Academic Policies

Graduation

Students may officially graduate in August, January, or May. Students must apply for graduation on Albert, and they must be enrolled for either course work, leave of absence, or maintenance of matriculation during their final semester.

To graduate in a specific semester, students must apply for graduation within the application deadline period indicated on the calendar available at the Office of the University Registrar's web page. It is recommended that students apply for graduation no later than the beginning of the semester in which they plan to complete all program requirements. Students who do not successfully complete all academic requirements by the end of that semester must reapply for graduation for the following cycle.

Grading

Grades

Grade	Description
A	(4.0) Excellence in integrating conceptual learning with practice situations. Consistently superior performance in dealing with conceptual material. Excellence in written expression and scholarship. Evidence of self-direction in learning with substantial reading activity in depth and breadth. Resourceful, intelligent participation in class discussion. Might include leadership in class projects.
A-	(3.7) Attributes would be similar to the above, but to a lesser degree. There might be somewhat more unevenness than in the “A” performance.
B+	(3.3) Performance on attributes would be somewhat above “B” level, but less than “A-” level. One might find more unevenness and more gaps than in an “A-” student in an otherwise good level of functioning.
B	(3.0) Expectations for graduate level work acceptable in terms of self-direction, reading activity dealing with conceptual material, integration of conceptual-practice dimensions of learning, class participation, oral and written expression. Stress would be on acceptable performance.
B-	(2.7) Barely acceptable performance in attributes described in “A” and “B” categories. Some areas might be below expectations. The work has been done but there are a number of gaps and some superficiality in grasp of material.
C	(2.0) There is minimal grasp of concepts and minimal integration of conceptual and practice learning. Students might repeat some content areas on a mechanical, rote basis, but the student's understanding is unclear or questionable. The grade is "passing," but the student is considered marginal in important areas of learning. The gaps in learning are more extensive than in the case of a “B-” grade. The grade of “C” should serve to alert the student that his/her/their work is borderline and should improve.
F	(0.0) Work is unsatisfactory in most of the attributes considered and does not warrant receiving credit for the course. A student receiving an “F” grossly misunderstands course content and/or is deficient in its mastery. Failure to submit assignments or other required materials is clearly unacceptable. Non- matriculating students who receive an “F” grade are not eligible for future registration.

Standards of Conduct

It is critical that students understand their rights and responsibilities not only as individuals enrolled in the program, but also as community members. The undergraduate program is a community with a goal of educating people to become social workers and citizens who promote human rights and the creation of a more just society.

Every member of the Silver community - students, faculty and staff can create an environment and uphold these values by:

• Engaging in honest and open dialogue.
• Emphasizing the importance of caring human relationships
• Respecting every person’s lived experience.
• Honoring the dignity and rights of each other.
• Considering the perspectives of others.

Members of the Silver community should feel:

• a sense of belonging, valued
• supported
• trusted
• connected
• invested

Students have a responsibility to conduct themselves in accordance with the values of the undergraduate program community and the profession of social work. Students should take their rights and responsibilities as a valued member of the community seriously.

Essential Abilities and Attributes for Social Work Students

The complex process of becoming a competent professional social worker begins upon entrance into the NYU Silver School of Social Work BS and MSW program. In order to maintain matriculation in the BS and MSW program, and to meet their obligations as professionals, students are expected to meet all of the standards for social work education and practice listed below. These standards will be part of evaluations of students made by faculty during the course of study. An inability to meet these standards will have consequences for successful continuation in, and completion of, the program.

Attendance and Punctuality

Social work students are expected to attend all scheduled classes and fulfill all required practicum placement hours. They are expected to complete assignments on time, and to be punctual and dependable.

Professional Behavior

Social work students are expected to behave in a professional manner in all classes, in their practicum placements, and in all interactions with faculty, staff, and other students. They are expected to communicate effectively and respectfully with other students, faculty, staff, clients and other professionals both orally and in writing.

Academic Integrity

Social work students are expected to maintain the highest standards of academic integrity and adhere to NYU and Silver School of Social Work standards of academic conduct.

Professional Commitment

Social work students must possess a commitment to the core values and ethical standards of professional social work. They are expected to be knowledgeable about and adhere to the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics.

Self-Awareness

Social work students must be open to examining how their values, attitudes, and beliefs affect their thinking, behavior and interpersonal interactions. Students must be willing to examine and change their attitudes and behavior when they interfere with their work with clients and with other professionals

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Social work students must possess a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and they are expected to demonstrate this commitment in their practicum placements, classes, and in the larger School community.

Judgment

Social work students are expected to apply sound professional and personal judgment and effectively attend to professional roles and boundaries.

Self-Care

Social work students are expected to manage the demands of the BS and MSW program in a manner that enables them to remain consistently engaged, attentive to duties, and professional in conduct and attitude. They must be able to recognize the signs of stress, develop appropriate means of self-care, and seek supportive resources if necessary.

