Syllabus

Master of Social Work

SSWO 582 – Field Practicum/Seminar IV – Fall 2020

Credits - 4

Description

Advanced Practicum IV provides students with a supervised advanced practice experience in a social service agency/organization. The practicum includes experiential learning in advanced social work practice skills in a specialized setting. A weekly seminar provides students with an opportunity to discuss and reflect on professional social work issues from their practicum experience regarding assessment, specific interventions with client systems, and the application of practice theories. The seminar introduces the UN Declaration of Human Rights and the WHO Definition of Health into discussions of how resource equity, social justice, and universal health care across the life spans impacts work with client systems.

Materials

Required Readings:

These readings are provided for you or are otherwise available for free.

  • UNE School of Social Work Online: Field Education Manual for Forms and for Policies and Procedures 
  • NASW Code of Ethics
  • United Nations Declaration of Human Rights
  • World Health Organization’s definition of Health 
  • International Federation of Social workers’ (IFSW) Policy statement on Health 
  • IFSW’s Ethics in Social Work, Statement of Principles 

Required Resources

Webcam, Scanner, Youtube Account (already available through your UNE login credentials with Google)

Recommended Resources

The following books are listed as a resource. You are NOT required to buy them and they will NOT be used in this course for any specific assignments. We do feel they will be a helpful resource should you opt to purchase them for our own library.

  • Rothman, Juliet, Cassuto. (2011). FROM THE FRONTLINES: Student Cases in Social Work Ethics. 3rd edition. Boston: Allyn & Bacon.
  • Royse, David. Dhooper, Surjit, Singh. Rompf, Lewis, Elizabeth. (2012).Field Instruction: A Guide For Social Work Students (6th edition). Boston: Allyn & Bacon.
  • Walsh, Joseph. (2007). Endings in Clinical Practice:  Effective Closure in Diverse Settings. 2nd edition. Chicago: Lyceum Books, Inc.
  • Ward, Kelly. Mama, Robin, Sakina.(2015). Breaking Out of the Box. 3rd edition. Lyceum Books, Inc.
  • Grobman, Linda, May. (2011). The Field Placement Survival Guide: What You Need to Know to Get the Most From Your Social Work Practicum. 2nd edition. White Hat Communications.
  • Constable, Robert. Massat, Carol, Rippey. McDonald, Shirley. Flynn, John, P. (2006). School Social Work: Policy, Practice, and Research. 6th edition. Lyceum Books, Inc.
  • Dolgoff, Ralph. Loewenberg, Frank, M. Harrington, Donna.(2009). Ethical Decisions for Social Work Practice. 8th edition. Brooks/Cole CENGAGE Learning.

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. Demonstrates ethical and professional behavior.
  2. Advance human rights and social, racial, economic, and environmental justice.
  3. Engage in anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion (ADEI) in practice.
  4. Engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice.
  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.

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  1. Demonstrates professional demeanor in behavior, appearance, and oral, written, and electronic communication.
  2. Student applies understanding of the importance of diversity and difference in shaping life experiences in all levels of social work practice and engages clients, organizations and/or communities as experts in their own experience.
  3. Student applies their understanding of social inclusion (social, economic, and environmental justice) to advocate for and engage in practices that advance social inclusion (social, economic, and environmental justice) through the identification and assessment of social policies that impact well-being service delivery and access to services.
  4. Applies self-awareness and self-regulation to manage the influence of personal biases and values in working with diverse clients and constituencies.
  5. Uses empathy, reflection, and interpersonal skills to effectively engage diverse clients, organizations, and/or communities.
  6. Collects, organizes, and applies critical thinking to interpret ongoing assessment information from clients, organizations, and/or communities.
  7. Applies knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks in the analysis of ongoing assessment information, developing mutually agreed upon intervention goals with clients, organizations, and/or communities and can utilize client feedback or other evaluation methods to improve practice, policy and/or service delivery.
  8. Uses inter-professional collaboration in the process of assessment, developing interventions and evaluating practice to achieve beneficial outcomes for clients, organizations and/or communities.
  9. Makes ethical decisions by applying the standards of the Social Work Codes of Ethics, relevant laws and regulations, models for ethical decision-making, ethical conduct of research and use of technology, and additional codes of ethics as appropriate to context.

