B.S. Undergraduate Social Work Student Manual

Table of Contents

Welcome

Dear B.S.S.W. Student,

Welcome to the baccalaureate program of the School of Social Work. We are pleased that you chose to study with us, and we 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. 

You have the primary responsibility for planning your academic program and making certain that your program fulfills degree requirements. To support that, you will use information, suggestions and guidance from your faculty advisor and other faculty, ideas from fellow students, and a clear understanding of the policies and procedures of the University, the College, and the School of Social Work. You will also need to familiarize yourself with MySlice as the University portal for enrollment and progress monitoring and to check your syr.edu Inbox regularly for important announcements, opportunities, and deadlines.

We have prepared this handbook to help you understand how we work. The handbook contains information on the policies and procedures of the School of Social Work and refers you to the applicable policies of the College and University. It is intended to complement the Syracuse University Student Handbook. Our policies and procedures are built upon the general rules and regulations of the University. These are presented in the document Academic Rules and Regulations, included at the front of the Undergraduate Course Catalog. Please review them as you begin your degree program.

This handbook also describes the basic characteristics of the B.S.S.W. degree program and the resources available to support your educational experience. 

Have a great year and, when in doubt, please ask questions so that you have the information you need to complete your course of study successfully. Again, welcome aboard! 

Sincerely, 

Carrie Jefferson Smith, ACSW, DSW 
Professor, and Director, School of Social Work 

Nadaya A Brantley, LMSW
Baccalaureate Program Director, Assistant Teaching Professor

Introduction

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 School is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Both the B.S.S.W. and MSW programs of the School of Social Work are offered in collaboration with participating human service agencies across Central New York (CNY) that provide professional internship settings. These agency collaborations are vital to the field instruction programs of the School. 

Structure. The Director 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 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, assisted by a team of Internship Coordinators. 

The School of Social Work is housed within the School of Education (SOE). The Director of the School of Social Work reports to the Dean of the School, and the faculty of the School of Social Work are also faculty in the School. Some of the services utilized by undergraduate students are provided centrally by SOE or the University. For other aspects of the undergraduate experience, faculty and staff within the School of Social Work are the primary resources. The Social Work faculty and professional staff are responsible for the development, delivery, and continuous evaluation of the B.S.S.W. curriculum. 

Your Learning Journey. The B.S.S.W. Program is designed to develop essential abilities that you will need as a professional social worker and as a citizen of the University and beyond. See Appendix A to preview these Essential Abilities.

Student Engagement. Students are encouraged to participate in the operation of the B.S.S.W. Program through representation on the B.S.S.W. Program Committee and other selected standing committees of the School of Social Work. The major standing committees of the School of Social Work are the Administrative Committee, the Assessment Committee, the Promotion and Tenure Committee, the Faculty Recruitment Committee, and the B.S.S.W. and MSW Program committees.

There are two student organizations within the School of Social Work. First, Social Workers United (SWU) is a local social work student organization. It is designed to promote student interaction, build relationships, create service opportunities, and foster student engagement among B.S.S.W. students and between B.S.S.W. and MSW students. Second, The Zeta Gamma Chapter of the national Phi Alpha Honor Society for Social Work is an organization of both graduate and undergraduate students. The purpose of Phi Alpha Honor Society is to provide a closer bond among students of social work and promote humanitarian goals and ideals. Phi Alpha fosters high standards of education for social workers and invites into membership those who have attained excellence in scholarship and achievement in social work. 

Students are inducted into the Zeta Gamma Chapter of Phi Alpha Honor Society at Syracuse University each Spring. B.S.S.W. students qualify by achieving a cumulative GPA that places them in the top 35% of social work majors who have completed at least 37.5% of their degree program. See Appendix B for more information on our Phi Alpha chapter.

About our Location. The main office of the School of Social Work is located in Suite 244 on the second floor of White Hall in the Falk Complex. During the academic year, offices are open from 8:30am until 5:00pm, Monday through Friday. Contact information for individual faculty may be easily located through the University’s Online Directory.

The Falk Complex consists of two buildings, White Hall and MacNaughton Hall. White Hall has five floors and MacNaughton Hall has four floors; however, floors one and two of the buildings connect seamlessly. 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.

School of Social Work Faculty and Staff

Faculty and professional staff of the School of Social Work are here to support you! Visit the School of Social Work Online Directory for a current listing of staff and their contact information.

B.S.S.W. Program

Program Goals

The goals of the Syracuse University B.S.S.W. program are to:

• Prepare undergraduate students for competent, effective and evidence-based generalist practice that builds on and recognizes strengths and vulnerabilities of individuals, families, groups and communities;

• Prepare undergraduate students to work effectively in increasingly complex culturally, linguistically, racially, socially, ability, and gender diverse communities;

• Prepare undergraduate students to be life-long learners, including those who go on to further graduate education;

• Enhance the well-being of individuals, families and communities through a vibrant and innovative generalist field education program;

• Advance social work knowledge through research, scholarship and evaluation of interventions and policies that strengthen social work practice, address human need and promote social and economic justice;

• Enrich the intellectual climate of the School and University.

• Strengthen agencies and advance social and economic justice through membership on the boards of directors, engagement in policy advocacy, involvement and leadership in professional organizations and other forms of faculty service.

