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Bachelor of Social Work
Field Education Manual
2015-2016
Dr. Lisa Clifton, MSW, JD, BSW Program Director, lisa.clifton@asbury.edu
Prof. Andy Reynolds, LCSW, MSW, Director of BSW Field Education, andrew.reynolds@asbury.edu Prof. Steve Dawson, M.Div., MSW, BSW Assistant Professor, steve.dawson@asbury.edu
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction to Asbury Field
Practicum
Page
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Asbury University Mission
Statement
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Social Work Mission, Goals, and
Competencies
4
Generalist Social Work Practice 5
Philosophy of Field Instruction
6
Field Supervisor Responsibilities 9
Field Professor Responsibilities
10
Agency Selection Criteria
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Field Supervisor Orientation
Requirements and Policy
12
Social Work Student Program
Termination
16
CSWE EPAS
18
NASW Code of Ethics
19
Field Practicum Forms
23
Time Log
24
Student Release of Information
25
Student Placement Agreement
26
Agency and University Contract 27
Learning Contract
30
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Asbury University
Bachelor of Social Work Program
Field Manual
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this manual is to provide information that will aid in defining roles for the student, faculty, and those responsible for field supervision. This will include information on the university setting, the Social Work Program – its mission, goals and educational philosophy, as well as the content, methods, and responsibilities of student field instruction within the Social Work Program at Asbury University.
UNIVERSITY SETTING
Asbury University is incorporated as a non-profit educational institution by the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Currently Asbury offers the following degrees: the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), and the Bachelor of Science (B.S.). and several graduate degrees in education. Within each of the bachelor’s level programs, students will complete a core curriculum in general study, and the remaining courses are in specialization studies, for a combined total of 124 semester hours. One field of specialization is in Social Work. In addition to the core curriculum requirements, those majoring in Social Work must complete an additional 54 hours of Social Work curriculum courses.
Asbury University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).
The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) granted the Asbury University Social Work Program full accreditation in October 2004. The program continues in good standing with CSWE.
Professional education in social work begins at the first semester of the sophomore year. By the second semester of the sophomore year, students are required to complete 30 hours of volunteer service in a social service agency. By the end of the second semester as juniors, students must complete 200 hours of field experience. By the end of the senior year, students are required to complete an additional 320 hours of supervised field experience.
ASBURY UNIVERSITY MISSION STATEMENT
Our global mission, as a Christian Liberal Arts University in the Wesleyan-Holiness traditions, is to equip men and women, through a commitment to academic excellence and spiritual vitality, for a lifetime of learning, leadership, and service to the professions, society, family, and the Church, thereby preparing them to engage their cultures and advance the cause of Christ around the world. (Asbury University Bulletin, 2014-15, p.12)
The Social Work program supports the mission of Asbury University to “equip men and women, through a commitment to academic excellence and spiritual vitality, for a lifetime of learning, leadership, and service to the professions, society, family, and the church.” A commitment to serving others is vital in the field of social work and continually serves as our ethos in our educational programs. Our courses are rooted in the liberal arts perspective that emphasizes the importance of
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education for the whole person-physical, spiritual, intellectual and emotional. Our educational programs are founded on the belief that every person has the right to impartial love and assistance in enabling them to overcome personal and environmental obstacles that hinder them from being all that God would have them be.
The department’s programs are designed to provide foundational courses that each major must take to establish their knowledge base and to offer electives in a variety of courses that will challenge them to think critically about issues affecting diverse population groups. Special attention is given to the study of special population groups, including racial and ethnic minorities, those with disabilities, the elderly, children and victims of oppression and injustice. Application of knowledge is a vital component. All social work students must take two practica where they will be challenged to integrate classroom knowledge with practical experience.
SOCIAL WORK PROGRAM: MISSION, GOALS, and COMPETENCIES BSW Statement of Mission:
The mission of the Asbury University Social Work Program is to prepare social work graduates who are rooted in the liberal arts, the Christian and Wesleyan perspectives and social work values and ethics as preparation for generalist social work practice and as agents of change in a variety of diverse settings.
Program Goals:
In order to provide a quality, generalist social work education, the program’s faculty has established the following goals for beginning generalist practitioners through the curriculum’s knowledge, ethics, and practice with diverse populations.
The goals of the Asbury University Social Work program are:
1. Prepare students for beginning generalist social work practice, which includes both meeting licensure requirements and developing an awareness of the importance of ongoing professional development.
2. Assist students to recognize their own heritage and traditions and to gain knowledge and perspective to engage people from culture, ethnic groups, and religions different from their own.
3. Have students understand the interface between personal faith and social work, and to be able to make appropriate applications of each.
Social Work Program Competencies at Asbury University
In accordance with the mission and goals of the Social Work program, and consistent with the EPAS; the following are the program competencies for the BSW program at Asbury University.
