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Syllabus

Master of Social Work

SSWO 607 – Social Work Practice with LGBTQ Individuals, Families, and Groups – Fall A 2020

Credits - 3

Description

This course explores the multiple relationships between human sexuality and social work practice. The focus is on critical examination of the dominant discourse about sex, gender and sexual orientation and its relation to social work practice. Students develop skills to sensitively and effectively address both client concerns about sexuality and social policies as they relate to sex, gender and sexual orientation.

Materials

Required

Bigner, J. J., & Wetchler, J. L. (Eds.). (2012). Handbook of LGBT-affirmative couple and family therapy. Routledge: Taylor & Francis Group. (Available online through the UNE Library.)

Dentato, Michael P. (2018). Social work practice with the LGBTQ community: the intersection of history, health, mental health, and policy factors. Oxford University Press.

Lev, Arlene I. (2004). Transgender Emergence: Therapeutic Guidelines for Working with Gender-Variant People and Their Families. Routledge: Taylor & Francis Group. (Available online through the UNE Library.)

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 Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Identify and summarize significant individuals, events, and issues in LGBTQ history, policy, legislation, and social work practice
  2. Analyze theoretical and practice perspectives relating to sexual orientation and gender identity
  3. Examine the pervasive effects of heterosexism, homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia on all people
  4. Develop understanding of diversity within and between groups of LGBTQ individuals and families
  5. Demonstrate knowledge of the unique opportunities and challenges of LGBTQ persons across the lifespan
  6. Compare and contrast various identity development and coming-out models that exist for LGBTQ persons and families
  7. Examine physical and mental health disparities experienced by the LGBTQ community and identify barriers they face in securing medical, social, and mental health services
  8. Critically evaluate a variety of mental health assessment methods, treatment modalities, and intervention techniques for effectively working with LGBTQ persons
  9. Develop your personal approach to LGBTQ-affirmative practice and illustrate your commitment to cultivating an LGBTQ welcoming environment for clients
  10. Analyze and process ethical dilemmas encountered in clinical work with LGBTQ individuals and families

Assignments

Whole Class Discussions

You will be asked to post one initial response to two Discussion Questions each week, and then make a minimum of 2 peer response comments per week under each separate Discussion Question. Postings must meet the criteria for substantiveness to earn the maximum points available.

Small Group Discussions

You will be asked to post one initial response to one Case Vignette Discussion Question in the identified weeks and then make a minimum of 2 peer response comments to those questions. Postings must meet the criteria for substantiveness to earn the maximum points available.

Homophobia/Heterocentrism Self-Test & Scavenger Hunt Collage

For this assignment, you will be asked to complete two self-rating instruments to assess the degree of homophobia and/or heterosexism you may inescapably carry as a result of growing up in a heterocentric society, conduct a Scavenger Hunt searching for and collecting environmental evidence demonstrating oppressive practices against the LGBTQ community, document evidence of these examples, and create a small collage (either physical or digital). You will then be asked to write a 2-3 page reflection paper on your experience doing the assignment following assignment-specific questions.

Field Experience/Interview Paper

This assignment allows you to choose between two options. Option #1: Attend or visit an LGBTQ-oriented venue or event and write a 2-3 page reflection paper describing your chosen venue and your thoughts, feelings, and reactions to the experience. Option #2: Choose an establishment or professional that works with the LGBTQ community, select your own interview questions, and interview someone who works with LGBTQ individuals and families. Write a 2-3 page paper citing your findings and learning take-aways from the interview and how you can apply this knowledge to your clinical practice.

LGBTQ Research Paper

The major assignment for this course will consist of a research paper of interest to you that explores some aspect of LGBTQ individual, couples, family, group, or community life. The required length of the paper is between 8 and 10 pages and must include a title page, abstract, issue statement, review of the research related to the topic, and a references page. Examples for the wide variety of paper topics possible include: issues surrounding same-sex marriage, custody and family issues affecting same-sex parents, domestic violence in same-sex relationships, transgender youth issues, gay/lesbian/bisexual/or transgender sexuality, mixed-orientation marriages, the controversies surrounding reparative therapies, etc.

