Bachelor of Social Work Policy Manual & Student Handbook

Downloadable Version: Bachelor of Social Work Policy Manual (238KB)

Bachelor of Social Work Policy Manual & Student Handbook

1/22/2026

This manual provides information about the Bachelor of Social Work program in the Department of Social Work & Youth Services at Saginaw Valley State University. This manual is provided to assist students in successfully completing their program of study in the department. Students should familiarize themselves with the information and policies contained in this document. Questions about these policies may be directed to the Chair of the Department of Social Work & Youth Services, the BSW Program Director, and/or the student’s assigned faculty advisor.

The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program in the Department of Social Work & Youth Services (from here on noted as “the Department”) is committed to preparing students to serve vulnerable populations and to become leaders in health and human services agencies in the region, state, and throughout the United States and the globe. Our primary mission is to prepare students for beginning professional social work practice and for graduate education in human services. Our BSW graduates are prepared to help clients deal with problems and obstacles in their lives, have healthier relationships, and meet their full potential. Alumni from our programs include those who work with adoptions, advocacy, child abuse, child and family services, community organizations, foster care, gerontology, hospice, juvenile justice, mental health, public benefits programs, research, schools, substance use, and a variety of other areas.

Summary

The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program at SVSU prepares ethical, skilled, and diversity-competent generalist social workers who are dedicated to promoting human rights and advancing social, economic, and environmental justice (approved August 2025)

Complete

Consistent with the mission of the University and requirements of the Council on Social Work Education EPAS (2022), the mission of the Department of Social Work & Youth Services at SVSU reflects a process informed by a commitment to student attainment of the nine social work competencies. It is grounded in the profession’s purpose and in the core values of the social work profession and informed by the program’s context.

Purpose – The purpose of the social work profession is to promote human and community well-being. Guided by a person-in-environment framework, a global perspective, respect for human diversity, and knowledge based on scientific inquiry, the purpose of social work is actualized through its quest for social, racial, economic, and environmental justice; the creation of conditions that facilitate the realization of human rights; the elimination of poverty; and the enhancement of life for all people, locally and globally.

Values - Service, social justice, the dignity and worth of the person, the importance of human relationships, integrity, competence, human rights, and scientific inquiry are among the core values of social work. These values, along with an anti-racist and anti-oppressive perspective, underpin the explicit and implicit curriculum and frame the profession’s commitment to respect all people and the quest for social, racial, economic, and environmental justice.

Program Context - Program context encompasses the needs and opportunities of practice communities, which are informed by their historical, political, economic, environmental, social, cultural, demographic, institutional, local, regional, and global contexts and by the ways they elect to engage these factors. Additional factors

include new knowledge, technology, and ideas that may have a bearing on contemporary and future social work education, practice, and research.

The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program accomplishes its mission through generalist education about evidence-based social work practice and advancement of knowledge about social problems. We seek to educate ethical, effective, and diversity-competent generalist BSW social workers who are prepared to provide interprofessional services that promote human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice to the oppressed peoples and institutions that reside in rural, suburban, and urban areas. Graduates from our program will be prepared for leadership in direct and indirect practices that empower individuals, families, groups, and communities (approved May, 2024).

With the liberal arts as its foundation, BSW graduates are prepared to engage in evidence-based generalist social work practice at the licensed bachelor’s level. Students are prepared for continuing their formal education in social work or another graduate discipline. As such, it is our goal that by completion of the program, students will be prepared to:

• Engage, assess, intervene, and evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
• Demonstrate and model ethical and professional behavior in social work practice
• Apply a practice framework that engages anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion while advancing human rights and social, racial, economic, and environmental justice
• Engage in and critique practice-informed research and research-informed practice
• Engage in and analyze policy practice

Reference

Council on Social Work Education. (2022). 2022 educational policy and accreditation standards for baccalaureate and master’s social work programs. Alexandria, /

The mission and goals of the BSW Program are published on our website and can be found at:

The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Students who graduate from our program are eligible for licensure at the BSW level in the State of Michigan, and for admission to advanced standing, accredited Master of Social Work programs at SVSU and across the country.

As an accredited program, our curriculum is aligned with the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS) of CSWE. Thus, students matriculating with a Bachelor of Social Work degree from SVSU will demonstrate competency in these nine areas:

• Demonstrate ethical and professional behavior
• Advance human rights and social, racial, economic, and environmental justice
• Engage anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion (ADEI) in practice
• Engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice
• Engage in policy practice
• Engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
• Assess individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities

• Intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
• Evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities

Each of these competencies is linked with specific practice behaviors that are measured throughout the program. A complete list of the program goals, competencies, and practice behaviors can be found at:

https://svsu.edu/socialwork

All aspects of the BSW program are congruent with the National Association of Social Worker Code of Ethics and the policies of Saginaw Valley State University.

National Association of Social Workers. (2021). NASW code of ethics. Retrieved from https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics/Code-of-Ethics-English 

Other Programs Offered by the Department

At the undergraduate level, the department offers the following additional programs of study:

• Interdisciplinary Major: This major is available only to BSW students and fulfills the University graduation requirement for a second major.
• Youth Services Minor: This minor is available to any undergraduate student admitted to SVSU who seeks to enhance their awareness of human needs and services relevant to children and youth. This minor includes a required practicum experience in an approved agency setting.
• Behavioral Health: Substance Use & Dependency Minor and Certificate: This minor is designed to enhance the student’s awareness of human needs and services relevant to individuals with substance use disorders (SUD). The certificate is available to individuals with a Bachelor’s degree.
• Child Welfare Certificate: This certificate is available only to BSW students and graduates. The certificate requires both directed coursework and practicum experience in an approved child welfare agency. The purpose of the certificate is to prepare graduates for a career in child welfare, including foster care, adoption, and protective services. Completion of the certificate, with an acceptable practicum placement, will qualify students to waive most of the training requirements for child welfare staff at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and at agencies that contract with DHHS for these services.

Detailed information about all program offered by the department is available in the Saginaw Valley State University catalog:

Social work courses were first offered at Saginaw Valley State University through the Department of Sociology in 1970. A full social work major began in 1973. In 1983, the Bachelor of Social Work program at SVSU was fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), and has been continuously accredited since that time, most recently in 2019. Over 2000 BSW’s have graduated from SVSU. In 2019, the Department graduated its first MSW cohort.

Over the last 50 years, the Department of Social Work & Youth Services at SVSU has established an excellent reputation in the human services community throughout the region and the State. BSW and MSW graduates find that the quality of the social work program is unsurpassed and they are well-prepared for professional social work practice and, for BSW graduates, for graduate education. Employer surveys indicate an overwhelmingly positive view of graduates from SVSU.

Saginaw Valley State University and the Department of Social Work & Youth Services are committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity, equal education opportunity and nondiscrimination in the provision of educational and other services to the public.

The University’s anti-harassment/nondiscrimination policy is found in the University’s Operations Manual: Saginaw Valley State University (“University”) is committed to providing work and learning opportunities without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, height, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, veteran status, weight, or on any other basis protected by state, federal, or other applicable law, and to achieving its objectives in compliance with applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations that prohibit discrimination.

Details of the policy can be found at: https://www.svsu.edu/operationsmanual/legalcompliance/antiharassmentdiscriminationpolicy25-2/

The Department of Social Work & Youth Services non-discrimination policy is:

The Department of Social Work does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, political belief, religion, immigration status, veteran status, or mental or physical disability. This policy applies to students, employees, volunteers, practicum placement supervisors, faculty members, Community Advisory Committee members and anyone else who may have contact or business with the program on any basis.

Reporting Incidents of Discrimination or Sexual Harassment

Any student who experiences discrimination or harassment in any activity related to the University should immediately report the incident to their faculty advisor, program director, or the University Title IX coordinator at 989-964-4068. More information can be found at: https://www.svsu.edu/titleix/

Land Acknowledgement (adopted by the Department in 2020)

As the Department of Social Work & Youth Services at Saginaw Valley State University, we collectively acknowledge that the University occupies the ancestral and traditional land of the Anishinabek, Mississauga, and Sauk people. Specifically, Saginaw Valley State University occupies land ceded in the 1819 Treaty of Saginaw. As a Department, we commit to recognizing, supporting, and advocating for the sovereignty of Michigan’s Indigenous nations and reaffirm our obligation to the struggle against hegemonic systems of oppression that have dispossessed Indigenous people of their lands and denied their rights to self-determination. By offering this Land Acknowledgment, we pledge to hold the Department Social Work & Youth Services and Saginaw Valley State University more accountable to the needs of the Indigenous people of Michigan.