Asbury University BSW Graduates will:
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 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. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Through the curriculum content, the Social Work Program at Asbury University seeks to graduate generalist Social Work Practitioners who are competent in the areas listed above and can adequately integrate these competencies with an understanding and appreciation of diversity and Christian culture. The Program is committed to the foundation of the generalist model of social work.
GENERALIST SOCIAL WORK
Graduating students who are competent in generalist social work practice is extremely important to the fulfillment of the Social Work Program's mission at Asbury University. Generalist Social Work practice is the ability to apply knowledge, values, and skills within a problem solving framework to diverse client systems of all sizes i.e., working with individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations. This is an important definition for Field Faculty and students to be aware of as the Student Learning Contract is developed.
Generalist social workers will utilize knowledge, skills, values, policy, and professional social work methods to impact individuals, groups, and communities. The impact will in turn assist and empower the client (micro, mezzo, or macro) to build strength, facilitate change, and empower communities.
BEFORE FIELD PRACTICUM
The Asbury University Social Work Program seeks to educate students in the area of competent social work skills. All social work majors are required to take two practice courses, either concurrently or prior to their field practicum experiences. The practice courses must emphasize the generalist model, i.e.: assessment planning, intervention, evaluation, termination, and follow-up. Each course overlaps with one another adding a different emphasis to multiple size client systems. By the time they reach their Field Setting, students will have the knowledge and skills to implement the generalist model with individuals, groups/families, organizations, and communities.
Social work values, listed in the NASW's Code of Ethics, are first introduced in the Introduction to Social Work course, SW100, and interwoven throughout the entire curriculum. All social work students are expected to know and be able to integrate these values within their respective field settings. Particular emphasis is placed on remaining client-centered, directing and maximizing the client's right to self-determination, and confidentiality.
All social work courses are sequenced to ensure coverage of the professional foundation outlined by CSWE. This foundation includes competencies and behaviors as well as content on social work values and ethics, diversity, social and economic justice, populations at risk, human behavior and the social environment, social welfare policy and services, social work practice, research, and field practicum.
6 PHILOSOPHY OF FIELD INSTRUCTION
The Social Work Program views the task of field instruction as one of collaboration between itself and social work agencies, with the Director of Practicum retaining the primary responsibility for directing the total educational program of the students.
Since social work is understood as a method of helping people in the social context of their lives it is recognized that social knowledge, values, and skills can only be adequately learned as they are applied. Field Practice is the signature pedagogy of Asbury University’s BSW Program. Therefore, the main objective of field placement is to provide a student with experience in doing social work with clients and working with agency staff under professionally trained field instructors. Simply observing social work does not fulfill the field placement objective. The scientific aspect of social work - the knowledge and practice skills - is an essential aspect of the field experience. However, there are significant non-science components that are more subjective and just as essential for the student to recognize and develop. Some people have a natural talent for working with others in a helping capacity. This natural ability may be characterized by some as an "art".
Individuals possessing qualities such as warmth, genuineness, dedication, and empathy are able to engage much more effectively in the helping relationship. Individuals with these personality qualities and motivation (art) are able to capitalize on the formal educational process and benefit from the professional knowledge (science). The overall field experience is designed in such a way as to provide students with opportunities to recognize and integrate their own unique personality qualities and begin to apply knowledge and skills in a seamless "marriage" of science and art. The development of one's personal as well as professional identity serves the dual purpose of the social work profession - that of focusing on helping to improve both individual competencies and societal supports within the client system(s). Focus on the interface between systems, with equal emphasis on the goals of social justice and improving the well-being of people, requires a multilevel problem-solving methodology as well as a multiple theoretical orientation.
The Social Work Program administers field education that is consistent with CSWE Educational Policy Standards. Therefore, the field setting provides the student with opportunities for:
1. The development of an awareness of self in the process of intervention.
2. Supervised practice experience in the application of knowledge, values and ethics, and practice skills to enhance the well-being of people and to work toward the
amelioration of environmental conditions that affect people adversely.
3. Use of oral and written professional communications that are consistent with the language of the practicum setting and of the profession.
4. Use of professional supervision to enhance learning.
5. Critical assessment, implementation, and evaluation of agency policy within ethical guidelines.
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The development of the field instruction process is viewed as a coordinated effort among the Social Work Program, agency, and student. A deep commitment on the part of all three is required to prepare students for effective service to others through social work. The efforts and concerned involvement of all are needed and greatly appreciated.
ACQUISITION OF KNOWLEDGE BASE
Knowledge for social work practice is acquired through field instruction and classroom discussion combined with student research and study. To achieve the objectives of field instruction listed in the practicum course syllabus, students should acquire knowledge in the following areas of their field experience.
