Advising Handbook for Full Majors School of Social Work
2015-2016 Advising Handbook for Full Majors
Table of Contents
SECTION I Welcome…………………………………………………………………………………..page 3
SECTION II General Information…………………………………………………………………pages 4-7 Bachelor of Arts Options Academic Plan Student Handbook Social Work Classes General Education Transfer Students Minors/Certificate Programs Degree Audit Reporting System (DARS) Field Placement
SECTION III Registration…………………………………………………………………………….pages 8-10 Add/Drop a Class Errors Holds Applying for Graduation Licensure
SECTION IV Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)………………………………………..page 11-12
SECTION V Contact List……………………………………………………………………………...pages 13-14 School of Social Work The University of Akron Professional Organizations
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Section I- Welcome
Welcome to the School of Social Work and congratulations on your admission as a full social work major. In response to student requests and our ongoing desire to provide our students with clear, concise, and timely information to common academic advising issues, we created this handbook.
Students may find academic advising a difficult and challenging process. This information is designed to help answer your questions and provide guidance.
The information provided is intended only for students admitted as full majors and assumes all pending requirements have been completed. Again, we strongly recommend that you meet with your academic advisor for additional information or clarification.
The email you received informing you of your admission as a full major in social work provided you with the name and contact information for your academic advisor. Please contact the School of Social Work office at 330-972-5974 for additional instructions.
Please Note:
1. This information does not preclude scheduling a meeting with your academic advisor. 2. Michele Thornton is the academic advisor for all Honors College students. Please contact Michele Thornton at 330-972-8195 or [email protected] for academic advising.
Section II - GENERAL INFORMATION
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Bachelor of Arts Options
The School of Social Work offers two (2) bachelor degrees in social work:
Bachelor of Arts (BA) - major in Social Work and Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW)
Both degrees are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Both degrees require students to complete 42 credit hours of general education as defined by University College and 46 credit hours in Social Work. The University of Akron requires students to complete a minimum of 128 credit hours to graduate with a bachelor’s degree. All students must complete her/his final 32 credit hours at Akron to graduate.
Students interested in pursuing a BA in addition to completing the required general education and social work classes, must complete a minimum of 14 credit hours in a single foreign language or American Sign Language. Spanish is recommended. No foreign language is required for the BASW. We also recommend those students interested in foreign language studies begin taking courses as early in their academic career as possible to ensure sufficient time to complete the requirements.
Academic Plan After your application to the school has been approved, you need to contact your academic advisor as soon as possible to make an appointment. At the initial appointment you will discuss program requirements, sign your Program of Study Agreement, and plan your course work through to graduation (your academic plan).
STUDENT HANDBOOK
Students will receive an electronic copy of the Student Handbook after her/his initial appointment with her/his advisor.
SOCIAL WORK CLASSES
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Social work majors must complete 46 credits in social work after admission as a full major to the School of Social Work.
7750:401 SWK Practice I (corequisite: 405) 3 credits 7750:405 SWK Practice I Skills Lab (corequisite: 401) 3 credits 7750:402 SWK Practice II (prerequisite: 401 & 405) 3 credits 7750:403 SWK Practice III (prerequisite: 401 & 405) 3 credits 7750:404 SWK Practice IV (prerequisite: 401 & 405) 3 credits 7750:425 SWK Ethics 3 credits 7750:430 Human Behavior & Social Environment II 3 credits 7750:440 SWK Research I 3 credits 7750:441 SWK Research II (prerequisite: 440) 3 credits 7750:445 Social Policy Analysis for Social Workers 3 credits 7750:4xx SWK Elective 3 credits 7750:4xx SWK Elective 3 credits 7750:493 Field Experience in a Social Agency – requires approval of Field Coordinator 3 credits 7750:494 Field Experience in a Social Agency –requires approval of Field Coordinator 3 credits [two consecutive semesters]
7750:421 Introduction to Field Experience (prerequisite 402; corequisite: 493) 2 credits 7750:422 Field Experience Seminar (prerequisite: 421; corequisite: 494) 2 credits
GENERAL EDUCATION
All students must complete 42 credits in eight categories in general education to graduate with a bachelor’s degree.