LGBTQ Affirmative Statement & Art Project

In this assignment, you will write about your understanding of what constitutes LGBTQ-Affirmative Therapy/Practice. As a form of advocacy and inclusiveness, create an art project of any medium that could be posted in your professional office that would alert clients to the fact that you provide a safe space for LGBTQ community members. Upload your finished product or a photo of it, and include it with your 1-2 page reflection paper.

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

AssignmentsPoint ValuePercentage of Grade
Whole Class Discussions20 points each, 320 points total32%
Small Group Discussions25 points each, 125 points total12.5%
Homophobia/Heterocentrism Self-Test & Scavenger Hunt Collage115 points11.5%
Field Experience/Interview Paper115 points11.5%
LGBTQ Research Paper250 points25%
LGBTQ Affirmative Statement & Art Project75 points7.5%
Total1000 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

Course Weeks

Course weeks run from 12:00 AM ET on Wednesday through 11:59 PM ET on Tuesday, with the exception of Week 8, which ends on Sunday at 11:59 PM ET. Unless otherwise specified, all discussion comments and assignments are due the last day of the week. Initial responses to discussion prompts are due by the end of Saturday unless otherwise noted.

Week 1: Aug 26 – Sep 1
Week 2: Sep 2 – Sep 8
Week 3: Sep 9 – Sep 15
Week 4: Sep 16 – Sep 22
Week 5: Sep 23 – Sep 29
Week 6: Sep 30 – Oct 6
Week 7: Oct 7 – Oct 13
Week 8: Oct 14 – Oct 18

Week 1: LGBTQ History: Political & Legal Implications for the Queer Community

Readings and Multimedia

  • Dentato, M.P. (2018). Social Work Practice with the LGBTQ Community. Chapter 1, Chapter 19 (pp.383-390 only), Appendix B, and Appendix C.
  • A Timeline of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender History in the United States
  • Clarke, V., Ellis, S., Peel, E., & Riggs, D.W. (2010). Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Queer Psychology: An introduction. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Chapter 1.
  • Dessel, A.B., Rodenborg, N. (2017). Social Workers and LGBT policies: Attitude predictors and cultural competence course outcomes. Sexuality Research and Social Policy, 17, 17-31.
  • “How We Got Gay” documentary 
  • “The Lavender Scare: Gay and Lesbian Life in Post-WWII America” video
  • “Top 10 Important LGBTQ Moments in US History” video

Whole Class Discussions

  • LGBTQ historical synopsis
  • Compare and contrast past and current LGBTQ legislation

Week 2: Sexual Orientation & LGBTQ-Affirmative Therapy: The Context for Social Work Practice

Readings and Multimedia

  • Bigner, J.J. & Wetchler, J.L. (2012). Handbook of LGBT-Affirmative Couple and Family Therapy. Chapter 1, Chapter 19, and Chapter 25 (pp. 395-402 only).
  • Dentato, M.P. (2018). Social Work Practice with the LGBTQ Community. Chapter 2 (pp. 26-36 & pp. 38-41 only), Chapter 11, Chapter 12, and Chapter 19 (pp. 390-392 only).
  • Crisp, C. (2006). The Gay Affirmative Practice Scale (GAP): A new measure for assessing cultural competence with gay and lesbian clients. Social Work, 51(2), 115-126.
  • Drucker, D.J. (2010). Male Sexuality and Alfred Kinsey’s 0-6 Scale: Toward “a sound understanding of the realities of sex.” Journal of Homosexuality, 57(9), 1105-1123.
  • Fish, J.N. & Russell, S.T. (2018). Queering Methodologies to Understand Queer Families. Family Relations, 67(1), 12-20.
  • McGeorge, C. & Stone-Carlson, T. (2011). Deconstructing Heterosexism: Becoming an LGB affirmative heterosexual couple and family therapist. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 37(1), 14-26.
  • Moleiro, C. & Pinto, N. (2015). Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity: Review of concepts, controversies, and their relation to psychopathology classification systems. Frontiers in Psychology, 6(1511), 1-5.
  • Moradi, B. & Budge, S.L. (2018). Engaging in LGBQ+ Affirmative Psychotherapies with All Clients: Defining themes and practices. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 74(11), 2028-2040.
  • Ratts, M.J. (2017). Charting the Center and the Margins: Addressing identity, marginalization, and privilege in counseling. Journal of Mental Health Counseling, 39(2), 87-103.
  • “Love Is All You Need” short film
  • “Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Microaggressions: Recommendations for Clinical Work” video