1. Knowledge of Agency. Students shall be supplied with knowledge of the agency's auspices, purposes, financing, organizational structure, function, policy, social work methods and techniques, services to clients, service roles of staff, general agency procedures, colleague relationships and any team relationships within the social work discipline or with other disciplines.
2. Knowledge of Community and Social Work System. Students shall learn: a) about major social problems which give rise to community institutions and services;
b) information about such institutions and services in dealing with the social problems; c) which social agencies are structured to cope with the problems; d) how to initiate referrals to other agencies; and e) how to receive and process referrals from other agencies.
3. Knowledge of Self. Not only must students know the agency and the community, they must also consider their own identity and operation as agents of change. For that reason they must first know themselves and then see themselves as tools in service to clients. They must learn the disciplines that are associated with making conscious use of self, i.e., identification with self, the client, the agency and the social work profession. Aware of their own strengths and weaknesses, students must illustrate in beginning practice such things as confidence, comfort, and strength in their role as social workers. Students must also be aware of the personal feelings, prejudices, biases and cultural values that affect their relationships with clients (i.e. fear, hostility, condescension etc.)
4. Knowledge of Client Relationships (Individual, Group, Community). The students should know and function in accordance with social work values such as the worth and dignity of the individual, confidentiality, self-determination of the client and the capability of the client for change and growth. The students should be knowledgeable about and be able to recognize the significant factors of the client's cultural background, social history and current situation, psychological problem and particulars of immediate client need. Students and field instructors will be focused on the interconnectedness of theory and practice.
• Students should become aware of process in social work and consciously utilize the social work model for problem solving with all client systems of every size.
• Students should acquire and develop skills in observation, interviewing, data collection, organization of facts, written and oral communication for: 1) evaluation in supervision and
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other professional uses; and 2) establishing mutually beneficial relationships with personnel of the agency, other professionals, and people in the community.
• Students should become familiar with and learn to cope with such concepts in human behavior as resistance, ambivalence, hostility, aggressiveness, passivity, projection, and such defenses as avoidance and denial.
• Students should consciously begin to use such techniques as supportive help, confrontation, empathy, clarification, interpretation, and insight development.
• Students should begin to function consciously in such roles as enabler, advocate, broker, and change agent.
METHODS OF ACQUIRING FIELD INSTRUCTION KNOWLEDGE
1. Practicum Class: The weekly seminars provide opportunity for learners to integrate: knowledge related to a total delivery system; information from other students' various agency placements; utilizing knowledgeable persons as consultants; and group problem-solving and decision-making activities. The focus is on being self-directed learners and the integration of theory and practice.
2. Agency Assignments: Specific learning experiences are provided via participation in agencies and organizations offering direct interaction with client populations and service delivery systems. A Field Supervisor provides the student with learning assignments, supervision, and performance feedback within the agency.
3. Use of Supervision: Use of weekly supervision with the Field instructor is intended to enhance the student's ability to: understand linkages between knowledge of agency, knowledge of self, knowledge of social work system, and knowledge of client population; assimilate theory into practice; and evaluate self by processing feedback from agency personnel, peers, clients, etc.
4. Related Learning Experiences: Conferences, workshops, community meetings, special projects through the Practicum setting - all of which relate to growth in the social work profession may count as related learning experiences. Students should consult the Field Professor regarding the appropriateness of proposed activity as a related learning experience.
FORMAT FOR PRACTICUM INSTRUCTION
A team approach to teaching and learning is another objective of the Practicum/Field experience. The players that make up this team includes: the Student; the Field Supervisor; and the Field Professor. 1. Student:
a. Will be responsible for seeking learning through the four areas listed above, and for utilizing as his/her learning resources the faculty, agency personnel and fellow students.
b. Will complete a practicum placement preference form, make self available for initial interview with Field Supervisor, and enter into an agreement with the Field Professor and Field Supervisor about conditions of the placement.
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c. Will develop a written learning contract to be discussed and approved by both Field Supervisor and the Field Professor during the initial conference. Final drafts should be ready for examination and signing during the initial conference that takes place at the field agency. This will need to occur within the first two full weeks of field placement. d. Will attend Practicum Seminar weekly and individual conferences with the Field
Professor throughout the semester, and complete all assignments in a timely fashion. If the Field Supervisor does not possess a degree in Social Work, the student must schedule additional meetings with the Field Professor - spaced evenly throughout the semester.
e. Will provide written documentation and other reports required by the Field Professor and/or Field Supervisor in a prompt and professional manner.
f. Will carry out assignments in a responsible manner recognizing that he/she represents the agency and Asbury University.
g. Will participate with the Field Professor and the Field Supervisor in an ongoing and formal Midterm and Final evaluation of his/her experiences and performance within the Practicum. Evaluation forms will be completed by the Field Supervisor and discussed during the Field Professor’s agency visits during the weeks of Midterms and Finals.
h. Will complete 200 hours of field experience during the junior year (SW 340) and 320 hours during the senior year (SW 440). Driving time, to and from the agency, does not count towards hours completed. Credit is not available for life experience or previous work experience prior to Practicum.
i. Will conduct themselves in a professional manner. Any breach of Social Work Values and Ethics as outlined by the National Association of Social Work by a student during practicum will require an immediate interview with the faculty and may be grounds for dismissal.