1. English Composition: 6 credits [2 courses; effective fall 2013] 2. Mathematics: 3 credits 3. Natural Science: 8 credits minimum [at least 2 courses, one of which must be a lab, and from a minimum of 2 different sets] 4. Oral Communication: 3 credits 5. Social Science: 6 credits 6. Humanities: 10 credits [3 courses, one of which must be 3400:210 or 3400:221, and 2 additional courses from two different sets] 7. Area Studies & Cultural Diversity: 4 credits [2 classes] 8. Physical Education/Wellness: 1 credit
Only courses approved for general education may be counted toward general education credit. To find a complete list of classes that meet general education requirements you can review the general education curriculum guide at http://www.uakron.edu/advising/docs/General_Education_Guide.pdf
9.26.13 Page 5 Advising Handbook for Full Majors the Undergraduate Bulletin at http://www.uakron.edu/academics_majors/undergraduate_programs/ugrad.pdf; or your DARS report.
Transfer Students
Students who transfer from another college or university will have their completed course work evaluated upon admission. To apply to The University of Akron please contact the Transfer Student Services Center at 1-800-655-4884 or 330-972-7009 or [email protected]. Please note: Only CSWE accredited transfer social work courses may be applied toward full major social work requirements. Social work courses from non CSWE accredited programs can be applied to social work pending coursework.
MINORS/CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS
Student may choose to pursue a Minor Area of Study or an Interdisciplinary and Certificate Program of Study while taking classes for their degree. Common minors or certificates social work students take are Addictions, Gerontology (aging), Pan-African Studies, and Victim Studies. For a complete list and descriptions of available minors and certificates refer to the Undergraduate Bulletin http://www.uakron.edu/academics_majors/undergraduate_programs/ugrad.pdf.
Degree Audit Reporting System (DARS)
DARS stands for Degree Audit Reporting System. DARS provides you with information about your GPA, credits, needed classes, etc. DARS is used to determine you eligibility for graduation. Students can access the DARS program through My Akron. While in DARS, the student can run a “report” which provides a current summary of where the student is in relation to obtaining a specific degree, minor, or certificate.
1. Click on the DARS icon. 2. If your DARS allows you to click a “Run” button that correctly identifies your intended degree, minor, or certificate, click run. If your option is not correct, use the drop down boxes to tell DARS what report/audit you would like to run. For social work, pick Bachelor degree and then the appropriate degree: BA or BASW [Remember: Students interested in pursuing a BA in addition to completing the required general education and social work classes, must complete a minimum of 14 credit hours in a single foreign language or American Sign Language. Spanish is recommended. No foreign language is required for the BASW. ] 3. The report will open in a new window. 4. We recommend using “Open All Sections” to review the most detailed information
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Please review your DARS regularly. If you notice an error in your DARS report, please contact your academic advisor. You should always review your DARS report before meeting with your academic advisor and bring a copy to your advising appointment as needed.
FIELD PLACEMENT
Students are required to complete two consecutive semesters in the same agency of a field placement, also known as a practicum or internship. The field placement should occur in the last two consecutive semesters before graduation. Students must meet several prerequisites before entering their field education experience.
Once curriculum prerequisites have been met and prior to entering field education, students are required to attend a two-part Field Orientation. Students should not contact any agencies to secure a field placement prior to completing Part I of their field orientation. These orientations successfully prepare students to secure a field placement, increase awareness of field documentation, schedules, requirements and ensure that each student realizes the role and significance of the term ‘Signature Pedagogy ‘ in field education.
Students with a prior felony conviction or prior sanctions for unprofessional conduct may experience challenges securing a field placement. Please inform the Field Coordinator if applicable during Part I of the Field Education Orientation. The School of Social Work does not guarantee field placements.
For additional information about field placements please refer to the Field Education page for Social Work at http://www.uakron.edu/socialwork/field-education/ or contact the Field Coordinator, Naomi White, at 330-972-5978 or [email protected].
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Section III- Registration
Registration Process
Students can identify when they are eligible to register for classes through My Akron.
1. Sign on to My Akron and click the “My Experience” tab. 2. Click on the “Student Center” link located on the left side of the page. 3. The Enrollment Dates are displayed on the right side of the screen. Click on the Details link to view additional information regarding the enrollment dates. The enrollment appointment for the selected term and career appears.
The Registrar will post a list of Registration Dates online. The list of dates will tell students the start dates of registration by the number of completed credits.
Please note: In process credits are not used to calculate enrollment appointments.
