MSW Student Handbook

2018-2019

1700 College Avenue

412 Benton Hall

Topeka, Kansas 66621

www.washburn.edu/social-work

social-work@washburn.edu

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In planning your course of study, you should become familiar with this MSW Student Handbook and the Washburn University Graduate Catalog. The MSW Student Handbook

Introduces graduate students to the social work program.

Serves as a resource in planning course work.

Articulates the policies and procedures of the graduate social work program.

Describes the activities and opportunities provided by the graduate program.

As a professional-in-training, it is your responsibility to learn and understand the purposes and values that guide the profession. Therefore, you are strongly encouraged to read the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics as well as the NASW standards for the practice of clinical social work. Links to these documents are included in the appendix of this handbook. You are also encouraged to become a member of one or more professional social work associations, including the National Association of Social Workers and the Washburn University Graduate Social Work Association. The Department of Social Work at Washburn University maintains a policy that assures equal educational opportunity without regard to age, class, color, culture, disability, ethnicity, family structure, marital status, national origin, political perspective, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, and/or expression.

NOTICE

For purposes of this MSW Student Handbook only, the terms “course waiver” and “waiver” are used only in reference to the published accreditation standards of the national Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Section M3.1.1 of the 2015 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS) of CSWE mandates the following: “Baccalaureate social work graduates entering master’s social work programs are not to repeat what has been achieved in their baccalaureate social work programs.” Section M3.1.3 mandates the following: “The program describes the policies and procedures used for awarding advanced standing.” Therefore, when the term “course waiver” or “waiver” is used in this Handbook, it is referring specifically to the policies and procedures adopted by this department to effectuate the course equivalency exemption per the 2015 EPAS of CSWE. Because changes may be necessary from time to time, this document should not be construed as creating a contract between the Social Work Department and any person. The Social Work Department reserves the right to make any changes deemed necessary at any time in its policies, practices, academic programs, courses, schedules or calendars. This includes the right to correct clerical or typographical errors in any/all of its printed and/or online documents. Matriculation at the University and in the Department of Social Work is a privilege and not a right. The Social Work Department reserves the right in its discretion to separate any student who does not meet academic requirements or who does not maintain acceptable standards of conduct or character consistent with the values and ethics of the social work profession.

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CONTENTS

WASHBURN UNIVERSITY SOCIAL WORK GRADUATE PROGRAM .......................................................................................... 4

MSW Program Mission Statement .................................................................................................................................... 4 MSW Program Goals ........................................................................................................................................................ 4

MSW ADMISSIONS ......................................................................................................................................................................... 4 Admission Criteria ............................................................................................................................................................. 4 Application Procedures ..................................................................................................................................................... 5 Application Timeline .......................................................................................................................................................... 5 Advanced Standing Students ............................................................................................................................................ 5 Regular Standing Students ............................................................................................................................................... 6 Provisional Status ............................................................................................................................................................. 6 Non-Degree Seeking Students ......................................................................................................................................... 6 International Students ....................................................................................................................................................... 7 Criminal Record ................................................................................................................................................................ 7 Liberal Arts Requirements ................................................................................................................................................. 8 Four Year Completion of Program Requirement ............................................................................................................... 8 Financial Assistance ......................................................................................................................................................... 8 Transfer of MSW Academic Credits .................................................................................................................................. 8 New MSW Student Orientation ......................................................................................................................................... 9 Nondiscrimination .............................................................................................................................................................. 9 MSW Degree Requirements ............................................................................................................................................. 9

THE MSW PROGRAM CURRICULUM ............................................................................................................................................ 9 Foundation Curriculum .................................................................................................................................................... 10 Clinical Concentration Curriculum ................................................................................................................................... 10 MSW Course of Study ..................................................................................................................................................... 11 Foundation Courses & Generalist Practicum .................................................................................................................. 11 Clinical Core Courses and Clinical Practicum ................................................................................................................. 11 Clinical Electives ............................................................................................................................................................. 12 School Social Work Concentration .................................................................................................................................. 12 Dual JD-MSW Degree Program ...................................................................................................................................... 12 Class Schedules ............................................................................................................................................................. 13 Online Courses ............................................................................................................................................................... 13 Academic Advising .......................................................................................................................................................... 13 Academic Advising Guidelines for Social Work Students ............................................................................................... 14

GRADUATION ................................................................................................................................................................................ 14 Application for Graduation ............................................................................................................................................... 14 Commencement and Hooding Ceremony ....................................................................................................................... 15

PRACTICA AND SEMINARS ......................................................................................................................................................... 15 Objectives for Practicum ................................................................................................................................................. 15 Roles and Responsibilities .............................................................................................................................................. 16 Assigning Students ......................................................................................................................................................... 18 Placement Interviews ...................................................................................................................................................... 18 Employment-Based Placements ..................................................................................................................................... 19 Parallel Placements ........................................................................................................................................................ 20 Safety and Security of the Student in Practicum ............................................................................................................. 20

THE PRACTICUM EXPERIENCE .................................................................................................................................................. 21 Development of the Learning Contract ........................................................................................................................... 21 Monitoring the Field Practicum Experience ..................................................................................................................... 21 Seminar and Practicum Communication ......................................................................................................................... 21 Evaluating the Practicum Experience ............................................................................................................................. 21 Remediation in Practicum ............................................................................................................................................... 22

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ADDITIONAL PRACTICUM POLICIES ......................................................................................................................................... 23 Practicum Seminar .......................................................................................................................................................... 23 Practicum Hours .............................................................................................................................................................. 23 Holidays, Breaks, and Personal Leave ........................................................................................................................... 23 Grading Policy ................................................................................................................................................................. 24 Grievances Regarding Field Placement .......................................................................................................................... 24 Termination of a Student from a Field Placement ........................................................................................................... 24

STUDENT RIGHTS, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND SERVICES ........................................................................................................ 25 Equal Opportunity Policy ................................................................................................................................................. 25 Disability Services ........................................................................................................................................................... 26 Center for Student Success ............................................................................................................................................ 26 Washburn University Graduate Social Work Association ............................................................................................... 26 Academic Integrity and Honesty ..................................................................................................................................... 27 Courtesy Expectations .................................................................................................................................................... 27 Confidentiality .................................................................................................................................................................. 27 National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics .................................................................................... 27 Desire2Learn (D2L) Training ........................................................................................................................................... 28 Required Subscription to Taskstream ............................................................................................................................. 28 Attendance and Class Participation ................................................................................................................................ 28 Writing and the APA Style ............................................................................................................................................... 29 Communications and Official E-Mail Address ................................................................................................................. 29 iAlert Mass Notification System ....................................................................................................................................... 29 Inclement Weather Policy ............................................................................................................................................... 29 Ichabod Shop (University Bookstore).............................................................................................................................. 29 iCard .............................................................................................................................................................................. 30 Library Services .............................................................................................................................................................. 30 Computer Labs ................................................................................................................................................................ 30 No Smoking Policy .......................................................................................................................................................... 30 Instructor Availability ....................................................................................................................................................... 30 Instructor/Course Evaluation ........................................................................................................................................... 30 Social Work Department Program Evaluations ............................................................................................................... 31 Campus Police ................................................................................................................................................................ 31 Job Placement Assistance .............................................................................................................................................. 31

ACADEMIC RETENTION AND TERMINATION ............................................................................................................................ 31 Grading Policies .............................................................................................................................................................. 31 Academic Probation ........................................................................................................................................................ 33 Incomplete Grade ............................................................................................................................................................ 33 Course Withdrawal .......................................................................................................................................................... 33 Temporary or Permanent Withdrawal from the Program ................................................................................................ 33 Continuous Enrollment Requirement .............................................................................................................................. 34 Grade Appeal Procedures ............................................................................................................................................... 34 Academic Dismissal Procedures ..................................................................................................................................... 34 Appeal of Academic Dismissal ........................................................................................................................................ 34 Student Program Status Appeals Policy ......................................................................................................................... 34 Student Program Status Appeal (SPSA) Consent Form ................................................................................................. 35

APPENDIX A - MSW ADVISING SHEET ....................................................................................................................................... 37 APPENDIX B – CODE OF ETHICS OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SOCIAL WORKERS (NASW) ............................. 39 APPENDIX C – STANDARDS FOR THE PRACTICE OF CLINICAL SOCIAL WORK ................................................................ 39 APPENDIX D – CSWE EDUCATIONAL POLICY AND ACCREDITATION STANDARDS........................................................... 39 APPENDIX E – POTENTIAL GENERALIST AND CLINICAL PRACTICUM SITES ..................................................................... 39

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WASHBURN UNIVERSITY SOCIAL WORK GRADUATE PROGRAM

MSW Program Mission Statement The mission of the MSW Program at Washburn University is to prepare graduate-level students for the competent and ethical practice of professional social work, within the generalist and also the specialist model of clinical social work, via systematic attention to the core multidimensional competencies established by The Council on Social Work Education. The program is committed to providing a respectful, supportive approach to learning, while maintaining high academic standards. In so doing, the MSW Program is systematically linked to the core values of the social work profession. MSW Program Goals 1. Prepare students to provide competent and ethical generalist and specialist clinical social work

services, including assessment and diagnosis, prevention, intervention, evaluation, and referral services to individuals, families and groups whose functioning is affected by biological, psychological, or social stress or impairment.

2. Provide educational opportunities to students who represent diversity in all its aspects. 3. Provide an educational environment for students that is supportive and based on humanistic principles. 4. Provide a program that is integrated with the community, and meets the employment demands for

clinical social workers within the region. MSW Outcomes: Meeting the Core Competencies of the Council on Social Work Education 1. Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior 2. Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice 3. Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice 4. Engage in Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice 5. Engage in Policy Practice 6. Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities 7. Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities 8. Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities 9. Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

MSW ADMISSIONS

Admission Criteria Applicants must meet the basic MSW admission requirements outlined below. In addition, applicants must demonstrate that they possess the personal and intellectual qualities necessary to successfully pursue course and fieldwork, and have the potential for professional development in clinical social work. To be considered for admission as a fully matriculated, degree-seeking student, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from a college or university accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools, or a comparable organization. There should be evidence of adequate preparation to begin graduate study, including satisfactory completion of undergraduate course work in each of the following areas: the natural sciences, social sciences, English composition, humanities, and mathematics. There must also be an indication of satisfactory completion of course work in human cultural diversity. A minimum overall grade point average of 3.0 on a 4-point scale is generally expected for admission consideration.

