Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards

Siena College Social Work Program
Academic, Behavioral, and Ethical Expectations

The Academic, Behavioral, and Ethical Expectations provide students clear guidelines on the Department’s expectations around their academic and professional performance in the classroom, field setting as well as interactions with peers and members of the department. These expectations are used to evaluate students:

● Formal admission and subsequent retention in the Social Work Program
● Admission and retention in the field education components of the program (SWRK 301/410/420)

Overall Academic Expectations:

1. Maintain a minimum overall cumulative GPA of 2.3 or higher in coursework at Siena College
2. Maintain a minimum of C- in all required social work courses (See the College Catalog for further information)
3. Maintain a minimum overall Social Work GPA of 2.7
4. Receive a ‘Pass’ grade for all field education components (all are Pass/Fail courses)

SWRK Academic Expectations (classroom and field education components):

1. Attend regularly, arrive on time, and remain attentive and focused
2. Come prepared (having completed assigned readings, homework, etc.)
3. Participate actively in discussions and activities
4. Submit original written work that is thorough, integrates course material, and correctly incorporates APA-style citations
5. Be receptive to constructive feedback and utilize feedback to improve the quality of work
6. Consistently demonstrate effective verbal, written, and electronic communication skills
7. Meet all deadlines and submit all required materials

Behavioral/Professional Expectations:

1. Comply with Departmental and College Policies, outlined on all social work course syllabi, Program Handbook, and Field Education Manual
2. Communicate proactively and engage in problem-solving with instructor(s) and/or Department Chair in a timely and appropriate manner (i.e. absence/tardiness, deadlines, concerns, etc.)
3. Communicate proactively and engage in problem-solving with field/internship supervisor, instructor and/or Coordinator of Field Education in a timely and appropriate manner (i.e. absence/tardiness, deadlines, concerns, etc.)
4. E-mail is the primary method of communication used by the department. Check email frequently and respond
5. Work effectively/collaborate with others in groups
6. Demonstrate behavior that is empathic, respectful, diversity-affirming and culturally sensitive

Ethical Expectations:

1. Interact with others in a nonjudgmental, respectful, and open-minded manner
2. Demonstrate behavior consistent with College policies and applicable laws at the local, state, national, and international level(s)
3. Demonstrate behavior consistent with the National Association of Social Workers’ (NASW) Values and Code of Ethics (especially integrity)
4. Identify and address conflicts between personal values and the NASW Values and Code of Ethics
5. Utilize effective coping skills to deal with academic and/or personal challenges
6. Maintain appropriate boundaries and uphold confidentiality both during and outside of class/field:
   1. Manage self-disclosure appropriately (verbally, in writing, and in electronic mediums)
   2. Respect personal space and possessions

 

Academic and Professional Performance Grievance Policies

The program works to proactively address any concerns or challenges with the Academic, Behavioral, and Ethical Expectations. If the Program determines a student’s academic and/or professional performance requires formal intervention, the below process is followed to facilitate the student’s active involvement in finding a resolution:

1. A Program member will notify the student via email and request a meeting to discuss the concern(s)/challenge(s) and develop a plan for resolution (if appropriate, other department members may be asked to participate).
2. If the issue is successfully resolved, this outcome is documented via email and a copy of the correspondence is placed in the student’s departmental file.
3. If the issue is not successfully resolved and/or a pattern of concerns/challenges occurs in more than one component of the Social Work Program, appropriate members of the Program will meet with the student to discuss possible changes in the student’s status within the program (i.e. conditional status with remediation actions outlined, or termination from the program).
4. Conditional status is granted one time only and will remain in effect for one semester. If expectations are not met by the end of that semester, termination from the program will be initiated.
5. The student retains the right of appeal and is given ten (10) business days in which to respond in writing, to the Program's letter of conditional status or termination.
6. The student has the right to appeal the department’s termination decision using the Student Internal Complaint Policy for formal resolutions appeal process.
7. Per Siena’s policy, students have five (5) business days to submit a written appeal to the Dean of the School of Liberal Arts. The appeal must include the grounds for the appeal.
8. The Dean of the School of Liberal Arts will respond within seven (7) business days, and the appeal decision is final.
9. All correspondence about concerns, challenges, plans for resolution, and letters regarding the student’s status in the program become part of the student’s departmental file.