2. Field Supervisor
a. Will represent his/her agency as liaison with the Asbury University Social Work Program regarding administrative and educational matters through the Field Professor. b. Will become familiar with the philosophy of the Asbury University Social Work
Program; its missions, goals, and curriculum by attending Field Orientation In services, reviewing appropriate material related to Field Experience, and meeting individually with Field Professor for additional orientation or support.
c. Will participate in helping define specific learning experiences necessary to achieve the goals outlined in the student's learning contract. This should occur within the first 2-3 weeks of the student's practicum experience.
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d. Will identify other personnel within the agency who can and will aid in the education of the student.
e. Will be responsible for providing student with orientation to the agency with clear expectations regarding work assignments, output expected, support services (office space etc.), and feedback on performance.
f. Will assist the student in a midterm evaluation, that will be pass/fail, in order to identify how closely the goals are being met from the learning contract. Later, the supervisor will join with the student and field professor to evaluate the student’s end of semester evaluation that will be a full grade.
g. Will be responsible to meet one (1) hour per week with student for agency and educational supervision.
h. Will participate in joint conferences with the Field Professor and Student. 3. Field Professor
a. Will be responsible for the educational direction of all students within the Practicum class.
b. Will be responsible for the educational design, planning, and coordination of learning for the Practicum seminar.
c. Will learn functions and operations of agencies that make up student field placements. d. Will also recruit agencies, while maintaining stable relations with those already
accepting Asbury University students.
e. Will define jointly with the student and the Field Supervisor the conditions of the placement by the formal learning contract signed by all three parties during the initial Course Instructor agency visit.
f. Will be responsible for evaluation of students assigned to him/her and for their formal course grade (Course Instructor will seek assessment input from the Field Supervisor). g. Will assist the BSW Field Director at semester's end for evaluating the effectiveness of
field educational design and for making modifications necessary to support maximum learning.
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CRITERIA FOR PRACTICUM PERSONNEL AND AGENCY SELECTION
1. Criteria for Designation as Field Supervisor
a. The individual demonstrates professional competency with a Master's degree in Social Work or a bachelor's degree in social work from a CSWE accredited institution with a minimum of two years experience in the field. A person possessing a Master’s degree in a related field with a minimum of two years experience in a social work related field may also be considered, but must also include weekly 1 hour supervision from a MSW or BSW credentialed professional that can be outside of the agency. Additional agency visits will be arranged between the Field Professor and the potential Field Supervisor to provide support and information regarding the social work model and supervising students expected to utilize that model.
b. The individual demonstrates a commitment to social work education and to working with students to further their learning in preparation for the social work profession. c. The individual has adequate time to devote to: (1) on-going supervision of the student;
(2) weekly supervisory 1 hour meeting with the student; (3) periodic phone conferences with the Field Professor; (4) joint conferences with the Field Professor and student. There will be a minimum of two joint conferences per semester.
d. The individual attends training offered by Asbury University Social Work and individual meetings with the Field Professor in the agency setting.
e. The individual demonstrates values consistent with the NASW code of ethics. 2. Criteria related to the Agency
a. The agency/organization is in good standing with its state's regulations, licensure laws (if applicable), and NASW personnel policy standards.
b. The agency's purpose/mission and services must be compatible with the purposes of social work - i.e. promoting, restoring, maintaining, and/or enhancing the well-being of individuals, families/groups, within their community.
c. The agency is able to accommodate the time necessary for Field Supervisor to provide adequate supervision.
d. The agency is conducive to providing structured learning opportunities and the necessary resources (i.e., office space, phone access etc.) for students to function in a professional manner and in a way that can be an asset to the agency and its clientele. e. The Field Professor, in consultation with the Agency Program Director and the Field
Supervisor, will arrange for the initial contacts to be made between the Field Supervisor and the perspective student.
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f. The agency indicates its willingness to accept Asbury University social work students into its agency for field placements by signing an institutional agreement between the agency and Asbury University.
