University of Michigan - Flint

Student Handbook: Polices and Procedures

Charles W. Bailey, Director
Charles A. Jones, Supervisor-Field Practicum

Purpose
The role and function of this handbook is to inform bachelor level students, choosing social work as a major or who may be considering social work as a course of study, of the specific policies and procedures that will guide their curriculum. It is not intended to be a substitute for the University Student Catalog.

Table of Contents

General Policies & Procedures
Mission Statement
Goals
Department of Social Work Learning Objectives
Council on Social Work Education
Social Work Values
National Association of Social Workers
Social Work Values
Curriculum Policy Statement
Objectives
Admission to the Department of Social Work
Admission packet
Transfer of Academic Credits
Focus of Social Work Curriculum
Generalist Practice
Plan Change Effort
University of Michigan-Flint Statement
Council on Social Work Education
Curriculum Policy Statement
Curricular Flow Chart
Sequence and Time Frames
Course Advising and Work Sheet
Role of Liberal Arts Education
Plagiarism and Critical Thinking
Report Writing
Social Work Advising
Objectives
Student Rights & Responsibilities
UM-Flint Catalog,1995-97
Student Organizations
University Committees
Student Faculty Evaluations
Faculty Evaluative Statement
Evaluation of Student Academic Performance
Evaluation of Student Field Performance
Termination of Enrollment
Academic
Non-academic
Grievance Procedures for Re-admission
Academic
Non-academic
Policy on Research and Publication
Access to Student Files
Department of Social Work Faculty
Support Staff
Co-op Student
Social Work Licensing/Registration
Social Work Student Scholarship(s)

General Policies and Procedures

The Department of Social Work uses policies and procedures as guidelines for the university community, field agencies and interested parties who may be considering a bachelor degree with a social work major. This section identifies general expectations and, responsibilities that are clarified throughout the handbook:

1. Students are expected to follow the university's calendar time frames for class days, exam periods, advising, course make-up work and policies on incompletes
2. Students are also required to complete the number of semester hours in their practicum.
3. Students are expected to have primary responsibility for their education, course requirements and staying abreast of university and social work department developments.
4. Students are expected to follow the university's standards of behavior and to conduct themselves in accordance with Social Work Code of Ethics.
5. Students are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with field practicum (agency) policies and standards demonstrating appropriate socialization reflective of professional social work.
6. Students are expected to initiate and have ongoing meetings with their social work advisor.
7. Social work majors are expected to be knowledgeable of their curriculum to make tentative course selections during advising periods.
8. In the event of a labor dispute, work protest or strike, field practicum students are not to be involved or go near the agency. They are to report to the social work department field supervisor.
9. It is the student's responsibility to inform the course instructor of any extenuating circumstance that may interfere with their fulfilling a course requirement.
10. All social work students are expected to follow established protocol for complaints and grievances.
11. All faculty assigned to the department of social work (full time and adjunct) perform a "Gatekeeping" role for the profession. Therefore, faculty is responsible for engaging a student in appropriate problem solving should academic, ethical or other questionable practice issues arise.
12. No faculty actions are arbitrarily and unfairly directed at students. Student's rights are respected and upheld in all matters pertaining to the department's educational mission and objectives.
13. Any student wishing exception to any of the Department of Social Work's policies can petition the department if they have extenuating circumstances.
14. Policy on N Grades. The Department of Social Work uses the University's policies on the letter N grades. The following information is provided for Social Work students (see attached).

Mission Statement

Within the context of being the regional campus of the University of Michigan-Flint, the mission of the social work program is to prepare students as beginning generalist social work professionals by enhancing their commitment to social justice, responsible citizenship and the value of human diversity. The educational experience provides the students with opportunities to cultivate and develop technical and intellectual foundations necessary for public sector service and/or graduate studies.

Social Work Program Goals

1. Target student population indigenous to the University of Michigan-Flint area characterized as non-traditional, and first generation students in an urban and post-industrial community.
2. . Provide service to the Urban Community - groups and institutions (i.e., student field placement, staff in-service).
3. Develop knowledge and skills in students that are consistent with the nine content areas of the 1992 Curriculum Policy Statement (CSWE).
4. Empower diverse human populations who are vulnerable and subject to discrimination.
5. Provide a broad liberal educational experience.
6. Prepare students with the ethical charge to be responsible to work in the best interest of the individual and the society.
7. Provide support (psychological, intellectual, and social) for the educational development of non-traditional students.