Ethical Use of Social Media in Practice

In order to ensure the most appropriate and effective use of social media and to avoid unique challenges that social media usage may create, students should use ethical principles as outlined in the NASW Code of Ethics as a guide to practice. Specific guidelines on social media content and presence may differ at different agencies and institutions. Students are responsible for gaining clarity on these guidelines before sharing information and experiences, whether for professional, educational, or personal purposes, on social media outlets. In general, students should keep in mind the following:

• Social work students should avoid conflicts of interest that interfere with the exercise of professional discretion and impartial judgment, and should avoid dual or multiple relationships with clients.
• Student should respect a client’s right to privacy, and should not solicit private information unless it is immediately relevant.
• Students should not discuss confidential information in any setting unless privacy can be ensured.

Students should not permit their private conduct to interfere with their professional work, and should make clear distinctions between statements and actions made as a private individual and as a social work professional.

Professional Misconduct and Discipline

Policy on Plagiarism and Academic Integrity

A professional social work degree should represent genuine learning and readiness to undertake responsibilities that include adhering to the social work Code of Ethics. The degree's integrity must be carefully safeguarded. Faculty is responsible for helping students learn to understand and value other people's ideas, to use resources and conscientiously acknowledge them, and to develop and clarify their own thinking. In addition, all the usual academic norms addressing honesty in academic performance, such as following all of the rules involving examinations of any kind, must be scrupulously followed. Failure to do so can result in dismissal from the program.

All students are expected to pursue the highest standards of academic excellence and integrity. Students must adhere to the norms of a serious professional community. A student's responsibilities include the following:

• A duty to respect the efforts of others by submitting his or her own academic work and case recordings.
• A duty to acknowledge properly the efforts of others.
• A duty to safeguard and respect the property and rights of others.

For more information, see University Policy on Academic Integrity for Students.

Definition of Plagiarism

In order to make the rules with regard to what does and does not constitute a breach of academic ethics as clear as possible, the faculty has formally clarified the definition of plagiarism for NYU School of Social Work as follows:

• Plagiarism constitutes both academic misconduct and a breach of professional trust.
• Plagiarism is presenting someone else's work, either academic or practicum related, as though it were your own.
• More specifically, plagiarism is to present as your own a sequence of words quoted without quotation marks from another writer; a paraphrased passage from another writer's work; facts or ideas gathered, organized, and reported by someone else, orally and/or in writing, without attribution.
• Since plagiarism is a matter of fact, not of the student's intention, it is crucial that acknowledgment of sources be accurate and complete.
• Even where there is no conscious intention to deceive, the failure to make appropriate acknowledgment constitutes plagiarism.

Ways to Avoid Plagiarism

• Familiarize yourself with the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association.
• When taking notes from any written material (published or not) summarize, do not paraphrase. If you are not sure about this, check with your instructor. Even summaries should be acknowledged in your presentation since the idea and often the manner in which the material is organized is the work of someone else.
• When someone else has said something so well that you want to include it in your work, be sure to copy it exactly, follow APA quotation guidelines and cite the copied portion(s) appropriately.
• Students are fully responsible for any work they submit. If the work is typed by a typist, students must read the finished work to be sure that no references or quotation marks have been omitted.
• If you allow another student(s) to copy your work (including computer programs and research data) and submit it as their own, or if you submit a copy of someone else's work and claim it as your own, you have plagiarized.
• Understand that your reader will want to know the sources you used in your research/writing and may be concerned about phrasing that is not like your usual writing style. Online material must be clearly referenced as well.
• It is recommended that you cite electronic sources in the same manner you would non- electronic sources. Additionally, you must include all the electronic retrieval information needed for others to locate the sources you cited (i.e. web URLs or DOIs).

Reporting a Concern & Support Resources

If you experience bias, harassment, or have concerns about safety and misconduct, please use the following resources. For assistance or support in navigating these options, you can contact the Silver Student Experience team or the NYU Office of the Dean of Students.

Emergency & Immediate Support

• Emergencies: Call 911 immediately.

• Campus Safety: (212) 998-2222 (24/7).

Report a Concern

In ensuring the safety and well-being of our community, NYU has established a comprehensive system for reporting incidents and addressing concerns. The Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT), Bias Response Line, Title IX resources, and Safety and Security measures are integral components of our NYU commitment to maintaining a safe and inclusive environment. Don't hesitate to report any concerns or incidents. Your contribution is vital in maintaining a safe and inclusive environment for everyone 

• I want to report a concern to the BIT team.

• I want to report an incident involving Bias. 

• I want to report an incident involving Sexual Misconduct.

• I want to report a concern regarding Student Misconduct.