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The application is available on the Degrees page of the Department of Social Work’s website, https://washburn.edu/academics/college-schools/applied-studies/departments/social-work/degrees.html. The MSW application deadline is January 15 for summer/fall admission and October 15 for spring admission, for applicants who want to be guaranteed full consideration of their application. Application Procedures

Please complete the online Washburn University Master of Social Work degree application form at https://www.applyweb.com/washburn/index.ftl. Instructions and deadlines for the MSW application are available under Apply for Admission to the MSW Program at www.washburn.edu/msw. Three letters of reference, a personal statement of interest, unofficial bachelor’s degree transcript and a non-refundable $40 application fee must be included when the online application is submitted. All official transcripts from any college or university that has awarded you an undergraduate degree must be submitted. For transcripts to be considered official, they must be received one of the following ways:

As a hard copy in a sealed envelope from the school, mailed to: Washburn University Department of Social Work Admissions 1700 SW College Ave, Benton Hall #412 Topeka, KS 66621

As an official electronic copy sent from your school to the Washburn University Office of the Registrar, registrar@washburn.edu

Note: If you attended Washburn University, you will not need to submit this transcript or other transcripts previously submitted to Washburn, as these are already in the Washburn data system. If you haven’t graduated yet, you must submit an unofficial transcript with all grades posted through the semester prior to the application deadline. Application Timeline We have two application timeframes. The first deadline each year is January 15. If accepted for this cycle, you may start the next summer or fall semester. The second deadline is October 15. If accepted for this cycle, you may start the following spring semester. Application deadlines extend to the next Washburn University business day if January 15 or October 15 falls on a weekend or holiday. Timely submission guarantees full consideration. Advanced Standing Students Applicants who have a bachelor’s degree from a CSWE-accredited social work program may apply for advanced standing status in the MSW Program at Washburn University. However, advanced standing is not automatically granted to everyone who applies. Course waivers can be granted only for foundation courses and they are determined on a course-by-course basis. Course and/or credit waivers are dependent on the equivalency of the course content, as determined by the MSW Program Director in consultation with the Department Chair and Washburn social work faculty. Applicants may be asked to provide a course syllabus/outline for each course for which a waiver is being requested. The MSW Program Director may request additional supporting materials. A grade of B or better in the undergraduate course considered for waiver is required. Full-time advanced standing students begin their studies in the MSW Program in the summer semester. Part-time advanced standing students begin their studies in the fall term.

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Regular Standing Students Applicants who have a bachelor’s degree in a field other than social work may apply for regular standing status in the MSW Program at Washburn University. Provisional Status Applicants may be granted provisional status by the MSW Admissions Committee for the following reasons:

Provisional acceptance pending completion of the undergraduate degree Provisional acceptance based on a cumulative grade point average that is less than 3.00 Provisional acceptance until all official transcripts are received

Students will retain provisional status until they have completed, at a minimum, 12 credit hours in the MSW Program. At the end of this time, provisional students who achieve a B or better in their completed courses may petition the MSW Program Director and request permission for admission as a fully matriculating, degree-seeking candidate in the MSW Program. Provisional students who do NOT achieve at least a B may be dismissed from the program and will not be permitted to take additional classes in the MSW Program at Washburn University.

Acceptance is provisional until we receive transcripts from any college or university that has awarded you an undergraduate degree. If your undergraduate cumulative grade point average (CGPA) is below 3.0, the Admissions Committee may accept you into the MSW Program on a provisional basis. In addition, you may be limited to part-time (i.e., you would not be permitted to take more than 6.0 credit hours per semester).

Non-Degree Seeking Students At the discretion of the MSW Program Director, a person who is NOT formally admitted to the graduate social work program may enroll in selected MSW courses as a non-degree seeking student. People in two categories may be able to take graduate social work courses in the department as non-degree seeking students: 1. A person who already has an MSW degree and who wants to return to graduate school at

Washburn to complete the School Social Work certification requirements as a non-degree seeking student; or

2. A master’s level social worker who wants to take a clinical core course or a clinical elective to earn continuing education units (CEUs) to satisfy LMSW or LSCSW license requirements. The Department Chair or the MSW Program Director may grant permission for such enrollment. For more information about this option, contact the Washburn University Department of Social Work at social-work@washburn.edu or (785) 670-1616.

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International Students International students applying to the Washburn MSW program must:

Already have a university credential that is equivalent to a US bachelor’s degree. Satisfy the admission requirements for the Washburn University MSW program. Among the

requirements is a minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, three professional letters of reference, transcripts, narrative statement, resume, and $40 application fee.

Submit the required international application and other required materials to the Office of International Programs. The international application fee is $70 US (Note: this fee is separate from the $40 MSW application fee).

Have transcripts from any non-US institutions evaluated by a recognized evaluation service at the applicant’s expense from either Educational Credential Evaluators or from the World Education Services and submitted to the Office of International Programs.

Provide evidence of having taken the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) examination within the past two years. Minimum TOEFL scores required for admission to the MSW program are as follows: Listening (25), Reading (23), Speaking (24), Writing (24). Students without a score or with a low score should seek admission to the Intensive English Program. Native speakers of English or students who have earned a four-year degree from a US college or university are exempt from these requirements.

International students with an undergraduate degree in social work issued outside of the United States should contact the MSW Program Director. Advanced standing is awarded to graduates holding degrees recognized through CSWE International Social Work Degree Recognition and Evaluation Services or covered under a memorandum of understanding with international social work accreditors.

Contact the Office of International Programs with any questions regarding the university application process, English language proficiency requirement or immigration-related inquiries. The need to take English courses may delay an applicant’s start in or extend the length of the MSW program. Criminal Record As part of the application process, each applicant is asked if he or she has a criminal record, including a history of any felony convictions. Conviction of a criminal offense does not necessarily bar an individual from becoming a social worker. Applicants for admission to the Department of Social Work are evaluated based on their overall qualifications. However, applicants should be advised that a criminal conviction could prevent them from being placed in some practicum settings. In addition, it may prevent them from being licensed, certified, or registered to practice social work in some states and jurisdictions.

Students are also asked if they have ever been dismissed from an undergraduate or graduate program for academic or nonacademic reasons. If the answer is affirmative, then the student is required to provide additional information so his or her application can be evaluated in light of all of the facts.

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Liberal Arts Requirements Consistent with the importance ascribed to the liberal arts perspective by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and Washburn University, there should be evidence of an adequate liberal arts preparation to begin graduate study. Such preparation must include satisfactory completion of undergraduate course work in each of the following areas: the natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, English composition, mathematics, and cultural diversity. Students who lack course work in any of these areas will be required to complete undergraduate courses during their first year of admission to the graduate program. Four Year Completion of Program Requirement All students have 4 years from their date of entry into the program to complete the 66-hour requirement of the MSW Program at Washburn University. Any student who cannot comply with this requirement and has a legitimate reason for being unable to do so may petition for an extension. The petition for extension should be approved by the student’s academic advisor and sent to the MSW Program Director for consideration. The petition should state why the extension is being requested and it should include a detailed timetable for completion of the requirements. The student will be notified in writing by the MSW Program Director of the acceptance or rejection of this petition. Financial Assistance The Financial Aid Office of Washburn University is located in Morgan Hall, phone 785-670-1151. The Financial Aid Office can be accessed through Washburn University’s website. Students should contact this office for all general information regarding financial aid. Eligibility for financial aid may be affected by hours enrolled. In addition to the University-wide aid packages, there are scholarships available for social work students through the School of Applied Studies. Information concerning these scholarships is available HERE and in the office of the Dean of the School of Applied Studies (Benton Hall, Room 306), phone 785-670-1282. The School of Applied Studies’ website can be accessed through Washburn University’s website. Transfer of MSW Academic Credits Transfer of credits from another MSW Program is considered on a case-by-case basis. As a rule, only courses taken in a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited Master of Social Work Program will be eligible for transfer. The applicant must have received a grade of B or better in the course(s) considered. In addition, each course must be equivalent in content to an existing social work graduate course for which transfer credit is being considered. In most instances, transfer of credit applies only to first year foundation courses. In accordance with CSWE accreditation requirements, academic credit is not granted for life or work experience. Washburn University allows no more than 10 hours for transfer credit. All graduate transfer students must complete an application. One of the three letters of reference must come from the dean, director, or Department Chair of the CSWE-accredited program from which the student is transferring. If the student was in a practicum placement while in the initial program, she/he should obtain the second letter of reference from her or his field practicum instructor. All other letters of reference should come from teaching faculty members, in the original program, who are knowledgeable of the student’s classroom performance. The MSW Admissions Committee will convene to consider the application.

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New MSW Student Orientation All students admitted to the MSW Program must complete an online New MSW Student Orientation. The MSW Program Director will send newly admitted MSW students information concerning how to access the website. The orientation is intended to familiarize students with the MSW curriculum, program guidelines and expectations, the social work profession and its history, the Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), important social work organizations, as well as tips for academic advising and enrollment. At the conclusion of the orientation, students are required to take and pass a quiz at 80% or higher. Students may take the quiz as many times as is necessary to pass it. Once a student successfully completes the orientation quiz, the MSW Program Director will send him/her an email with the name and contact information of the student’s academic advisor. The student should then contact his/her advisor to schedule an appointment, in which he/she will receive the 6-digit personal identification number (PIN) that is needed to enroll in classes. Nondiscrimination

The Washburn University Department of Social Work maintains a policy that assures equal educational opportunity without regard to age, class, color, culture, disability, ethnicity, family structure, marital status, national origin, political perspective, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, and/or expression. MSW Degree Requirements

Granting the MSW degree at Washburn University is predicated upon successful completion of 66 credit hours, or its equivalent, based on a combination of graduate hours and appropriate course waivers. These hours include 54 credit hours (or equivalent) in the classroom and 12 credit hours (1,120 clock hours) in field practicum. To graduate, students must maintain a 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0-point scale. Both full-time and part-time options are available. Recommendation that a Master’s Degree in Social Work be granted must be submitted by the faculty of the Department of Social Work to the Dean of the School of Applied Studies, the University administration, and the Washburn University Board of Regents.

THE MSW PROGRAM CURRICULUM The Master of Social Work Program at Washburn University prepares students for the competent and ethical practice of clinical social work. First year foundation courses provide generalist social work knowledge, values, and skills, which are applicable to all practice settings. Specialization in clinical social work, during the second year, provides students with the theories, methods, skills, and techniques necessary for effective clinical social work practice. THE ADVANCED STANDING PROGRAM is designed for students who have received a bachelor’s degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program. These students are eligible for up to 33 credit hours of course waivers, which means that most are required to complete 33 hours of coursework in order to earn the MSW degree. Advanced standing students receiving all course waivers typically start in the summer following admission. Advanced standing students who qualify for all course waivers may complete the MSW program in three full-time semesters, beginning in the summer semester.

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Advanced standing is not automatic. Course waivers may be granted only for foundation courses and they are determined on a course-by-course basis. A grade of “B” or better in the undergraduate course considered for waiver is required. In addition, course and/or credit waivers are dependent on the equivalency of the course content, as determined by the MSW Program Director. THE REGULAR STANDING PROGRAM is for the student who has an undergraduate degree in a discipline other than social work. Regular standing students typically start taking classes in the MSW Program during the fall semester. Regular standing students who would like to lighten their academic load during the first year may take Dimensions of Professional Social Work Practice (SW685) during the summer semester following their admission.