Learning Objectives

Students who complete a major in Social Work at the University of Michigan-Flint upon graduation will be able to:

1. Apply critical thinking skills within the context of professional social work practice.
2. Practice within the values and ethics of the social work profession and with an understanding of and respect for the positive value of diversity.
3. Demonstrate the professional use of self.
4. Understand the forms and mechanisms of oppression and discrimination and the strategies of change that advance social and economic justice.
5. Understand the history of social work and social welfare practice with systems of all sizes.
6. Understand and apply the knowledge and skills of generalist social work to practice with systems of all sizes.
7. Apply knowledge of bio-psycho-social variables that affect individual development and behavior, and use theoretical frameworks to understand the inter-actions among individuals and between individuals and social systems (i.e., families, groups, organizations, and communities).
8. Analyze the impact of social policies on client systems, workers, and agencies.
9. Evaluate research studies and apply findings to practice, and, under supervision, to evaluate their own practice interventions and those of other relevant systems.
10. Use communication skills differently with a variety of client populations, colleagues, and members of the community.
11. Use supervision appropriate to generalist practice.
12. Function within the structure of organizations and service delivery systems, and under supervision, seek necessary organizational change.
13. Develop skills for life-long learning.

Council on Social Work Education

(Policy Statement)
Social Work Values
Council on Social Work Education
Curriculum Policy Statement*

A. Social workers hold that people should have equal access to resources, services, and opportunities for the accomplishment of life tasks, the alleviation of distress, and the realization of their aspirations and values in relation to themselves, the rights of others, the general welfare, and social justice.

B. Among the values and principles that guide professional social workers in their practice and that should be manifest throughout every social work curriculum are the following:

1. Social workers' professional relationships are built on their regard for individual worth and human dignity and are furthered by mutual participation, acceptance, confidentiality, honest, and responsible handling of conflict.
2. Social workers respect people's rights to choose, to contract for services, and to participate in the helping process.
3. Social workers contribute to making social institutions more humane and responsive to human needs.
4. Social workers demonstrate respect for and acceptance of the unique characteristics of diverse populations.
5. Social workers are responsible for their own ethical conduct, for the quality of their practice, and for maintaining continuous growth in the knowledge and skills of their profession.

Social Work Values

National Association of Social Workers
Standards for the Classification of Social Work Practice*

• Commitment to the primary importance of the individual in society.
• Respect for the confidentiality of relationships with clients.
• Commitment to social change to meet socially recognized needs.
• Willingness to keep personal feelings and needs separate from professional relationships.
• Willingness to transmit knowledge and skills to others.
• Respect and appreciation for individual and group differences.
• Commitment to developing clients' ability to help themselves.
• Willingness to persist in efforts on behalf of clients despite frustration.
• Commitment to social justice and the economic, physical, and mental well-being of all in society.
• Commitment to a high standard of personal and professional conduct.

*Reprinted with permission from Policy Statement #4: NASW Standards for the Classification of Social Work Practice, NASW, 1980, p. 18.
Copyright 1980; National Association of Social Workers, Inc.

This excerpt was first published by the Council on Social Work Education, and is reprinted here with permission.

Curriculum Policy Statement

Mission Statement

It is the purpose and goal of the social work program to prepare students who major in social work for employment at entry level positions in social welfare agencies. It is also the purpose and goal of the social work program to prepare students for living in a diversified and multi-cultural community.

Objectives

Objectives for reaching these goals are:

1. Students will learn and develop assessment skills in the three areas of generalist social work practice: micro, mezzo, macro.
2. Students will understand the relationship and role of the social environment in human behavior and its many diversified expressions.
3. Students will obtain a broad liberal education to enter graduate school should they choose, and qualify.

Admissions

All student applications to the social work program are reviewed by the admission committee. This committee consists of full time social work faculty who review applications in line with the preceding admission criteria.