The BSW Program has established the following criteria for admission and retention of Social Work Majors:

1. Stability and autonomy: Students will demonstrate the capacity to deal effectively with emotional stress, both in themselves and in relation to others, as demonstrated through a satisfactory evaluation of the volunteer component, a grade of “C” or better in “Introduction to Social Welfare/Social Work,” and performance as a pre-social work and official major and in a variety of courses throughout the student’s academic career.
2. Verbal and writing ability: Students will be able and willing to communicate thoughts and feelings effectively, both orally and in writing, as demonstrated in part by successfully completing the Basic Skills requirements for the University. In addition, students applying to the Social Work Major will be required to demonstrate satisfactory performance on the writing sample required, and continuous satisfactory achievement of written and oral communication skills throughout the Junior and Senior year.
3. Identifying and handling conflicting values: Students will demonstrate their ability to function within the context of value conflict, respecting the values of others in line with and different from their own. Students will demonstrate acceptance of others in their volunteer placement and practicum placement as well as in the classroom. Acceptance is noted in the evaluation from the volunteer supervisor, practicum instructor, faculty, or assigned advisor. Social work students will fully understand the NASW Code of Ethics and use that document as a guide for ethical decision making. Admitted students must agree to adhere to the NASW Code of Ethics as a qualification for admission to the BSW program.
4. Academic Achievement: Students will maintain a minimum of 2.5 cumulative GPA in all courses, a minimum of a 2.5 cumulative GPA in the interdisciplinary prerequisite courses, including SW215 and SW300, and a minimum of a 2.5 GPA in the professional foundation requirements. Students must have a grade of “C” or better in the interdisciplinary courses, and the professional foundation requirements, including SW215 and SW300.

Social Work Majors are not allowed to take a core course more than twice for credit toward the major without written approval from the BSW Program Director.

• • Emergency use of Pass/No Credit (Approved April 2020)
    The Department of Social Work & Youth Services requires that students pass all core Social Work classes with a letter grade of “A”, “A-“, “B+”, “B”, B-“, or “C”. A grade of “P” will not be accepted for core Social Work courses, which include:

• • SW215, SW300, SW316, SW318, SW320, SW329, SW330, SW401, SW402, SW403, SW483, SW484, & SW485 (or their equivalent)
    A grade of “P” for all prerequisites (other than core Social Work courses noted above) will be accepted during the duration of the formal emergency. A grade of “P” for all electives for the Social Work Major, Interdisciplinary Major, Department minors and certificates, will also be accepted.
    
    Students who choose “No Credit” or “N” during the declared emergency can do so for any Social Work or Youth Services course. Please note – the “N” or “No Credit” option will count toward the policy regarding retaking Social Work courses:
    
    “Students who choose the “No Credit” or “N” option for a course under emergency procedures will be assumed to have received a failing grade. The “N” or “No Credit” option will count as one of the two attempts noted in the retake policy of the BSW Program. Students will not be allowed to continue in the major if they have any combination of two course failures: receiving a “D” or “F” or “N” (or any combination of these) twice for the same required course.”

5. Capacity for continued growth in professional education and commitment to the Code of Ethics of the Social Work Profession: Students will assume increasing responsibility for their own learning and will make use of educational experiences oriented toward group projects and peer learning (peers providing educational content overseen by the instructor). Violations of the canons of ethical responsibility of the social work profession are unacceptable. This refers to student violation of the Student Code of Conduct with copying, plagiarism, etc, as well as to the Professional Code as outlined in the NASW Code of Ethics.

The Department of Social Work & Youth Services Admission and Retention Policy establishes that any Social Work Major who fails to maintain the admission and retention criteria can be removed from the major, placed on probation, or suspended. Students who are removed from the major are entitled to due process in any appeal of the probation, suspension, or dismissal decision, as outlined in the SVSU Student Handbook:

Social work students are expected to demonstrate integrity in their conduct as students and beginning professionals. Plagiarism is one form of academic dishonesty that carriers severe penalties in higher education. Some forms of plagiarism are familiar to students, such as copying others’ work, or submitting the work of another under the student’s own name. Other forms of plagiarism are less well-known and include using ideas from classes or readings in papers or presentations without reference to the source of the ideas. Any ideas, even when paraphrased by the student, which are unique to the source, or which you would not be expected to know unless you had access to those ideas through lecture, reading, or video/audio, must be given credit by citing the source of the ideas. In addition, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to complete any work or assignment, must be identified. Students who submit uncredited work will not be given credit for that work and will be referred to the professional and student conduct process.

Critical thinking is a closely related issue, and is particularly relevant when completing papers, projects, and reports in the Social Work program. Critical thinking is a requirement of the social work profession and requires that individuals demonstrate the ability to think independently and to synthesize material. Students who string together lengthy quotations throughout a paper, even when appropriate reference citations are used, are not completing original work. Social workers are expected to think about and evaluate written and spoken material, integrate ideas with social work knowledge and values, and make decisions independently.

Students who demonstrate academic dishonesty may be referred to the College of Health & Human Services Professional Conduct Committee and/or the University Office of Student Conduct. Please refer to the SVSU student handbook for other responsibilities regarding academic work: https://www.svsu.edu/studentconductprograms/codeofstudentconduct/ 

Social Work students are expected to demonstrate professional conduct in all aspects of the academic and practicum settings, including in the classroom and in the community. Professional conduct encompasses interpersonal communication, fair and respectful treatment of others, demonstrated responsibility in meeting program requirements, and honesty. Students who violate the professional ethical standards set by the

Department or by the National Association of Social Work may be subject to referral to the University Student Conduct Committee or to the College of Health & Human Services Professional Conduct Committee review processes. Professional conduct is part of the academic program, and a student’s success in the program depends, in part, on their understanding of and adherence to the NASW Code of Ethics, as well as the University’s conduct policies.

Faculty and administrative staff in the Department of Social Work & Youth Services continuously monitor and evaluate student conduct, with the aim of identifying and assisting students who are struggling with professionalism. The Rubric for Assessing Professional Behaviors is included in the Appendix of this Policy Manual and is one tool that may be used in this monitoring process. Students must demonstrate the ability to maintain scores of 3 or 4 (out of 4) in each of the 15 professional behavior areas listed on the rubric to be considered for a practicum placement, as these are the expected professional behaviors of social work students and professional social workers.

Whenever a student is found to be in violation of department standards for ethical behavior and/or University conduct standards, including academic integrity, the department may

• Require the student to meet with a faculty advisor, or the department faculty
• Develop a behavior plan for the student addressing the violation
• Refer the student to the College of Health & Human Services Professional Conduct
• Committee review processes
• Remove the student from the major

The Department of Social Work & Youth Services’ Admission and Retention policy states that any social work major who fails to maintain the admission and retention criteria can be removed from the major. The faculty reserves the right to remove the status of social work major from any student who does not satisfactorily fulfill the requirements of any of these criteria; however, this procedure will require a hearing for the student and provide all the protection inherent in the rights of due process. The interests of both the student and the profession will be considered in reaching a final decision. Students who are removed from the major are entitled to due process in any appeal of the probation or suspension decision, as outlined in the SVSU Student Handbook: https://www.svsu.edu/studentconductprograms/codeofstudentconduct/ 

In addition to the formal process for suspension from the major, the social work faculty maintains the right to counsel students and/or refer students to the College of HHS Professional Conduct Committee, when student behavior demonstrates a lack of suitability for the social work profession. The Professional Conduct Committee, composed of representatives from the College of HHS, is designed to consider and make recommendations to faculty and staff concerning possible ethical breaches. The purpose of such actions is to assist and redirect students who are not making a positive and appropriate adjustment within the social work curriculum.

The Department of Social Work & Youth Services has adopted an ethical misconduct policy. Details of the policy can be found in the Appendix of this Policy Manual (adopted by the Department January 2022)

Students may take a leave of absence from classes for a variety of reasons. The following policies apply to students who take a leave of absence:

• Any student who does not enroll for courses at SVSU for six consecutive semesters will be required to reapply to the University (this includes Spring/Summer courses, please see /).
• Any Social Work Major who does not enroll for social work classes for an entire academic year may need to reapply to the major.
• Any Social Work Major who does not enroll in social work classes for two academic years will need to reapply to the major.
• BSW courses expire after five calendar years for purposes of readmission and continuation of the major. Any student who returns to SVSU with courses taken more than five years ago will need to retake those courses.