Policies & Confidentiality

Please review the Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy and the Sexual Misconduct, Relationship Violence, and Stalking Policy and the University Student Conduct Policy.

Note on Privacy & Confidentiality:

• Mandatory Reporting: Many NYU employees are legally required to report certain kinds of incidents disclosed to them by students.

• Confidential Resources: If you wish to share information and seek advice confidentially, resources such as NYU religious centers and chaplains, the Wellness Exchange, and Crisis Response Counselors are available.

• For additional information and a full list of which resources are — or are not — confidential, please visit the Resource and Support page.

Unsure Where to Start? The Silver Student Experience team or the NYU Office of the Dean of Students can help direct you to the right resource.

Doctoral Policies (PhD and DSW)

Transfer and Articulation Agreements

Normally, credit for required courses in the PhD or DSW program cannot be transferred from other institutions. For admissions purposes, transfer credit from other educational programs within the school or from other institutions is generally not allowed. 

Academic Standing and Progress

A DSW student who is on academic probation is considered not to be in good academic standing. Students will be automatically placed on academic probation for any of the following reasons: 

1. Receiving a “Fail” in a course.
2. Failure to complete course requirements (as within one semester following the end of the semester in which the course was taken).
3. Inadequate performance in internship.

Academic probation triggers the formation of a Status Committee, which serves to help the student identify obstacles to remaining in good academic standing and provides guidance and support for helping the student plan for improvement. Status Committees consist of three members: the student’s advisor/mentor, a member of the DSW Program Committee, and the Director of the DSW Program. Students who do not improve their academic performance sufficiently within one semester of being placed on academic probation will be dismissed from the program. The criteria for sufficient improvement are as follows:

1. adherence to standards for attendance,
2. completion of all incomplete and/or failed coursework, and
3. satisfactorily addressing other issues as indicated by the Status Committee, and no additional failures to complete course and workshop requirements (including internship) in the probationary semester.

When academic probation is triggered in a student’s final semester of coursework, a status committee will determine the requirement(s) for returning to good academic standing.

Procedure for Appealing a Grade

Doctoral Program (DSW)

If a student wishes to appeal the decision of the Dean, the student can submit a written appeal to the NYU Office of Student Affairs in order to invoke a Student Grievance Procedure.

Doctoral Program (PhD)

Students can initiate a grade appeal if they believe a course grade was issued based on inequitable or prejudicial practices, the grade is in violation of the grading policy or standards set forth by the instructor, or by an administrative or clerical error.  No other reason can form the basis for a grade appeal.

The student should bring their concerns to the instructor no later than five (5) working days after notification of the grade to discuss why they believe the grade should be reconsidered with the goal of clarifying expectations, confusion, and to problem solve.

Withdrawals 

Students who are considering withdrawal from the DSW Program should contact the DSW Program Director to arrange an exit interview. Following the interview, students should submit an online withdrawal form via Albert.  Students must contact and notify the Financial Aid Office if they have been receiving financial aid, and they should consult the Refund Schedule for Complete Withdrawals. Students may also contact the Office of Enrollment Services and any applicable University offices to obtain information with respect to grades, classes, and refunds policies.

Redress of Grievances

The Doctor of Social Work program follows the New York University Student Grievance Procedure.

Internships

A choice of a teaching or field-based learning internship is required and may be taken concurrently with the Teaching Clinical Practice or Supervision/Field Education class. Teaching in-person or online at a CSWE accredited graduate or undergraduate program is acceptable as is teaching at a clinical training institute. Any semester of teaching during your matriculation in the DSW Program may count toward this requirement. For those selecting a supervisory internship, you may use your current or previous (since beginning the DSW Program) place of employment if it involves direct supervision of social work students, social workers or other mental health professionals. The field instruction must occur for the span of a semester during your time in the DSW Program.

Master's Program Policies (MSW)

MSW Residency Requirements

1. All MSW Pathways, with the exception of the Dual Degree and Advanced Standing pathways, require successful completion of the 65 credit curriculum, which includes Practicum Instruction. Silver accepts transfer students who have completed their first year at a CSWE-accredited graduate social work program. Silver also accepts students who have taken up to 12 credits (four courses) at a CSWE-accredited graduate social work program within the last five years. Social Work Practice courses will not transfer. Students must have earned a grade of B or better and the content of the course must be equivalent to ours. Courses will not transfer if they were credited toward a previous degree or if they were taken more than five years ago.
2. Students who transfer in Social Work Practice/Practicum I/II can transfer in a maximum of 33 credits.
3. MSW students can take up to two elective courses at other graduate schools within New York University to count toward their degree. Students who have already taken two non-social work electives must take their remaining elective(s) at the Silver School. Language courses are not eligible for cross-school registration.
4. Silver requires transcripts from all colleges or universities where you earned 12 or more credits (including the institution where you are in the process of earning your bachelor’s degree). If you are admitted into NYU Silver School of Social Work, you will be required to submit official transcripts showing all grades and degree conferrals.

