Academic Policies and Procedures
Honors
University Honors
The designation University Honors, awarded at the end of each long-session semester, gives official recognition and commendation to students whose grades for the semester indicate distinguished academic accomplishment. Both the quality and the quantity of work done are considered. Criteria for University Honors are given in General Information .
Graduation with University Honors
Students who, upon graduation, have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement are eligible to graduate with University Honors. Criteria for graduation with University Honors are given in General Information.
School Honors Program
The Social Work Honors Program is available to outstanding students who have distinguished themselves by superior performance during their time at the University.
Majors who plan to seek special honors in social work should apply to the Honors Program Subcommittee of the BSW Program Committee for admission to the honors program at least one full year before they expect to graduate. A University grade point average of at least 3.50 is required for admission, as is a grade point average of at least 3.50 in all of the coursework required for the major that the student has completed. The requirements for graduation with special honors, which are in addition to the requirements for the major, are: (1) a six-hour, two-semester honors tutorial course with a grade of at least B- in each half; (2) oral presentation of the honors thesis in a research colloquium open to the School of Social Work community and the public; (3) a University grade point average of at least 3.50 and a grade point average of at least 3.50 in the courses required for the major and for honors; and (4) completion in residence at the University of at least sixty hours of coursework counted toward the degree.
Review and Grievance Procedures
The School of Social Work document Student Standards for Social Work Education delineates standards for professional education that apply to students enrolled in the School of Social Work. Because of the nature of professional social work practice, the School of Social Work has different expectations of students than do nonprofessional programs. All social work students are expected to abide by the Standards and by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics. When a student’s performance does not meet expectations according to these established guidelines, a review may be called to bring the problem to the student’s attention and to develop a plan to address the problem. Usually, the issue is resolved and the student is continued in the program with additional support provided to the student and/or conditions established for the student’s continuance in the program. In some instances, depending on the nature of the problem, the student may be referred to the University’s Office of the Dean of Students, counseled to change majors, or dismissed from the program.
Students enrolled in the social work program have the right to appeal decisions made by the social work program, including scholastic dismissal. Students are assured freedom from reprisals for filing appeals. Students who wish to appeal a decision made during a school review process should consult the standards for information on grievance procedures, located in the BSW Handbook .