These goals reflect both the priorities of the larger University and the specific values of the social work profession. They involve both faculty and students. Note the connections that these goals imply. Faculty and field instruction staff will connect with you to impart knowledge and skills, examine values, and develop a critical stance toward evaluating and using information. You will reciprocate by educating faculty and peers based upon your experiences, knowledge and values. Collectively, our conversations deepen our awareness and understandings and elevate the intellectual climate of our program. You are a key part of this goal!

CSWE Competencies

Our B.S.S.W. program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The oversight of this professional accrediting body insures that our program is delivered with high standards and that you will receive quality education to achieve nine core competencies:

Competency 1: Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior

Competency 2: Advance Human Rights and Social, Racial, Economic, and Environmental Justice

Competency 3: Engage Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ADEI) in Practice

Competency 4: Engage in Practice-Informed Research and Research-Informed Practice

Competency 5: Engage in Policy Practice

Competency 6: Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

Competency 7: Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

Competency 8: Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

Competency 9: Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

Each of these nine competencies is described in Appendix C.

Full-Time Study for the Bachelor of Science in Social Work (B.S.S.W.) Degree

The undergraduate program of the School of Social Work offers a Bachelor of Science degree.

Degree Requirements

The B.S.S.W. requires completion of 120 credit hours. One-half of the work must be in the liberal arts and sciences. Full-time students typically complete the B.S.S.W. degree in four academic years, with an average course load of 15 credits (5 courses) per semester. Students may elect to take summer courses to lighten their load during the academic year. Academic credit is not awarded for life or work experience achieved prior to matriculation in the B.S.S.W. Program.

Consistent with the Liberal Arts Core of the College of Arts and Sciences, requirements are distributed as follows:

Liberal Skills Requirements (12-14 credits)

To satisfy the Liberal skills requirement in the School of Social Work, students are required to:

1. Achieve proficiency in writing by taking WRT 105, WRT 205, and course that is approved as writing intensive.

2. Achieve proficiency in the use of quantitative methods to understand and solve problems by successfully taking MAT 121 and MAT 122 or MAT 221 and MAT 222 (6-8 credits)

Divisional Perspective Requirements (43 credits) 

The Divisional Perspective Requirements for social work students involve successfully completing courses in the Humanities, Social Sciences and Natural Sciences divisions.

Humanities (12 credits)

To satisfy the Divisional Perspective Requirement for Humanities, students are required to take four (4) courses in the Humanities Division (12 credits)

Natural Science (7 credits)

To satisfy the Divisional Perspective Requirement for Natural Science, students are required to take:

• BIO 121 – General Biology I      (4 credits, including a 1-credit lab)

• AND a second science, selected from one of the following 3-credit courses:

  • BIO 123 – General Biology II

  • PSY 223 – Introduction to Cognitive Neuroscience

  • PSY 315 – Drugs and Human Behavior

  • PSY 395 – Abnormal Psychology

  • NSD225 – Nutrition in Health

  • ANT131 – Introduction to Biological Anthropology

Social Sciences (24 credits)

To satisfy the Divisional Perspective Requirement for Natural Science, students are required to take:

• 1 of the following:

  • AAS 112 – Introduction to African American Studies 

  • ANT 121 – Peoples and Culture of the World

• 1 of the following:

  • ECN 101 – Introduction to Microeconomics

  • ECN 102 – Introduction to Macroeconomics

• 1 of the following:

  • PSC 121 – American National Government and Politics

  • PSC 122 – American State and Local Government and Politics

• PSY 205 – Foundations of Human Behavior

• PSY 374 – Social Psychology

• 1 of the following:

  • PSY 335 – Psychology of Childhood

  • PSY 336 – Psychology of the Adolescent

  • HFS 202 – Development of Children

• 1 of the following:

  • PSY 337 – Psychology of Adult Life: Maturity and Old Age

  • SWK 357 – Processes of Aging

  • HFS 363 – Midlife Development and Gerontology

• 1 of the following:

  • SOC 101 – Introduction to Sociology

  • SOC 102 – Social Problems

Social Work (42 credits)

• SWK 201 – Social Work Practice Skills Laboratory I

• SWK 202 – Social Work Practice Skills laboratory II

• SWK 301 – Foundations of Social Work Practice

• SWK 314 – Social Welfare policy and Services I

• SWK 315 – Social Welfare policy and Services II

• SWK 326 – Persons in Social Context

• SWK 328 – Human Diversity in Social Contexts

• SWK 361 – Foundations of Social Work Research

• SWK 401 – Strategies of Social Work Intervention I

• SWK 402 – Strategies of Social Work Intervention II

• SWK 435 – Field Practicum I

• SWK 436 – Field Seminar I

• SWK 445 – Field Practicum II

• SWK 446 – Field Seminar II

Course descriptions can be found in the Undergraduate Course Catalog.

Electives (to total 120 credits)

Students who are interested in exploring social work as a profession may enroll in SWK 115 – Introduction to Social Work, which gives you a broad overview of the variety of opportunities and career paths that begin with a B.S.S.W. degree.