Students considering a leave of absence should contact their faculty advisors prior to the leave to discuss their plans and get appropriate advising.

It is the policy of the Department of Social Work & Youth Services that missing more than 25% of class sessions will result in a failing grade regardless of whether the absences are excused or unexcused. Students who miss more than 25% of class sessions in any one course will be asked to withdraw from the course or will receive a failing grade in the course.

For Fall and Winter - per department attendance policy, the following calculations will be used to determine the 25% requirement (these calculations are based on 15 weeks):

• For sections that meet one time per week: 25% will equal 3.75 classes
• For sections that meet two times per week: 25% will equal 7.5 classes
• For hybrid and on-line sections, the 25% calculation will be determined by the course instructor.

For Spring and Summer - per department attendance policy, the following calculations will be used to determine the 25% requirement (these calculations are based on 7 weeks):

• For sections that meet one time per week: 25% will equal 1.75 classes
• For sections that meet two times per week: 25% will equal 3.75 classes
• For hybrid and on-line sections, the 25% calculation will be determined by the course instructor.

The Department of Social Work & Youth Services recognizes that there are some circumstances where attendance accommodation is necessary. These occasions are ones which have been communicated to the instructor by the student and through formal documentation with the Office of Accessibility Resources & Accommodations. Students are responsible for discussing the need for accommodation as soon as the need arises. Students will complete a Flexible Attendance Agreement in conjunction with the instructor and the Department Chair.

The Department of Social Work & Youth Services exclusively uses SVSU email to communicate with students for admissions decisions, program announcements, and other department business. Students will also receive important information via the communication function on the University’s course management system. Students are responsible to monitor their own SVSU email for important communications.

Up-to-date contact information is important to efficient communication between the University, the Department, and students. Students are responsible to inform the SVSU Registrar of a change of name, address, and telephone number.

Students who are in practicum or volunteer placement are responsible for updating changes in personal information with the Practicum Office. Updates should be sent via email to and swpracticum@svsu.edu 

SVSU Department of Social Work Instagram User Policy

Please see the Appendix section for this Policy

Statement regarding Artificial Intelligence in the Department of Social Work & Youth Services

Please see the Appendix section for this Statement

EXPLICIT CURRICULUM

Definition - The explicit curriculum refers to the formal academic content and educational experiences intentionally designed, approved, and delivered by the Department of Social Work & Youth Services to ensure student attainment of the competencies required for professional social work practice.

The explicit curriculum includes the structured components of the academic program that appear in official university publications and are subject to systematic assessment and continuous improvement. These components define what students are expected to learn, how learning occurs, and how competency attainment is evaluated.

Consistent with the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) 2022 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS), the explicit curriculum is organized around the nine social work competencies and integrates knowledge, values, skills, cognitive and affective processes, and professional behaviors necessary for generalist and advanced social work practice.

Components of the Explicit Curriculum

The explicit curriculum includes, but is not limited to, the following elements:

• Program mission, goals, and learning outcomes
• Required and elective social work courses listed in the university catalog
• Course syllabi with measurable student learning objectives aligned to CSWE competencies
• Sequenced curriculum design supporting progressive skill development
• Integration of theory, research, policy, and practice content
• Practicum education as the signature pedagogy of social work education
• Assignments and learning activities that assess competency-based outcomes
• Evaluation methods including rubrics, exams, papers, simulations, and practicum evaluations

These elements collectively ensure that students acquire the foundational knowledge and applied skills required for professional practice.

Alignment With Professional Standards

The explicit curriculum is intentionally designed to:

• Reflect the mission and values of the social work profession
• Align with CSWE EPAS competency requirements
• Prepare students for entry-level and advanced professional practice
• Support ethical decision-making and professional identity development
• Integrate anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion across all content areas
• Promote critical thinking, evidence-informed practice, and policy engagement

The explicit curriculum is reviewed regularly to ensure relevance, rigor, and responsiveness to emerging practice trends and community needs.

Continuous Review and Assessment

The explicit curriculum is subject to ongoing evaluation through:

• Curriculum mapping to CSWE competencies
• Assessment of student learning outcomes
• Practicum education evaluations
• Faculty review and curriculum committee processes
• Stakeholder input, including students and community partners
• Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities

Findings from these processes guide curriculum revisions and ensure compliance with accreditation standards and institutional expectations.

CSWE Competencies

The Social Work Major at Saginaw Valley State University has been fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education since the 1980’s. The program provides the accredited curriculum in compliance with all requirements of the accrediting body. Students learn practice behaviors based on the competencies identified as core to the social work profession. These competencies are:

Competency 1: Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior

Competency 2: Advance Human Rights and Social, Racial, Economic, and Environmental Justice

Competency 3: Engage Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ADEI) in Practice

Competency 4: Engage in Practice0Informed Research and Research-Informed Practice

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 More information and details on each competency and practice behaviors can be found using the link below: https://www.cswe.org/accreditation/policies-process/ 

Students interested in earning a degree in social work should select a “pre-social work major.” Freshmen and sophomores should seek advice from the Academic Advisement Center or the HHS academic advisor for information on transfer of courses, basic skills requirements, and general education courses and requirements. Pre-social work majors who have specific professional questions or concerns or need advising for social work courses and requirements should see the social work faculty advisor assigned by student last name. See the department website for social work faculty assignments.

*NOTE: Students who wish to request a petition for transfer credits, for courses taken at another institution, will complete a Course Petition form SVSU. Any course that is not already included in an agreement with partner institutions (see the SVSU Transfer website) must include a copy of the full syllabus from the transferring institution. Course Petition form link: https://www.svsu.edu/officeoftheregistrar/forms/ 

• Emergency decision-making regarding pre-requisite courses (approved February 2021) During or immediately following an emergency (University, Local, State, Federal, or Global) the program may consider, on a case-by-case basis, requests by students regarding pre-social work curriculum course requirements and taking those courses as co-requisites or other accommodations as needed.

Students who intend to obtain a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) must meet all of the degree requirements outlined by the University catalog. All students must complete a minimum 124 credits to graduate. These requirements include Basic Skills, General Education, the Social Work Major, and a minor or second major (including the Interdisciplinary Major).

The Bachelor of Social Work degree requires 51 credits of social work courses. The curriculum includes:

Many courses in the BSW program require that student’s complete prerequisite and/or co-requisite courses. Careful planning is required to move through the degree requirements efficiently. Students should consult wit their assigned faculty advisor frequently (at least annually). A suggested course sequence for completion of the Bachelor of Social Work program in four years (8 semesters) or 5 years (10 semesters) is included in the Appendix of this manual.

All requirements for the Social Work Major are listed on the program’s website: http://www.svsu.edu/socialwork/bsw/programrequirements/coursesequence/ 

In addition to core program requirements, each BSW student is required to complete 6-credits of social work electives. Social work electives are courses that the Department believes will enhance students’ preparation for practicum education, employment in the practicum of social work, and graduate education. Many social work electives are focused on specific populations, social problems, or policy concerns relevant for the populations we serve. Social work electives include SW courses not noted in the table above and all Youth Services (YS) courses. Electives are added occasionally and can be found in the University catalog. Students should communicate with their assigned faculty advisor for an updated list.

Courses taken for the required social work electives may no double-count for your chosen minor nor Interdisciplinary Major. Social work electives can double count toward a Child Welfare or Juvenile Delinquency certificate.

Students are encouraged to speak with their assigned faculty advisor for assistance in selecting social work elective courses that meet their interests and academic goals.

The SVSU catalog states that courses in which students receive a grade of “D" or "F" may not be used to meet requirements for majors. The catalog also states that a course may be repeated only once to raise a grade. The policy of the Department of Social Work & Youth Services is that students who receive a "D" or "F" twice for the same required course will not be allowed to continue in the major.

• Emergency use of Pass/No Credit: (approved April 2020)
  Students who chose the “No Credit” or “N” option for a course under these emergency procedures will be assumed to have received a failing grade. The “N” or “No Credit” option will count as one of the two attempts noted in the policy above. Students will not be allowed to continue in the major if they have any combination of two course failures: receiving a “D” or “F” or “N” (or any combination of these) twice for the same required course.