For example, if your start date of registration is October 17th at 7pm then you can sign into My Akron and register after 7pm on October 17th. If the time is 3pm on October 17th you are not eligible to register yet and you must wait until at least 7pm.
You can register any time from your enrollment date until the start of classes. It is important to refer to the Registrar’s webpage for up to date information about registration procedures and fees. Please keep in mind that courses/sections may fill quickly. The School of Social Work does not maintain a waiting list for closed classes. It is the students’ responsibility for verification of space availability for any course.
Add/Drop a class
Visit the Registrar’s website at http://www.uakron.edu/registrar for details on how to add/drop a class. Please read this section carefully. The procedure you need to follow varies by the type of change and date of change.
Blank copies of add/drop forms can be picked up in Polsky 411 or Simmons Hall. Students are encouraged to consider all possible consequences of deciding to add/drop a class prior to making a change. Students should consult with her/his academic advisor before making changes to discuss possible impacts on your learning contract. Students may also need to consider financial aid, employment, or any other area that may be impacted by making a change to your schedule. Students are subject to the university’s withdraw policy.
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This list is not inclusive and is not intended to be inclusive. This list is designed to stimulate your thinking about the impact of changing your schedule. Please consider all potential ramifications of any change prior to submission.
Errors
If you receive an “Error” message when attempting to register, click on “Error”. You will then be given a reason for the error. Please follow the step(s) listed to resolve the issue. If after reading the detail of the error message you are unsure of what to do, contact your academic advisor. Your academic advisor needs to know the exact nature of the error to provide you with accurate assistance.
Holds
A “Hold” can be academic or non academic. If you have a Hold on your registration, click on “Hold” to find out the nature of the hold. Holds can be placed on your account for a variety of reasons including but not limited to nonpayment of fees and general education. Please follow the appropriate steps to resolve the issue. If you need assistance resolving the hold please contact the appropriate person/department listed in the hold message.
Please note: Holds may delay your opportunity to register. Students are encouraged to check their accounts regularly to see if any hold exists so it can be addressed before your enrollment start date.
Please note: Additional information about enrollment appointments, add/drop/withdraw from classes, errors, holds, and student account information can be found online at http://www.uakron.edu/training/StudentV9.dot.
APPLYING FOR GRADUATION
All students must apply for graduation online. You can find step-by-step instructions to apply for graduation at http://www.uakron.edu/registrar/graduation/ or your My Akron Student Center.
Please check for deadlines to apply for graduation in your Student Center, the Registrar’s webpage, or DARS. It is general procedure for students to apply for graduation at the beginning of the second semester prior to graduation. For example, the application period to graduate in fall 2015 ended July 1, 2015. If you miss the application period for graduation, you need to contact Graduation Services as soon as possible.
Please note: An application for graduation is required to graduate from the University of Akron.
LICENSURE
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Students who earn an accredited bachelor degree in social work are eligible for a license in social work. The Counselor, Social Work, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board govern licensure in the State of Ohio. The bachelor level social work license is the Licensed Social Worker or LSW. To find out more about the LSW please visit http://www.cswmft.ohio.gov/ or call 614-466-5465.
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Section IV-Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who is my academic advisor? The email you received informing you of your admission as a full major in social work provided you with the name and contact information for your academic advisor. If you are unable to locate your email or you are unsure who your academic advisor is, please contact the School of Social Work and we will inform you of your assigned advisor. Please note: Your advisor’s name may not appear in My Akron.
2. I plan to graduate this semester, but I only have 127 credits, can I graduate? No, you may not graduate with a bachelor’s degree unless you complete at least 128 credits. If you only take the minimum general education and social work classes you will not earn enough credits to graduate. Please refer to your Student Center and/or DARS report to determine your total credit count.
3. I have more than 128 credits, but I am still not eligible to graduate. Why? In addition to a minimum number of credits, you also need to meet all degree requirements to graduate. Having more than 128 credits at graduation is common especially if you transferred schools, changed majors, or pursue 1 or more minors and/or certificates.
4. Who is considered a full-time student? The university defines a student as full-time if she/he is currently enrolled in at least 12 credits.
Please note: Refer to the Registrar’s office for summer session requirements and any additional questions.
5. Who is considered a part-time student? The university defines a student as part-time if she/he is currently enrolled in at least 6 credits.