Use your electives to take advantage of a wealth of learning opportunities to enrich your education here at Syracuse University:

• Explore another culture to extend your learning through Study Abroad. Syracuse University has one of the most highly ranked study abroad programs in the nation. You can choose from over 100 different programs in 60 countries. Options include classroom-based courses, internships, Signature Seminars, and community engagement projects.

• Participate in the Renée Crown University Honors Program. Designed for exceptionally curious and motivated students, Honors provides special opportunities and mentoring to enrich your academic experience. This All-University Honors Program admits a small number of incoming first-year students each fall; however, students are also welcome to apply after the first and second semester. 

• Develop a competency in a foreign language. While there is no formal language requirement beyond the Humanities, which includes foreign languages, competency in multiple languages is a valued skill. Being multilingual will enhance your social work practice and make you more competitive on the job market.

Develop a minor program of study within or outside of the School of Education or pursue a second major. (See double majors.)

Part-Time Study for the Bachelor of Science in Social Work (B.S.S.W.) Degree

Students for whom full-time study is not a good fit may choose to study part-time through the College of Professional Studies to complete their B.S.S.W. The degree requirements are the same, but students may opt to take either two or three courses, up to a maximum of 11 credits, each semester. The College of Professional Studies reserves seats for part-time students in their evening courses to accommodate students who have daytime employment obligations.

Transfer Credit

Transfer credit from other institutions may be accepted with course grades of C or better. A maximum of 66 credits can be transferred from a two-year program. A maximum of 90 credits can be transferred from a four-year program. At least 30 credit hours must be completed at Syracuse University to receive a Syracuse University degree. Policy governing the acceptance of transfer credit is further explained in Appendix D.

Field Instruction

Opportunities for field learning are presented throughout the curriculum of the B.S.S.W.. They culminate in the senior social work practicum (SWK 435 and SWK 445) and its related field seminars (SWK 436 and SWK 446) in the senior year. The practicum is a two-semester agency placement requiring consecutive fall and spring semester registration. You will be in placement in the same field instruction setting the equivalent of two working days each week, for which you earn five academic credits per semester. In addition, you will meet in a campus-based field seminar for approximately one hour and twenty minutes per week, for which you earn one credit per semester. This seminar provides a forum for integration of theory and practice through cognitive examination of actual field experiences.

This practicum is a very important part of your professional preparation. The selection of an appropriate placement for you requires careful planning with the School and the agency and requires that you be an active participant. The policies and procedures that are related to field instruction will help you understand how to work with us regarding placements. The baccalaureate field instruction program is coordinated through the Office of Field Instruction. You will be assigned to a placement coordinator early in the spring of your junior year.

Eligibility for Registration in SWK 435 and SWK 436

Social Work students are eligible to register for SWK 435 - Field Practicum I and SWK 436 - Field Seminar I, when the following conditions are met:

1. The student has been admitted to the School of Social Work as a candidate for the B.S.S.W..

2. The student has completed prerequisite social work practice courses (SWK 201 - Social Work Skills Lab I, SWK 202 - Social Work Skills Lab II, SWK 301 – Foundations of Social Work Practice), and SWK 328 – Human Diversity.

3. The student is within 45 credit hours of completing the B.S.S.W. degree (having completed 75 credits) and is registering for a fall-spring sequence which includes SWK 435 Field Instruction I, SWK 436 Field Seminar I, and SWK 401 Strategies of Social Work Intervention I in the Fall Semester, and SWK 445 Field Instruction II, SWK 446 Field Seminar II, and SWK 402 Strategies of Social Work Intervention II in the Spring Semester. Additionally, part-time students must have senior status and will complete the degree program within two semesters of completing the field work experience.

4. The student has a 2.5 GPA in the required Social Work courses.

5. The student has electronically submitted a current résumé and the online B.S.S.W. "Application for Field Instruction Placement" that is available via the via the designated internship placement software system.

6. The student is not on academic probation. A social work student will not be permitted to register either for SWK 435-436 or SWK 445-446 while on academic probation.

Exceptions require documented prior approval by the Director of Field Instruction and the Director of the Undergraduate Program.

Placement Procedures

The selection of an appropriate placement requires personal reflection and a collaborative planning process. For details concerning the placement process and specific information about Field Instruction, supervision, and evaluation, please see the School of Social Work Field Instruction Manual.

Admissions

All undergraduate admissions are made through the Admissions Office of the University. Some schools and colleges, including the School of Social Work, have special admission requirements.

The academic policies and procedures of the School of Social Work are designed to help you make an informed and purposeful decision to pursue academic study and a career in social work. This requires an opportunity to learn about social work and to gain direct contact with social work agencies. First- year students may take SWK 115 - Introduction to Social Work (an elective), to gain an overview of the nature of the social work profession and the services it provides. They engage with local social work agencies in the Syracuse community. This course supports informed decision-making in choosing social work as a major.

Admissions Standards

Undergraduate students in the B.S.S.W. program are formally admitted to the major in the second semester sophomore year. Because courses restricted to Social Work majors do not start until second semester sophomore year with SWK 202 – Social Work Practice Skills Laboratory II, we require that every student in the program complete a Statement of Intent to Major form during that course. No student may advance beyond SWK 202 without an approved Statement of Intent to Major.

