Syllabus

Master of Social Work

New Student Orientation (November–December 2018)

Credits - 0

Description

This self-paced orientation is designed to prepare you for success in the Master of Social Work Online (MSW-O) at UNE. This orientation provides an introduction and overview to the University of New England and MSW-O. Activities in the orientation prepare you to navigate the online learning environment, locate and access program resources, and learn about the tools and strategies that ensure a meaningful and collaborative learning experience throughout the program. 

Format

This orientation is delivered completely online in Blackboard, UNE’s learning management system. Course participation is asynchronous. The content is presented using a typical format for MSW-O courses. You will work through six learning modules consisting of videos, readings, discussions, assignments, and quizzes. Each module concludes with an assessment activity. Completion of the assessment activity allows you to move onto the next module.

Materials

Learning Objectives and Outcomes

School of Social Work Program Outcomes:

Graduates of the UNE SSWO will demonstrate knowledge, skills, and leadership in the following:

1. Practice social inclusion to enable people, populations, and communities to fully participate in society, enhance human bonds in the context of cultural diversity and ensure improved quality of life and equitable resource distribution. EPAS Competencies 2 & 3
2. Engage in culturally-informed relationship building, being respectful of the complexity and diversity of contexts and circumstances. EPAS Competencies 3 & 6
3. Utilize theories of human behavior, social systems and social inclusion when offering interventions with people and their environments. EPAS Competency 8
4. Promote ethical reflection, critical consciousness and shared decision-making based in social work values and with consideration of the broader contexts of the world in which we live. EPAS Competency 1
5. Balance the roles of helpers, activists, and advocates through collaboration with communities to build healthy and sustainable resources. EPAS Competencies 2, 5, & 6
6. Engage as critical consumers and producers of research as it relates to assessment, intervention and evaluation of clinical and community practices. EPAS Competencies 4, 7, 8 & 9
7. Practice person-centered and collaborative community partnerships across diverse settings. EPAS Competency 6

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this orientation, students will be able to:

• Explain the role that the school’s vision, mission, and values play in the development of social workers.
• Analyze academic, personal, and technological preparedness for success in graduate education.
• Identify success strategies and University resources for graduate-level coursework.
• Use tools and resources in the learning management system, Blackboard.
• Describe field expectations and requirements.

Assignments

Completion of the following assignments is required in order to progress through the modules. You are allowed multiple attempts on all activities, and you can use all the materials available to you while completing the activities. When you are finished with all the assignments in the modules, you will earn an Orientation Completion badge signaling that you are ready to begin your coursework.

Module 1: Navigating and Understanding Your Courses in Blackboard

• Introduce yourself using the discussion board
• Scavenger Hunt on Course Navigation

Module 2: Welcome to the School of Social Work

• Professional Communication group discussions
• Module 2 Quiz

Module 3: Field Education

• Statement of Understanding Quiz

Module 4: Successful Online Learning

• Small group discussion on Successful Online Learning
• Student Access Center Quiz
• 2 quizzes on academic integrity and academic writing

Module 5: University Resources

• Library assignment
• Financial Aid quiz
• Complete end of course quiz

Grading Policy

The School of Social Work uses the following grading system for all courses with the exception of field education courses. Students are expected to maintain a “B” (3.0) average over the course of their study. Students with less than a GPA of 3.0 will be placed on academic probation. Students must have an overall GPA of 3.0 in order to receive their Master’s Degree.

Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:

Grade Breakdown

Assignment	Points Possible
Module 1 Introduce Yourself	10
Module 1 Scavenger Hunt Quiz	10
Module 2 Discussion	5
Module 2 Quiz	6
Field Placement Statement of Understanding Quiz	12
Module 4 Discussion	5
Academic Integrity Quiz	5
Academic Writing Quiz	6
Student Access Center Quiz	6
Assignment: Find a Specific Journal Article	15
Financial Aid Quiz	10
End of Course Quiz	10

Grade Scale

Grade	Points Grade	Point Average (GPA)
A	94 – 100%	4.00
A-	90 – 93%	3.75
B+	87 – 89%	3.50
B	84 – 86%	3.00
B-	80 – 83%	2.75
C+	77 – 79%	2.50
C	74 – 76%	2.00
C-	70 – 73%	1.75
D	64 – 69%	1.00
F	00 – 63%	0.00

*The grade scale above, which will be used for your courses, is provided for your reference. This Orientation is ungraded.