Whole Class Discussions

  • Kinsey’s continuum of sexual behavior and preferences
  • Love Is All You Need

Assignments

  • Homophobia/Heterocentrism Self-Test & Scavenger Hunt Collage

Week 3: Gay Men, Lesbian Women, & Bisexuals: Identity Development, Coming Out, & Practice Issues

Readings and Multimedia

  • Bigner, J.J. & Wetchler, J.L. (2012). Handbook of LGBT-Affirmative Couple and Family Therapy. Chapters 2-4 and Chapter 9.
  • Dentato, M.P. (2018). Social Work Practice with the LGBTQ Community. Chapter 2 (pp. 42-45 only), Chapter 4 (pp. 71-80 only & 82-90), Chapter 5, and Chapters 13-15.
  • The Cass Model of Gay/Lesbian Identity Development Handout
  • Gomez, J.P.P & Arenas, Y. (2019). Development of Bisexual Identity. Collective Science & Health, 24(5), 1669-1677.
  • Klein, F. (2014). Are You Sure You’re Heterosexual? Or Homosexual? Or Even Bisexual? Journal of Bisexuality. 14(3-4), 341-346.
  • LaSala, M.C. (2004). Lesbians, Gay Men, and Their Parents: Family therapy for the coming out process. Family Process, 39(1), 67-79.
  • Pachankis, J.E. & Goldfried, M.R. (2004). Clinical Issues in Working with Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Clients. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training, 41(3), 227-246.
  • “Bearing Witness: Therapeutic support for the coming out process” video
  • “On Being Gay: A conversation with Brian McNaught” video

Whole Class Discussions

  • Review of LGB identity development and coming out models
  • Coming out letter

Small Group Discussion

  • Case Vignette: Rob

Week 4: Transgender & Non-Binary Individuals: Gender Identity & Practice Considerations

Readings and Multimedia

  • Bigner, J.J. & Wetchler, J.L. (2012). Handbook of LGBT-Affirmative Couple and Family Therapy. Chapter 5.
  • Dentato, M.P. (2018). Social Work Practice with the LGBTQ Community. Chapter 4 (pp. 80-82 only) and Chapters 16-17.
  • Lev, A.I. (2004). Transgender Emergence. Introduction, Chapter 1, Chapter 4, Chapter 7, and Appendix C.
  • Budge, S.L. (2015). Psychotherapists as Gatekeepers: An evidence-based case study highlighting the role and process of letter writing for transgender clients. Psychotherapy, 52(3). 287-297.
  • Gorton, R.N. & Erickson-Schroth, L. (2016). Hormonal and Surgical Treatment Options for Transgender Men (Female-to-Male). Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 40(1), 79-97.
  • Mizcock, L. & Lundquist, C. (2016). Missteps in Psychotherapy with Transgender Clients: Promoting gender sensitivity in counseling and psychological practice. Psychology of Sexual Orientation & Gender Diversity, 3(2), 148-155.
  • National LGBT Health Education Center, a program of the Fenway Institute. “Providing affirmative care for patients with non-binary gender identities”
  • Wesp, L.M. & Deutsch, M.B. (2016). Hormonal and surgical treatment options for transgender women and transfeminine spectrum persons. Psychiatric Clinics of North America. 40(1), 99-111.
  • “Trans 101: Making treatment safe for transgender clients” recorded webinar

Whole Class Discussions

  • Best practices of clinical work with transgender persons
  • Critique of transgender portrayal in film and TV