The admissions standards for the School of Social Work are:

1. New Students (First-year & External Transfers):

   1. Admission to Syracuse University.

   2. Satisfactory completion of SWK 201-Social Work Practice Skills Laboratory I

   3. Completion of Intent to Major form (Appendix E), approved by the B.S.S.W. Director.

2. Intra-University Transfer Students:

   1. Cumulative GPA of at least 2.8

   2. Completed BSSW interest form available online or from the B.S.S.W. Director (White 244).

   3. A personal interview with the Director of the Undergraduate Program

   4. Completed Intra-University transfer form, available online or from the B.S.S.W. Director (White 244).

   5. Completion of Intent to Major form (Appendix E), approved by the B.S.S.W. Director.

Part-time students are admitted to the baccalaureate social work program by the Director of the Undergraduate Program, in conjunction with officials at University College (UC). Admission policies and procedures are consistent across all candidates for the B.S.S.W..

Students are expected to understand and act in accordance with values and principles set forth in the NASW Code of Ethics (Appendix F) and listed in the Intent to Major form (Appendix E). This form must be completed prior to completion of SWK 202, Social Work Practice Skills Laboratory II, and the first required social work course restricted to social work majors. Transfer students who have already completed SWK 202 (through equivalent credit taken elsewhere) will be asked to complete the form as soon as possible after entering the program. This form will be placed in the student’s file in the school and a copy given to the student’s social work faculty advisor. If the student does not want to declare his or her intent to major in social work or the student’s responses suggest that social work might be a poor professional fit, the Director of the Undergraduate Program and/or the student’s advisor will speak with the student about alternative majors and career choices.

Academic credit is not awarded for life or work experience achieved prior to matriculation in the B.S.S.W. program.

Social Justice Minor

If you begin your B.S.S.W. program and decide that it is not the major that you want, you may still pursue a minor in Social Justice. This minor is available to students who are NOT social work majors but who want to infuse their chosen majors with social work values, skills, and knowledge. Social justice concerns the fundamental human rights of members of a society regardless of position. Social justice is concerned with issues of equity and inclusion in the distribution of wealth, opportunities, privileges and resources. It addresses distributions of power at both individual and systems levels, inclusive of economic and environmental justice. It includes global concerns for the well-being of our planet. It addresses methods for combating oppression based on multiple axes of identity, including age, class, color, culture, disability and ability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity and expression, immigration status, language, marital status, political ideology, race, religion/spirituality, sex, sexual orientation, and tribal sovereign status. The Social Justice minor prepares students to grapple with these crucial issues, and engage in action to build a more just and equitable society.

Course options in this minor enrich students’ major areas of study by emphasizing:

• ethical and professional behavior,

• cultural diversity and difference,

• human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice,

• research that informs and is informed by practice,

• policy practice

The Social Justice Minor program requires the completion of 18 credits. To declare a minor, students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 and submit a Declaration of Minor form to the Director of the Baccalaureate Social Work Program, their faculty advisors, and the dean’s office of their home colleges. A limit of 3 transfer credits may be applied with permission. 

Required Courses (3 credits)

One of two core courses is required:

• SWK 115 – Introduction to Social Work

• SWK 201 – Social Work Practice Skills Laboratory I

If both core courses are taken, SWK 115 must precede SWK 201.

Elective Courses (12-15 credits)

Students may choose from the following options:

• SWK 314 – Social Welfare Policy and Services I

• SWK 315 – Social Welfare Policy and Services II

• SWK 326 – Persons in Social Context

• SWK 328 – Human Diversity in Social Contexts

• SWK 357 – Processes of Aging

• SWK 361 – Foundations of Social Work Research

• SWK 400 – Selected Topics

• SWK 403 – Social Work and the Human-Animal Bond

• SWK 427 – Introduction to Military Culture and Social Work Practice

• SWK 437 – LGBTQ Health and Well Being

Academic Advising

Academic advising is a shared responsibility between the student and the advisor. Although students are expected to take responsibility in managing their academic paths, the social work academic advisor provides the consultation and guidance necessary to foster students’ professional development. The School of Social Work uses faculty, professional staff, and student peer advisors for advising. They can provide important information and assistance to you throughout your undergraduate study.

 First-Year Advising by SOE Student Services

Incoming B.S.S.W. students are registered and advised by the School of Education Office of Academic and Student Services, Suite 150 Huntington Hall, Syracuse, NY 13244.

 Social Work Academic Advisors

Each B.S.S.W. student is assigned an advisor from Office of Academic and Student Services in the School of Education. Student Your advisor will help you formulate your academic and career interests, connect you with University and community resources to develop those interests, and help clarify the direction of your study. Advising centers on your involvement with the B.S.S.W. degree program. Advisors will help you evaluate your progress and provide information regarding careers. You will also be assigned a social work faculty mentor. As you prepare for graduation and consider employment or graduate study, your social work faculty mentor can help you explore alternatives and can support applications for employment and graduate study with appropriate letters of reference.

You are responsible for seeking the advice and consultation of your academic advisor when you are having academic problems. The flowchart below depicts the process of problem-solving in advising. 

Problem-solving and the Advising Process:

• Student identifies a question or concern

• Student consults the B.S.S.W. Handbook and/or any other documents that the handbook directs the student to, in order to address the concern (see end of document: Possible Resolutions)

  • Understanding of policy resolves the concern

  • If concern remains:

    • Student schedules a meeting with advisor to discuss issue.