Accreditation Standards Addressed (Bold Primary):

  • CSWE EPAS 2015 Competencies
  • Competency 1–Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior
  • Competency 2 –Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice
  • Competency 3 –Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice
  • Competency 5 –Engage in Policy Practice
  • Competency 6 –Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
  • Competency 7 –Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
  • Competency 8 –Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
  • Competency 9 –Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

Assignments

A variety of learning activities are designed to support the course objectives, facilitate different learning styles, and build a community of learners. Learning activities for each module include the following:

Readings and Multimedia

Description: There are required readings and recommended texts in this course. While there are not prescribed readings from these texts, you are required to read and utilize the readings throughout the course. Your instructor may integrate and suggest additional readings throughout the modules. We recommend that you utilize the Bibliography extended readings. Additional readings in the modules will be introduced as the forms and supporting documents needed for completion. There are a few videos presented as learning material, but the majority of video in this course is student-created each week.

Discussions

Description: Each week you will engage in weekly Video Assignment and discuss some of your peers’ field experiences. You will also post one self-care tip that you are employing and discuss amongst your classmates. There are several optional discussion boards in this course that you may utilize to ask questions about a specific assignment. Midway through the course, you will have discussion opportunities about being a mandated reporter in your state and what the laws require.

We recommend that you utilize the Bibliography extended readings to integrate into your discussions and assignments.

Writing Assignments, Projects and Assessments

Description: There are several assignments in this course, which are all tailored around strengthening your field internship and experiences. These assignments will be collaborative with your field instructor and seminar instructor and there will be plenty of time for review, comment, and submission. These will be highlighted throughout the course along with several reminders and prompts to get started. All of your assignments (including all of your forms) must be submitted via the assignment link and not via email. Any assignments (including all of your forms) submitted through Mail or email will not be accepted. They must be through the assignment link.

We recommend that you utilize the Bibliography extended readings to integrate into your discussions and assignments.

Grading and Feedback Method

Feedback will be provided within the assignment submission tool. Due dates for all learning activities are provided in the “Course Schedule.”

Due Dates: Due dates for all learning activities are provided in the Course Schedule. Each assignment or discussion submitted late will earn half credit. If you do not complete the entire assignment you will only receive half the point value for that assignment. If you post to the discussion board after the week has ended you will not earn any credit. All assignments must be submitted to pass the course. You must earn 80 of 100 points to pass the seminar/placement course.

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

AssignmentPoint ValuePercentage of Grade
Video Assignments (3 points x 8 weeks)24 points24%
Self Care (1 point x 16 weeks)16 points16%
Video Responses (2 points x 15 weeks)30 points30%
Re-introduce Self2 points2%
Re-post Field Placement Proposal1 point 1%
Update Learning Contract2 points2%
Schedule Field Visit2 points 2%
Field visit2 points2%
Mandated Report2 points2%
Process Recording #13 points3%
Process Recording #23 points3%
Self Assessment3 points3%
Endings Clients2 points2%
Endings Faculty, Peers2 points2%
Field Evaluation and Time Sheet6 points6%
Total:100 points100%

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

Schedule

Field Practicum IV & Seminar, SSWO 582

Course Dates: Monday, August 24 – Sunday, December 13

All assignments are to be submitted by 11:59 p.m. E.S.T. on the dates listed below.

Unless otherwise specified, all module discussions and assignments are due the last day of the module or unit.