Regular standing students enrolled full-time may complete the MSW program in 5 semesters, beginning fall semester and ending in May of the following academic year. Part-time regular standing students may take up to 4 years to complete the full program. All MSW students have 4 years from their date of entry into the program to complete the graduate program in social work, unless an extension is provided, based upon cause being shown. Regular standing students are required to complete the full 66 hours in order to earn the MSW degree. Foundation Curriculum The social work faculty designed the Foundation curriculum courses to prepare students for beginning generalist practice. These courses are taken prior to and concurrently with the first practicum. The Foundation curriculum includes 27 credit hours of in-class instruction. In addition, regular standing students complete 6 credit hours of practicum (400 clock hours or 20 clock hours per week) in a community agency during the spring and summer semesters. Concurrently, regular standing students also complete 6 credit hours of coursework in the Generalist Practice Seminars I and II. Advanced standing students may have some or all of these Foundation courses waived. Regular standing students must take the Foundation courses FIRST, followed by the 4 clinical core courses (SW 700, SW 705, SW 706, SW 707), three electives, and a clinical practicum paired with a clinical practice seminar during both the fall and spring semesters. The social work department attempts to offer Foundation courses in an all-day block format. During the fall and spring semesters, a typical graduate social work class session meets once per week and runs for approximately 2 hours and 50 minutes. A daylong block consists of three class sessions, running throughout the day and into the evening (i.e., 8:00 – 10:50 a.m., 1:00 – 3:45 p.m., and 5:30 – 8:00 p.m.). The department makes every reasonable attempt to offer the second part of each foundation sequence course on the same day and at the same time during the subsequent semester (e.g., from fall to spring or from spring to summer). Course offerings depend on student enrollment. If enrollment in a particular section is insufficient, then the Department Chair, in consultation with the Dean of the School of Applied Studies, may cancel that section. Students should work closely with their advisors to develop a flexible plan of study. Clinical Concentration Curriculum Following completion of the Foundation curriculum, all students begin the Clinical Concentration. This sequence consists of 27 credit hours of in-class instruction, including 4 core courses: Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis (SW 700), Clinical Social Work Practice with Individuals (SW 705), Clinical Social Work Practice with Families (SW 706), and Clinical Social Work Practice with Groups (SW 707). In addition,

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students complete classroom work with 9 credit hours of clinical social work practice electives. All students must also complete 6 credit hours of clinical practicum plus 6 credit hours of clinical practice seminar (fall and spring semesters). At least 720 clock hours are required for completion of the clinical practicum. Applicants should note that this translates to approximately 24-clock hours per week spent at the practicum site. Advanced clinical electives will be clearly labeled and designated as such. Only regular standing students who have completed all the Foundation courses or advanced standing students will be allowed to enroll in and take advanced clinical electives. Teaching faculty (i.e., the instructor teaching the specific course in question) can make exceptions to this policy in consultation with the MSW Program Director and the Department Chair. MSW Course of Study MSW students must take courses sequentially. Regular standing students must complete all Foundation coursework before moving on to take Clinical Core courses. Exceptions to this rule are occasionally made by the MSW Program Director. Below is a summary list of the entire MSW curriculum.

Foundation Courses & Generalist Practicum

Course # Course Name Credit Hours SW 606 Micro HBSE 3 SW 607 Macro HBSE 3 SW 608 Social Policy and Programs 3 SW 621 Quantitative Social Work Research (Spring) 3 SW 622 Qualitative Social Work Research (Fall) 3 SW 640 Fundamentals of Social Work Practice 3 SW 685 Dimensions of Professional Social Work Practice 3 SW 690 Pre-Generalist Practicum Workshop 0 SW 691 Generalist Practicum I 3 SW 692 Generalist Practice Seminar I 3 SW 693 Generalist Practicum II 3 SW 694 Generalist Practice Seminar II 3

33 hours

Clinical Core Courses and Clinical Practicum

Course # Course Name Credit Hours SW 705

Clinical SW Practice with Individuals

3

SW 706 Clinical SW Practice with Families 3 SW 707 Clinical SW Practice with Groups 3 SW 700 Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis 3 SW 790 Pre-Clinical Practicum Workshop 0 SW 791 Clinical Practicum I 3 SW 792 Clinical Practice Seminar I 3 SW 793 Clinical Practicum II 3 SW 794 Clinical Practice Seminar II (ONLINE) 3 24 hours

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Clinical Electives

Students must take 3 elective courses (i.e., 9 credit hours). Electives vary each semester. The faculty periodically reviews the curriculum, adding appropriate new electives.

The field practicum is an integral part of the MSW program. It provides a laboratory for students to develop mastery of social work skills. Students complete a total of 400 hours for the Generalist Practicum and 720 hours for the Clinical Practicum. For the fall semester of the clinical year, MSW students must enroll concurrently in the Pre-Clinical Practicum Workshop, the Clinical Practicum I, and the Clinical Practice Seminar I. School Social Work Concentration

Within the clinical emphasis of Washburn’s MSW program, students may choose to receive specialty training in school social work. For students in the School Social Work Concentration, 9-credit hours of specified clinical elective courses are required. To be consistent with the requirements of most states, the department of social work requires students in the school concentration to successfully complete 3 graduate-level electives with emphasis on social work practice in educational settings. These courses are as follows:

SW 781 – Clinical Social Work Practice with the Exceptional Child; and

SW 782 – Clinical Social Work Practice in the Educational Environment; and

SW 783 – Clinical Social Work Practice in Schools.

Clinical Social Work Practice in Schools (SW 783) should be taken concurrently with SW 791 Clinical Practicum and SW 792 Clinical Practice Seminar. In addition, the two-semester clinical practicum must be in a school setting under the supervision of a school social worker. For more information about the School Social Work Concentration, please visit the Social Work Department’s website. Dual JD-MSW Degree Program

The Department of Social Work and the Washburn University School of Law jointly offer a dual JD-MSW

Degree. The goal of the JD-MSW Dual Degree Program is to prepare students with combined skills in both

social work and law for professional practice with complex social and legal issues in areas where social

work and law converge.

If pursued separately, the two-degree programs would require 156 credit hours (i.e., 90 hours for Law and 66 hours for Social Work). However, in the JD-MSW Dual Degree Program, certain courses are accepted for credit by both schools. For an advanced standing student with all course waivers, this reduces the total number of credit hours to 111 (a reduction of 12 credit hours across both programs). For a regular standing student, the total number of credit hours required is reduced to 144 (again, a reduction of 12 credit hours). Students will may complete most of their course work in the MSW Program before beginning the JD Program. It is possible for a student to start in the Law School, complete most of the JD requirements, and then begin and complete the MSW degree requirements.

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Students must apply separately to and be accepted by both academic programs. Students are asked to indicate to each program, at the time of application, that they are applying to the JD-MSW Dual Degree Program. Class Schedules Seated classes for first-year, generalist-level graduate students are usually offered in a daylong block format on Mondays with three class periods running from 8:00 am – 10:50 am, 1:00 pm – 3:45 pm, and 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm. Likewise, seated classes for second year, clinical-level graduate students are usually offered in a daylong block format on Wednesdays with three class periods running from 8:00 am – 10:50 am, 1:00 pm – 3:45 pm, and 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm). Some additional sections of some courses are offered in evening slots on different days of the week. Summer classes usually meet twice weekly, to accommodate covering the same amount of material in a shorter timeframe. Online Courses The department’s primary aim is to offer quality courses, regardless of format or method of delivery. At present, the department offers seated and online sections for the following classes: SW 606 – Micro HBSE (fall) SW 607 – Macro HBSE (spring) SW 608 – Social Policy and Programs (fall) SW 621 – Quantitative Social Work Research (spring) SW 622 – Qualitative Social Work Research (fall)

The department is working to extend its online series of elective courses. Some courses (e.g., SW 700) can be delivered online or in a blended seat-time and online format. At present, all other social work courses are web-assisted (i.e., seated with supplementary web-content). Over the next several years, the department will be developing and offering additional online elective courses.

REGISTRATION/ENROLLMENT

Academic Advising Following acceptance to the MSW Program, each student is assigned an academic advisor in the Social Work Department. Advisors assist students with program planning (schedules, selection of concentration, elective courses, etc.) and with registration each semester. The Social Work Department faculty embraces an adult learner model of advising, with advisory conferences usually scheduled as requested by the student. However, the student must meet face-to-face with her/his advisor at the time of each enrollment. The University notifies students and faculty advisors of the dates during which registration is to occur, and students contact their advisors to arrange mutually convenient times to confer. Advisors help their students select appropriate courses, assign enrollment personal identification numbers (PINs) for each enrollment period, and provide other assistance as needed. Any subsequent changes in enrollment (e.g., adding, dropping, or changing courses) also begin by conferring with one's advisor. Advisors play an important role in helping students to select appropriate elective courses. The selection of

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electives should be based upon a "plan of study" that has been discussed and mutually agreed upon between student and advisor. In this way, students are able to tailor their courses of study to meet their particular educational objectives. If, at some point during his/her period of study, a student wants to change advisors, he/she must submit the request in writing to the MSW Program Director. The student is expected to discuss this request with both his/her current advisor and the prospective advisor. Academic Advising Guidelines for Social Work Students

The guidelines provided here are intended to facilitate a smooth, relatively stress-free advising experience. Students are strongly encouraged to be prepared for each advising period:

Advising Period For

Early October through Mid-November Spring/Summer Semesters

Early March through Mid-April Fall Semester

Make an Appointment 10-15 days in advance of the advising period, contact your academic advisor and schedule a face-to-face advising appointment. Department faculty members take their advising role seriously and do not give students enrollment PINs without meeting face-to-face first. Academic advising is intended to promote student and professional development. Pre-Advising Session Planning Before you go in to see your advisor, you need to plan your academic schedule for the upcoming semester. This should include identifying ALTERNATE courses in the event a class you want is closed or otherwise unavailable to you. Meeting with Your Academic Advisor. When you meet with your academic advisor, you should bring a copy of your degree audit and any change of address/phone number information. It is your responsibility to make sure the department has your up-to-date contact information. Review your schedule with your academic advisor. The advisor will be interested in how you are doing academically and personally. If you need career advice, guidance in choosing between potential courses (which you have already identified), or other forms of information, let your academic advisor know.

GRADUATION Application for Graduation Students planning to graduate must complete an Application for Degree early in the semester in which they plan to graduate. The University will post notices regarding the availability of the application and its due date.

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Commencement and Hooding Ceremony Students who complete their degree requirements in May are encouraged to participate in the May commencement and hooding ceremony. Students who will complete their degree requirements in August may participate in the May commencement and hooding ceremonies. However, in order to be eligible to participate in the May ceremony, August graduates must have 9 or fewer hours to complete in the summer semester and must register for those courses during the early enrollment period for summer. Students who complete their studies in December may participate in the December commencement ceremony or may return to campus to participate in the commencement and hooding ceremony in May following their graduation.