Students who fail to receive a "C" or better in senior social work courses should be aware that these courses are offered only once per year and are designed to be taken concurrently with practicum education. Thus, students who need to repeat a required course offered in fall semester (SW401, SW 403, or SW 483) will be required to wait until fall semester of the following year to proceed in the program. Students who need to repeat a required course offered in winter semester (SW 402, SW 485, or SW 484) will be required to wait until winter semester of the following year to retake the course.

Further, the senior level practice courses (SW 401 & SW 402) are designed to be taken concurrently with agency practicum placement, thus course assignments are dependent upon active participation in a supervised practicum experience. Students who are repeating either SW 401 or SW402, therefore, will be required to be enrolled in practicum courses (SW 483 or SW 484) or to complete a minimum of 100 hours of volunteer experience in an agency approved by the Practicum Office during the semester in which the course is repeated.

The Bachelor of Social Work degree is a professional degree, which includes may policies and requirements dictated by the Council on Social Work Education. Students may choose to proceed through the program at either part-time or full-time status during their freshman through junior years. It is not possible to finish the BSW program in four years if a students elects to complete only 12 credits per semester during fall and winter semesters. If a student plans to graduate in four years, their credit load should include 30 – 36 credits per academic year during their freshman, sophomore, and junior years.

A course load of 12-credits per semester is required during the fall and winter semesters of a student’s senior year, as the senior curriculum includes several corequisite courses including a practicum education placement. Generally, student sin practicum placement may not take more than 12-credits in fall and 12-credits in winter semesters. Thus, students must complete all degree requirements except for senior practicum placement co-requisite course prior to entering the senior/final year (at least 96 credits).

Students are strongly discouraged from taking more than 12-credits of core social work classes per semester (fall, winter, spring/summer). Therefore, students should plan a course schedule that includes program prerequisites, core social work courses, and courses for the declared minor distributed throughout their academic schedule. In the Spring/Summer semesters prior to entering practicum placement, students should not plan to take more than six credits of core social work courses in Spring semester and six credits of core

social work courses in summer semester. Taking core courses in Spring/Summer is STRONGLY discouraged. Please refer to the section on Practicum Education in this manual for additional information about this requirement.

Students should meet with their faculty advisors to plan for an appropriate credit load each semester. Students may also refer to the recommended course sequence for the BSW program for guidance on credit load per semester. This can be found in the Appendix of this manual.

No academic credit will be given, in whole or in part, for any professional or other life experience. This applies both to experiences prior to admission to the major as well as life experiences or work accrued after major admission. Only volunteer work approved by the department will be credited towards partial or complete fulfillment of the 40-hour volunteer component required in SW215 (Introduction to Social Work/Social Welfare). Only practicum work approved by the department and undertaken as part of SW483-484, Practicum Instruction I & II, will be credited for the major. Only work approved and arranged for by the BSW Practicum Office will be approved as counting toward any practicum requirements of minor courses overseen by the department.

Minors/Interdisciplinary Major

Every undergraduate student graduating from Saginaw Valley State University must complete a minor or a second major, in addition to the student’s declared major. Students may choose a minor from any department on campus that offers minors. The following information provides an overview of the minors and dual major offered by the department:

Interdisciplinary Major

BSW students must complete a minor or second major to graduate from Saginaw Valley State University. Social Work majors may select the Interdisciplinary Major, which requires 12-credits total. Credits for the Social Work Interdisciplinary Major must be taken from two separate departments. Please note that SW and YS courses count as coming from only one Department (the Department of Social Work & Youth Services) and you cannot take only SW & YS courses for the Interdisciplinary Major. The following link takes you to the main SVSU Catalog page. Once you get to that page, please click on the Undergraduate Catalog, search for “Social Work”, click on the Social Work Major, and scroll to the bottom of the page for information on the Interdisciplinary Major, including all current courses allowed.

https://www.svsu.edu/catalog/

Youth Services Minor

Courses in Youth Services may be relevant to your career goals. Youth Services courses are offered regularly and include a variety of courses related to working with youth. This minor is open to all students at SVSU. For non-Social Work Majors, completion of the practicum (SW389) will be fulfilled with an Independent Study serving in the community. This practicum will be arranged through the BSW Practicum Education Coordinator. Social Work Majors will complete their practicum requirement for the minor as part of their

final Practicum year. Visit the link below, click on Undergraduate Catalog, search for “Youth Services” and click on the Youth Services Minor for more information.

https://www.svsu.edu/catalog/

Behavioral Health-Substance Use and Dependency Minor

Students interested in working in the field of substance use and dependency can complete a minor in that area. This minor is open to all students at SVSU. This minor is offered entirely online with both synchronous and asynchronous coursework, however the practicum will likely be in person. For non-Social Work Majors, completion of the practicum (SW389) will be fulfilled with an Independent Study serving in the community. This practicum will be arranged through the BSW Practicum Education Coordinator. Social Work Majors will complete their practicum requirement for the minor as part of their final Practicum year. Visit the link below, click on Undergraduate Catalog, search for “Behavioral Health” and click on the Behavioral Health-Substance Use and Dependency Minor for more information.

https://www.svsu.edu/catalog/

Certificates

Students may choose to obtain a certificate in order to enhance career options upon graduation. The following information provides an overview of certificates that may be relevant to both Social Work Majors and other students.

Child Welfare Certificate

A certificate in child welfare is available to all students at SVSU. This includes alumni. Completion of the certificate may allow students to waive certain training requirements for child welfare staff at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Completion of this certificate does not substitute any major or minor requirements of the Social Work program or SVSU degree completion. Courses completed for the certificate do double-count toward major and minor requirements in the Social Work program (completing a certificate course also counts toward a major or minor elective course). Students who seek this certificate will also complete a practicum placement in an approved child welfare setting.

Graduates who do not have a may apply to the for admission to the Child Welfare Certificate program. Admission is at the discretion of the . Consideration will be given to the degree earned (preferably in the behavioral sciences), course work, and experience in the area of child welfare.

Admission to the Social Work major is a formal process, conforming with CSWE Accreditation, that occurs during the fall, winter, and spring semesters of each year. Students are encouraged to apply for admission as soon as they meet the following eligibility requirements:

• 2.50 GPA
• Completion of Introduction to Social Work (SW 215 or equivalent) with a grade of C or better
• Satisfactory completion of 40 hours of volunteer work in a human service organization (normally part of the course requirements for SW 215)
• Completion of a minimum of 40 college credits
• Completion of all SVSU Basic Skills requirements

No student will be considered for admission to the Social Work Major if they do not provide evidence of these eligibility requirements. Students must be admitted to SVSU and have an SVSU username and password in order to apply for admission to the Social Work Major.

Please note: In an emergency situation or at the suggestion of the faculty, additional admissions periods may be offered.

More information about the admissions process is found at http://www.svsu.edu/socialwork/bsw/applynow/socialworkmajor/

Informational Meetings

In fall, winter, and spring semesters, the department will hold informational meetings for all students

interested in applying for admission to the Social Work major. Students who have declared a Pre-Social Work Major will be informed about the meetings via announcements posted to the University’s course management system. In addition, department instructors will announce the meetings in SW and YS courses. Information on admissions periods, links to the information meetings, and other relevant information is also available on our website.

The following information will be covered at the meetings:

• Criteria for admission to the Social Work Major
• How to access the application site
• On-line application process
• Information and documents required to complete the application
• Selection criteria

Students will be given an opportunity to ask questions at the informational meetings. Students are encouraged to meet with their faculty advisors prior to completing an admissions application. Attendance at informative meetings is not mandatory but is strongly encouraged.

On-line Application

Application for admission to the Social Work Major is completed electronically. In fall, winter, and spring semesters, the on-line application site is enabled during the posted application period. Students must complete applications during these periods in order to be considered for admission.

The on-line application program requires students to use their SVSU username and password to sign in. Students will also need to provide basic contact information, names and email addresses of three professional references, and copies of their SVSU My Progress, relevant transcripts of college courses from other academic institutions, and verification of a minimum of 40 hours’ social service volunteer activity. In addition, the application requires students to acknowledge the program expectation of adherence to the NASW Code of Ethics.

The application for admission to the BSW program requires students to complete a timed, on-line writing sample. Instructions and information about the writing sample are provided at the informational meetings held each semester.