Transfer and Articulation Agreements

Successful completion of a comparable first-year, full-time master’s curriculum (including practicum placement) may transfer up to 33 credits from a CSWE-accredited school of social work is required prior to the academic year of application to the School. Students must have earned a grade of B or better and the content of the course(s) must be equivalent to ours. Courses will not transfer if they were credited toward a previous conferred degree or if they were taken more than five years ago.

All other MSW students may transfer up to 4 classes (12 credits) as advanced credit from a CSWE-accredited school of social work is required prior to the academic year of application to the School. Students must have earned a grade of B or better and the content of the course(s) must be equivalent to ours. Courses will not transfer if they were credited toward a previous conferred degree or if they were taken more than five years ago.

Degree Requirements

All MSW Pathways, with the exception of the Dual Degree and Advanced Standing pathways, require successful completion of the 65-credit curriculum, which includes Practicum Instruction. To qualify for the MSW degree, students must have a grade point average of at least 3.0 (corresponding to a B average).

Students cannot enroll in additional courses once they achieve 65 credits. Students should refrain from enrolling in more classes than are needed to graduate as this may impact their financial aid and scholarship package eligibility.

Finally, students who elect to enroll in one-credit courses should confirm their credit enrollments are accurate, so as to not be confused by three-credit courses. Students have a total of 5 years from the point of matriculation to complete all degree requirements.

While a credit audit may be performed on each student at the culmination of their degree, it is the student’s responsibility to ensure they have satisfied and obtained their pathway program requirements.

32-Month Program Curriculum Deviations

The official curriculum plan for the 32 Month Pathway ensures that students are enrolled in at least one required course while in Practicum Instruction; this is inclusive of Social Work Practice I-IV. There are academic scenarios in which 32 Month Pathway students may have a semester(s) where they are only enrolled in Practicum Instruction, such as in cases of leave of absence or a revised curriculum plan. These deviations may be approved by the academic advisor as long as the Practicum Education & Community Partnerships Department is informed.

Requirements for Good Standing in the MSW Program

Students enrolled in the MSW Program are expected to maintain good academic standing, which includes the following criteria:

• A 3.0 grade point average.
• No F (failing) grades. Note that regardless of the grade point average, students earning an “F” grade will be placed on academic concern. Students who receive an “F” grade for a required course must repeat the course at their own expense.
• Additional requirements include the following:
• Students are responsible for the removal of Bursar, Health Services, and/or final official transcript holds, which prevent students from registering. A hold is an administrative restriction that may be placed on a student’s account by various offices within the University. This indicates a required obligation that has not been met. Holds may prevent class registration.
• Registration for appropriate classes in the proper sequence (see Appendix in Student Manual).
• Students must complete all Generalist Practice level courses, including Practicum Instruction prior to enrolling in Specialized Practice level courses.

Academic Standing and Progress

At the end of each semester student transcripts are reviewed to assess MSW students’ academic standing. Students who have outstanding Incompletes, or low or failing grades, are placed on academic concern and may be required to meet with their academic advisor. Students who are identified as meeting the criteria for a Notice of Academic Concern, or another academic status change, will generally receive official notification of their new status during the first week of the semester in which the status will take effect. In cases where a status change is required prior to the end of a semester, students may be notified beforehand.

Academic advisement is especially important when a student is admitted or placed on academic concern. Therefore, any student placed on academic concern is encouraged to contact their academic advisor for resources and guidance. Students must meet the following criteria in order to come off academic concern and return to good academic standing:

• A 3.0 cumulative grade point average
• No F (failing) grades
• No W (withdrawal) grades

If the student meets the conditions of their notice of academic concern and the criteria for good academic standing at the end of their review period, they will come off of academic concern. If the student fails to return to good academic standing any semester after being placed on academic concern, they will be dismissed from the MSW program.

Repeated Academic Concern and Dismissals

Students are allowed on academic concern status once during their tenure at NYU Silver School of Social Work. If a student is removed from academic concern status, but is placed on academic concern in future semesters, the student will be automatically dismissed from the program.

Additionally, the following criteria will result in an automatic dismissal:

• Failing all courses in one semester.
• In the case where a student’s cumulative GPA is unable to elevate their GPA above a 3.0 upon completion of the next academic term.

The MSW Program Director will notify the student in writing of the dismissal decision. The decision may be appealed by writing to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and MSW Program Director within 5 business days of receiving the dismissal notification in cases when the student believes the dismissal decision involved a violation of school policies. The appeal letter must identify the specific policy that was allegedly violated.

​Full-Time and Half-Time Equivalency

At NYU, there are two ways to understand full-time and half-time status: administrative enrollment status and academic unit load requirements.