MODULE 1: Welcome Back to Integrating Seminar – Review Learning Contract and update as needed, Make sure YouTube Channel is functioning, Self-Care | Dates: Monday, August 24– Sunday, August 30

Discussions:

  • Re-introduce Yourself (Due Sunday)
  • Self-Care (Due: Sunday)

Assignments:

  • Re-Introduce Yourself Discussion Board  
  • Field Video Confidentiality Statement
  • All students re-submit Learning Contracts
  • Review of Learning Contract with FI and amend if necessary
  • Re-submit Field Proposal and Agreement Form

Documents:

  • Online Field Education Manual: Policies and Procedures
  • Online Field Education Manual:
 Forms
  • 
Learning Outcomes and Objectives – Advanced/Specialization Year
  • Learning Contracts
  • Learning Methods
  • Ethical Dilemmas in Caring

  • Ethical Dilemma Handout

  • Ethical Decision Making Step by Step
  • Ethical Communication

  • Self Disclosure
 Handout
  • 
Tasks for Endings

  • Field Visit Agenda – Advanced/Specialization Year – Second Semester

  • Field Instruction Description
  • Video Assignment Policies
  • Video Assignment Guidelines
  • Video Response Guidelines
  • Process Recording Handout
  • 
Process Recording Format
 – Individual
  • Process Recording Format
 – Group
  • Process Recording Format
 – Community Meeting
  • What is Field Instruction: Helpful Hints for Students and Field Instructors 
  • Online Field Education Manual: Policies & Procedures, Online Field 

Web Sites:

  • NASW Code of Ethics
  • International Federation of Social Workers: Statement of Ethical Principles
  • World Health Organization
  • United Nations Declaration of Human Rights

Module 2: Mandated Reporting Assignment Introduction, Video Assignment, and Discussion, Self-Care, Post Learning Contract | Dates: Monday, August 31 – Sunday, September 6

Discussions:

  • Video Assignment (Due Wednesday, 11:59 pm EST)
  • Video Assignment Responses (Due: Sunday 11:59 PM EST); 
  • Self-Care Corner (Due: Sunday 11:59 PM EST) 

Assignment: 

  • Post Updated Learning Contract (Due Sunday 11:59 pm EST)

Documents:

  • Learning Contracts
  • Learning Methods 
  • Field Visit Agenda 
  • Process Recording Handout 
  • Process Recording Format – Individual 
  • Process Recording Format – Group
  • Process Recording Format – Community
  • Safety Checklist – Home and Community Visits 
  • Home-Based Social Work Practice

Multimedia:

  • Mandatory Reporting 
  • Broken Trust Video

Web Sites:

  • International Federation of Social Workers: Statement of Ethical Principles
  • NASW

Module 3: Video Assignment and Discussion, Self-Care | Dates: Monday, September 7 – Sunday, September 13

Discussions:

  • Video Assignment
  • Video Assignment Responses (Due: Sunday 11:59 pm EST) 
  • Self-Care Corner (Due: Sunday 11:59 PM EST) 

Documents:

  • Ethical Dilemmas in Caring

  • Ethical Dilemma Handout
  • Ethical Decision Making Step by Step
  • Ethical Communication

  • Field Visit Agenda – Advanced/Specialization Year – Second Semester


Module 4: Video Assignment and Discussion, Self-Care | Dates: Monday, September 14 – Sunday, September 20

Discussions: 

  • Video Assignment (Due: Wednesday 11:59 PMEST) 
  • Video Assignment Responses (Due: Sunday 11:59 PM EST) 
  • Self-Care Corner (Due: Sunday 11:59 PM EST) 

Documents:

  • Helpful Hints for Licensing
  • Field Visit Agenda
 – Advanced/Specialization Year – Second Semester
  • Process Recording Expectations
  • Process Recording Format – Individual
  • Process Recording Format – Group

  • Process Recording Format – Community

Module 5: Video Assignment and Discussion, Self-Care | Dates: Monday, September 21 – Sunday, September 27

Discussions:

  • Video Assignment (Due: Wednesday 11:59 PM EST) 
  • Video Assignment Responses (Due: Sunday 11:59 PM EST) 
  • Self-Care Corner (Due: Sunday 11:59 PM EST) 

Assignments:

  • Field Visit Scheduled 

Documents:

  • Field Visit Agenda – Advanced/Specialization Year – Second Semester

Module 6: Video Assignment, Discussion and Self-Care | Dates: Monday, September 28 – Sunday, October 4

Discussions:

  • Video Assignment (Due: Wednesday 11:59 PM EST) 
  • Video Assignment Responses (Due: Sunday 11:59 PM EST) 
  • Self Care Corner (Due: Sunday 11:59 PM EST)

Documents

  • Process Recording Handout
  • Process Recording Format – Individual
  • Process Recording Format – Group

  • Process Recording Format – Community

Module 7: Video Assignment and Discussion, Self-Care | Dates: Monday, October 5 – Sunday, October 11

Discussions: 

  • Video Assignment (Due: Wednesday 11:59 PM EST) 
  • Video Assignment Responses (Due: Sunday 11:59 PM EST) 
  • Self-Care Corner (Due: Sunday 11:59 PM EST) 

Documents:

  • Process Recordings Definition
  • Process Recording Format – Individual
  • Process Recording Format – Group
  • Process Recording Format – Community

Module 8: Video Assignment and Discussion, Self-Care | Dates: Monday, October 12 – Sunday, October 18

Discussions: 

  • Video Assignment (Due: Wednesday 11:59 PM EST) 
  • Video Assignment Responses (Due: Sunday 11:59 PM EST) 
  • Self-Care Corner (Due: Sunday 11:59 PM EST) 

Module 9: Process Recording #1, Introduction Self-Assessment Assignment, Video Assignment and Discussion, Self-Care | Dates: Monday, October 19 – Sunday, October 25

Discussions: 

  • Video Assignment (Due: Wednesday 11:59 PM EST) 
  • Video Assignment Responses (Due: Sunday 11:59 PM EST) 
  • Self-Care Corner (Due: Sunday 11:59 PM EST) 

Assignments:

  • Process Recording # 1 due 
  • Review Self Assessment Assignment

Documents: 

  • Process Recording Handout
  • Process Recording Format – Individual
  • Process Recording Format – Group
  • Process Recording Format – Community
  • Self-Assessment Form

Module 10: Endings with clients, Introduction Student Field Evaluation Form, Video Assignment and Discussion, Self-Care | Dates: Monday, October 26 – Sunday, November 1

Discussions:

  • Video Assignment (Due: Wednesday 11:59 PM EST) 
  • Video Assignment Responses (Due: Sunday 11:59 PM EST) 
  • Self-Care Corner (Due: Sunday 11:59 PM EST) 
  • Discussion on Endings with Clients (Due Sunday 11:59 pm EST)

Assignments: 

  • Review Field Education Evaluation Form

Documents:

  • Tasks for Endings Handout
  • Final Field Evaluation
  • Process Recording Handout
  • Process Recording Format – Individual
  • Process Recording Format – Group
  • Process Recording Format – Community

Module 11: Endings with faculty and peers, Self-Assessment Assignment , Video Assignment and Discussion, Self-Care | Dates: Dates: Monday, November 2 – Sunday, November 8

Discussions: 

  • Video Assignment (Due: Wednesday 11:59 PM EST) 
  • Video Assignment Responses (Due: Sunday 11:59 PM EST) 
  • Self-Care Corner (Due: Sunday 11:59 PM EST) 
  • Endings with faculty and classmates discussion board (Due Sunday 11:59 pm EST)

Assignments: Self Assessment Assignment Due

Module 12: Video Assignment and Discussion, Self-Care | Dates: Monday, November 9 – Sunday, November 15

Discussions:

  • Video Assignment (Due: Wednesday 11:59 PM EST) 
  • Video Assignment Responses (Due: Sunday 11:59 PM EST) 
  • Self-Care Corner (Due: Sunday 11:59 PM EST) 