    • In preparation for the meeting, student emails the advisor an outline of the concern that they wish to address. Include in the email the steps they have taken to resole the question/concern and the hoped for outcome for the concern.

    • Student meets and/or consults with academic advisor who coaches student regarding potential solutions.

      • Issue is resolved or a plan is made to address the concern

      • If no resolution:

        • The advisor consults with other appropriate parties and then sets a meeting with the student and/or persons whose attendance is necessary to discuss concern and potential solutions. Academic hearing may be among the potential solutions at this point.

          • Issue is resolved or a plan is made to address the concern

          • If no resolutions are found and an academic hearing is not requested, the academic advisor alerts the B.S.S.W. program director who consults to develop a plan

When you have a concern or question, please consult the B.S.S.W. Handbook first or any other relevant online documents. This may answer your question; however, if it does not, schedule a meeting with your academic advisor. Email your advisor and let them know what you want to discuss, what you’ve already done to try to resolve the issue, and what you hope they can help you achieve. Your advisor may answer your question or resolve the concern; however, if you still have questions/concerns, your advisor may consult with other appropriate parties or set up a joint meeting. An academic hearing may be requested if appropriate. If an academic hearing is not requested, but more assistance is needed, the advisor consults the B.S.S.W. Director, who develops a resolution.

You are also responsible for scheduling and keeping the required advising appointments during the advising period that precedes course registration for each academic term.

On rare occasions, it may be necessary for a student to seek a change in academic advisor. Requests for such changes should be made through the B.S.S.W. Program Director.

Student Peer Advisors

Student peer advisors are assigned to all new full-time students. Your peer advisor will support your transition to Syracuse University. They help with issues such as course scheduling and registration, as well as with questions surrounding your first year at the University. They are a valuable source of information about the school, the campus, and the Syracuse community.

Part-Time Student Advising Process

Students studying part-time through College of Professional Studies (CPS), will have both a CPS advisor and a Social Work advisor.  When a part-time student first enters the social work major, they will meet with the Social Work Undergraduate Program Director to develop a timeline program of study. This timeline program of study will be given to the student to share with the CPS Advisor. After the initial planning session, the student is required to meet with their social work academic advisor at least once per year; however, they are free to schedule an advising appointment at any point in the semester.

The social work faculty advisor may also request additional appointments if the student is in academic difficulty or for professional development concerns.

Registration

 You must be officially registered in order to attend classes. (See Appendix G regarding the policy on Visitors in the Classroom.) Entering first-year students and fall transfer students will be registered for their first semester of study by their first-year advisor in Student Services. Second semester, they will again meet with their first-year advisor in Student Services to plan recommended and alternate courses, after which they will transition to their social work academic advisor for the second, third, and fourth years of the program.

MySlice is Syracuse University’s portal for class search and registration as well as progress monitoring. To log in to MySlice, you will need your University ID and password. Passwords must be updated annually.

Prior to registration each semester, students should check their progress on Degree Works (accessed via MySlice).  Be sure to let your academic advisor know if you have questions about your Degree Works record. It is important to keep your record accurate and up to date. Your advisor can help to correct any errors.

You will plan your registration for each semester with your academic advisor. These meetings are important and mandatory, so there will be a HOLD place on your registration until this meeting has occurred. For full-time students, the course selection will be submitted electronically on the Falk Advising Form. This sends a summary of recommended and alternate courses to you, your advisor, and Student Services, where they will remove your Advising Hold.  For part-time students, course recommendations are sent electronically to your College of Professional Studies advisor.

The next step is for you to create a course schedule by choosing specific sections, days and times and putting your choices into your shopping cart.

Shortly before the registration period, each student is assigned an entry time and date. You will be notified by email of your registration appointment. It will tell you to go to MySlice to check the date and time of your appointment. That’s also where you will enroll for classes, check your enrollment profile, retrieve your class schedule and find other information and services.

New students register just before the term begins. Returning students are eligible to register for the next semester during the registration period at the end of fall and spring semesters. Students on Syracuse Abroad Programs register through Syracuse Abroad following special registration procedures.  Part-time students register through University College.

Students may make changes to their registration after the semester begins, by adding, dropping, or withdrawing from classes in accordance with published deadlines.

See SU Academic Rules - Registration for all rules concerning registration.

Academic Progress and Professional Behavior

Academic Progress

Your social work academic advisor will help you select courses that meet degree requirements in social work.  Each of your course syllabi will outline the policies specific to that course and specify the requirements for satisfactory participation and performance. Be sure to review each syllabus carefully at the beginning of the semester and mark all deadlines, exams, and due dates on your personal calendar.

Attendance in Classes

Attendance in classes is expected in all courses at SU. Class attendance requirements and policies concerning nonattendance are established by the instructor(s) of each class. Students are expected to arrive on campus in enough time to attend the first meeting of all registered classes.  Students who do not arrive and attend classes starting on the first day of their classes may be academically withdrawn by their college or departments as not making progress toward degree by failure to attend.

Academic Problem Solving

If you experience challenges in your courses, or are having other academic problems, you should be proactive in gathering more information and seeking a resolution. The flowchart below depicts the process of problem-solving in the classroom.