PRACTICA AND SEMINARS Field instruction is an integral part of the curriculum for the Master of Social Work degree, providing an opportunity for students to deepen their knowledge and skills through supervised practice. The practicum and field seminar course(s) are taken concurrently, with successful completion of both the seminar and the field component prerequisite for continuing in the program. Each semester's work in the classroom and field is designed to provide relevant content and practice opportunities and a forum for discussion of the student's evolving professional practice. The emphasis in the seminar is on the application and integration of the entire curriculum with the student's practice experience, including professional development and self-awareness. The foundation practicum is designed for developing generalist social work expertise. It includes a variety of opportunities for work with multi-level client systems. The assignments in the clinical practicum focus on more specialized knowledge and skills, and smaller client systems. The Practicum Office assumes the responsibility for assigning each student to a placement that will broaden his or her experience. Students are not responsible for locating or arranging for practicum placements. Students who do so are fraudulently representing themselves as agents of the university, which is strictly forbidden. Any student who seeks to arrange or establish a practicum placement without the express knowledge and explicit consent of the Practicum Director may be suspended and/or dismissed from the graduate program. The student should be advised that during the practicum planning process, he/she will be asked if he/she has a criminal record, including a history of any felony convictions. If this is the case, the student should inform the Practicum Office immediately. Practicum agencies routinely perform background checks on prospective students, so this fact will become known at some point during the placement process. Any student who makes a false statement regarding his or her background may be dismissed from the program. Existence of criminal record may seriously interfere with the Practicum staff’s ability to place the student in an agency for training. Furthermore, in many states and jurisdictions, individuals with a felony record cannot be licensed, registered, or certified to practice social work. Objectives for Practicum The following objectives have been developed for the practicum experiences as a whole:

Provide students with the opportunity to engage in social work practice in professional community settings that meet student's academic needs.

Provide students with the opportunity to engage in field based supervision that contributes to theoretical, knowledge base and skill acquisition, and the development of a critically reflective

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professional identity based on the core values of social work.

Provide students with opportunities to identify and engage in practicum tasks that diversifies their learning and strengthens their commitment to improving the well-being of oppressed and disenfranchised populations.

Provide students with opportunities to evaluate their competency for master level social work practice in a way that strengthens their commitment to lifelong learning.

Provide students with a multilevel system of support that empowers students in the acquisition of the knowledge, skills and perspectives necessary for competent clinical social work practice.

Roles and Responsibilities

Due to the integrative nature of the practicum, encompassing community agencies, Washburn University, the MSW Program, the Practicum Office, and the students, the roles and responsibilities of each of the different components are outlined below. Washburn University. The University purchases a professional liability policy to cover the practicum. The policy, which covers students and faculty liaisons, has limits of $1 million per claim and $5 million aggregate. Students are covered while meeting practicum course requirements. Coverage can be extended to students who, in specially approved instances, work at their practicum during semester break. However, the University's responsibility for providing both professional liability insurance coverage and Worker's Compensation ends once class requirements are met. The University also signs Memoranda of Understanding with field agency directors to establish practicum placements. Some agencies may require that the student secure individual professional liability insurance at his or her own expense. Relatively inexpensive professional liability insurance coverage for students can be obtained through the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Insurance Trust. However, to be eligible, the student must join NASW. Practicum Director and Field Coordinators. The Practicum Director and the Field Coordinators develop, administer and coordinate the practicum portion of the social work program. They select agencies and Field Instructors and coordinate the placement of all practicum students. When necessary, they act as mediators in handling difficulties among students, liaisons, agencies, and Field Instructors during the practicum. Final decisions regarding placement of students is made by the Practicum Director. Decisions regarding termination of placements are made by the Practicum Director in consultation with the MSW Program Director and the Department Chair. The Practicum Director assigns a grade of pass or fail in practicum after reviewing the Field Instructor's evaluation, and in consultation with the seminar instructor/faculty liaison. Other functions include curriculum planning and policymaking, public relations, maintaining student files and documentation, developing and providing educational meetings and collaborative conferences with the Practicum Director and Field Instructors. It should be noted that the Social Work Department or any member of the social work faculty cannot guarantee that a student will be placed in a practicum agency. Everything within reason will be done to locate a suitable placement for each student who is eligible for placement. However, the ultimate decision to accept or reject a student is up to the host agency. A student who, for any reason, cannot be placed in an agency in a timely manner may be required to delay his or her field education for up to a year. In extreme cases, the student may be dismissed from the program for reasons cited in the Retention and Termination section of this handbook. Seminar Instructor and Field Liaison. The weekly seminar course is taught by the faculty member who also serves as the liaison to the student's agency. The seminar instructor/faculty liaison maintains contact with the agency and Field Instructor through a minimum of one personal visit and telephone contacts as

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necessary. The purpose of these contacts is to maintain an awareness of the student's progress in the field and to offer consultation to the Field Instructor as appropriate. The seminar instructor/faculty liaison is a resource for both the student and the Field Instructor with the primary focus being the success of the student in practicum. The seminar instructor/faculty liaison also interprets the program's policies to the Field Instructor and provides information as requested by the agency. They meet with the Practicum Director and the Field Coordinators as needed. At the end of each semester, the seminar instructor/faculty liaison collects and reviews the Field Instructor's written evaluation of the student's progress. The evaluation provides significant input to the seminar instructor/faculty liaison's recommendation to the Practicum Director that a grade of Pass or Fail be given. The grade for seminar is the decision of the seminar instructor/faculty liaison as described in the syllabi. Agency. Agencies are selected by the Practicum Director according to their ability to provide practice experiences in keeping with the academic goals of the MSW program. Agencies operate under a Memorandum of Understanding with Washburn University. This document states that the agency will retain full responsibility for the provision of services to its clients and will maintain administrative and professional supervision of students insofar as their presence affects the operation of the agency and/or the direct or indirect service to clients. The agency also indicates its commitment to University and CSWE policies of non-discrimination; compliance with ADA, HIPAA, and other federal and state guidelines; and the provision of adequate support for Field Instructors during the practicum training period. Field Instructor. The Field Instructor (FI) has direct supervisory responsibilities for the assigned student, including the roles of teacher and consultant, but extending beyond these roles to supervision as defined in the BSRB K.A.R. 102-2-8(6). The FI must be currently licensed in the State of Kansas at the LMSW or higher level, or otherwise meet BSRB qualifications. If the student is placed in an agency outside of Kansas, then the FI must be currently licensed (or registered or certified) in the state where the placement will take place. The FI must have a minimum of two years post-masters experience at the time the proposed practicum starts, except in exceptional situations approved by the Practicum Director in consultation with the Department Chair. The FI agrees to accept the student for the entire period of the placement, except in the case of unforeseen circumstances, and with due notice in writing to the Practicum Director. The FI provides a minimum of 1-hour per week of individual supervision, and assigns practice opportunities in fulfillment of the learning contract developed by the FI and the student at the beginning of each semester. These contracts outline specific behavioral activities for achieving the goals and outcomes of the field experience. The FI is encouraged to enhance the integration of classroom and field experiences by reviewing copies of the seminar syllabi provided by the student. Final approval of the learning contract rests with the Practicum Director. Prior to the end of each semester, the FI completes an evaluation of the student's progress, reviewing it with the student before submitting it to the seminar instructor/faculty liaison. (At the beginning of the first semester of practicum, the student is given a Forms Packet that provides further details.) The FI's first contact for information or support is the seminar instructor/faculty liaison. Direct communication between the student and the FI is encouraged before a seminar instructor/faculty liaison becomes involved in situations requiring Practicum Office mediation. The student's Field Coordinator is an additional resource for issues beyond the seminar instructor/faculty liaison role, as is the Practicum Director. At the earliest sign of significant difficulty in the practicum, the FI must notify the seminar instructor/faculty liaison and obtain assistance in developing a plan to resolve the situation. FIs are strongly encouraged to attend orientation and training sessions each semester where such challenges and other pertinent issues are discussed.

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If an agency meets criteria but does not have an appropriate staff social worker available to provide field instruction, an off-site alternative may be considered. However, the Washburn University Social Work Department cannot employ, reimburse, or provide liability insurance for off-site Field Instructors. Factors considered include: (a) commitment and ability of the FI to perform the administrative, supervisory, and support duties of a FI; (b) the relationship of the FI to the agency including familiarity with agency mission, protocols, and practices; (c) availability of the FI during those times student is in practicum; (d) assignment of an appropriate on-site alternate during times student is in practicum; and (e) a clearly documented plan for supervision. Further details regarding off-site supervision requirements are available from the Practicum Director. Students. MSW students are assumed to be motivated, adult learners who are committed to the social work profession as a career goal and who will actively participate in their learning process. Like employees, practicum students are representatives of the agency and expected to adhere to the policies and regulations of the agency. Professional behavior and compliance with the ethics and values of the profession are expected. Practicum students are responsible for understanding the goals and objectives of the program, the development of a learning contract, and the field assignments made by the agency Field Instructor. Students are expected to use professional skills in advocating for their learning needs and addressing difficulties that may arise in the practicum. Students are responsible for the timely management of the following practicum documents: (a) submission of a complete practicum application (located on the Practicum Program page of the department’s website); (b) delivery of field seminar syllabi and related documents to the Field Instructor; and (c) submission of each semester's learning contract and field evaluation to the seminar instructor/faculty liaison.

Note: Failure to submit required practicum documents in a timely manner may result in cancellation of the practicum by the Practicum Director.

Assigning Students Placement of students is coordinated through the Practicum Office, taking into account the student's interests and abilities, and availability of appropriate agencies and Field Instructors. Therefore, students must not initiate placement activities independently of the Practicum Office. If a student seeks to arrange or establish a practicum placement without the express knowledge and explicit consent of the Practicum Director, he/she may be suspended and/or dismissed from the graduate program. If a student has a particular interest in a setting that has not yet been developed as a practicum placement, this interest should be conveyed to the Field Coordinator. If such a placement is educationally sound, every effort will be extended to negotiate a contract for placement. Information regarding criteria for placement agencies is available from the Practicum Office. In certain circumstances, a student's current employment site can be evaluated for suitability as a field instruction setting. The employment-based practicum is described below. Placement Interviews Prior to the placement interview, students must complete a practicum application, available on the Practicum Program page of the department’s website, and return it to the Social Work Department office by the stated deadline. A Field Coordinator will then be assigned by the department support staff. Each student will complete an initial interview with a Field Coordinator the semester before they are to begin their field experience. The purpose of this interview is to create the best match between available

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placement settings and the student's career goals, past educational and occupational experience and current competencies. At this meeting, the Field Coordinator will review available placement opportunities, provide information about the placement process and offer support. Not all placement interests can be met, but every reasonable effort will be made to consider student's needs. The Practicum Office reserves the right not to place a student at an agency in which the student has an existing or potential conflict of interest. Conflict of interest may include, but is not limited to, dual relationships such as a personal friendship with the Field Instructor or a student being or having a history of being a mental health client at the potential practicum site. Students have the responsibility to disclose such conflicts of interest to the Practicum Office. Following the meeting with a Field Coordinator, the student receives a letter informing them of their potential placement agency. It is the student's responsibility to contact the person identified in the letter, usually the potential Field Instructor or a placement coordinator, for an interview. At that interview, the agency social worker and the student share their expectations and determine if the placement is a mutually viable learning opportunity. The agency interviewer will then inform the Practicum Office and the student if they accept or decline the student. A student has the right to decline a placement offer for substantive reasons, although professional courtesy warrants stating this intention at the time of the agency interview. A second match is not made until the Practicum Office has received proper notice from the agency. Once a student has accepted a placement offer by returning the Agency Acceptance Form, the relationship is considered a professional obligation to the agency and the student assumes responsibility for further planning contacts with the Field Instructor. Every reasonable effort will be made to facilitate a student’s placement in an appropriate social service agency in a timely manner. However, Washburn University, the School of Applied Studies, and the Department of Social Work cannot guarantee that every student will be accepted by the agency or agencies with which he or she interviews for placement. In the event a student is not placed, then he or she may be required to wait an entire year for the next cycle of placement interviews to occur. In that rare instance when a student is found, after a second round of interviews, to be unacceptable for placement by practicum agencies in the community, then that student may be counseled out of the MSW program. Employment-Based Placements The primary purpose of practicum is experiential learning in settings that offer new opportunities for knowledge acquisition and skill development. Therefore, students are generally not placed in the agency in which they are employed. However, the Council on Social Work Education will permit an employment-based placement if it is demonstrated that the educational integrity of the field practicum is preserved. Practicum opportunities must be substantively different from employment activities and must correspond with the student's program status. The prospective Field Instructor must be appropriately licensed and be someone other than the student's employment supervisor. A detailed written proposal must be submitted to the Practicum Director prior to the student's Practicum Office Interview (forms and further information are available from the student's Field Coordinator). The application must clearly document the student's current employment tasks and assignments and specify the differences in the anticipated tasks and responsibilities as a student learner. It is to be developed in consultation with the agency of employment and must be signed by the agency director, current supervisor and potential Field Instructor. Consideration of the plan is likely to require a site visit by Practicum Office staff. Final decision on applications is made by the Practicum Director.