Students with documented accommodation needs must request accommodation from the BSW Program Director. These requests must be made prior to or during the application period, and applications must be completed by the deadline set by the department.

Criminal Records & State/Federal Registries

The Department of Social Work & Youth Services does not conduct background checks on students. However, students will be asked to read and acknowledge the department policy regarding criminal records and state/federal registries. This policy is intended to inform students about potential challenges in obtaining a social work practicum placement and/or social work licensing after graduation. Students should be aware that many social services agencies require background checks before approving students for practicum placement. Some types of convictions and/or appearance on a state or federal registry will make practicum placement, as well as social work licensing and employment after graduation, very difficult or unlikely.

Students are asked to report any history of criminal conviction or registration on a state or federal registry at the time of the admission application to the social work faculty. Students will also be required to disclose this history to the Director of Practicum Education before entry into practicum placement. Students should be truthful in reporting on their backgrounds; failure to report this information may be grounds for dismissal from the program.

Students with criminal records or who are on state/federal registry, will be individually advised. Faculty advisors will direct students to information that will clarify what opportunities and obstacles they will likely encounter. The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs determines if individuals are eligible for social work licensure. Students with questions about the impact of a criminal record or appearance on a registry on licensing should contact that office directly at (517) 335-0918 or at

https://www.michigan.gov/lara/bureau-list/bchs/workforce-back

Criminal history and / or appearance on a state / federal registry are not grounds for denial of admission to the Social Work Major.

Selection Criteria

Students admitted to the BSW major must meet the selection criteria established by the department. If the volume of student applications exceeds the capacity of the program, admission to the major may be a competitive process.

Admission decisions are made by a committee consisting of the full-time social work faculty. This committee reviews the applications, processes all of the information at their disposal, and takes action on the applications.

No application will be considered if it is incomplete. Students who do not provide evidence of eligibility requirements for admission will be asked to reapply in a subsequent semester.

Students with completed applications will be considered for admission. Admissions decisions may be based on the following criteria:

• GPA
• Performance on the writing sample
• Evidence of professional behavior provided by faculty observation and reference letters

A sub-committee of faculty will review submitted writing samples. The writing samples reviewed

by the committee do not contain student names or identifying information. The committee uses the Writing Sample Rubric for Social Work Admission to Major (see Appendix D) to score each essay. Students must receive a score of 35 or higher out of 50 possible points on the writing sample to be considered for admission.

Students denied admission on their first application are eligible to reapply in a subsequent semester. Students may not apply for admission to the major more than twice.

Notification Process

Following the admissions committee's deliberations, each applicant is sent an admissions letter electronically, which indicates the outcome of the committee's decisions.

The BSW Program Director (or their designee) will notify the Office of the Registrar of the names of students admitted to the BSW major. Admitted students should verify that their student records have been updated by the Registrar’s office to reflect BSW major status approximately two weeks following admissions decisions.

Students who are denied admission to the major will be informed of the reason for the denial in the electronic letter sent informing of the admission decision. Students denied admission to the major, who wish to reapply for admission, should meet with their faculty advisor as soon as possible to discuss strategies for addressing the reason for denial.

Practicum Education

Social work practicum education is the capstone of the Bachelor of Social Work degree program. Major Practicum Education entails a two-semester agency-based social work experience in an approved community agency. Students are supervised by an agency staff member who is authorized to provide instruction by the University and the BSW Practicum Education Coordinator.

All students in the Social Work Major must complete 225 hours of supervised agency-based practicum experience in fall and winter semesters, for a total of 450 hours of practicum education, without exception. In addition to agency-based practicum experience, all senior students must complete on-campus class meetings, interprofessional education experience, and written assignments submitted as designated by the Practicum Office.

Students must begin the practicum instruction sequence in fall semester and complete it in winter semester. Careful attention to course planning is critical in order to ensure that students are "on track" regarding course sequencing.

More information on policies and procedures of the Practicum Education experience can be found in the BSW Practicum Education Policy Manual. This document is available through the Practicum Education Office.

Definition – The implicit curriculum refers to the learning environment in which the explicit curriculum (noted above) is delivered. It encompasses the culture, climate, policies, practices, and structures that shape student experiences outside of formal course content. The implicit curriculum includes advising, mentoring, support services, faculty–student relationships, professional socialization, communication practices, and institutional values that influence students’ development as emerging social work professionals.

Consistent with the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) 2022 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS), the Department of Social Work & Youth Services intentionally structures its implicit curriculum to support student learning, promote ethical and professional behavior, and advance anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion (ADEI) within the educational environment.

The Department recognizes that how students are supported, treated, and engaged is as critical to professional preparation as what is taught in the classroom.

Advising and Mentoring

Faculty Advising

Faculty advising is a critical component of the Department of Social Work & Youth Services’ commitment to student success, professional development, and preparation for social work practice. While the University provides academic advising to support registration, degree requirements, and institutional policies, faculty advising offers discipline-specific guidance that supports students’ long-term academic, professional, and career goals.

The purpose of faculty advising is to foster early and sustained engagement between students and social work faculty in order to promote informed decision-making, professional identity development, and successful progression through the program.

Faculty advisors support students by:

• Providing guidance on course sequencing and program expectations specific to social work education
• Assisting students in understanding professional standards, ethics, and behavioral expectations of the field
• Supporting readiness for practicum education and professional practice
• Discussing career pathways, graduate education, and licensure preparation
• Encouraging student engagement in leadership, service, research, and professional organizations
• Identifying concerns early and facilitating referral to appropriate university or community resources

Early connection with a faculty advisor allows students to develop mentoring relationships, clarify academic and career goals, and gain insight into the profession beyond what is available through general academic advising alone.

Through faculty advising, students experience consistent support, professional modeling, and individualized guidance that strengthens retention, enhances academic success, and reinforces the values and competencies central to social work practice.

Degree Audit/Academic Evaluation: My Progress

Students and faculty advisors are able to review student progress toward graduation through the student’s degree audit/academic evaluation found on “My Progress”. The degree audit should be reviewed by your

assigned faculty advisor or an advisor ready to assist in selecting courses that fulfill specific degree requirements, check on GPA, review number of credits needed for graduation, and other information. The degree audit/academic evaluation is the primary tool used for advising in the Department of Social Work & Youth Services.

Students are responsible for declaring their program of study, in order for the correct information to appear on the degree audit. Social work majors should declare a ‘Pre-Social Work’ major prior to admission to the program. The department is responsible for contacting the Registrar to switch students from Pre-Social Work majors to Social Work Majors upon admission to the program.

Students should also declare their desired minor (or Interdisciplinary Major) and certificate programs by contacting the SVSU Registrar’s office at: registrar@svsu.edu 

Educational Plan

An educational plan is a document that can be completed for the student while consulting with a faculty advisor. The purpose of the educational plan is to provide direction to the student for course registration and efficient completion of the Social Work Major, Interdisciplinary Major, declared minor, and (as needed) one of the other certificates offered by the Department of Social Work & Youth Services. Students are encouraged to meet with faculty advisors several weeks prior to course registration periods, to ensure their questions about what courses to take are answered, prior to their registration deadlines. Faculty advisors will provide students with a copy of the completed educational plan electronically or hard copy. A template for the department’s educational plan is provided in the appendix section.

Social Work Faculty Advisors

Pre-Social Work and Social Work Majors are assigned faculty advisors according to the student’s last name. The advising roster is on the department website: http://www.svsu.edu/socialwork/bsw/advising/ 

Students should meet with their faculty advisors on a regular basis to discuss course selection, academic progress, career goals, and other professional concerns. The department strongly encourages students to speak with a faculty advisor prior to applying for admission to the program.

Office hours for all social work faculty advisors are posted on the faculty members’ office doors and are available from the HHS secretaries. Faculty may also be available to meet with students via phone, email or other technologies. Students are strongly advised to make an appointment for advising, as faculty may not be able to provide adequate time for advising during posted office hours.

Students are strongly encouraged to bring relevant academic records, including a printed copy of the “My Progress,” to all advising appointments.

Health & Human Services Advisor

Pre-Social Work and BSW students who need advice related to transfer courses, general education requirements, or other concerns should contact the Health & Human Services advisor. The advisor’s office is H255. The office phone is 989-964-4517.