Documents: Helpful Hints for Licensing Exam

Module 13: Final Process Recording Due, Video Assignment and Discussion, Self-Care | Dates: Monday, November 16 – Sunday, November 22

Discussions: 

  • Video Assignment (Due: Wednesday 11:59 PM EST) 
  • Video Assignment Responses (Due: Sunday 11:59 PM EST) 
  • Self-Care Corner (Due: Sunday 11:59 PM EST) 
  • Endings Discussion Board (optional) 

Assignments: 

  • Submit Process Recording #2 
  • Field Evaluation & Time Sheet May be submitted

Documents:

  • Process Recordings Definition
  • Process Recording Format – Individual
  • Process Recording Format – Group
  • Process Recording Format – Community
  • Final Field Evaluation
  • Helpful Hints for Licensing Exam

Module 14: Endings Discussion Board (optional), Video Assignment and Discussion, Self-Care | Dates: Monday, November 23 – Sunday, November 29

Discussions:

  • Video Assignment (Due: Wednesday 11:59 PM EST)
  • Video Assignment Responses (Due: Sunday 11:59 PM EST)
  • Self-Care Corner (Due: Sunday 11:59 PM EST)
  • Endings discussion board

Module 15: Endings Discussion Board (Optional), Student Field Evaluation Form and Time Sheet Due, Video Assignment and Discussion, Self-Care | Dates: Monday, November 30 – Sunday, December 6

Discussions:

  • Video Assignment (Due: Wednesday 11:59 PM EST)
  • Video Assignment Responses (Due: Sunday 11:59 PM EST)
  • Self-Care Corner (Due: Sunday 11:59 PM EST)
  • Endings discussion board (optional)

Assignment: 

  • Final Field Evaluation 
  • Field Time Sheet

Module 16: Congratulations and Celebration! Review of the Semester, Video Assignment and Discussion, Self-Care, and Good-byes! | Dates: Monday, December 7 – Sunday, December 13

Discussions:

  • Video Assignment (Due: Wednesday 11:59 PM EST);
  • Video Assignment Responses (Due: Sunday 11:59 PM EST); 
  • Self-Care Corner (Due: Sunday 11:59 PM EST)

Student Resources

Online Student Support

Your Student Support Specialist is a resource for you. Please don't hesitate to contact them for assistance, including, but not limited to course planning, current problems or issues in a course, technology concerns, or personal emergencies.

Questions? Visit the Student Support Social Work page

UNE Libraries:

Information Technology Services (ITS)

ITS Contact: Toll Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673

Accommodations

Any student who would like to request, or ask any questions regarding, academic adjustments or accommodations must contact the Student Access Center at (207) 221-4438 or pcstudentaccess@une.edu. Student Access Center staff will evaluate the student's documentation and determine eligibility of accommodation(s) through the Student Access Center registration procedure.

Online Peer Support

Togetherall is a 24/7 communication and emotional support platform monitored by trained clinicians. It’s a safe place online to get things off your chest, have conversations, express yourself creatively, and learn how to manage your mental health. If sharing isn’t your thing, Togetherall has other tools and courses to help you look after yourself with plenty of resources to explore. Whether you’re struggling to cope, feeling low, or just need a place to talk, Togetherall can help you explore your feelings in a safe supportive environment. You can join Togetherall using your UNE email address.

Information Technology Services (ITS)

Students should notify their Student Support Specialist and instructor in the event of a problem relating to a course. This notification should occur promptly and proactively to support timely resolution.

ITS Contact: Toll-Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673.

Career Ready Program

The College of Professional Studies supports its online students and alumni in their career journey!

The Career Ready Program provides tools and resources to help students explore and hone in on their career goals, search for jobs, create and improve professional documents, build professional network, learn interview skills, grow as a professional, and more. Come back often, at any time, as you move through your journey from career readiness as a student to career growth, satisfaction, and success as alumni.