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Parallel Placements Similar to the Employment Based Practicum, parallel placements involve consideration of a practicum at a human service agency that employs the student. However, in this instance the parameters are different in that the student is employed in a position not closely related to social work such as a clerical position. Because the issues of role separation and the need for separate supervision are the same, the student must submit a detailed, written proposal that demonstrates that the educational integrity of the field practicum is preserved (forms and further information are provided by the student's Field Coordinator during the interview process). Safety and Security of the Student in Practicum While the Social Work Department does not want students to be sheltered from the realities of professional practice, immersing students in social work and human service agencies may expose them to safety and security risks. The department and practicum agencies must collaborate to reduce risks to students in practicum. Many practicum students have safety and security concerns as they enter the field practicum. If not addressed, concerns about personal safety can significantly affect learning opportunities in the practicum. Field Instructors and practicum sites should, when applicable:

Discuss safety and security matters with students at the placement interview or at the outset of

the practicum. Information about the prevalence of or potential for violence while conducting

practicum activities should be relayed to the student

Explain and enforce agency safety protocols with students, including building and office

security, emergency procedures, management of violent clients and home visit safety

procedures

Provide a tour of the surrounding neighborhood and address concerns students may have

regarding work in the community

Allow students to observe staff engaged in the work for which the student is preparing

Allow students to be observed while engaged in learning activities and

Link students with agency-provided security resources (i.e. safety training, cellular phones,

etc.)

The following types of activities warrant special concern and these activities must be discussed with the Social Work Department and the student prior to the assignment:

1. Physical restraint of clients

2. Transportation of clients in the student’s private vehicle

3. Transportation of a client with a recent history of violent behavior

4. Treatment of a client with a history of violence toward the staff and

5. Work in the agency at times when/or in areas where other staff are not present.

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THE PRACTICUM EXPERIENCE

Development of the Learning Contract The learning contract describes the comprehensive learning experience planned for the semester. Working under the guidance of the Field Instructor, the student develops a contract that takes advantage of the learning opportunities and needs of the practicum setting and reflects the program's core student competencies. To focus the process, the student first completes an Overview form with input from the Field Instructor. This form solicits information about populations to be served as well as the variety of activities planned. Completing the form directs the discussion to those tasks and opportunities available in the setting that are correlated to the academic expectations of the MSW program and the parameters of beginning level Generalist or Clinical social work practice respectively. From the foregoing discussion, the student identifies learning objectives, strategies, time-lines and evaluation methodologies. Technical assistance papers on the topics of learning contract development and the practice of education are available to students. Monitoring the Field Practicum Experience

The Liaison contacts the Field Instructor at the beginning of the semester to offer consultation and support and to schedule the required first semester mid-semester site visit. If the Liaison cannot arrange the visit due to conflicts inherent in multiple schedules, a representative of the Practicum Office visits instead. The student is expected to be present during this visit and to collaborate on a semi-formal evaluation, which is structured by the Mid-Semester Site Visit form. At this visit, the Liaison has an opportunity to review the student's time and contact logs, written material (always respecting confidentiality), and to gain a perspective of the student's level of engagement in the practicum setting. Liaisons submit the completed and signed Mid-Semester Site Visit form to the Practicum Director for review and filing in the student's academic file. Site visits by the Liaison are not required during the second semester of a practicum, but may be scheduled on an as-needed basis. Liaisons/seminar instructors report concerns to the Field Coordinator assigned to the student's agency. The Field Coordinator functions as support for the Liaison in tracking and modifying the situation and keeps the Practicum Director informed of progress. The Field Coordinator is also available to the student or the Field Instructor at any time. Seminar and Practicum Communication The instructor reserves the right to respond to situations of concern related to student progress or the agency practicum environment. Responding will include, but not be limited to, collaboration and sharing relevant information with some or all of the following parties: student, field instructor, agency administration, agency human resources department, field coordinator for agency, director of practicum, student’s advisor, MSW program director, Department Chair and Dean of the School of Applied Studies. Responding may include sharing with the practicum agency information related to concerns about the student’s academic performance, as well as information about a student’s strengths or weaknesses in psychosocial functioning, to the degree to which they appear relevant to the practicum environment. Student situations may require consulting with the Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board as well as possible mandated reporting. Evaluating the Practicum Experience

The guiding perspective of the Practicum Office is that field evaluation is a process that can enrich the

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practicum experience and assure there are no surprises at the time of the semester evaluation event. Two documents bracket the evaluation experience, the Learning Contract executed at the start of practicum and the evaluation instrument used at the close of each semester to determine student progress toward competency. At the time of the semester evaluation the student records actual service delivery by population and activity, providing a comprehensive picture of the semesters activities and an opportunity to assess the degree to which the original plans were met. Overall student progress at mid-semester and end of semester is scored on a 6-point ascending Likert scale where “0” indicates no proficiency in the component being evaluated and “5” indicates excellent proficiency, or proficiency demonstrated under demanding conditions. Scale references to the condition under which proficiency is demonstrated are based on a person-in-environment perspective that recognizes that social workers often work with competing demands in challenging situations. The ability to perform in these situations is an appropriate expectation of a competent social worker and should be accounted for in evaluation. Space is provided for Field Instructor narratives about areas of strength and future growth. The 9 core student competencies are:

1. Demonstrate ethical and professional behavior

2. Engage diversity and difference in practice

3. Advance human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice

4. Engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice

5. Engage in policy practice

6. Engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities

7. Assess individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities

8. Intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities

9. Evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities

Remediation in Practicum The Field Instructor is encouraged to use the Learning Contract and evaluation form as guides and references during supervision sessions. Doing so grounds the assessment of student progress in objective, measurable factors. Should situations arise that call into question the rate or potential for progress of a student, the Field Instructor is instructed to notify the student's Liaison/Seminar Instructor immediately and to keep a record of efforts to resolve the situation. The Liaison in turn notifies Practicum Office personnel and begins a record of their activities. Discussions and decisions in these matters are grounded in the policies and procedures of the University and the MSW Program as stated in the University Graduate Catalog and the MSW Student Handbook. Early identification of unusual challenges affords the students the support of many practicum partners in developing a solution-oriented, strengths-based plan for remediation. Such efforts are always implemented at the most basic level of communication; that is, between the student, the Field Instructor, the Liaison, with Practicum Office staff acting as consultants. At the request of one of these parties, or if the Practicum Director directs, the Field Coordinator for the agency where the student is placed becomes actively involved, attending meetings with the student, Field Instructor and Liaison as a representative of the Practicum Office and the MSW program. If the situation warrants, a written remediation plan grounded in evaluative components and containing clearly operationalized and measurable objectives and a short-term time line is developed, as an addendum to the learning contract. All parties sign the plan, which is submitted to the Practicum Director for approval. The

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Practicum Director keeps the MSW Program Director and the Department Chair informed at all points in this process. The Field Coordinator monitors the plan until successful completion or until behavioral indicators suggest an inevitable disruption of the placement. If the disruption is due to untenable factors in the agency, efforts are made to relocate the student in another setting. If the disruption is due to inability of the student to take advantage of the learning opportunities and supportive mechanisms described above, then the Practicum Director makes a recommendation for termination from the practicum and concurrent seminar (if present) to the MSW Program Director and the Department Chair. Remediation is a privilege, not a right. The Liaison/Seminar Instructor, in consultation with Practicum Office personnel, including the Practicum Director, will determine if remediation is an option.

ADDITIONAL PRACTICUM POLICIES

Practicum Seminar When a student signs up for the practicum seminar (i.e., Generalist Seminar I), he or she is expected to remain in the same section with the same instructor for both semesters. If, for some reason, a student has a need to change sections from one semester to the next, then he/she must petition the instructor and the Practicum Director in writing at least 30 days in advance of the date when the second semester of seminar commences. Practicum Hours Students are required to remain in their field placement for the duration of each semester regardless of the number of hours acquired. A minimum of 400 Generalist and 720 Clinical hours are required for a total of 1120 practicum hours. Students begin practicum the first week of each semester and are responsible for determining the exact start date in consultation with the Field Instructor. Practicum ends the last week of each semester. Students are expected to conform to the agency's working hours, arranging practicum hours in consideration of agency needs and class schedules. Time schedules are developed jointly by the student and Field Instructor but can never be less than 16 hours per week. Written documentation of practicum hours must be maintained for review at site visits and reporting on seminar documents and semester evaluations. For Generalist Practicum students, the requirement is 16-clock hours per week spent at the host agency during the spring semester and 20 hours per week during the summer semester. Generalist Practicum students begin their field placements at the beginning of the spring semester and conclude their field placements at the end of the subsequent summer term. For Clinical Practicum students, the requirement is 24-clock hours per week spent at the host agency during both semesters. Clinical Practicum students begin their field placements at the beginning of the fall semester and conclude their field placements at the end of the subsequent spring term. Holidays, Breaks, and Personal Leave

MSW students are entitled to all University holidays and are encouraged to use these respite opportunities. However, since the field practicum is designed as a professional internship arrangement rather than a traditional course, students may be asked to meet certain client needs during holiday and break periods. Under special circumstances, and with prior approval from the Practicum Director, hours earned between semesters may be credited to the next semester. Students are encouraged to negotiate such expectations

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with the Field Instructor as early as possible to ensure that requests are reasonable and the parameters clearly understood by all parties. Requests by a student to attend conferences or workshops are subject to the Field Instructor's approval. Students may be excused from practicum only when such absences are unavoidable, such as illness or family crisis. Employment conflicts and completion of course work assignments are not considered appropriate reasons to miss practicum. The student must inform the Field Instructor at the earliest possible opportunity if they must be absent from practicum. A plan will then need to be developed to make up all hours that were missed. The number of required practicum hours will not be reduced. In exceptional situations, permission may be granted for making up hours over a holiday or break. Such requests must be submitted in advance in writing to the Practicum Director. Requests must be signed by the student, the Field Instructor, and the seminar instructor/faculty liaison. The Practicum Director’s decision on such requests is final. Grading Policy