Transfer of Credits

The department of social work accepts: 200 level Intro to Social Work courses and Intro to Substance Abuse courses, as earned credit. The department also recognizes credits in Social Work Technician Degrees and course work from four year accredited baccalaureate social work programs. Additionally, the following procedures are used:

• Student meets with academic advisor for initial interview of Admissions Department assessment and student transcript.
• If course is from a CSWE accredited school and content is self-evident, advisor makes proper substitutions in student file and informs the Chair in writing who then informs the Registrar.
• If it is unclear as to whether or how the course should transfer, then the student is responsible for the following:
1. Obtain catalogue course description.
2. Obtain course syllabus, content outline, objectives
3. Deliver to academic advisor
• Upon completion of the above procedure the advisor takes information to the general social work faculty who make the final determination. The student and appropriate personnel are then notified of the decision.
• The student may appeal any decision to the Departmental Chairperson and then make use of the academic appeal process.
• Field practicum and practice method courses from non C.S.W.E. accredited schools will not be transferred.
• No academic credit can be given for any life experience.

Focus of the Curriculum

The Department of Social Work at the University of Michigan-Flint embraces the Generalist Perspective of social work practice. In addition to the definition of generalist practice that is put forth by the Council on Social Work Education, the department illustrates its specific position on generalist practice, in the addition of a four stage process: (see attached)

Bachelor of Arts

Course Planning Worksheet

General Education:
_____SOC 100 Intro. to Sociology
_____BIO 104 Bio its Human Implic or Equivalent
_____PSY 100 Intro to Psychology
_____SOC 354 Sociology of the Family

PRE-PROFESSIONAL BLOCK: (18 hrs)
All of the following:
SWK 200 Intro to Social Work _____
SWK 250 Methods of Research and Eval _____
SWK 310 Soc Welfare Policies & Services _____
SWK 311 Intro to SWK Techniques _____
SWK 320 Human Behav in the Soc Envir I _____
SWK 325 Human Behav in the Soc Envir II _____

FIELDS OF PRACTICE: (6 hrs)
One course from each of the following groups
A._____
SAT 202 Problems of Substance Abuse
CRJ 185 Intro to Criminal Justice
B._____
SWK 300 Mental Illness SWK Practice
SWK 313 SWK with the Aged
SWK 350 Patterns of Domestic Violence
SWK 351 Protective Services
SWK/CRJ Intro to Corrections

Social Science Option Areas: (9 hrs)
One course from each of the following:
A._____
AFA/SOC 270 Race and Ethnic Relations
AFA/PSY 219 PSY of the Black Experience
AFA 359 The Black Family
ANT 378 Cross Cult Pers Sex & Gender
SOC 474 Gender and Society
B._____
SOC 340 Urban Sociology
SOC 470 Social Stratification
ANT 340 Urban Anthropology
C._____
SOC 220 Social Psychology
SOC 325 Cul & Personality
PSY 227 Social Psychology
PSY 336 Psy of Personality
PSY 230 Psy of Adjustment

Approved Cognates: (6 cr hrs)

_______________________________

_______________________________

Professional Block (18 Hrs)

Senior Year Only

Spring Semester Only
_____ SWK 399 Field Practicum Planning Seminar
Fall Semester Only
_____ SWK 420 SWK Intervention I
_____ SWK 430 SWK Field Instruction I
Fall or Winter Semester
_____ SWK 400 Integrative Seminar
Winter Semester Only
_____ SWK 421 SWK Intervention II
_____ SWK 431 SWK Field Instruction II

NOTE: Only 40 hrs of course work with a SWK prefix can be counted toward the required 120 hour graduation requirement.

Role of Liberal Arts Education

Liberal Arts Perspective
A liberal arts perspective enriches understanding of the person-environment context of professional social work practice and is integrally related to the mastery of social work content. The baccalaureate professional program in social work is built upon a liberal arts perspective.

A liberal arts perspective provides an understanding of one's cultural heritage in the context of other cultures; the methods and limitations of various systems of inquiry; and the knowledge, attitudes, ways of thinking, and means of communication that are characteristic of a broadly educated person. Students must be capable of thinking critically about society, about people and their problems, and about expressions of culture such as art, literature, science, history, and philosophy. Students must have knowledge about social, psychological, and biological determinants of human behavior and of diverse cultures, social conditions, and social problems.

Plagiarism and Critical Thinking

Plagiarism is one form of academic dishonesty which carries severe penalties in higher education. Obvious forms of plagiarism are usually known by students, such as copying others' work, or turning in someone else's work as your own. Other forms of plagiarism are less well-known, such as taking ideas from classes or readings and putting them in a paper without citations/references. Any ideas, even paraphrased ideas, which are unique to the source, or which you would not be expected to know unless you had access to those ideas, must be given credit by showing the source. You may want to refer to the Student Handbook for further information regarding plagiarism and the University policies regarding this.