Policies

Grading Policy

In order to pass your field placement, you must complete all activities in this course and score at least 80 out of 100 points. Points are earned for every assignment submitted and discussion forum in which you participate. Each assignment or discussion submitted late will earn partial credit. If you do not complete the entire assignment you will only receive partial credit. 

Participation

You are expected to participate in each module–in all activities. Participation will be monitored through completion of your assignments. This also includes the discussion board.

Grading Policy

All assignments and discussions must be submitted in their respective modules. Points will be earned based upon timely submission and completion of all assignments and postings. If an assignment is returned for corrections, signatures or incomplete work you will receive only partial credit. Late discussions will receive partial credit. No assignment or discussion forum will be accepted after the end of the course. In order to pass this course, you must complete all assignments and earn a minimum 80 points out of a possible 100 points.

MSW Field Education Manual

Students are expected to know the policies and procedures outlined in the Online Field Education Manual: Policies and Procedures and Online Field Education Manual: Forms, found in Course Documents.

Field Practicum Attendance

  1. Students are expected to be in attendance in the agency on days designated for field in the Learning Contract and to observe agency hours and schedules.
  2. Absences must be promptly reported to the Field Instructor and must be made up to meet the required number of hours in field practicum.
  3. Students are required to notify their Course Instructor weekly, if they have not completed their regularly scheduled internship hours.

Field Hours Requirement

  • The field placement requires a total of 560 hours completed in the practice setting for the two-semester sequence for all students.
  • Students may consider the following additional opportunities to augment their field hours with the approval of their Field Instructor and Seminar Instructor:
    • Field Instructors have the option of assigning a minimal amount of reading to Students (no more than 10 hours per semester)
    • Students may attend workshops that are relevant to their placement focus with the permission of their Field Instructor
  • Students are required to notify their Seminar Instructor weekly, if they have not completed their regularly scheduled internship hours.
  • Students are expected to intern 18-20 hours per week.
  • Students who are in the Block Placement are expected to intern 36-40 hours per week.
  • Students are required to keep a weekly log of all field hours for each semester and attach their field hour’s sheet to the end of the semester Field Evaluation.
  • There are a total of 32 weeks of field work in the academic year: 16 weeks of field work each semester.

Field Instructor Requirement

  • The Field Instructor is an MSW level social worker in the agency (or off site) who provides individual field instruction with the Student, weekly for 1 1/2 hours per week.
  • Students are required to develop a back-up plan for field instruction in the event of the Field Instructor’s absence. The back-up plan must include an MSW to provide field instruction. This plan must be detailed in the Learning Contract. 

Video Assignment Criteria and Response Policy

Every other week, students will post Video Assignments in the discussion boards listed in each module. Each and every week, students will post responses to those videos. All students will post 5-minute bi-monthly Video Assignments by Wednesday 11:59PM EST of the week indicated following the criteria listed in this section. All Video Assignment videos must adhere to Principles of Confidentiality.

  • Videos should be uploaded as “Unlisted” in Youtube, and link pasted into Blackboard or embedded.
  • No other software/program may be used to produce and post the videos.

  • Videotaping must be done in a confidential setting.

  • All information must be de-identified to protect the identity of the client(s) and client system(s).

  • Under no circumstances are videos to be shared with others or in a public online setting such as Facebook, YouTube, etc.

  • It is expected that no copies of the videos will be made for personal or other use.

  • Upon completion of the course, students must delete the videos from their computer as well as from YouTube. If students run out of space in the YouTube site, students should delete older videos as well.

All students are expected to actively participate in the Video Assignment responses referring to the Video Assignments Guidelines and Video Response Guidelines. All Video Assignment videos and responses on the discussion boards will follow these Criteria. Students are encouraged to be thoughtful in their responses. On occasion, the instructor may want to extend the discussion and encourage additional responses. Students can email or call the instructor if they would like a private discussion related to the class discussion. “Ask Your Instructor” discussion board is also available for questions not considered private.