Administrative Enrollment Status

A student’s administrative enrollment status determines eligibility for student loans and student visas. It is the status that the university reports when certifying enrollment to external organizations such as the National Student Clearinghouse. In order for an NYU graduate student to have an administrative enrollment status of full-time, they must enroll in at least 9 credits. In order for an NYU graduate student to have an administrative enrollment status of half-time, they must enroll in at least 4.5 credits.

Please note: Equivalency is used to help students retain their eligibility for loans, but it does not make a student eligible for scholarships. Graduate students may be approved as having full-time or half-time equivalency for an academic term based on various conditions as determined by the schools. Some of these may include:

• If a student needs to complete spring practicum hours into the summer semester and are enrolled for less than 4.5 credits for both summer sessions, they can be considered for half-time equivalency.
• Students enrolled in a 3 credit study away course in the summer term may be offered half-time equivalency.
• If a student needs to take fewer credits than expected based on their program pathway’s curriculum in their final semester (due to advanced/waiver credits or completion of non-degree courses), a one time exception may be granted for half-time equivalency.  

Academic Unit Load Requirements

Students who receive Silver Scholarship funding are required to meet the MSW Program’s academic unit load requirements irrespective of the administrative enrollment status definition. Academic unit load requirements vary by program. 

For Silver MSW students:

• Two Year and Advanced Standing students must enroll in at least 12 credits each fall and spring semester to have an academic unit load of full-time;
• All 16 Month students must enroll in at least 12 credits each semester of enrollment to have an academic unit load of full-time; 
• Extended, 32 Month, Hybrid, and OYR students must enroll in at least 6 credits each semester to have an academic unit load of half-time. 

Academic unit load requirements are based on each program pathway’s curriculum. Students should follow their pathway's curriculum guide, as doing so will keep them in compliance with the MSW Program’s academic unit load requirements.

Grading

Guidelines for Grading Papers

The guidelines (noted in the Grading section), adopted by the faculty, are the culmination of a lengthy process aimed at objectifying the basis for grading. The guidelines do not mandate a rigid formula for grading students but rather offer some guidance to faculty members in determining the various grade levels. Individual faculty members have discretion within the scheme of attributes presented to weigh factors differentially as they see fit. However, it is intended that each instructor has a clear contract with his/her/their class which would include the following components:

• Clarity on the way in which attributes included in the guidelines would be weighed.
• Clarity on the basis for demonstrating performance (in other words, what evidence will be utilized) in regard to attributes.
• Clarity on the process that will be used by the instructor for offering feedback on performance.

Guidelines for Course Grading

Faculty have a responsibility to provide feedback to students on their performance at appropriate intervals throughout the course, and to respond in a professional timeframe to questions and concerns about grading. Students have the right to consult with a faculty member about how the grade for a particular assignment or the final grade was determined. Final course grades typically include a combination of paper grades, tests, attendance, and participation.

Incomplete Grades

Students who are unable to complete all of the assignments for a course by the time the course ends can request an I (incomplete) grade from the instructor by submitting an Incomplete Grade Form (see Student Manual) Instructors cannot issue Incompletes without active initiation of an Incomplete Form by the student. Otherwise, instructors must issue the grade earned. It is to the instructor’s discretion to discuss with the student their academic performance in the course and encourage the student to initiate an Incomplete request. If the student does not submit a request for an I grade, the student will receive a grade based on their submitted assignments and performance in the course.

Students have the right to dispute a grade they believe resulted from a violation of the grading policy or standards set forth by the instructor. To do so, students must first meet with the Instructor to clarify the rationale of the grade and discuss why they believe the grade should be reconsidered within 5 working days after the grade has been posted.

If the matter is still not resolved, students have an additional 5 working days to appeal the Instructor’s decision about reconsidering the grade by writing an appeal letter and meeting with the Instructor and relevant Curriculum Area Chair to discuss the situation. The Instructor makes the final decision about the grade and there is no further appeal process. 

To do so, students must first meet with the Instructor to clarify the rationale of the grade and discuss why they believe the grade should be reconsidered within 5 working days after the grade has been posted.

If the matter is still not resolved, students have an additional 5 working days to appeal the Instructor’s decision about reconsidering the grade by writing an appeal letter and meeting with the Instructor and relevant Curriculum Area Chair to discuss the situation. The Instructor makes the final decision about the grade and there is no further appeal process. 

Policy on Repetition of Courses

• Students must repeat a required course for which they receive a grade of “F” in order to receive credit for that course at their own expense.
• Students can repeat any elective course for which they receive a grade of “F” in order to receive credit for that course at their own expense.
• In all cases, an original “F” grade continues to be included in the computation of the grade point average even if the course is repeated and passed successfully.
• Students are not allowed to repeat courses for which they receive a grade of “C” or better without consulting with their Academic Advisor and informing the Registrar.