If you encounter a concern in the classroom, first consult the B.S.S.W. Handbook as well as University Rules and Regulations to learn the relevant policies. Then you can schedule a meeting with your professor to discuss the issue. If you still have a concern after meeting with your professor, make an appointment with your academic advisor. Email your advisor to let them know the nature of the problem, what steps you have already taken to resolve the matter, and how you are hoping that your advisor can help. Your advisor may coach you in ways to approach your professor again, or the advisor may consult with the professor directly. The advisor may also set a meeting with you and your professor together. If each of these steps is insufficient to resolve the problem, the academic advisor then consults the B.S.S.W. Director, who develops a resolution.

Problem Solving in the Classroom Flow-Chart

• Student identifies a problem or concern

• Student consults the B.S.S.W. Handbook and/or University Rules and Regulations regarding the policies relating to the matter

  • Understanding of policy resolves the concern

  • If concern remains:

    • Student schedules a meeting with professor to discuss issue

      • Issue is resolved or a plan is made to address the problem

      • If no resolution:

        • Student makes an appointment with academic advisor, emails them an outline of the concern that they might wish to address. Include in the email, the steps they have taken to resolve the problem/concern and the outcome for the problem that the student is hoping for.

        • Student meets and/or consults with academic advisor who coaches student regarding potential solutions.

          • Issue is resolved or a plan is made to address the problem

          • If no resolution:

            • The advisor consults with the professor and then sets a meeting with the student and/or professor to discuss the issue if necessary

              • Issue is resolved or a plan is made to address the problem

              • If no resolution:

                • If an academic hearing is not requested, the academic advisor alerts the B.S.S.W. program director who consults to develop a plan

Possible resolutions may involve individualized modifications related to the classroom—for example referral to the Office of Disability Services or to the SU Writing Center, adjustments of assignments, course content, student behaviors, etc.). The process may also lead to a request for an Academic Hearing, or the student may choose to take a Leave of Absence.

Monitoring Academic Progress

As a candidate for the B.S.S.W., you will monitor your progress toward meeting degree requirements using Degree Works, which is accessed via MySlice. Be sure to check your electronic advising report each semester for accuracy. It is important to maintain an accurate record of progress, because the Falk College Recorder and the Office of the Registrar will use Degree Works to certify your B.S.S.W. degree.

Mid-semester Progress Report (MSPR)

Your attendance and classroom performance will be monitored by your Instructor through Orange SUccess. As you approach mid-semester, your instructor will submit and MSPR, and your advisor will be notified that a progress report is available for viewing. If concerns are reported in any courses, your advisor may follow up with a request for you to schedule an appointment to problem-solve the challenges that you are experiencing. You are also encouraged to speak directly with your instructor and/or TA. (See Problem-solving in the Classroom.)

Progress Monitoring by School of Education

If you go below twelve credits in a regular semester you will be notified by Student Students that you’ve been placed on Progress Monitoring status. The is not an academic probation status; it is intended to prevent further difficulty. Progress Monitoring includes:

• Attending an Assessment Meeting with an assigned Student Support Counselor who will determine appropriate intervention for the under twelve situation (which could include moving to academic probation status).

• Being place on the MSPR student report list to monitor their mid-semester progress to assess if intervention is warranted.

Academic Probation

The purpose of academic probation is to provide a consistent and fair method of academic sanction for all students that not only supports the academic rigor of the College and Syracuse University programs, but also provides direction and a system of intervention for students. Students who have been placed on Academic Warning or One-Term Trial will have the availability of a number of resources including access to an academic counselor who will work with them to develop and implement a plan that will lead to future academic success. 

Students will receive letters or emails notifying them of their probationary status as soon as possible after grades are posted. This letter or email will include information about the reason for the academic probation along with an explanation of how they can restore their good academic status and details on how to set up appointments with their assigned student support counselor.

Academic Probation Classifications

Academic Warning

Occurs the first time a student achieves one or more of the following:

• Lower than a 2.0 semester and/or cumulative grade point average after a regular semester.

• Excessive number of incompletes, NS’s and/or missing grades.

• Lack of progress towards degree (especially in major requirements).

Students on Academic Warning can be removed from this status and moved to good academic standing by achieving the following in the Academic Warning Semester:

• Earn 12 or more credit hours of advised and completed course work with a minimum of both a 2.0 semester and cumulative grade point average.

• Make progress toward degree requirements.

• Attend a minimum of Student Support meetings with their appointed counselor. The Student Support hold for registration will not be lifted until all meeting attendance is fulfilled.

One Term Trial

Occurs in subsequent regular semesters (after the Academic Warning or Readmit semester) when students achieve one or more of the following:

• Lower than a 2.0 semester and/or cumulative grade point average after a regular semester.

• Excessive number of incompletes, NA’s and/or missing grades.

• Lack of progress towards degree (especially in major requirements).

• No declared major upon achieving 54 credits.

Students on One Term Trial must achieve the following during the One Term Trial semester in order to be removed from this status and moved to good academic standing:

• Attend Student Support meetings with their appointed counselor as designated in their one term trial letter. The Student Support hold for registration will not be lifted until all meeting attendance is fulfilled (as noted by their student support counselor).