Practicum courses are graded on a Pass or Fail basis. Learning goals and objectives, that meet the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) standards for master's level practice, are stated in the practicum packet materials that each student receives at the beginning of the practicum period. The student, in conjunction with the Field Instructor, develops and records in the contract specific activities to be undertaken to achieve the objectives for the practicum and the goals of the program. The evaluation tool serves as the basis for the learning contract and is used at the end of each semester to measure the student's progress. The form also provides guidance for the Field Instructor for determining successful progress for each evaluative component. The grade of Pass or Fail is then assigned by the Practicum Office in accordance with stated criteria. A passing grade in the first semester is required to proceed to the next semester of practicum. Learning contracts are revised for the beginning of subsequent semesters. Grievances Regarding Field Placement Should problems arise in the practicum, the student must first meet with the Field Instructor and the seminar instructor/faculty liaison to address the situation. If the matter cannot be resolved at this level, the student's Field Coordinator and Practicum Director are notified and a remediation plan is developed. Due to social work's ethical responsibility to agencies and clients as well as the contractual nature of practicum, placements are changed only when careful examination determines the situation to be intractable. Examples are the presence of documented evidence that the placement cannot provide the learning experience expected by the Department, or that the student has been the victim of discrimination. The Practicum Director makes the final determination regarding change of placements. Termination of a Student from a Field Placement Unexpected events in the life of the student or within the agency may result in a student's failure to achieve learning objectives. A placement may be terminated by the student, the Practicum Director, the agency Field Instructor, or the agency administrator. In order to avoid unnecessary terminations, it is extremely important that all parties involved make every effort to identify problems early so that mediation can be provided. This requires good communication among the student, faculty and field agency. A written summary of problems and attempts at mediation is kept as a part of the student's file. If a student terminates his or her practicum placement, he or she must do so in writing, notifying the Liaison/Seminar Instructor, the Field Coordinator, the Practicum Director, the agency Field Instructor, the MSW Program Director, and the Department Chair. This notice must be given at least 5 working days in advance of the termination and should specify the rationale for ending the placement. If the Practicum

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Director determines that the student’s position is justified, then every reasonable effort will be made to change placements. However, reassignment is not guaranteed and the consequence may be that the student will not be able to return to practicum (and the seminar, if applicable) for another year.

Should a student desire or be requested to terminate a practicum prior to the completion of the total number of hours required, the Seminar Instructor/Faculty Liaison, the Practicum Coordinator, and the Practicum Director should be contacted immediately to discuss the situation. Such a situation may occur because of insufficient resources and/or experiences to provide for an adequate learning experience, agency restructuring, or personality or ideological conflict between student and Field Instructor and/or agency. Only after consultation with the Seminar Instructor/Faculty Liaison, the Field Instructor, the Practicum Coordinator, and the Practicum Director may the student terminate the practicum. The Seminar Instructor/Faculty Liaison in consultation with the Practicum Coordinator, the Practicum Director, and the student will determine if the student will resume practicum at a new site and if credit will be awarded to the student for the hours completed at the first practicum site.

If a student terminates his or her practicum placement, and his or her reason or rationale for termination is not justified, then he or she will be suspended and/or terminated from the graduate social work program.

Should a student receive a failing grade for a practicum (and he/she is allowed to continue in the MSW Program), then the hours completed during the failed practicum will not be transferred to future practica.

When a student fails to make progress toward the core competencies outlined in the learning contract, or the performance indicators described on the practicum evaluation, attempts will be made to assist the student in correcting such deficiencies. Likewise, if a student's behavior is disruptive to the placement, then mediation will be attempted. However, if these attempts are not successful, or if the student is in violation of the ethical standards outlined in the NASW Code of Ethics, the placement will be terminated. In some cases and under circumstances detailed in the Retention and Termination section of this handbook, a student may be suspended and/or terminated from the graduate program.

STUDENT RIGHTS, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND SERVICES The Rights and Responsibilities of students attending Washburn University, including MSW students, are detailed in the University Graduate Catalog. Familiarity with these rights and responsibilities is strongly encouraged. Equal Opportunity Policy The Department of Social Work at Washburn University maintains a policy that assures equal educational opportunity without regard to age, class, color, culture, disability, ethnicity, family structure, marital status, national origin, political perspective, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, and/or expression.

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Disability Services The Student Services office is responsible for assisting in arranging accommodations and for identifying resources on campus for persons with disabilities. Qualified students with disabilities must register with the office to be eligible for services. The office MUST have appropriate documentation on file in order to provide services. Accommodations may include in-class note takers, test readers and/or scribes, adaptive computer technology, brailed materials. Requests for accommodations should be submitted at least two months before services should begin; however, if you need an accommodation this semester, please contact the Student Services Office immediately.

Location: Student Services, Morgan Hall Phone: 785-670-1629 or TDD 785-670-1025 E-Mail: student-services@washburn.edu

Students may voluntarily identify themselves to the instructor for a referral to the Student Services office. Center for Student Success As a Washburn student, you may have trouble with issues such as studying, personal problems, time management, or choice of major, classes, or employment. The Center for Student Success is available to help students either directly through academic advising, mentoring, career counseling, testing, and developing learning strategies or by identifying the appropriate University resource. If you feel you need someone with whom to discuss an issue confidentially and free of charge, contact The Center for Student Success in Morgan Hall, 785-670-1942, advising@washburn.edu. Washburn University Graduate Social Work Association The primary purpose of the Washburn University Graduate Social Work Association (WUGSWA) is to encourage responsible student participation in the policy and decision making processes of social work education and to promote student cooperation and welfare. WUGSWA is also responsible for the selection of student representatives on various Department of Social Work committees and decision-making bodies. WUGSWA seeks to provide its members with activities designed to inform them of the many opportunities in the field of social work, to enhance the students' personal and professional lives, to provide opportunities for association with social work professionals and community providers, and to participate actively in community service. Members commit themselves to the organization by attendance at meetings, involvement in activities, and participation on MSW Program committees. Membership in this organization is open to all Washburn graduate social work students. The group sets its own agenda and operates under its own constitution. Officers are elected by MSW students each Spring semester. A designated social work faculty member acts as advisor for the group. Specific guidelines and procedures are detailed in the association's constitution. Graduate students are also encouraged to begin to identify themselves with the profession of social work by pursuing membership in one of a number of social work associations, including the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). The Graduate Social Work Association shares a web page with the BSW student association, which can be accessed at the department’s website.

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Academic Integrity and Honesty All students are expected to conduct themselves appropriately and ethically in their academic work. Inappropriate and unethical behavior includes (but is not limited to) giving or receiving unauthorized aid on examinations or in the preparation of papers or other assignments, or knowingly misrepresenting the source of academic work. Washburn University’s Academic Impropriety Policy describes academically unethical behavior in detail and explains the actions that may be taken when such behavior occurs. For guidelines regarding protection of copyright, consult http://www.washburn.edu/statements-disclosures/copyright/for-students/guidelines/index.html . For a complete copy of the Academic Impropriety Policy, contact the office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs, Bradbury Thompson Alumni Center Suite 200, or go online to https://washburn.edu/student-life/policies-forms/academic-policies.html. Courtesy Expectations Students must treat their classroom obligations as they should treat any serious professional engagement. This includes:

Preparing thoroughly for each session in accordance with the instructor’s request

Participating fully and constructively in all online activities and discussions

Displaying appropriate courtesy to all involved in the class activities and interactions. Specifically, courteous behavior entails communicating in a manner that respects, and is sensitive to, cultural, religious, sexual, and other individual differences in the Washburn community

Adhering to deadlines and timetables established by the instructor

Providing constructive and courteous feedback to the instructor regarding his performance. Students should be as objective in their comments about instructors as they expect instructors to be in their evaluations of students.

Confidentiality Students in the MSW Program work with the records of actual clients in human service agencies. It is imperative that confidentiality of the clients and clients’ records be maintained for legal and ethical reasons. No student shall reveal the contents of any client communication and/or client/agency record--other than in the classroom (properly disguised to protect the confidentiality and anonymity of the client) or as authorized by the agency to which he or she is or has been assigned. Any student who breaches client confidentiality in any manner shall be subject to immediate dismissal from the agency and from the MSW Program. Furthermore, there are times when a student may self-disclose very personal, sensitive information about herself or himself in a teaching-learning setting. When this happens, all students are expected to keep this information in strict confidence and avoid communicating among themselves or to others about this information without express, written consent from the student who initially disclosed the information. National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics All social work students are expected to read, fully understand, and abide by the Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) in his or her public and private life. The NASW code of ethics can be found at: http://www.socialworkers.org.

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Desire2Learn (D2L) Training All social work students are expected to have participated in the online Desire2Learn (D2L) Student Orientation offered by the online education staff of Information Technology Services (ITS) before the start of his/her first semester. Access to D2L and the Student Orientation is available on the MyCourses tab on MyWashburn. Please contact Online Education Support at online-ed-support@washburn.edu or 785-670-2381 if you are experiencing any difficulties when accessing Desire2Learn. Required Subscription to Taskstream The Department of Social Work believes that integrative and reflective learning is central to its academic programs at both the BSW and MSW levels. To help achieve that goal, the department has decided to make use of what is referred to as electronic portfolios (“e-portfolios”) in every required social work course (and in some of the social work electives).

In these courses, there will be at least one assignment referred to as a Competency Scenario Assignment (“CSA”) which will require the student to utilize the e-portfolio system to complete the assignment. In some courses, the instructor may encourage, or require, the students to utilize the e-portfolio system for additional purposes. Therefore, each Washburn student enrolled in social work courses will need to purchase a personal subscription to Taskstream, a web-based educational services company (approximately $49.99 for a 12-month subscription). Each course instructor will provide instructions on how to do this. Because the e-portfolio system will be used within and across your social work courses, an annual subscription is required. No other e-portfolio system will be permitted.

Although the initial impetus for this requirement involved our department’s need to fully comply with changing national accreditation requirements for BSW and MSW programs, the Social Work Department at Washburn carefully selected Taskstream as our partner in this process because of the many opportunities they provide to students. For example, there will be opportunities for each student to develop a “professional electronic identity” and develop “electronic resumes” that can be very beneficial in the process of applying for jobs. The department will make continuing efforts to assist interested students with such projects.

Attendance and Class Participation Students should actively participate in in-class and online class activities. Success in the course depends heavily on one’s participation and presence in this course. The instructor has both e-mail and voice-mail. The instructor must be notified in advance of any planned or anticipated absence. Even if an absence is unplanned or unanticipated, the student is responsible for notifying the instructor after the fact to explain why he/she was absent. Regardless of the reason for the absence, the student is fully responsible for any homework or lessons that are assigned for or covered during the period of his/her absence. Each assignment must be turned in on time (i.e., on the due date and on or before the time deadline) whether or not the student participates in class. Students should notify the professor if religious observances conflict with class or due dates for class assignments so appropriate arrangements can be made. Although it is the student's responsibility to initiate course withdrawals, an instructor, after due notice to the student, may request withdrawal of the student from a course because of nonattendance through the same date as the last day a student may withdraw from a course. This would NOT absolve the student of financial responsibility for tuition/fees for the course in question.