Student Success Navigator

The Student Success Navigator (SSN) is a Master of Social Work (MSW) practicum-based role housed within the Department of Social Work & Youth Services. Student Success Navigators support the academic

engagement, retention, and overall success of Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) students through structured peer support, facilitated learning activities, outreach, and resource navigation.

SSNs serve under the supervision of the BSW Program Director, who functions as the Practicum Instructor, and may also receive guidance from designated task supervisors as appropriate. Primary responsibilities include hosting the weekly Homework & Hangout program, engaging in individual and group-based student support activities, assisting with outreach and marketing efforts, participating in departmental initiatives, and maintaining required documentation in accordance with program and university standards. SSNs do not provide academic advising, clinical services, or crisis intervention.

The SSN position operates as a one-year MSW practicum placement and is designed to support student success while advancing MSW student competency development aligned with CSWE Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards.

Comprehensive policies and procedures governing the Student Success Navigator role—including supervision structure, documentation requirements, scope of responsibilities, evaluation processes, and alignment with MSW practicum expectations—are maintained by the BSW Program Director. Current SSN policy and procedure documentation is available upon request by contacting the BSW Program Director at

Professional Socialization

The Department of Social Work & Youth Services encourages students to become involved in the policies and programs that affect academic life. Active membership in the Student Social Work Organization (SSWO) allows social work students and pre-majors to contribute to the operation and organization of the Department of Social Work & Youth Services. Social work students are entitled to attend all meetings of the department (except in cases where specific student concerns are under discussion) and are encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity to voice their concerns, ideas and suggestions. Please contact the Department of Social Work & Youth Services chair for meeting times and dates. In addition, social work student representatives serve on the department’s Community Advisory Committee and on other committees and task forces as the need arises.

Independent Study & Faculty-led Research

Students interested in directed research and independent study opportunities are encouraged to meet with their faculty advisors to discuss their interests. Department faculty may have opportunities for student-involved research projects. In some cases, student research and independent study may be used for elective credit or may be applied to student minor or Interdisciplinary major requirements. The practicum office may also offer independent study opportunities for students interested in directed practicum study beyond the required hours for practicum education.

Interprofessional Education

The mission of the College of Health & Human Services includes a focus on preparing students for interprofessional practice. The Department of Social Work & Youth Services is committed to teaching students about interprofessional practice, and to developing graduates with competencies in interprofessional roles and responsibilities, values/ethics for interprofessional practice, teamwork, and communication in interprofessional settings. Students will be required to participate in interprofessional simulations and other experiences as part of their course requirements. In addition, students are encouraged to take advantage of the many interprofessional opportunities offered by the College of Health & Human Services each semester.

Service Learning

Service learning is an approach to education that provides students with the opportunity to apply knowledge, values and skills in real-life settings as part of the class experience. In keeping with the focus on interprofessional practice in the College of Health & Human Services, the Department of Social Work & Youth Services offers interprofessional service-learning opportunities throughout the academic year. These opportunities include brief, informal experiences as well as formal courses offered for academic credit. The settings for service learning include international travel, domestic travel experiences across the United States, and immersion in local communities with diverse client populations. Students interested in service learning should refer to the department website or speak to their faculty advisor for more information.

Student Organizations

Student Social Work Organization: The Student Social Work Organization (SSWO) exists to allow an outlet for student service, to inform students of meetings, workshops and conferences of interest to them, to supplement the formal educational experience, to provide for fellowship for those pursuing common goals, and to serve as a liaison with the Department of Social Work & Youth Services. SSWO sponsors forums, fundraisers, social events, and service and social action projects in the area.

SSWO is a registered student organization with its own officers and Constitution and has representation on the Community Advisory Committee to the Department of Social Work & Youth Services. All students who are in the social work program, or who have an interest in social and service action programs, are eligible to participate. Students are encouraged to become involved in this organization. More information is available at https://www.svsu.edu/officeofstudentlife/connect/ 

Phi Alpha, Delta Omega Chapter: The Department of Social Work & Youth Services hosts the Delta Omega chapter of Phi Alpha, the national leadership honor society of Social Work. The purpose of Phi Alpha is to promote high standards of education for social workers, facilitate bonds between social work students and promote service. Criteria for admission to Phi Alpha include:

Undergraduate students shall be enrolled in the institution represented by the chapter, have declared a major in social work, have completed 9 semester hours of required social work courses or at least 37.5% of the total hours/credits required for the degree, whichever is later achieved, and rank in the top 35% of their class.

Induction into Phi Alpha is held in winter semester at the annual department meeting.

National Association of Social Workers: Students are strongly encouraged to join the Michigan Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), the professional organization for social work professionals. Student members receive a discount on membership and are entitled to a number of benefits outlined on the chapter website (/). Each year, a student leader for the department is selected to act as a liaison between NASW and SVSU through a program called ULINK. Students interested in serving in this capacity should indicate their interest by contacting their faculty advisor.

Volunteer Experience

Students enrolled in SW 215 – Introduction to Social Work / Social Welfare are required to complete 40 hours of volunteer work in a social service agency approved by the course instructor. Students will be evaluated by the agency supervisor for this volunteer experience and must receive a satisfactory evaluation to pass SW 215 with a grade of C or better. Students who do not successfully complete this volunteer requirement cannot receive a passing grade in the course.

The volunteer experience for SW 215 must be completed in a social service agency that provides appropriate introduction to the social service systems, client populations, policies, and practices used by social workers. Students will be expected to arrange these placements on their own, and the volunteer work will be done outside of class time. A list of approved potential placement opportunities will be provided by the course instructor.

Students may petition the instructor to arrange a placement with an agency not included on the provided list. Unless specifically permitted by the instructor, the entire 40-hour experience must be completed in a single agency setting.

Students in volunteer placements will likely spend a majority of their time observing and shadowing agency staff, participating in training, and providing basic services with direct supervision. Under no circumstances should students in the volunteer experience be given primary responsibility for direct client services without appropriate on-site supervision.

Questions or problems with volunteer experience should be directed to the student’s course instructor for SW 215.

Department Honors Committee

Each year the Department recognizes student leadership and other accomplishments during the Winter semester. Peer engagement in the process of determining students to recognize is one opportunity for service in the Department. Students who volunteer for this Committee are recognized for their service during the Honor event. The following outlines the responsibilities of the Department Honors Committee Members:

• The Department asks students to nominate themselves for the Honors Committee at the start of the Fall semester.
  • All Seniors are invited to participate in the nomination process
  • SSWO is asked to nominate one junior level student to serve for two years (once during their junior year and again during their senior year)
• The Faculty of the BSW program choose the Committee members
  • The MSW Practicum Student will serve as the Department representative on the Committee
• The Department Honors Committee will seek nominations in January for the Honors already established by the Department (see below). The Committee can also suggest additional honors categories.
  • NASW Student of the Year
  • Outstanding University Undergraduates
  • BSW Program Leadership
  • Practicum Instructor of the Year
• The Honors Committee chooses the recipients for each category and gathers information about the honorees to be included in the Department Honors event in Winter semester.

Communication and Writing Practices

The social work department cannot stress strongly enough the need for good writing skills. The following are policies related to writing which will be followed in this course.

*Writing is an important skill in social work. Often, 50% or more of any social work occupation involves writing. Up to 15% of any assignment may be deducted because of spelling errors, sentence fragments, run-on sentences, or other grammar/construction issues. Check your work carefully before submission. Use of the writing center on campus is encouraged. They have computer programs and tutors who can give you advice and suggestions. APA formatting is required for all submissions (12-point font, double space, regular margins, title page, etc.) This includes all written submission related to this course.

*In addition to meeting the requirements of the assignment, written assignments will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

• Integration: logical progression and presentation of ideas; central purpose of the work is clear throughout and the text is well organized;
• Creativity: innovative integration of concepts; awareness and accurate use of relevant issues or research material; critical thinking is utilized;
• Correctness: accurate and appropriate use of references and concepts; grammatical and structural accuracy;
• Clarity: clear and understandable answers and analyses; legibly written or typed, using common sense sentences.
• Sources: appropriate sources are used in a scholarly approach to the topic. Sources are cited according to APA standards throughout the text.

*Students need access to an APA writing resources (7th edition) as all course assignment must use correct APA in-text citations and reference pages. The following resources are recommended:

• https://www.svsu.edu/writingcenter/studentresources/
• https://canvas.svsu.edu/courses/5108/files/folder/APA%207th%20Edition%20Writing%20Workshop

Plagiarism: Intentionally or unintentionally presenting another person’s expressions – ideas, opinions, illustration, data, style – as one’s own expression will result in a zero for that assignment. No exceptions. This includes citing entire sections of, or even just a sentence of someone else’s work, without giving credit to the originator; paraphrasing of someone else’s original idea without citation is also considered plagiarism.