• Earn 12 or more credit hours of advised and completed course work with a minimum of both a 2.0 semester and cumulative grade point average.

• Making adequate progress toward degree requirements.

• Declaring a major.

If these requirements are not met, students may be suspended. See Appendix H for a description of the Academic Suspension and Appeal Procedures.

Graduation

When you have completed your final semester, your grades will be recorded, and your transcript reviewed to be certain all degree requirements have been met. If all requirements are complete, you will be certified for graduation by the college recorder, and your diploma will be sent to you from the Diploma Office in Steele Hall. There is usually about a two-month span from the time you finish your degree until you receive the diploma. If certain requirements have not been completed, you will be notified and asked to take appropriate action.

In order to obtain a Syracuse University degree, students must be in good standing with the University. “Good standing” includes a requirement that all matters pending before the University Judicial System have been fully and finally resolved (including, but no limited to, full satisfaction of any sanction imposed). Students who are not in good standings will not be granted a degree, will not have access to transcripts, and are not eligible to participate in graduation ceremonies.

No student will be certified for graduation with incomplete or missing grades unless they have completed all degree requirements, achieved the required 120 credit hours and earned a GPA not less than 2.0. Incomplete and missing grades are counted as failures in calculating the GPA. University Rules and Regulations set out the minimum GPA that undergraduate students must maintain. You cannot receive any undergraduate degree from Syracuse University without attaining a final cumulative GPA of 2.0 and being in good standing regarding professional behavior.

Professional Behavior

All members of the academic communities of Syracuse University, Falk College, and the School of Social Work—students, faculty, administrators and staff—are expected to hold themselves to high standards of academic and professional behavior. As a B.S.S.W. student, you are expected to conduct yourself in keeping with three sets of standards:

• Code of Conduct of Syracuse University, as set forth in the Syracuse University Student Handbook, and

• Code of Ethics of National Association of Social Workers (NASW) (Appendix F) and

• Standards and Indicators of Cultural Competence in Social Work Practice (NASW) (Appendix I)

Together, these standards will guide your success as a student at Syracuse University and as a graduate working in the social work profession. Violations of these standards are taken seriously and will result in disciplinary action. See Appendix J: Accountability for Professional Behavior.

The Code of Ethics as adopted by the National Association of Social Workers serves as the primary basis for judgments concerning the appropriateness of the behavior 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 professional behavior may be brought before the Academic Hearing Board of the School of Social Work under the policy for Academic Progress and Professional Behavior. The standards for Accountability for Professional Behavior and the procedures of the Academic Hearing Board are described in Appendix J.

In addition to their 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 C and Appendix F), the School of Social Work considers both the performance and behavior of students in the classroom, in the internship, and in and around the University as matters of academic standing. Your performance and behavior are treated as indicative of your likely performance as a social work practitioner. 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 is not limited to, academic probation or dismissal.

Academic Integrity/Academic Dishonesty

Syracuse University defines academic dishonesty as a violation of the code of student conduct stating, "Academic dishonesty [shall include], but not [be] limited to: plagiarism and cheating, and other forms of academic misconduct, for example; misuse of academic resources or facilities, or misuse of computer software, data, equipment, or networks". Students’ violation of institutional policies related to academic dishonesty are covered by the University policy on Academic Integrity and Cases involving Academic Dishonesty are handled by the Academic Integrity Office (AIO). with support from the Center for Learning and Student Success (CLASS). CLASS works with faculty, instructors, students, and staff to promote understanding of Syracuse University’s academic integrity policy, coordinate its administration, and maintain records of all academic integrity cases. 

Your role as a student, scholar, and creator/composer of papers, art, and performance requires attention to the particulars of Academic Integrity. The policies that are most relevant to undergraduates are summarized in the Syracuse University Student Handbook under Academic Integrity, and the full policy statement is available at Academic Integrity Policy.

Perhaps the easiest area to get tripped up is in proper citation of sources. Improper citation may be considered plagiarism, because you’ve represented ideas as your own that actually came from another source. The bottom line is that you should never copy and paste content from another source without crediting that source.

The School of Social Work uses the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (7^th ed.) to guide all written work and specifically to dictate the proper citation format. Unless otherwise specified, all courses will expect you to follow APA style in your written work. This document will show you proper way to cite a quotation or passage taken directly from another source. It will show you how to credit those who originated ideas that you have paraphrased and re-used. It will even show you how to cite an idea that a friend or colleague gave you in conversation! It includes both how to show these sources correctly in the body of the paper (text citations) and how all References should appear at the end of the paper. It’s a little tedious, but you will soon master the details and be able to proof your own papers and to help your friends! While the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.) is available for purchase both online and at the SU Bookstore, there are also a number of free online resources that can assist you. See the APA Citation Guide provided by the SU Library at Citation Guide:  APA.

Disciplinary/Grievance Procedures for Allegations of Academic Dishonesty

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 kinds of issues covered by University-wide offices outside of the School of Social Work include accusations of sexual or racial harassment and violations of the Student Code of Conduct. The School of Education is responsible for appeals of a grade or of sanctions imposed regarding academic dishonesty and unprofessional conduct. Additionally, they may adjudicate complaints involving academic dishonesty and unfair academic treatment of a student that come to it directly. Information these policies are found in the SOE Undergraduate Handbook.