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Writing and the APA Style All social work students are expected to read, comprehend, and learn to correctly apply the writing guidelines as detailed in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 6th Edition (APA, 2009). All student papers and other written works must be formatted in accordance with the most current APA style conventions. Any student who needs assistance with her or his writing is encouraged to seek help from tutors and other resource people available through Washburn’s Writing Center. Communications and Official E-Mail Address MyWashburn is the campus Internet portal providing announcements to students, notification of events, web-based e-mail, access to online courses, and other tools. Course registration is only available through MyWashburn. Your Washburn University e-mail address will be the official address used by the University for relaying important messages regarding academic and financial information, and the University will consider this your official notification for important information. It may also be used by your instructors to provide specific course information. To activate your MyWashburn e-mail account, visit http://my.washburn.edu and select "Activate Account/Retrieve Account Information" located under the Secure Access Login box, upper left of screen. Follow the instructions, enter your account information, and click on Submit Request. For questions about MyWashburn, contact Information Technology Services (ITS) at (785) 670-3000 or support@washburn.edu iAlert Mass Notification System The iAlert system is Washburn University’s primary means of communication during a campus emergency or special situation. iAlert technology enables Washburn to send voice, e-mail and text messages to students, faculty, staff and other contacts such as parents and spouses, to telephone numbers you choose. An e-mail will be automatically sent to your Washburn e-mail account. For more information or to register for iAlert phone services, visit http://www.washburn.edu/current-students/services/ialert/for-students.html . Inclement Weather Policy If the University closes due to bad weather, announcements will be made via the iAlert system as well as in news media (e.g., radio, television, Internet). Students may call the university switchboard at 785-670-1010 for information. For students who are hearing impaired and have TTY/TDD equipment, the number is 785-670-1025. Ichabod Shop (University Bookstore) The Ichabod Shop (formerly Washburn University Bookstore) is located in the Memorial Union, lower level. All course textbooks may be purchased or—in some cases, rented—at the Ichabod Shop. Ichabod Shop hours vary by time of year with extended hours in effect at the beginning of each semester. For specific information call 785-670-1049.

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iCard Each social work student is required to procure an iCard, which is an all-purpose card that can be used for identification, purchasing meals, vending, for door access and events. The iCard can be obtained at the Ichabod Service Center, located on the main level in the northeast corner of the Memorial Union. The telephone number is 785-670-1188 and the website is http://www.washburn.edu/current-students/icard/index.html Library Services Washburn University has three libraries. Mabee Library is the main library, and is located in the center of the campus. Students also have full access to the Law Library in the Law School, and the Curriculum Resources Center, in Carnegie Hall. Computer Labs A computer lab is available to social work students in Room 210 Benton Hall. There are also computer labs in Mabee Library, Henderson Hall, Morgan Hall, and Bennett Hall. Computer kiosks for checking e-mail can be found on the second floor of Benton Hall, the lower level of the Memorial Union, and other locations on campus. Wireless access points are situated throughout the campus so students can access the university network using their own computers or handheld devices. No Smoking Policy Smoking is not permitted in any part of Benton Hall or any other university buildings. Any use of tobacco products is allowed ONLY in designated smoking areas. Instructor Availability If a student needs to meet with the instructor, he or she should simply call or e-mail to set up an appointment. Ad hoc or impromptu meetings may be arranged before or after class or during breaks. If this is an online class, special arrangements will need to be made. Instructor/Course Evaluation The instructor will ask the class for feedback regarding the course frequently. Students are encouraged to let the instructor know how the course is going. If a student has trouble with the content, readings, assignments, or the web-based course tools, he/she must let the instructor know immediately. The social work faculty expects social work students to complete a course/instructor evaluation for every course he or she takes in the department. Just as students expect to be evaluated for their course work, the instructor has the right to be evaluated by students for his or her performance as a professional educator. Student feedback should be constructive, objective, honest, even-handed, and offered in the spirit of good faith. Course/instructor evaluations are important sources of information that are used by department and university administrators for tenure and promotion decisions. The instructor and course will be evaluated at the end of the term by students using a standard evaluation instrument. Each evaluation will cover the quality and relevance of course material and the quality of instruction. The intent is to seek information that will help to improve both the quality of the course and instructional competence. In completing these evaluations, each student should be mindful of the extent to which the course objectives have been met.

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In seated or face-to-face classes, the evaluation is typically done by hand (i.e., paper-and-pencil using bubble or scan sheets). For online courses, the evaluation is completed online. Social Work Department Program Evaluations The Social Work Department and its programs (e.g., the MSW Program) are subject to review by the School of Applied Studies, the university administration (including the Washburn Board of Regents), and the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). For many years, the department has been proactive in gathering program evaluation data from various sources including students. This information is always treated with great respect and held in confidence. No individual student information is included in any report and identifying information is always stripped away from any aggregate data that is reported. In being accepted as a student in the MSW Program, it should be understood that students are expected to cooperate with data collection efforts in the department intended to improve teaching, the curriculum, and other aspects of the Department of Social Work and its operations. When queried, students should respond in good faith by providing the information requested in a professionally responsible and timely manner. Examples of data collection activities in the department include academic advising surveys, student evaluations of their field practicum experiences, exit surveys, focus groups, graduate surveys, alumni surveys, and the like. Campus Police

The safety of all students, faculty, and staff on campus is the responsibility of the Washburn University Police Department, which is located in Morgan Hall, Room 156. Uniformed officers regularly patrol the grounds and the interior of all university building between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. They respond quickly to emergency calls for help. The telephone number for the campus police is 785-670-1153. Job Placement Assistance Job placement assistance is available through Career Services in Morgan Hall. The telephone number is 785-670-1299. As employers send job announcements to the Social Work Department, the administrative support staff forwards these announcements to Career Services for posting on the job website. In addition, the staff will post the announcements on the Social Work Career Opportunities bulletin board by the department office, and may also send a targeted announcement to all enrolled social work majors informing them of the job opening.

ACADEMIC RETENTION AND TERMINATION

Grading Policies Grades within the MSW program consist of A (excellent performance), B (satisfactory performance), C (below standards), and F (failure). All courses are graded on this scale except for the Field Practica, which are graded on a Credit (CR) or No Credit (NC) basis. Social work faculty will notify the MSW Program Director and the Department Chair when a grade of C, I (i.e., incomplete), or F (or comparable failing or non-credit grade) has been earned by a student. If necessary, the MSW Program Director will notify the student in writing regarding his or her academic situation.

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A student is not required to repeat a course in which he or she earns a grade of C; however, the student may retake such a course to improve his or her grade point average. Students who receive a failing grade (e.g., F, NC) in any graduate social work course may be academically dismissed from the program. Social Work Department faculty members expect students to exhibit professional behavior in the classroom (including online classes) and in the practicum setting at all times. Such behavior must reflect the ethics of the social work profession. Expectations of professional behavior and comportment are integrated into the academic performance standards of every course offered by the Social Work Department. Should a student demonstrate behavior that is inconsistent with the professional practice of social work, then every reasonable attempt will be made to assist the student to bring his/her behavior in line with the NASW Code of Ethics. Students who do not meet these behavioral expectations will fail the course or courses where the unprofessional behavior has been observed.

To remain in good standing within the MSW program, students must: 1. Maintain a 3.0 GPA. 2. Receive no grades below a C in any graduate social work course. 3. Receive a grade of CR (credit) in all practicum courses. 4. Adhere to the social work profession's Code of Ethics. 5. Adhere to the professional conduct requirements outlined in the rules and regulations of the

Kansas Social Work Licensing Statute, Article 102-2-7. 6. Adhere to Washburn University's Student Conduct and Disciplinary Code and academic

impropriety policy as described in the Washburn University Graduate Catalog. 7. Maintain social and/or occupational functioning that allows for effective participation in the

academic and practicum requirements of the program. Social functioning refers to the student's ability to cope with the demands generated by his or her interaction with the environment. Occupational functioning refers to the student’s ability to cope with workplace and occupational demands and expectations.

Impairment in social functioning and/or occupational functioning may be exhibited by a single discrete episode that clearly violates the University's Student Conduct and Disciplinary Code, the University Academic Impropriety Policy, the NASW Code of Ethics, state regulations defining professional misconduct, or by a pattern of recurring behavior, which may include, but is not limited to the following:

Inability or unwillingness to carry out school- and/or practicum-related duties and responsibilities.

Disruption of academic- or practicum-related settings.

Psychotic behavior.

Inability or unwillingness to maintain harmonious school-related and/or practicum-related relationships.

Intoxication and/or impairment at the university or practicum-related setting due to use and/or abuse of one or more psychoactive substances.

Behavior that presents a clear and present danger to self and/or others, including verbal and/or physical aggression towards self and/or others.

Lacking flexibility toward human diversity (e.g., age, class, color, culture, physical or mental ability, ethnicity, family structure, marital status, national origin, political perspective, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender roles, gender identity, and/or expression or any other aspect of human difference).

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Academic Probation Any MSW student whose cumulative grade point average falls below 3.0 will be placed on academic probation for a minimum of two semesters. The MSW Program Director will notify the student of his or her probationary status (a) in person, (b) in writing, or (c) both. During the two-semester period, the student must raise his or her cumulative grade point average to 3.0 or higher. When a student is successful, the MSW Program Director will notify the student in writing that he or she is no longer on academic probation. A student who fails to raise his or her cumulative grade point average to 3.0 or higher in the allotted time will be dismissed from the graduate social work program. The MSW Program Director may grant an MSW student academic probation only one time. Any student, whose cumulative grade point average falls below 3.0 a second time, after he or she is released from academic probation for a first violation, will be dismissed from the graduate social work program. Incomplete Grade All assignments must be completed to pass the class. In accordance with the Student Handbook, an incomplete (I) grade will be given only in extraordinary circumstances and at the discretion of the instructor. The incomplete must be negotiated and the Incomplete Grade Report Form completed and signed before the end of the semester. The student must complete course requirements before the end of the subsequent semester. If the coursework is not completed within the agreed-upon period, the incomplete (I) grade will automatically convert to an “F.” Course Withdrawal A student may withdraw from an academic course any semester with a grade of W up to and including the date of the last day to withdraw as specified in the Washburn University Academic Advising Calendar by completing and submitting a Change of Enrollment form. Withdrawal from a practicum course any time after the beginning of the semester requires the prior approval of the Practicum Director. The Practicum Director shall consult with the student's practicum liaison, Field Coordinator, and Field Instructor before deciding whether to approve a request to withdraw. The Practicum Director may grant such approval only in cases where there are serious extenuating circumstances. If an agency requests a student to withdraw from a practicum because of the quality of the student's performance in the practicum, a grade of F will be assigned for that practicum course, subject to the review and approval of the Practicum Director. Temporary or Permanent Withdrawal from the Program

Students planning to withdraw temporarily from the program for one or more semesters should send a letter requesting a leave of absence to the MSW Program Director. This letter should stipulate the reasons for the request and the semester in which the student plans to return. Any student who intends to withdraw permanently from the program should also send a letter to the MSW Program Director informing him/her of such intentions. The decision to grant a leave of absence is at the discretion of the MSW Program Director. Students will be notified of the decision in writing. Students whose absence extends beyond 2 semesters or one calendar year will be asked to reapply for admission to the graduate program. Exceptions to this policy are at the discretion of the MSW Program Director in consultation with the admissions committee.