ORIENTATION REQUIREMENTS
1. For Social Work Degreed Field Supervisors:
a. Receive and read copy of Asbury University Social Work Program Practicum Field Manual.
b. Meet one-on-one with the Field Professor prior to semester to discuss areas of concern related to possible student and practicum setting. (See also Field Supervisor Orientation Outline.)
c. Attend a Service Workshop for all potential Field Instructors. 2. *For Non-Social Work Degreed Field Supervisors:
a. All of the above.
b. Meet individually with the Field Professor during the middle of the semester to insure promotion of the social work perspective is taking place within the practicum setting. *Settings conducive to social work practice are varied and sometimes staffed by individuals not always degreed in social work, but who are competent individuals nonetheless. It would be unfortunate to disallow students an opportunity to explore a setting of interest based solely on the specific degree of the individual responsible for field supervision. The additional orientation requirements for non social work degreed Field Supervisors does not exist out of a concern regarding competence, but rather out of the need for the Social Work Program to provide the added support needed to insure that the Social Work perspective remains at the forefront of the student’s learning experience. Students placed at a practicum site like this must also receive one hour of supervision per week from an appropriate social work degree supervisor.
Field Practicum Planning and Implementation Policies
1. Selection of Field Practicum Agencies and Field Instructors. All specific field practicum arrangements are planned by the field director in collaboration with designated professor, field instructors, and other appropriate agency representatives. Although student preferences regarding agency type, geographic location and field instructor will be carefully considered, the final decisions regarding a placement will be made by the field director. Effort will be made to minimize students' travel to the field practicum sites while recognizing that such plans are reliant upon educational needs of the student and the availability of appropriate agency and field instructor resources. The decision for the placement assignment rests with the Field Director, in consultation with the Program Director and other Program faculty as necessary. 2. Matching Students to Agencies. Students are asked to provide the Field Director with
preference choices for their fields of practice. These preferences are considered with the student's learning needs assessed from interviews with students, faculty comments on class
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performance, evaluations from prior placements and student self-reports. Using the information gathered, Program faculty will determine the best placement for the learning needs of each student. Potential field instructors are contacted to arrange the field placements for students. Most agencies and field instructors require that students be interviewed prior to confirming the field placement.
3. Duplication in Use of Field Instructors and Field Instruction Agencies. Students are limited to using any field instructor and/or field practicum site once during their field experience. In other words, a student may not conduct both the SW 340 and SW 440 practica under the supervision of the same field instructor. Exemptions from this policy may be requested by students under conditions of extreme hardship. Requests for exemption will be reviewed prior to the practicum course onset by the Field Director who will decide upon such requests in consultation with the Program Director and others as appropriate.
4. Use of Employer as a Practicum Site. A student's place of employment will generally not be used as a practicum site. Students requesting an employment-based field placement must submit a petition requesting this consideration. The petition includes extensive information about learning experiences different from current job responsibilities and approval of practicum supervisor (different from work supervisor) and potential field instructor. A planning meeting including the student, the potential field instructor, the work supervisor, Director of Field Instruction, and other related parties is held prior to approval of the petition to determine an appropriate set of learning experiences and learning conditions requisite for an employment-based field practicum. Approval of the employment-based field practicum rests with the Director of Field Instruction.
5. Use of a Private Practice Setting as a Practicum Site. In rare instances, a private practice may be used as a practicum site. The setting must be able to provide all the required learning experiences for the placement including those in areas of social and economic justice, diversity, and populations-at-risk. Student factors include a lengthy history of human service agency employment in professional helping roles, and, often, complex life situation factors or learning needs which may best be met in such a setting.
6. Use of External-to-the-Agency Field Instructor. In cases where no qualified field instructor is available within the practicum agency, an instructor mutually agreed upon by the School and the agency may be used. While the agency may choose to provide compensation to the field instructor, the student may not. Such arrangements are made most often to develop services to underserved populations in both urban and rural settings.
7. Out of State or Country Placements. Opportunities are available at times for students to leave the state of Kentucky or the United States for placement. Asbury University has affiliations for social work placements in other countries for students who are personally and professionally prepared to undertake such placements. Agency and instructor qualifications are equivalent as for a Kentucky placement. Such placements are made on a petition basis by the Director of Field Instruction in consultation with the student's advisor and the Program Director. Students interested in such placements should make their interests known at least six months in advance to allow for the time necessary for the petition and placement process. Such placements will be approved for the SW 440 placement only. Although there may be some study abroad
scholarship funds available, students must be ready to assume all costs associated with the out of state or country placement.
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8. Chain of Addressing problems at Practicum Site
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If a student has a problem at the practicum site; the student should follow this procedure in addressing any issue. 1) The student should seek to address the issue directly with their Field Supervisor first, unless the student feels uncomfortable utilizing this method. 2) The Course Professor will then be consulted on the problem if method 1 does not address the issue. 3) If problems persist; the Field Director will be consulted for the issue. 4) Lastly, the BSW Program Director will be consulted if problems still persist.