Please note: Refer to the Registrar’s office for summer session requirements and any additional questions.
6. How can I meet the foreign language requirement for the BA? Students who complete a minimum of 14 credits in a single foreign language or American Sign Language meet the foreign language graduation requirement for the BA. If you took foreign language at another university, even if it is not a language offered at UA, the credits can be evaluated for progress toward meeting the foreign language requirement. If you are proficient in a language besides English and feel you meet the proficiency guidelines in that language, please contact your advisor and/or the Department of Modern Languages for testing and credit evaluation. Fees may be assessed for testing and related credits.
7. What is the University Partnership Program (UPP)?
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The mission of the UPP is to develop creative child welfare leaders, policy makers, managers, and direct service practitioners who have the capacity for critical thinking and to promote best practice and highest quality service to children, families, and communities. The UPP accomplishes this through the coordinated and integrated provision of quality social work education and training. For additional program and contact information about UPP please go to http://uppua.org/.
8. I have a criminal conviction. Can I still become a licensed social worker? Students should be aware that having a prior felony conviction or prior sanctions for unprofessional conduct may impact future potential for obtaining licensure, as well as field placements and social work employment. For more information, please contact the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage & Family Therapist Board at http://www.cswmft.ohio.gov/.
9. What GPA (grade point average) do I need to graduate? There are two GPA calculations used by the Registrar’s Office to determine a student’s eligibility for graduation: Cumulative and Major.
Your cumulative GPA includes all courses completed at the University of Akron. Your cumulative GPA of 2.75 or better is a requirement.
Your major GPA includes all 7750 [social work] courses completed at the University of Akron. Your social work major GPA of 2.75 or better is a requirement.
Please note: Credits transfer to the university but grades do not transfer. Transfer GPA is used for admission and placement only –after this point, the transfer GPA is not used in the university calculation.
10. I was not assigned a new academic advisor when I was admitted as a full social work major. Why? You are probably an honor student and as an honor student, you have the same academic advisor as a pending and full major social work student. Michele Thornton will be your academic advisor while you are a social work pending and full major.
11. I am having difficulty using computer-based programs and services such as Springboard, My Akron, and Microsoft Office. Where can I find help? The university provides free web-based training resources for students at http://www.uakron.edu/training/. You can also contact the Computer Help Desk at 330-972-6888 for some technical issues.
Section V- FREQUENTLY USED CONTACTS INFORMATION
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School of Social Work
School of Social Work The Polsky 330-972-5974 http://www.uakron.edu/socialwork/ Building Room 411 Dr. Timothy The Polsky 330-972-5976 [email protected] McCarragher, Director Building Room 411G Janice Cuddy, The Polsky 330-972-5275 [email protected] Administrative Building Assistant Room 411F
Deloris Jarvis, The Polsky 330-972-5974 [email protected] Secretary Building Room 411
Student Social Work [email protected] League, President (SSWL)
The University of Akron
Admissions, Office of Simmons Hall 330-972-7100 http://www.uakron.edu/admissions/ Undergraduate Room 109
Accessibility, Office of Simmons Hall 330-972-7928 http://www.uakron.edu/access/ Room 105 Adult Focus Shrank Hall 330-972-5793 http://www.uakron.edu/uaaf/ North Room 260 Computer Help Desk 330-972-6888 http://www.uakron.edu/its/hoss/helpdesk/index.php
International The Polsky 330-972-6349 http://www.uakron.edu/oip/immigration/ Building Programs, Office Room 483 of
Military Services Simmons Hall 330-972-7838 http://www.uakron.edu/veterans/ Room 120 Registrar, Office of the Simmons Hall 330-972-8300 http://www.uakron.edu/registrar/ University Room 120
Student Financial Aid, Simmons Hall 330-972-7032 http://www.uakron.edu/finaid/
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Office of
Transfer Students Simmons Hall 330-972-6415 http://www.uakron.edu/transferstudents/ Services Center Room 109J
Professional Organizations
Council on Social Work www.cswe.org Education (CSWE)
International www.iaswg.org Association for Social Work with Groups
National Association of www.naswdc.org Social Workers (NASW) National Chapter
National Association of www.naswoh.org Social Workers (NASW) Ohio Chapter
State of Ohio www.cswmft.ohio.gov Counselor, Social Worker, & Marriage and Family Therapist Board
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