Academic Guidelines

Sequential Courses

Core required courses are numbered courses, such as Research I and Research II. They are designed to be taken in order. Students are responsible for following their designated curriculum guide and cannot take these courses out of their designated order unless otherwise indicatfed by their Academic Advisor.

Online and Blended Courses

The MSW program offers two types of distance learning courses: online and blended. Online refers to a fully online course with no in-person meetings; online courses may be entirely synchronous (live online instruction) or a combination of synchronous and asynchronous (self-paced, on-your-own learning). Blended refers to a course that has both online and in-person instruction. Online and blended courses will be listed in Albert course listings with explanatory notes (if applicable)

Registering for online courses

Students enrolled in a distance learning option for the MSW program, as well as those students originally enrolled at the Rockland or Westchester branch campuses, have first enrollment priority for first enrollment priority for designated online sections (generally Course Sections 70, 71, 90, 91). On-campus students may be permitted to enroll in these sections on a space-available basis. Students should follow the Waitlist Request policy to request addition to a full section.

Online students are not permitted to register for on-campus courses.

Switching between online and on-campus options

MSW students indicate their program option (online or on-campus) when they apply to NYU Silver. To change their program option, students must notify their academic advisor by completing the MSW Program Modality Change Request Form. Requests must be submitted prior to the University add/drop deadline for the current semester; if approved, the change will go into effect the next semester the student is enrolled. For example, approved requests submitted by the Fall add/drop deadline will go into effect the following Spring semester. Newly admitted students must request to change their modality prior to new student registration. 

Changing program options only affects coursework; the practicum schedule, placement, and location does not change. Students are limited to a maximum of one option change during their time in the MSW program. 

To be approved, the following criteria must be met:

• There are available seats in the online option to accommodate the student, if applicable.

• The change will not disrupt the student’s program of study/timeline to graduation, including their practicum schedule.

The above policy does not apply to modality changes related to accommodations for accessibility needs. Students seeking to change their modality to meet accessibility needs must connect directly with the Moses Center for Accessibility and Inclusive Culture at 212-998-4980 or via email at mosescsa@nyu.edu to initiate a request.

Waiving Required Courses

Students can apply for Advance Credit if they have completed comparable graduate coursework in a similar social science discipline or CSWE-accredited social work program, and the course taken elsewhere was not used toward receipt of another degree. Advance credit allows students to receive course credit toward the MSW degree at Silver for the course taken elsewhere.

Students can apply for Waiver Credit if they have completed comparable graduate coursework in a similar social science discipline or CSWE-accredited social work program, and the course taken elsewhere was used toward receipt of another degree. Waiver credit allows students to take an approved Silver elective course in place of a required course. However, credit will not count toward the MSW degree for the waived course. See Appendix in the MSW Student Manual for more information and instructions.

Please contact the Silver Advanced and Waiver Credit Team at silver.advancedcredit@nyu.edu for inquiries about advance and waiver credit from previously completed courses outside of NYU Silver School of Social Work.

Waiver Approval for Social Work Research I or II 

Students who receive waiver credit approval for Social Work Research I or II are required to take an approved research alternative elective. An approved list of research alternative electives is shared with the student by the Admissions & Enrollment Services Office. Students should inform their Academic Advisor, the Chair to Research, and obtain permission, if applicable, to register for an approved research alternative elective. It is the student's responsibility to fulfill the waiver credit requirement in order to meet their degree requirements.

Taking Diversity, Racism, Oppression, and Privilege as an Elective

Advanced Standing students have the option of enrolling in DROP as one of their electives. In order to do so they must contact their Academic Advisor before the registration period begins, who will make sure the Registrar is notified about this change in the student’s degree program. Failure to contact the Academic Advisor could result in difficulties with graduation.

Request to Switch Practice I-II

Practice I-II/Practicum Instruction I-II is a two-semester sequence in which the Practice instructor also serves as the Faculty Practicum Advisor. Normally, changing sections in the middle of this sequence is not allowed. However, students in extenuating circumstances may request an exemption from this rule, Students must make this request in writing to the Chair of Practice and the Assistant Dean of the Department of Practicum Education and Community Partnerships, Dr. Anne Dempsey (anne.dempsey@nyu.edu), that explains the reason(s) for the request. Exemptions may only be granted on a case by case basis.

Both the Chair and the Assistant Dean must approve for the exemption to be granted. In cases when the request is denied, students may appeal the decision in writing to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs within 5 working days of the request denial.