Professional Conduct Violations

Students are expected to behave at all times in a manner consistent with norms of appropriate professional conduct and the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics (see Appendix I). Unprofessional or unethical conduct, or inadequacies in applying a knowledge base in practice, in the demonstration of professional relationship skills, or in behavior with clients and colleagues in the classroom, the university, the agency, or community may jeopardize academic standing. The policy on Accountability for Professional Behavior (Appendix J) forms the basis of actions that may be taken.

Cases involving violations of the Student Code of Conduct other than academic dishonesty are handled by the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities.  Behavioral violations may result in Disciplinary Probation, Suspension or Expulsion from the University.

Other Scholastic Information

Syracuse University Email

Internal communication of the School of Social Work is conducted via email. This includes general announcements to students. 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. If you primarily use another email address, please have your university email forwarded to your other email address so that you do not miss important information sent from the School or University. Information about accessing your SU email account or forwarding your SU email to another address can be found on the SU web site.

Incomplete Grade

The grade "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 time limits of the course. Illness or exceptional circumstances are the usual basis for consideration. To receive an incomplete, a student must make a formal request for an incomplete to the faculty of record by completing the Request for an Incomplete Form. The form represents a contract between the student and the faculty member, specifying the reasons for granting an incomplete and the conditions and time limit for removing it. Incompletes are generally completed within a six week time frame of the last official day of the course.

*Note: Incompletes are counted as F's in calculation of the grade point average on the student's transcript. Failure to complete requirements within the specified period will result in the course grade indicated on the petition (usually an F) being posted to your record.

Pass/Fail

The Pass/Fail option is intended to provide students the opportunity to "try out" a subject of interest that may be new to them without risking the possibility of a low grade being counted in their GPA. "Pass" grades earn graduation credit but are not computed into the semester or cumulative GPA. "Fail" grades receive no graduation credit but are computed as "F's" in both the semester and cumulative GPA. With the exception of SWK 435-445: Field Practicum I & II, which by policy are graded pass/fail, only electives in the School of Social Work may be taken on a pass/fail basis. Forms are available online via the SOE Office of Academic and Student Services . After approval, the forms must be submitted to the Student Services Office for processing. The deadline for declaring your intention to take a course on a pass/fail basis is printed in the academic calendar.

Petition

The petition is a mechanism by which you receive permission to make any deviation from the normal degree requirements, University, College, School or department rules, regulations or policies. The required signatures differ with the nature of the petition, but final approval must always be given by the college Dean and the social work program director, and in most instances, the petition process is not complete until it is processed in School of Educations Student Services Office. A copy of a denied or approved petition will be returned to you for your records. Petition forms are available online.

Probation and Dismissal

The terms of University Probation are published in the Syracuse University publication, Academic Rules and Regulations. The Dean of each individual college determines college academic probation. A social work student will be placed on College probation when he/she does not meet the criteria for satisfactory academic standing.

The School of Education Office of Academic and Student Services will monitor the progress of students on College Probation, and students will be notified by the Assistant Dean of Student Services office of any special requirements, restrictions, or other action that may be imposed. 

Classroom Visitors (Appendix G)

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 C of this handbook. 

Summer School

Any social work student may take Summer Sessions courses, however, it is recommended that a student talk with his or her social work faculty/staff academic advisor during the spring semester prior to a summer enrollment to be certain the course(s) the student wishes to take will apply toward degree requirements. If a student wishes to take courses at another college or university, the courses must be approved by the Director of the Social Work Undergraduate Program and the Associate Dean of Student Services, prior to taking them. (This is to ensure that a course will successfully transfer back to fulfill a program requirement here.)

Upon completion of the course the student should request that the school's registrar send an official transcript of the grade to the student services to transfer the credits to Syracuse University records. Credit is allowed only for those courses in which a grade of "C" or better has been earned. Transfer credits appear as hours accepted; no course titles or grades will appear on the SU transcript and the grade is not calculated into the SU GPA.

Transfer Credit (Appendix D)

Transfer credit is accepted toward a SU degree consistent with University and School policies. The School of Social Work transfer credit policy is available in Appendix D. Syracuse University cannot accept any college or exam credit unless provided with official documentation of work completed. Therefore, it is always necessary for you to submit official transcripts (seal and signature) of all college work completed, and official notification from testing bodies of any test scores. Only courses with a grade of “C” or higher are transferable.

Academic credit is not awarded for life or work experience achieved prior to matriculation in the B.S.S.W. program.

Withdrawal/Leave of Absence

If, for some reason it becomes necessary for you to withdraw from school during a semester or take a leave of absence, you must submit a "Withdrawal/Leave of Absence Form." Leave of Absences are available online or the university’s Office of Student Affairs, 306 Steele Hall. Conditions governing such a leave are outlined on the official form. 

Financial Aid

Financial Aid decisions are made when you enter the University as a first-year or transfer student and are re-evaluated with you regularly during your study. About 70% of entering first-year and transfer students receive financial aid. Each student receiving financial aid has a designated financial aid counselor from the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid whose responsibility it is to work with the student concerning financial aid. You should discuss any questions with your financial aid counselor or a representative of the Financial Aid Office.