Small Group Discussion

  • Case Vignette: Barb

Week 5: LGBTQ Lifespan Considerations & Vulnerable Populations

Readings and Multimedia

  • Bigner, J.J. & Wetchler, J.L. (2012). Handbook of LGBT-Affirmative Couple and Family Therapy. Chapters 12-13 and Chapter 16.
  • Dentato, M.P. (2018). Social Work Practice with the LGBTQ Community. Chapter 7 and Chapter 10.
  • Lev, A.I. (2004). Transgender Emergence. Chapter 9.
  • Fredriksen-Goldsen, K.I., Bryan, A.E.B., Jen, S., Goldsen, J., Kim, H-J, & Muraco, A. (2017). The Unfolding of LGBT Lives: Key events associated with health and well-being in later life. The Gerontologist, 57(1), S15-S29.
  • Hash, K. M., & Rogers, A. (2013). Clinical Practice with Older LGBT Clients: Overcoming lifelong stigma through strength and resilience. Clinical Social Work Journal, 41(3), 249-257.
  • Kennedy, H.R. & Dalla, R.L. (2014). Examining Identity Consolidating Processes among Ethnic Minority Gay Men and Lesbians. Journal of Gay & Lesbian Social Services, 26(4), 465-501.
  • Keuroghilian, A.S., Shatsel, D., & Bassuk, E.L. (2014). Out on the Street: A public health and policy agenda for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth who are homeless. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 84(1), 66-72.
  • Robertson, M.A. (2014). “How Do I Know I Am Gay?”: Understanding sexual orientation, identity and behavior among adolescents in an LGBT youth center. Sexuality & Culture, 18(2), 385-404.
  • Ryan, C. (2014). Generating a Revolution in Prevention, Wellness, & Care for LGBT Children & Youth. Temple Political & Civil Rights Law Review, 23(2), 331-344.

Whole Class Discussions

  • Literature review of at-risk population
  • Treatment goals

Small Group Discussion

  • Case Vignette: John

Assignments

  • Field Experience/Interview Paper

Week 6: LGBTQ Relationships, Sexuality, & Family Systems

Readings and Multimedia

  • Bigner, J.J. & Wetchler, J.L. (2012). Handbook of LGBT-Affirmative Couple and Family Therapy. Chapters 6-8, Chapters 10-11, Chapters 14-15, Chapters 17-18, and Chapter 24. Please note that there are a lot of readings this week in the Bigner & Wetchler textbook; you may be selective in the topical chapters you read for this specific text, though it will be important at some point to familiarize yourself with the content of all chapters.
  • Dentato, M.P. (2018). Social Work Practice with the LGBTQ Community. Chapter 8.
  • Lev, A.I. (2004). Transgender Emergence. Chapter 8.
  • Gottman Institute, “Same Sex Couples Research”
  • Bosley-Smith, E.R. & Reczek, C. (2018). Before and After “I Do”: Marriage processes for mid-life gay and lesbian married couples. Journal of Homosexuality, 65(14), 1985-2004.
  • Hull, K.E. & Ortyl, T.A. (2019). Conventional and Cutting-Edge: Definition of family in LGBT communities. Sexuality Research and Social Policy, 16(1), 3-43.
  • Jellinek, M.S., Henderson, S.W., Telingator, C.J., & Patterson, C. (2008). Children and Adolescents of Lesbian and Gay Parents. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 47(12), 1364-1368.
  • Sullivan, S.P., Pingel, E.S., Stephenson, R., & Bauermeister, J.A. (2018). “It Was Supposed to Be a Onetime Thing”: Experiences of romantic and sexual relationship typologies among young gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 47(4), 1221-1230.