In addition to the Video Assignment and responses, you will participate in several other weekly discussions. In all of your discussions, including the Video Assignments, please utilize the list of Topics to Integrate. We recommend that you utilize the Bibliography extended readings to integrate into your discussions and assignments. Posts that no longer relate to the identified topic should be moved to one of the on-going discussion boards such as “Ask Your Instructor,” “Hallway Discussions,” or “Resources.”

Field Practicum Attendance

Students are expected to be in attendance in the agency on days designated for field in the Learning Contract and to observe agency hours and schedules. Absences must be promptly reported to the Field Instructor and must be made up to meet the required number of hours in field practicum.

Late Policy

Each assignment or discussion submitted late will earn half credit. If you do not complete the entire assignment you will only receive half the point value for that assignment. 

Essential Academic and Technical Standards

Please review the essential academic and technical standards of the University of New England School Social Work (SSW): https://online.une.edu/social-work/academic-and-technical-standards-une-online-ssw/

Turnitin Originality Check and Plagiarism Detection Tool

The College of Professional Studies uses Turnitin to help deter plagiarism and to foster the proper attribution of sources. Turnitin provides comparative reports for submitted assignments that reflect similarities in other written works. This can include, but is not limited to, previously submitted assignments, internet articles, research journals, and academic databases.

Make sure to cite your sources appropriately as well as use your own words in synthesizing information from published literature. Webinars and workshops, included early in your coursework, will help guide best practices in APA citation and academic writing.

You can learn more about Turnitin in the guide on how to navigate your Similarity Report.

Technology Requirements

Please review the technical requirements for UNE Online Graduate Programs: Technical Requirements

Confidentiality Statement

Student and faculty participation in this course will be governed by standards in the NASW Code of Ethics relating to confidentiality in sharing information from their placement sites and practice experiences. Students should be aware that personal information they choose to share in class, class assignments or conversations with faculty does not have the status of privileged information.

Late Policy

Assignments: Late assignments will be accepted up to 3 days late; however, there is a 10% grade reduction (from the total points) for the late submission. After three days the assignment will not be accepted.

Discussion posts: If the initial post is submitted late, but still within the discussion board week, there will be a 10% grade reduction from the total discussion grade (e.g., a 3 point discussion will be reduced by 0.3 points). Any posts submitted after the end of the Discussion Board week will not be graded.

Please make every effort ahead of time to contact your instructor and your student support specialist if you are not able to meet an assignment deadline. Arrangements for extenuating circumstances may be considered by faculty.

Attendance Policy

8 week: Students taking online graduate courses through the College of Professional Studies will be administratively dropped for non-participation if a graded assignment/discussion post is not submitted before Sunday at 11:59 pm ET of the first week of the term. Reinstatement is at the purview of the Dean's Office.

16 week: Students taking online graduate courses through the College of Professional Studies will be administratively dropped for non-participation if a graded assignment/discussion post is not submitted before Friday at 11:59 pm ET of the second week of the term. Reinstatement is at the purview of the Dean's Office.

Student Handbook Online - Policies and Procedures

The policies contained within this document apply to all students in the College of Professional Studies. It is each student's responsibility to know the contents of this handbook.

UNE Online Student Handbook

UNE Course Withdrawal

Please contact your student support specialist if you are considering dropping or withdrawing from a course. The last day to drop for 100% tuition refund is the 2nd day of the course. Financial Aid charges may still apply. Students using Financial Aid should contact the Financial Aid Office prior to withdrawing from a course.

Academic Integrity

The University of New England values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable. For information about plagiarism and academic misconduct, please visit UNE Plagiarism Policies.

Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:

  1. Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
  2. Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
  3. Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
  4. Multiple submissions of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
  5. Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.

Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the Program Director. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations. Appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final. Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in the student handbook.