student Code of Conduct. The College Grievance Committee is responsible for appeals of a grade, or of sanctions imposed by units within the College regarding academic dishonesty and unprofessional conduct. Additionally, the College Grievance Committee may adjudicate complaints involving academic dishonesty and unfair academic treatment of a student that come to it directly. The College grievance policy and procedures can be obtained from the Falk College Student Rights, Academic Integrity & Grievance Policies page.
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Contact the Senior Associate Dean of Falk College to request a grievance hearing regarding the actions or decisions originating in the School of Social Work.
Summarize your concerns in writing including major issues, specific grievances, actions taken to resolve the matter and your desired outcome and deliver a copy of this document to the Falk College Dean’s Office within 5 business days from initial contact with the Senior Associate Dean.
Decisions made by the College Grievance Committee are bound by procedures and policies of the College and University.
Appendix E: Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS) Statement for Degree Programs in Social Work Education: Council on Social Work Education
Copyright © 2022, Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), Inc. All rights reserved.
Appendix F: Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
Approved by the 1996 NASW Delegate Assembly and revised by the 2017 NASW Delegate Assembly
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The first Section, "Preamble," summarizes the social work profession's mission and core values.
The second section, "Purpose of the NASW Code of Ethics," provides an overview of the Code's main functions and a brief guide for dealing with ethical issues or dilemmas in social work practice.
The third section, "Ethical Principles," presents broad ethical principles, based on social work's core values, that inform social work practice.
The final section, "Ethical Standards," includes specific ethical standards to guide social workers' conduct and to provide a basis for adjudication.
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.
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