Policy on Audio and Video Recording of Classes

1. Audio and video recording of classes is prohibited without written consent of the instructor. Instructors may, but are not required to, seek the permission of other members of the class before providing consent.
2. Permission to record will be at the sole discretion of the instructor except in cases in which recording is an approved academic accommodation from the Moses Center for Student Accessibility (CSA), for which permission to record shall be determined as part of an interactive process between the instructor, the student, and the CSA.
3. When the instructor's permission is granted, students must sign the Audio and Video Recording Agreement form (in Student Manual, which indicates their agreement to abide by the principles delineated on the form).
4. Violation of the principles having to do with audio and video recording of class sessions may result in disciplinary action.

Cross-School Registration

Students who wish to take courses at other schools within New York University and apply the credits toward their MSW elective credit requirement must receive prior approval from the Curriculum Chair of that course area by submitting a course description and syllabus. Upon receiving approval, the student is responsible for contacting the appropriate offices at the other school to secure permission to register and complete the registration process. Contact information for each school and their registration correspondence can be referenced on the Registering at Another NYU School webpage. Finally, the student must complete the Cross-School Registration Form (in Student Manual) submit it to their Academic Advisor.

Note that the completion of this form does not constitute registration for the desired course. Students who have already taken two non-social work electives must take their remaining elective(s) at the School. Language courses are not eligible for cross-school registration.

Auditing a Course

Auditing is an opportunity for degree seeking students to attend a course to learn for personal enrichment without receiving credit or a grade. Students who audit a course are expected to complete all assigned work. Students may audit up to two Silver-only elective courses during the duration of their MSW Program with the permission of their academic advisor and the instructor of the audited course.

Academic and Financial Implications

• You must be a matriculated student at NYU to audit courses.
• Full tuition and fees apply to audited courses.
• Tuition remission cannot be applied to audited courses.
• No scholarship funds may be applied to audited classes.
• You may drop audited courses only during the Drop/Add period which is during the first two weeks of the term. After the Drop/Add period, you cannot drop the course, nor will you receive a refund.
• Audited courses count toward a student’s maximum course load but do not count towards full-time or part-time status.
• No credit units are earned, nor are letter grades recorded. Students receive an R (Registered Auditor) for the class.
• Auditor status cannot be revoked once it has been requested and the student is enrolled in the class.
• An audited class cannot be taken again at a later date for a credit and a grade.

Requesting to Audit a Course

To submit a request, please complete the Silver Audit Request Form (see Appendix O). All auditing requests must be submitted by the start date of the semester, regardless of the start date of the course. There is no appeal for late submissions. Auditors follow all regular registration procedures, including payment of tuition and fees, add/drop deadlines and withdrawal policies.

For students who must audit a Social Work Practice class they have previously passed in order to enroll or remain in a Practicum Instruction class, please note that the audited Social Work Practice class, with Dean of Practicum Education and Community Partnerships approval, will be at no additional cost.

Auditing and Enrolling Requests from Non-Silver Students

Students from other NYU Schools may not audit any MSW courses at NYU Silver School of Social Work. 

If a non-Silver student would like to enroll in a NYU Silver course, they must seek approval from their academic advisor at their designated School and the instructor teaching the course. Upon approval, the student should email Silver Enrollment Services at silver.registration@nyu.edu and copy their advisor and the instructor. Students will not be enrolled for at least a week after Silver students register for classes.

Steinhardt graduate students have an exception to the policy requiring approval. For Fall, Spring, and Summer classes, Steinhardt students will be able to register themselves for Silver electives without receiving prior approval approximately a week after registration opens for Silver students. The exact date will be in the "Notes" section of each class each registration period.

Research Opportunities

Students who are interested in research experience have various ways to be involved both within the School and through external offerings. Please review the resources below. 

Independent Study Opportunities

An independent study allows students to design and carry out a learning project that covers material that is not available in an existing course. Students are allowed to substitute an independent study for either a three-credit elective or an one-credit elective. More than one independent study will not be allowed. Independent study must be supervised by a full-time faculty member of the Silver School of Social Work.

There are two independent study options: a traditional independent study, and a research independent study. A traditional independent study typically focuses on theoretical or applied material of strong interest to the student that is either not covered in an existing course or it is not covered in sufficient depth. A research independent study provides an opportunity to gain meaningful research experience by working with a faculty member engaged in an existing program of research.

For either type of independent study, the application process should begin well before the semester for which it is being planned. The first step for students who are interested in applying for an independent study is to discuss it with their academic adviser in order to make sure that doing an independent study fits within their degree plan.

In order to apply for a traditional independent study, the second step is for students to identify a faculty member with the appropriate substantive expertise. The student and faculty will then discuss, refine, agree and submit the learning project and timeline to the respective curriculum chair. Supervising an independent study is a voluntary activity for faculty, and the School does not guarantee that a sponsor will be available.