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Continuous Enrollment Requirement Effective Fall 2016, students pursuing a graduate degree who have completed all degree requirements, and have enrolled in but not completed a capstone, practicum, or thesis, will be required to maintain continuous enrollment at Washburn University until graduation (unless a leave has been approved). Continuous enrollment means that candidates must be enrolled in at least one credit hour until degree requirements are met. If all other course work has been completed, students will be required to enroll in a one-credit-hour class SW 777 each semester until the program is completed. Credit hours completed through the SW 777 will not count toward the credit hours required for graduation and will be recorded as a credit on the transcript. This requirement also applies to the summer term for students whose degrees are being awarded at the end of the summer term. Interruption of continuous registration due to a failure to follow this requirement will result in a need for readmission to the program. Grade Appeal Procedures Any student desiring to appeal a grade should follow the university Grade Appeal Procedure outlined in the Washburn University Graduate Catalog. Academic Dismissal Procedures The Department Chair has the authority to dismiss a student from the Social Work Department. Before initiating such an action, the Department Chair will seek to obtain, through consultation with the MSW Program Director, department faculty, and relevant others who may have knowledge of the student’s strengths and weaknesses, a comprehensive and balanced evaluation of the student in question. Appeal of Academic Dismissal If a student wishes to appeal a decision by the Department Chair to dismiss that student from the MSW Program, such an appeal must comply with the process described on pages 19 and 20 of the Washburn University School of Applied Studies Policy Book. We restate here the details of that process. Please contact the Associate Dean of the School of Applied Studies if you have any questions about this process.

Student Program Status Appeals Policy Students appealing a decision related to acceptance into a program or termination of status in a program, should follow the steps outlined below. The student must have met and argued their case with the program director or coordinator. If satisfaction is not obtained, the student may then approach the Department Chair to argue their case. Following meeting with the Department Chair, if the student is still not satisfied with the outcome, they may appeal to the Student Program Status Appeals Committee (SPSA). It is critical that the student understand the following:

1. The burden of proof rests with the student who is responsible to present evidence to support his/her claim.

2. The decision of the SPSA is final.

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In this final stage of the appeal process the student must complete the following steps.

1. The student submits a letter of appeal to the SPSA. In that letter of the Appeal the student must: a. Specifically detail what program policy is being challenged

b. State clearly how that policy was applied to the student

c. Articulate all arguments which support the student’s appeal 2. The Department Chair will submit any materials related to her/his recommendation, including if

applicable, materials submitted by the MSW Program Director. 3. The SPSA will schedule meeting(s) for arguments to be heard by the student and the MSW

Program Director or Department Chair. Typically, these meetings will be held separately. 4. The student will be allowed to make a presentation to the committee; however, only arguments

stated in the appeal letter will be heard. The MSW Program Director/Department Chair will be allotted an equal amount of time to present. The amount of time allotted is at the discretion of the committee as long as both parties have equal time allowed. No one other than these individuals will be allowed to make a presentation at the hearing.

5. The student is allowed to bring a person with them for support. If the student decides to bring another person with them to the hearing, then the student must sign a consent form in compliance with FERPA and the privacy of student records (Appendix E). The support person in attendance with the student may not address the committee though the student may ask for their advice during the hearing.

6. A committee vote of more than 50% (e.g. 3 out of 4) is required to support the student’s petition. 7. The chair of the SPSA will notify in writing the student and the Department Chair the decision of the

Committee. 8. Student Program Status Appeals Committee (SPSA) Composition

The SPSA committee will be composed of faculty from the SAS with the associate dean presiding as chair of the committee. Members of the committee will be appointed by the Dean of the SAS. The Dean will seek to appoint members who do not have a conflict of interest with the petitioner; however, all appointments are final and cannot be challenged. The committee members will number no less than four and representative of a minimum of two departments.

Student Program Status Appeal (SPSA) Consent Form The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords certain rights to students concerning the privacy of, and access to, their education records. Persons other than University officials, as defined by the University under FERPA, are considered third parties under FERPA to which disclosure of education records is not permitted without consent of the student. Students may choose to complete and submit this form to allow a third party to be present when information from the student’s education records are discussed or reviewed. Please note that while this form authorizes Washburn University to share private student information with a designated third party, it does not obligate Washburn University to do so. Protected records under FERPA include information directly related to a student that is maintained by the institution. This includes, but is not limited to, grade information, disciplinary documentation, and billing and financial aid data. The Student Program Status Appeal (SPSA) process allows the student making the appeal to have a third party support person present during their presentation to the SPSA committee.

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For additional information, visit Washburn’s FERPA Information page at https://washburn.edu/statements-disclosures/ferpa/ or the U.S. Department of Education’s website at www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html. Please enter the name and address of the person who will attend the meeting and may have access to your private student information. Name: ____________________________________________________ Address: __________________________________________________ City, State, Zip: _____________________________________________ Relationship to Student:_______________________________________ I understand (1) I have the right not to consent to the person being present during the appeal process, (2) I have a right to revoke this consent at any time. Student Signature: __________________________________________Date: _______________

If the Department Chair determines that the student's presence in the classroom or practicum setting constitutes an immediate threat to the student and/or others, the Department Chair may impose an immediate suspension. If such action is taken, the Department Chair shall immediately notify the student, the Dean of the School of Applied Studies, the Vice President of Academic Affairs, the student's advisor, and any other parties (e.g., campus police, classroom or practicum instructors) involved in the situation). For noncompliance with the University's Student Conduct and Disciplinary Code, additional procedures may be imposed as outlined in the Washburn University Graduate Catalog.

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APPENDIX A - MSW ADVISING SHEET

Student Name WIN

Phone Alternate Phone E-mail

Street Address City, State, Zip Code

Date Entered Program

Advisor Name

Advisor Signature & Date

RSFT RSPT ASFT ASPT Non-Matriculating Student

Usu

ally

Off

ered

on

Mo

nd

ays

FOUNDATION COURSES Course # Course Name Hours Semester/Year Grade

SW 606 Micro HBSE [Fall Only] – ONLINE OPTION 3

SW 607 Macro HBSE [Spring Only] – ONLINE OPTION 3

SW 608 Social Policy and Programs [Fall Only] – ONLINE OPTION 3

SW 621 Quantitative Social Work Research [Springl Only] – ONLINE OPTION 3

SW 622 Qualitative Social Work Research [Fall Only] – ONLINE OPTION 3

SW 640 Fundamentals of Social Work Practice [Fall Only] 3

SW 685 Dimensions of Professional Social Work [1 section in Spring and Summer] 3

SW 690 Pre-Generalist Practicum Workshop [Spring Only] 0

SW 691 Generalist Practicum I [Spring Only] 3

SW 692 Generalist Practice Seminar I [Spring Only] 3

SW 693 Generalist Practicum II [SUMMER ONLY] 3

SW 694 Generalist Practice Seminar II [SUMMER ONLY] 3

Subtotal 33

Usu

ally

Off

ered

on

Wed

nes

day

s

CLINICAL CORE COURSES

Prerequisites: Completion of all MSW foundation coursework, including Generalist Practicum I & II and Generalist Practice Seminar I & II Course # Course Name Hours Semester/Year Grade

SW 700 Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis [1 section Fall & SUMMER (2 X WEEK)] – SUMMER ONLINE OPTION

3

SW 705 Clinical SW Practice w/ Individuals [2 sections in Fall and 1 section in Spring] 3

SW 706 Clinical SW Practice w/ Families [1 section in Fall and 2 sections in Spring] 3

SW 707 Clinical SW Practice w/ Groups [1 section Fall, Spring, & SUMMER (2 X WEEK)] 3

Subtotal 12

Clinical Elective Courses1

Course # Course Name Hours Semester/Year Grade

SW (780) 3

SW 3

SW 3

Subtotal 9

Clinical Practicum and Seminar Sequence Course # Course Name Hours Semester/Year Grade

SW 790 Pre-Clinical Practicum Workshop 0

SW 791 Clinical Practicum I (360 Clock Hours) 3

SW 792 Clinical Practice Seminar I 3

SW 793 Clinical Practicum II (360 Clock Hours) 3

SW 794 Clinical Practice Seminar II 3

Subtotal 12

GRAND TOTAL 66 CREDIT HOURS

Admission Data

ADVANCED ENGLISH COMPOSITION Yes No MATHEMATICS Yes No

SOCIAL SCIENCES Yes No HUMANITIES Yes No

BIOLOGY CONTENT Yes No CULTURAL CONTENT Yes No

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Note: For students in the School Social Work concentration, 9 credit hours of clinical elective courses are required. To be consistent with the requirements of most states, the Department of Social Work at Washburn University requires students in the school social work concentration to successfully complete three 3-credit-hour graduate-level electives with emphasis on social work practice in educational settings. These include Clinical Social Work Practice with the Exceptional Child (SW 781), Clinical Social Work Practice in the Educational Environment (SW 782)], and Social Work Practice in Schools (SW 783 ) as well as a two-semester Clinical Practicum in a school setting. SW 783 should be taken concurrently with Clinical Practicum I (SW 791) and Clinical Seminar (SW 792) during the Fall semester.

Current Student Professional Goals

1. 2.

3.

Post-Graduation Education & Career Goals

Social workers often work in the following settings: 1. Administration 2. Child Welfare 3. Community Organization/Services 4. Criminal Justice/Corrections 5. Developmental Disabilities 6. Family Services 7. Gerontological Services/Hospice 8. Healthcare 9. Immigration 10. Mental Health 11. Military/Veterans Affairs 12. Public Health 13. Public Policy 14. Research 15. Schools 16. Social Justice/Community Organization 17. Substance Abuse/Addictive Behaviors 18. Other _____________________________

1. 2. 3.

Reminders:

Generalist MSW: Practicum Application

Advanced Standing MSW: Practicum Application

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APPENDIX B – CODE OF ETHICS OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SOCIAL WORKERS (NASW)

Follow this link to NASW’s Code of Ethics on their website:

http://www.socialworkers.org/pubs/code/default.asp

APPENDIX C – STANDARDS FOR THE PRACTICE OF CLINICAL SOCIAL WORK

Follow this link to the standards:

http://www.socialworkers.org/practice/standards/clinical_sw.asp

APPENDIX D – CSWE EDUCATIONAL POLICY AND ACCREDITATION STANDARDS

Follow this link to the EPAS: http://www.cswe.org/. Click on “Accreditation” and then on “Standards.” You will need to click on “Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards” twice before you can access the document directly.

APPENDIX E – POTENTIAL GENERALIST AND CLINICAL PRACTICUM SITES

Please visit our list of potential practicum placement field agencies HERE. You can click on each agency’s name to visit their websites.