ADMISSION GUIDELINES & POLICIES FOR TERMINATION FOR
ACADEMIC OR PROFESSIONAL REASONS
The Council on Social Work Education Policy and Accrediting Standards (EPAS) requires that social work programs have policies and practices for “terminating a student’s enrollment … for reasons of academic and professional performance.” CSWE Handbook of Accreditation Standards and Procedures.
In addition to the national social work standards, Asbury University has published “Lifestyle Standards of the Asbury Community,” in Handbook for Community Life. All students are expected to follow these guidelines in a manner that reflects the values of Asbury’s traditions. The Asbury University Bulletin, “Academic Policies and Procedures,” delineates academic guidelines for the student to follow. Social work students are encouraged to review the Handbook for Community Life and the University Bulletin so as to abide by these standards.
The Asbury University Social Work program has the following guidelines for admissions and academic standards.
Admission requirements
Any student who wishes to enter the social work program will be impartially considered. Students who think they have an interest in social work as a major and a profession may arrange with the registrar to declare a social work major and be assigned an advisor. The next step is to take SW 100, Introduction to Social Work no later than the sophomore year. There is an established course sequence so entrance into the program should begin in the sophomore year and no later than fall semester of the junior year. The social work advisor will guide the student through the admission process.
Students are required to be admitted to the social work major before beginning any field practicum work. Completion of the following criteria is necessary for admission to the program.
1. Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.
2. Completion of the program application form.
4. Recommendations by three persons familiar with the applicant.
5. Recommendation from one non-social work faculty member or residence staff. 6. Interview by a minimum of two social work faculty.
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Students will be admitted to the social work program and permitted to enroll in SW 340 (Practicum) when they have completed the application process and have received a formal letter of acceptance from the Social Work Program Director.
Continuance in the social work program is not guaranteed. Students must maintain an acceptable level of performance according to community, academic, and professional social work standards. Reviews of student performance are held prior to SW 340 (Field Practicum I) as part of the admissions process, prior to graduation, or other times as required by circumstances. Students are responsible for completing forms and scheduling performance reviews through their individual faculty advisors. Probationary status or dismissal may be assigned to students not meeting program criteria. The academic criteria that must be met for continuance in the social work program are as follows:
1. Maintain academic standing according to the academic progress scale of category (2) under the academic progress scales listed under the policies section of the Asbury University Bulletin.
2. Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5. The cumulative GPA will be examined at the end of each semester. If the cumulative GPA drops below 2.5, the student may be put on departmental probation, after consultation with the academic advisor and the program director. Both Bulletin guidelines for academic standing and departmental guidelines apply to the student’s standing.
3. At any point if a faculty member believes a student is having difficulty with course content or requirements, the faculty member may refer the student to the Program Director and consultation will be held with the student to determine causes and/or remediation for the problem. Social work students should understand that it is the goal of professors to work with each student to the end of being knowledgeable, skilled, and competent students and emerging professionals.
4. Violation of basic rules of integrity such as academic cheating, lying or plagiarism may result in failure of the assignment or the class according to the professor’s standards. Egregious violations or failure to resolve the problem will result in dismissal from the social work program.
The Asbury University Social Work Program maintains the following criteria for meeting professional standards:
1. Knowledge of and maintaining the NASW Code of Ethics. (See Appendix II)
2. Demonstrate personal and professional qualities consistent with working with people. Qualities which will be assessed upon entry into the program, through references and interview, and prior to the first practicum will include, but are not limited to:
a. personal integrity and emotional stability requisite for professional practice. b. Behaviors toward peers, faculty or staff (at school or field placement) must are
appropriate.
c. value system consistent with the standards of the social work profession. d. sensitivity to the needs of people, respect and acceptance of people where they
are in their own growth and environment.
e. self-awareness – demonstrating effective interpersonal skills for professional helping relationships.
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e. openness to faculty observations of both strengths and weaknesses that will either enhance or diminish academic or professional status. Good relational skills and communication skills can be enhanced. Weaknesses and areas of needed growth will be addressed during the progress of the students program. Termination from the social work program will happen when it is determined by department faculty and program director that the “inadequacies in student ability to demonstrate professional conduct and relationship skills and behavior consistent with the values and ethics of the profession.” (Guidelines for Termination for Academic and Professional Reasons, Handout at Baccalaureate Program Director’s Conference, Author not identified.)
The Asbury University Social Work Department expects that students will be in compliance with standards for university community life as identified in the 2015-2016Asbury University Bulletin and Handbook for Community Life.
TERMINATION PROCESS
Any student believed to be in violation of one or more academic or professional standards will be notified with verbal and written notification of impending termination from the program. A personal interview will be scheduled with the program director, and one or more social work faculty. If an option or remediation is negotiated, a contract will be agreed on between the director and the student, which both will sign. The student will be considered to be on departmental probation during this time period. Specific steps to be taken toward solving the problem will be noted and a time limit will be established for the accomplishment of this plan.