Please familiarize yourself with the University’s policy on academic dishonesty, which states that violations could result in dismissal from the University.

Institutional and Department Values

The Department of Social Work & Youth Services affirms the mission and values of Saginaw Valley State University and integrates them with the professional values and ethical standards of the social work profession. These shared values guide the Department’s policies, practices, and learning environment and inform both the explicit and implicit curriculum.

The Department’s values are grounded in the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics and the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) 2022 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS). Together, they establish expectations for professional conduct, student engagement, faculty responsibility, and community partnership.

Institutional Values

Consistent with University policy, the Department upholds the following institutional values:

• Academic Integrity
  The Department values honesty, accountability, and ethical decision-making in all academic and professional activities. Students are expected to uphold University standards related to academic integrity and to demonstrate ethical conduct consistent with professional expectations.

• Student Well-Being and Safety
  The Department is committed to maintaining a learning environment that prioritizes physical, emotional, and psychological safety. Faculty and staff comply with all federal, state, and institutional requirements related to student safety, mandated reporting, and crisis response.

• Access, Equity, and Accommodation
  The Department supports equitable access to education and collaborates with the Office of Accessibility Resources and Accommodations to ensure that students with documented needs receive appropriate academic and attendance-related accommodations.

• Respectful and Inclusive Learning Environment
  The Department promotes civil discourse, respectful engagement, and inclusive practices that recognize the dignity and worth of all members of the university community.

Department of Social Work & Youth Services Values

(Grounded in the NASW Code of Ethics)

The Department affirms the six core values of the social work profession and integrates them across curriculum, advising, student support services, and departmental culture.

1. Service
   The Department values service as a fundamental purpose of social work education and practice. Faculty and students are encouraged to prioritize the needs of individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities through:
   1. Commitment to community engagement and practicum education
   2. Responsiveness to student needs and barriers to success
   3. Promotion of volunteerism, advocacy, and civic responsibility
   4. Integration of service-learning and community partnerships
   Service is modeled through faculty engagement and reinforced through student expectations.

2. Social Justice
   The Department is committed to advancing social, racial, economic, and environmental justice. This value is reflected through:
   1. Curriculum that addresses oppression, discrimination, and systemic inequities
   2. Policies and practices that seek to reduce barriers to student success
   3. Support for inclusive dialogue and critical examination of power and privilege
   4. Preparation of students to advocate for human rights and equitable access to resources
   Social justice is viewed as both a professional obligation and an institutional responsibility.

3. Dignity and Worth of the Person
   The Department affirms the inherent dignity and worth of all individuals. This value is demonstrated by:

• • Respectful classroom and advising interactions
  • Use of inclusive language, including chosen names and pronouns
  • Recognition of diverse identities, experiences, and perspectives
  • Commitment to trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices
  All members of the learning community are expected to contribute to an environment of mutual respect.

4. Importance of Human Relationships
   The Department recognizes relationships as central to effective social work practice and education. This value is reflected through:
   • Faculty advising and mentorship
   • Collaborative learning and group work
   • Supportive student–faculty engagement
   • Interprofessional and community partnerships
   Strong relationships are viewed as essential to learning, retention, professional identity development, and ethical practice.

5. Integrity
   Integrity is foundational to professional social work education. The Department promotes integrity through:
   • Clear expectations for professional behavior and accountability
   • Adherence to the NASW Code of Ethics in academic and professional settings
   • Transparent grading and evaluation processes
   • Honest communication and responsible use of authority
   Students are expected to demonstrate integrity in conduct, communication, and academic work.

6. Competence
   The Department is committed to developing competent social work practitioners prepared for professional practice and lifelong learning. This value is supported through:
   • Competency-based curriculum design
   • Integration of theory, research, policy, and practice
   • Field education as the signature pedagogy
   • Ongoing assessment of student learning outcomes
   • Encouragement of self-reflection and professional growth
   Competence includes both skill development and the ethical responsibility to engage in continuous learning.

Behavioral and Professional Expectations

Consistent with institutional values and the NASW Code of Ethics, students are expected to demonstrate:

• Professional behavior and accountability
• Timely attendance and active engagement
• Respectful communication
• Ethical decision-making
• Appropriate boundaries and confidentiality awareness
• Compliance with University and Department policies

Concerns related to professional conduct may result in referral to the College of Health and Human Services Professional Conduct Committee in accordance with established procedures.

Summary

The Institutional and Department Values of the Department of Social Work & Youth Services establish the ethical foundation of the learning environment. Rooted in the NASW Code of Ethics and aligned with CSWE accreditation standards, these values guide the Department’s approach to teaching, advising, student support, professional conduct, and community engagement.

Together, these values ensure that students not only acquire professional knowledge and skills, but also internalize the ethical principles and professional identity essential to competent and inclusive social work practice.

The Department recognizes that the explicit and implicit curricula are interdependent and mutually reinforcing.

• The explicit curriculum defines what students learn through formal coursework and practicum education.

• The implicit curriculum defines how students experience the learning environment in which that coursework occurs.

Together, these curricula ensure that students not only acquire professional knowledge and skills but also develop the values, behaviors, and professional identity expected of competent social workers.

Accessibility Resources and Accommodation

This office works with students and faculty to ensure that all students with disabilities can participate in all aspects of University life. Students with disabilities should contact the Disability Services office to consult about their needs. Appropriate accommodations and support services for students are coordinated through Disability Services.

More information at https://www.svsu.edu/access/ 

Campus Financial Services Center

Information about cost of attendance, and financial aid / scholarships is available from the Financial Services Center. Several scholarships specifically designed for social work and youth services students are offered annually; students are strongly encouraged to apply for these opportunities.

Information regarding financial aid and scholarships can be found at http://svsu.edu/financialaid/ 

Career Services

This office provides assistance to students and alumni of SVSU in career information, job search skills, and linking with employers. Students can use Career Services for assistance with resume development, interview skills, and job searches.

More information is available at http://www.svsu.edu/careerservices/ 

Campus Mental Health and Wellness Center

The Campus Mental Health and Wellness center supports students by offering free, confidential counseling services to all students and providing referrals, as needed, to community resources. All services are provided by or supervised by licensed professionals. Walk-in services are available.

More information at http://www.svsu.edu/mhwc/ 

Course Petitions

Students wishing to petition to have an alternative course count for a program requirement can complete a course petition to submit to the Chair of the Department of Social Work & Youth Services. Students should contact their faculty advisors for more information about whether SVSU courses can be petitioned to substitute for program requirements.

Syllabus, course descriptions, and student transcripts may be required for evaluation of course equivalency if the course being petitioned was completed at another institution. Social Work courses taken through non-accredited programs may be transferable as electives. Likewise, Social Work courses from CSWE accredited programs that are not comparable to the required courses in our curriculum may be transferred in as electives, although every effort is made to match another accredited curriculum to SVSU’s. Students should meet with the University admissions office and their social work faculty advisors prior to transferring from another institution for evaluation of transfer course work.

Course petitions are available at https://www.svsu.edu/officeoftheregistrar/forms/ 

Course Withdrawals

The automatic withdrawal period at the beginning of each semester, which is listed on the

Cardinal Direct website (/) does not require instructor approval. Late withdrawal must be completed in-person at the Registrar’s office. Financial refunds are not

available after the last day to withdraw with a 25% refund.

Students experiencing medical and other conditions requiring withdrawal from courses should contact the Registrar’s office to submit required documentation in a timely manner, as tuition refunds may be available for these conditions.

Information about "Healthcare Provider Medical Withdrawal Verification form" can be found at https://www.svsu.edu/officeoftheregistrar/policiescatalog/withdrawals/ 

Students who do not complete the official university withdrawal process are financially responsible for course tuition and will be assigned a grade that reflects the work that they completed in the course.

FAST

Fostering an Academic Successful Transition (FAST) is a grant funded program coordinated in the Department of Social Work & Youth Services at Saginaw Valley State University. The FAST Program provides supportive services for SVSU and Delta College Students who have experienced foster care on or after their 14th birthday or who were adopted after age 16.