Critical thinking is a closely related issue when doing papers and reports. Stringing together lengthy quotations throughout a paper, even with references, shows no thought of your own or effort to synthesize material. It may simply demonstrate that you did some reading or research. It is important in social work to do more than just read. You must learn to think about and evaluate what you have read, and then demonstrate your critical thinking to your instructor.

College Level Report Writing

Traditional standards for college level report writing is the expectation of all social work classes. Accordingly, all materials turned in must meet high writing standards. If students do not have a professional writing manual, it is suggested they purchase one. APA is the standard manual in Social Work and the social sciences (although MLA is acceptable).

Minimum expectations of written work include: correct spelling, proper use of Standard English vocabulary and grammar neatness, appropriate structure and form (use of headings and subheadings). Paper must be ten (10) to fifteen (15) pages in length, typed, double spaced, with appropriate margins and accurate punctuation. It is to include a cover sheet containing the report writer's name, assignment title, course name, date and instructor name.

Department of Social Work Advising

All social work majors are required to select an advisor from one of the four full time social work faculty. As a prerequisite for application to the program, a pre-social work student may use social work faculty for selection of pre-major curricula. Advising is the student's assurance of staying on track for course sequencing and for not duplicating courses.

Additionally, it is the policy of the social work department that faculty will not randomly sign drop/add forms for students. Faculty also will not advise students assigned to other social work faculty.

Students are required to obtain the signature of their assigned advisor for course selection/disposition, and it is the student's responsibility to meet with their advisor.

Advising Objectives
Primary objective of faculty advising is to assist students with achieving their educational goals consistent with the mission of the social work department and within guidelines of the university.

Second objective is for faculty to foster integration of the total educational experience and facilitate the student's progress toward educational and career goals.

Student Rights and Responsibilities

p.35-39 (see University of Michigan-Flint Catalog, 1995-97)

Student Organizations

The Department of Social Work encourages social work students to maintain and participate in the social work club that is managed solely by students. Requirements are paid dues and commitment to social work/welfare issues.

Social work students can also join the Zeta Lambda Chapter of the Phi Alpha Honor Society provided they have the required grade point average 3.0 overall, 3.25 GPA is required of Social Work courses, sophomore standing, completed 9 hours or 12 quarter hours of required social work courses. Social work faculty serve as advisors to both organizations. The following is a listing of other campus organizations and committees available to social work students (see attached listing of Student Organizations).

Student Participation in Decision Making

The Department of Social Work extends to social work students opportunities to give input and feedback on department policies. Students may be recruited individually or collectively through membership in the Social Work Club. Input on areas and topics for the Student Handbook was solicited from the Social Work Club (see attached listing ofuniversity committees with student participation).

Student Evaluations of Faculty/Courses

Social Work students utilize the University's standardized forms for illustrating their satisfaction with courses and faculty (see attached).

Social Work Faculty Evaluative Statement

Full-time and adjunct faculty in the Social Work Department are evaluated by the existing standards for academic excellence and effectiveness used throughout the University of Michigan system (see attached).

Evaluations of Student Academic Performances

Poor academic performance for the University is monitored by the Academic Standards Committee and Office of the Registrar. Students who fall below acceptable GPA ratings are sanctioned with a warning, probation or dismissal.

Within the Department of Social Work each course syllabus outlines specific criteria for that class. All 300 level social work classes require a minimum of a term paper using APA format. Additionally, papers, written tests and measures to evaluate behavioral/skill development, are designed by the individual faculty. A student's academic career is evaluated at three levels:

• when applying to the social work program (2.4 GPA is required).
• at time of admission to the practicum (to assure completeness of prerequisites)
• at completion of the field practicum (to evaluate full comprehension of social work curriculum content).

If a student receives less than the grade of C in their major social work courses, or the student is accumulating incompletes (I) in their courses, that performance is monitored and addressed by their social work advisor.

Students having difficulty with course material are encouraged to inform the instructor, use the university academic support system and in social work courses, may be able to do extra work to meet requirements.

Evaluation of Field Performance

Student's field performance is measured by written evaluation from the field supervisor and ongoing collaborations between the field supervisors and field liaison. Written evaluations correspond to the established contract students signed with the practicum agency.