At the end of the probationary time, a final interview with the director of the social work program will be scheduled to determine if the terms of the contract have been successfully accomplished. At the end of this time, the student will either be reinstated or terminated from the program. The student is encouraged to take responsibility for correcting any problems and to make regular contact with the faculty advisor and the program director.
APPEALS PROCEDURE
Academic appeals:Any social work student who has a concern about matters related to academic issue (class assignments, materials procedures, field practicum or grades) should meet first with the faculty member involved and then, if no resolution is achieved, with the Social Work Program Director. If the problem is not resolved satisfactorily, the student will follow the remaining criteria in the current Asbury University Bulletin, under Academic Policies and Procedures.
Guidelines for appeals:
1. Students who have concerns about matters related to an academic course (class assignments, materials, procedures, or grades) should meet with the Faculty Member involved and then, if no resolution is achieved, with the Social Work Program Director.
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2. Issues not resolved at the Program Director level (see #1 above) and issues related to broader institutional academic policies and procedures (such as advising, course selection, credit, registration, or degree requirements) should be referred to the Associate Academic Dean. 3. Students whose concerns are not resolved in conference with the Associate Academic Dean
may file a written appeal. Letters of appeal should be addressed to the Associate Academic Dean and should be filed within thirty days of the occurrence of the issue in question. (If needed, forms for this purpose are available in the Office of the Registrar.)
4. The Associate Academic Dean will refer such written appeals to the Academic Petitions Sub-committee or other appropriate person for action. The student will receive a decision in writing.
5. The student may appeal the decision of the Academic Petitions Sub-committee to the Academic Policies and Curriculum Committee as a whole. The decision of the Academic Policies and Curriculum Committee will be considered final.
Non-academic appeals:
Non-academic reasons for terminating a student’s enrollment in the social work program may result when a student is non-compliant with Asbury University community standards or issues related to the NASW Code of Ethics violations. In this instance, the Associate Academic Dean or the Social Work Program Director may be the first to address the student about the problem depending on circumstances. Since dismissal from the program whether for academic or non-academic reasons, has primarily academic repercussions, the appeals process will ordinarily follow the guidelines for appeal in the most recent Asbury University Bulletin.
It is understood that dismissal from the social work program does not mean the student is dismissed from enrollment in Asbury University. That is a separate issue and would be handled by appropriate administrators.
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2015 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards
for Baccalaureate and Master’s Social Work Programs
Commission on Accreditation
Commission on Educational Policy
Developed by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Commission on Educational Policy and the CSWE Commission on Accreditation; Educational Policy approved by the CSWE Board of Directors on March 20, 2015; Accreditation Standards approved by the CSWE Commission on Accreditation on June 11, 2015.
Copyright © 2015 Council on Social Work Education
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NASW CODE OF ETHICS
Social Workers' Ethical Responsibilities to Clients Commitment to Clients
Social workers' primary responsibility is to promote the well-being of clients. In general, clients' interests are primary. However, social workers' responsibility to the larger society or specific legal obligations may on limited occasions supersede the loyalty owed clients, and clients should be so advised. (Examples include when a social worker is required by law to report that a client has abused a child or has threatened to harm self or others.)
Self-Determination
Social workers respect and promote the right of clients to self-determination and assist clients in their efforts to identify and clarify their goals. Social workers may limit clients' right to self-determination when, in the social workers' professional judgment, clients' actions or potential actions pose a serious, foreseeable, and imminent risk to themselves or others.
Informed Consent
• Social workers should provide services to clients only in the context of a professional relationship based, when appropriate, on valid informed consent. Social workers should use clear and
understandable language to inform clients of the purpose of the services, risks related to the services, limits to services because of the requirements of a third-party payer, relevant costs, reasonable alternatives, clients' right to refuse or withdraw consent, and the time frame covered by the consent. Social workers should provide clients with an opportunity to ask questions.
• In instances when clients are receiving services involuntarily, social workers should provide information about the nature and extent of services and about the extent of clients' right to refuse service.
Competence
Social workers should provide services and represent themselves as competent only within the boundaries of their education, training, license, certification, consultation received, supervised experience, or other relevant professional experience.
Cultural Competence and Social Diversity
(a) Social workers should understand culture and its function in human behavior and society, recognizing the strengths that exist in all cultures.
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(b) Social workers should have a knowledge base of their clients' cultures and be able to demonstrate competence in the provision of services that are sensitive to clients' cultures and to differences among people and cultural groups.
(c) Social workers should obtain education about and seek to understand the nature of social diversity and oppression with respect to race, ethnicity, national origin, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, political belief, religion, and mental or physical disability.