More information at http://www.svsu.edu/socialwork/about/fastprogram/ 

FERPA

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 determines the types of records kept about students, their location, the person who controls them, policies governing access to them, and the mechanism that exists for their correction should that be necessary.

Students should familiarize themselves with this important policy at http://www.svsu.edu/officeoftheregistrar/policiescatalog/Ferpaandgdpr/ 

Graduation

Students should complete an application for graduation in the fall semester of their senior year. Application

deadlines are posted on Cardinal Direct each semester.

Applications are available from the Registrar's Office at https://www.svsu.edu/graduate/applytograduate/ 

Grievances and Appeals

Students have the right to grieve any final course grade in which they believe their grade was unfair.

The process for the University grade grievance procedure is detailed in the following link: https://www.svsu.edu/studenthandbook/gradegrievancepolicyandprocedure/ 

In addition, the University Ombudsman helps students resolve concerns, problems, or conflicts concerning University policies, procedures, and decisions.

Student questions or concerns may be directed to the University Ombudsman at http://www.svsu.edu/ombudsman/ 

Honors Program

This program allows academically talented students to pursue their major / minor degree work while providing enriched academic experiences in Honors courses, seminars, research projects and extra-curricular activities.

Students wishing to participate in the Honors Program need to apply as freshman; the program selects 80 students each year.

More information at http://www.svsu.edu/honorsprogram/ 

Incompletes

An Incomplete contract may be completed when students who are making satisfactory progress in a course are unable to complete course requirements prior to the end of the semester. Social Work & Youth Services faculty reserve the right to deny assignment of the incomplete grade. Assignment of incomplete grades requires discussion between faculty and student, including construction of a plan to complete the course by the deadline established by the Registrar’s Office.

Information Technology Services

A wireless network and access to computers in labs and kiosks throughout the campus provide access to the technology needed in the program. Internet access, printers, copiers, scanners, and study areas are available for student use. The Information Technology Office on campus is available to assist with hardware and software problems, difficulty with passwords, use of the online course management system, and questions about IT issues on campus and at home.

Contact SVSU IT Services at http://svsu.edu/its/ 

Library

Zahnow Library provides information and resources to support teaching and research needs of faculty and students on campus. Reference librarians are available to assist with student projects, including through a chat function on the library website. Social work and social sciences databases provide access to most materials needed for program courses. Interlibrary loans are available for materials not held in the campus library.

The Zahnow Library website is http://www.svsu.edu/library/ 

Military Student Affairs

This office is dedicated to the needs of all military-affiliated students, and provides academic counseling, benefits advising, priority registration and certification for VA education benefits.

More information at http://www.svsu.edu/militarystudentaffairs/militarystudentaffairsoffice/ 

LGBTQ+ Programs and Services

The Pride Center is a resource for students, faculty and staff who identify as LGBTQ+ and allies. The Center offers support, education, social events, community outreach and resources to members of the campus community and regional partners.

More information at https://www.svsu.edu/msa/svsupride/ 

Registration for Courses

Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their assigned faculty advisors prior to registration deadlines to plan their course schedules. Whenever possible, students should prepare a tentative schedule of courses prior to meeting with the advisor by using the flow-chart showing course sequencing and the list of courses required for the major.

Social Work and Youth Services courses often fill quickly. Students who find that a desired course is already filled during the registration period should complete the Course Request form on Cardinal Direct. The link for Course Request is found at the top of the registration screen on Cardinal Direct.

Students have the opportunity to drop/add courses shortly after pre-registration periods. This drop/add period is also held during the first week of classes. After registration periods, Cardinal Direct shows course enrollment numbers, and indicates course sections with seats available. SVSU students are highly encouraged to utilize the resources available to you by booking an appointment with a counselor/advisor.

More information at https://www.svsu.edu/aac/ 

Social Work Licensure

Licensing for social workers in Michigan is governed by the State of Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. State licensing is available for graduates of accredited BSW programs and accredited MSW programs.

More information about social work licensing in Michigan at Student Records: https://www.michigan.gov/lara/bureau-list/bpl/health/hp-lic-health-prof/social

Student Records

Faculty and staff of the university must abide by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Student records, including information about your progress in the program, will not be released to anyone without the student’s express written permission. Academic records housed in the social work department are available for student inspection and review, except for materials where the student has specifically signed away the right of access to those materials.

Students should be aware that the department’s capacity to store and access records is limited. The department maintains some student records for a period of no more than 7 years following the student’s graduation from the program. Students should keep and store their own copies of important documents, including field education evaluations, certificates and papers.

Transfer Students

Courses completed at other institutions are evaluated for transfer equivalency by the Registrar's Office (/). Each department sets guidelines for course equivalencies in that department.

To be considered for transfer credit, general social work courses, other than SW 215 – Introduction to Social Work / Social Welfare and SW 300 – Interviewing and the Helping Relationship as well as some elective courses must have been completed at an institution accredited by Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Students should meet with the University admissions office and their social work faculty advisors prior to transferring from another institution for evaluation of transfer course work. Students should discuss with their faculty advisors whether courses taken at institutions other than SVSU can be petitioned for program credit.

Writing Center

The Writing Center assists students in the writing process, including help with organization, formatting, documenting sources, and reviewing drafts. The Writing Center is staffed by peer tutors and walk-in service is available. In addition, the Center provides helpful written and video resources on their website.

More information at http://www.svsu.edu/writingcenter/ 

Clinical Faculty Policy

Clinical field instructors are utilized to reinforce the social work perspective for students. Clinical field instructors are utilized at field placements that do not have a field instructor onsite who meets the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) field instructor requirements. They are also used selectively at placements that have field instructors who meet the CSWE field instructor requirements but due to other circumstances such as staffing shortages, the placement requires the supplemental assistance of a clinical field instructor to provide a successful learning environment for social work field students.

The clinical field instructor is a contractual employee of SVSU who meets the CSWE field instructor requirements. The CSWE requirements for field instructors are that the field instructor has graduated from a CSWE accredited program and has at least two years post degree social work practice experience. Field instructors for BSW students may have either a BSW or MSW degree. Field instructors for MSW students must have a MSW degree.

The clinical field instructor is expected to meet with the assigned student for a minimum of 1 hour per week. Ideally this meeting will take place in-person at the field agency. However, meeting virtually is an option especially in situations where there is illness or inclement weather.

Phone contact, emails, or texts do not fulfill the weekly supervision/meeting requirements but may be utilized in addition to the weekly meeting with the student to address concerns, answer questions or to communicate scheduling updates.

The clinical field instructor is expected to reinforce the NASW code of ethics with students. The clinical field instructor is also expected to comply with the code of ethics as part of their role as a practicing social worker and professional role model to the social work student.

The clinical field instructor should notify the student’s liaison/field office when there are ongoing performance or placement concerns. The clinical instructor may be utilized to mediate between the student and the field placement when there are differences of opinion or concerns about the field placement experience for either party.

The clinical field instructor should document their weekly student meeting information and the time spent working with/on behalf of a student. The clinical instructor may be provided with a form by the field education coordinator to utilize for this purpose.

The clinical field instructor does not receive payment for travel time to field placement sites, however, may submit for mileage reimbursement.

As an SVSU employee, clinical instructors must comply with Title IX requirements and reporting. Under Title IX, all University employees are considered “responsible employees” and are required to report incidents of sexual harassment and misconduct to the Title IX Coordinator or the Office of Human Resources. These incidents may be the result of observation or information provided to them.

• Coordination with your placement task supervisor to learn about placement and student’s day to day performance.
• Weekly supervision/meeting with students during the period the student is completing field placement hours while enrolled in a social work field course.
• Assistance with the development of the student’s learning agreement.
• Monitoring of the completion of the learning agreement tasks.
• Assisting the student and placement with creating degree level appropriate field assignments and expectations.
• Providing student field performance feedback.
• Participating in a once a semester meeting with the task supervisor, student, and the faculty liaison.
• Assisting the student to process placement challenges and/or ethical dilemmas.
• Addressing placement concerns with the task supervisor/assisting the student to address placement concerns.
• Keeping the liaison and/or the field office informed of student or placement concerns that are either not resolving or are of significant concern to any involved party.
• Coordinating with the task supervisor to provide performance feedback at the end of the semester and conferring regarding the student’s recommended field grade.

Please note that there may be other tasks required depending on the student and/or the placement’s needs but the examples above are common responsibilities for this position.