The field practicum manual outlines specific procedures students are to follow which identifies additional areas they are evaluated in.

Termination of Enrollment

Academic:
A student can be dismissed from the university when they are unable to meet the minimum standards of a course(s) requirement including, but not limited to, maintaining the minimal GPA, failing to comply with additional specific criteria for academic conduct communicated by the instructor in his/her class, i.e., tests, assignments. Academic dismissal can also occur when a student violates university standards in academic integrity, plagiarism, falsification of data and cheating. Social work students can be terminated from the department when they are in violation of university standards, interfering with the academic work on study of other members of the university community, i.e., alteration, destruction and denial of access to learning materials.

Non-Academic

The Social Work Department uses the NASW Code of Ethics as standards for professional social work conduct. Consistent failure to demonstrate effective compliance with the values, emotional stability and comportment of the profession may also warrant a non-academic termination.

Non-academic dismissal may include but not be limited to:

• inappropriate disclosure of confidentiality
• inability to demonstrate non-judgmental thinking and attitudes with clients
• inability to demonstrate interpersonal skills that reflect controlled emotional involvement with clients.
• the inability to demonstrate understanding and sensibility to client dynamics within the planned change effort.
• hazing, the physical and mental treatment of an individual without their consent for the purpose of initiation of affiliation with any University organization or team that is threatening to that individual's well being.
• interfering with the freedom of expression or rights of individuals on University premises or University sponsored activities.

Should a social work student's behavior or non-academic performance come under the criteria for a dismissal, the full time social work faculty serve as the review committee who unanimously decide if the student will be counseled out of the department.

A four tier disciplinary system can be used based on the outcome of the review committee's decision:

1. Issue a written warning identifying the action needing correction.
2. Temporary suspension from the practicum with the period of time set by the case.
3. Dismissal from the program with reapplication after one year.
4. Dismissal from the program without the opportunity for reapplication.

Grievance Procedures for Re-admission

Academic
Students dismissed from the university for violation of university standards or for poor academic performance may use the process of redress outlined in the Student Catalog, 1995-97. Once they have met recommendations set forth, for their dismissal, by the Academic Standards Committee.

Students dismissed by the social work department may submit an application for re-entry into the major once they have addressed the reasons for their dismissal.

Non-academic

Students dismissed from the social work program for non-academic reasons (violating NASW Code of Ethics or some variation of standard) are to schedule a pre-re-entry conference with social work faculty (their advisor). If the student is assessed by faculty to have made significant change in their attitude(s) or behavior(s) or they have taken appropriate measures to manage the reasons for the dismissal, they may re-apply to the social work admissions committee.

Policy on Research and Publication

Social Work students who engage in research with other students or faculty, are to follow university procedures and ethics that are located in the Office of Research, 221 CROB.

Student Access to Academic Files

The Department of Social Work follows the University's policy on student access to their file outlined in the Student Catalog, 1995-1997. A student may review their file with their advisor upon request and the advisor is available to gatekeep their review. Once student files become the responsibility of the social work department, they are not released back to the student. This policy is to assure that no material is lost, altered or removed.

Scholarships for Social Work Students

The Horace T. Sanders Scholarship was established by a University of Michigan-Flint Social Work alumni. It is intended for social work majors who's academic and financial need meets criteria (see Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships).

Department of Social Work Faculty

Full Time: Areas of Specialty:

Charles Bailey, Director Substance Abuse, Medical Social Work, Corrections
Everett Blakely Mental Health/Illness/Systems and Policy

Charles Jones, Supervisor Practice Skill Instruction, Curriculum Planning, Community Development

Kathleen Woehrle Child Welfare, Education, Research

Adjunct:

Dorothy Horn Jones Medical Social Work, Child Welfare

Martha Hosmer-Arion Substance Abuse Prevention

Jackie Howard Mental Health, Substance Abuse

Mark Jagos Corrections, Probation

Colleen Kowalko Domestic Violence

LaVerne McCombs Hospice, Gerontology

James Ryan Substance Abuse

Wanda Wolosuk Child Welfare, Policy and Legislation

Secretarial Staff

Judy Beaven

Co-op Student

Michigan Department of Social Work Registration

Social Work majors and graduates are often confused and at times frustrated over criteria and requirements for social work licensing through the State of Michigan Social Work Board. The following information is provided to alleviate that stress