Conflicts of Interest
(a) Social workers should be alert to and avoid conflicts of interest that interfere with the exercise of professional discretion and impartial judgment. (b) Social workers should not take unfair advantage of any professional relationship or exploit others to further their personal, religious, political, or business interests.
(c) Social workers should not engage in dual or multiple relationships with clients or former clients in which there are a risk of exploitation or potential harm to the client.
Privacy and Confidentiality
(a) Social workers should respect clients' right to privacy. Social workers should not solicit private information from clients unless it is essential to providing services or conducting social work evaluation or research. Once private information is shared, standards of confidentiality apply. (c) Social workers should protect the confidentiality of all information obtained in the course of professional service, except for compelling professional reasons. The general expectation that social workers will keep information confidential does not apply when disclosure is necessary to prevent serious, foreseeable, and imminent harm to a client or other identifiable person. In all instances, social workers should disclose the least amount of confidential information necessary to achieve the desired purpose; only information that is directly relevant to the purpose for which the disclosure is made should be revealed.
(d) Social workers should discuss with clients and other interested parties the nature of confidentiality and limitations of clients' right to confidentiality. Social workers should review with clients
circumstances where confidential information may be requested and where disclosure of confidential information may be legally required. This discussion should occur as soon as possible in the social worker-client relationship and as needed throughout the course of the relationship.
Physical Contact
Social workers should not engage in physical contact with clients when there is a possibility of
psychological harm to the client as a result of the contact (such as cradling or caressing clients). Social workers who engage in appropriate physical contact with clients are responsible for setting clear, appropriate, and culturally sensitive boundaries that govern such physical contact.
21 Sexual Harassment
Social workers should not sexually harass clients, including sexual advances, sexual solicitation, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.
Derogatory Language
Social workers should not use derogatory language in their written or verbal communications to or about clients. Social workers should use accurate and respectful language in all communications to and about clients.
Interruption of Services
Social workers should make reasonable efforts to ensure continuity of services in the event that services are interrupted by factors such as unavailability, relocation, illness, disability, or death.
Termination of Services
Social workers should terminate services to clients and professional relationships with them when such services and relationships are no longer required or no longer serve the clients' needs or interests.
Referral for Services
Social workers should refer clients to other professionals when the other professionals' specialized knowledge or expertise is needed to serve clients fully or when social workers believe that they are not being effective or making reasonable progress
Supervision and Consultation
(a) Social workers should have the necessary knowledge and skill to supervise or consult appropriately only within their areas of knowledge and competence. They should set clear, appropriate, and culturally sensitive boundaries.
(b) Social workers should not engage in any dual or multiple relationships with supervisees and should evaluate supervisees' performance in a manner that is fair and respectful. Social work educators and field instructors are responsible for setting clear, appropriate, and culturally sensitive boundaries. Social workers should evaluate the performance of others in a fair and considerate manner and on the basis of clearly stated criteria.
Client Records
(a) Social workers should take reasonable steps to ensure that documentation in records is accurate and reflects the services provided.
(b) Documentation should include sufficient and timely information to facilitate the delivery of services and to ensure continuity of services provided to clients in the future.
Social Workers' Ethical Responsibilities as Professionals
Competence
Social workers should accept responsibility or employment only on the basis of existing competence or the intention to acquire the necessary competence. Social workers should strive to become and remain proficient in professional practice and the performance of professional functions. Social workers should critically examine and keep current with emerging knowledge relevant to social work. Social workers should routinely review the professional literature and participate in continuing
education.
22 Discrimination
Social workers should not practice, condone, facilitate, or collaborate with any form of discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, political belief, religion, or mental or physical disability.
Private Conduct
Social workers should not permit their private conduct to interfere with their ability to fulfill their professional responsibilities. Social workers should not participate in, condone, or be associated with dishonesty, fraud, or deception.
Impairment
Social workers should not allow their own personal problems, psychosocial distress, legal problems, substance abuse, or mental health difficulties to interfere with their professional judgment and performance or to jeopardize the best interests of people for
Evaluation and Research
Social workers should monitor and evaluate policies, the implementation of programs, and practice interventions. Social workers should promote and facilitate evaluation and research to contribute to the development of knowledge.
Social Welfare
Social workers should promote the general welfare of society, from local to global levels, and the development of people, their communities, and their environments. Social workers should advocate for living conditions conducive to the fulfillment of basic human needs and should promote social, economic, political, and cultural values and institutions that are compatible with the realization of social justice.
Social and Political Action
Social workers should engage in social and political action that seeks to ensure that all people have equal access to the resources, employment, services, and opportunities they require to meet their basic human needs and to develop fully. Social workers should be aware of the impact of the political arena on practice and should advocate for changes in policy and legislation to improve social conditions in order to meet basic human needs and promote social justice.
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