Whole Class Discussions

  • Legalization of gay marriage
  • LGBTQ relationship and family styles and types

Small Group Discussion

  • Case Vignette: Paul, Darius, and Tomas

Week 7: LGBTQ Mental Health: Clinical Assessment & Treatment

Readings and Multimedia

  • Bigner, J.J. & Wetchler, J.L. (2012). Handbook of LGBT-Affirmative Couple and Family Therapy. Chapter 19 and Chapters 21-22.
  • Dentato, M.P. (2018). Social Work Practice with the LGBTQ Community. Chapter 6 and Chapters 20-24.
  • Lev, A.I. (2004). Transgender Emergence. Chapters 5-6.
  • “Understanding the Health Needs of LGBT People: An Introduction” recorded webinar
  • “Anxiety, Depression, & the LGBT Community: Thriving through the Challenges” recorded webinar
  • Alessi, E.J. (2014). A Framework for Incorporating Minority Stress Theory into Treatment with Sexual Minority Clients. Journal of Gay & Lesbian Mental Health, 18(1), 47-66.
  • Fredriksen-Goldsen, K.I., Simoni, J.M., Kim, H-J, Lehavot, K., Walters, K.L, Yang, J., Hoy-Ellis, C.P., & Muraco, A. (2014). The Health Equity Promotion Model: Reconceptualization of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender health disparities. Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 84(6), 653-663.
  • Heck, N.C., Flentje, A., & Cochran, B.N. (2013). Intake Interviewing with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Clients: Starting from a place of affirmation. Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy, 43(1), 23-32.
  • Walker, J.A. & Prince, T. (2010). Training Considerations and Suggested Counseling Interventions for LGBT Individuals. Journal of LGBT Issues in Counsling, 4(1), 2-17.

Whole Class Discussions

  • Health disparities
  • Historical critical analysis of psychology

Assignments

  • LGBTQ Research Paper

Week 8: Ethics, Spirituality, Social Justice, & Advocacy with the LGBTQ Community

Readings and Multimedia

  • Bigner, J.J. & Wetchler, J.L. (2012). Handbook of LGBT-Affirmative Couple and Family Therapy. Chapter 20 and Chapters 27-30.
  • Dentato, M.P. (2018). Social Work Practice with the LGBTQ Community. Chapter 2 (pp. 37-38 only), Chapter 3, Chapter 19 (pp. 393-401 only), and Appendices A-B.
  • “Creating an LGBT Affirming Organization” recorded webinar
  • “Out for Change: The Future of LGBT Rights” video
  • Bozard, R.L. & Sanders, C.J. (2011). Helping Christian Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Clients Recover Religion as a Source of Strength: Developing a model for assessment and integration of religious identity in counseling. Journal of LGBT Issues in Counseling, 5(1), 47-74.
  • Brubaker, M.D., Harper, A., & Singh, A.A. (2011). Implementing Multi-Cultural Social Justice Leadership Strategies when Advocating for the Rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Questioning Persons. Journal for Social Action in Counseling and Psychology, 3(1), 44-55.
  • Fredriksen-Goldsen, Hoy-Ellis, C.P., Goldsen, J., Emlet, C.A., & Hooyman, N.R. (2014). Creating a Vision for the Future: Key competencies and strategies for culturally competent practice with lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) older adults in the health and human services. Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 57(2-4), 80-107.
  • Lennon-Dearing, R. & Delavega, E. (2015). Policies Discriminatory of the LGBT Community: Do social workers endorse respect for the NASW Code of Ethics? Journal of Gay and Lesbian Social Services, 27(4), 412-435.
  • National Association of Social Workers/National Committee on Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Issues Position Statement: “Sexual Orientation Change Efforts (SOCE) and Conversion Therapy with Lesbians, Gay Men, Bisexuals, and Transgender Persons.
  • National LGBT Health Education Center: A Program of the Fenway Institute (2015). “10 Things: Creating inclusive health care environments for LGBT people”.
  • National LGBT Health Education Center: A Program of the Fenway Institute (2017). “Focus on Forms and Policy: Creating an inclusive environment for LGBT people”.
  • Panozzo, D. (2013). Advocating for an End to Reparative Therapy: Methodological grounding and blueprint for change. Journal of Gay and Lesbian Social Services, 25(3), 362-377.

Whole Class Discussions

  • Practice Guidelines
  • Compare and contrast creative outputs

Small Group Discussion

  • Case Vignette: Kavya

Assignments

  • LGBTQ Affirmative Statement & Art Project

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

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.