In order to secure a research independent study, the second step is for students to submit a request via email to the Associate Dean for Research (Professor Marya Gwadz: marya.gwadz@nyu.edu). Dr. Gwadz will send a list of Silver faculty who are willing to provide a meaningful research experience to students. Students will contact the faculty directly to discuss a research independent study. As with the traditional independent study, students are responsible for finding a faculty sponsor, and the School cannot guarantee that one will be available.

Upon agreeing to supervise either a traditional or research independent study, the faculty sponsor should work with the student to develop a mutually agreeable learning contract. Students must then complete the MSW Independent Study Form (in Student Manual), which both the student and sponsoring faculty member have to sign. The form must be submitted to the Office of Enrollment Services, which will register the student for the independent study. At the end of the semester, the sponsoring faculty member is responsible for submitting a final grade for the independent study.

Research Jobs and Internship Opportunities

NYU Handshake is the Wasserman Center's career development platform for jobs, internships, events, and more. It hosts any available openings for research positions in jobs, paid and unpaid internships. Handshake may be directly accessed by logging in with your NYU Net ID credentials at https://nyu.joinhandshake.com/login.

There are also research jobs appropriate for students posted by NYU on Interfolio.com, NYU’s Research Career site. Additionally, Indeed.com and Idealist.org are external platforms that may host appropriate positions. While these sites are open to all, students are encouraged to apply. 

Volunteer Opportunities

Students may also request to volunteer to work for a faculty directly by contacting them. Faculty research interests are noted on the School website. 

Research Course Opportunities

All students in the Silver MSW program are required to enroll in MSWPF-GS 2009 Research I and MSWAC-GS 2008 Research II courses. For further research education, students can request to take research courses within the Silver PhD program. Students seeking to take PhD Research courses must obtain permission from that course's instructor. The available PhD Research courses are found on Albert’s Course Search.

Students may also utilize Cross School Registration and take a research focused course as an MSW elective; refer to Cross School Registration for further information.

Expectations for Attendance

Students are required to attend all classes. Please be proactive and notify your instructors via email if you know you will be absent or immediately after missing a class. Instructors are highly encouraged to reduce participation points due to unexcused absences. Excused absences include, but are not limited to: Religious and spiritual observations, health, economic, or social shocks (unexpected events), or planned events relating to family, personal, or professional commitments. It is the student's responsibility to make up missed material. To make up for missed classes, students may be required to do additional work at the request of the instructor and submit the assignment within a reasonable timeframe (e.g., prior to the next class). Students may also be granted attendance related accommodations through the Moses Center for Accessibility; these accommodations are applied in tandem with the Excused Absence policy defined in this MSW Student Manual. Students can learn more about individualized accommodations offered through the Moses Center by contacting an Accessibility Specialist using their Contact webpage.

For one-credit electives, students must attend all classes in order to be eligible for a passing grade. Students should not register for an intensive one-credit or three-credit elective after the first session of the course is held, even if the University add/drop period is still open.

If a student is absent for an excused reason, such as religious and spiritual observations, health, economic, or social shocks (unexpected events), withdrawals and refunds may be granted with an appeal. Medical documentation or other documentation may be required for a refund. Please refer to the Withdrawals and Refunds for One-Credit Electives policy for additional information.

Class Absences Due to Waitlist

Students who join a class in the second or third week due to being waitlisted will not have the class sessions count as absences. However, the student must make up the work missed and, in some cases, upon professor discretion, may need to complete an additional assignment.

Expectations for Waitlists

During the Add/Drop period students may enroll in open courses until the class capacity has been reached. Once a class is full, it will be labeled as Waitlisted. If your desired class is full, you may add yourself to the waitlist. Once a waitlist also fills, the class will be labeled as Closed.

Movement on waitlists occurs from the beginning of registration through the first two weeks of the semester until Add/Drop ends. It is not a guarantee if the waitlist for any given class will change and if waitlisted students will get into a class. 

Students who are placed on a waitlist for a preferred course should confirm they have utilized SWAP in Albert. Swap is a registration feature in Albert that helps students automatically move into a preferred class if a seat opens up without risking your current schedule. Video and text instructions for utilizing this feature can be referenced on the Swap/Edit Swap webpage. If you need support with SWAP, please reach out to the Silver Enrollment Services at silver.registration@nyu.edu.

Waitlist Requests

Silver does not guarantee that students will get their preferred choice of classes and cannot promise students a certain class time or professor. Enrollment Services and Academic Advisors do guarantee assistance to modify a student’s class schedule if a required course conflicts with their practicum schedule and their practicum schedule cannot be changed; this process is called a Waitlist Request. 

Your Academic Advisor and the Enrollment Services Office will consider Waitlist Requests for closed or waitlisted classes during the Waitlist Review Period in the two weeks prior to the start of the next term. Following the Waitlist Review Period, students will be responsible for enrolling in the open classes available to them during Add/Drop. 

We can only consider waitlist requests if it meets all of the following criteria:

• The course waitlisted is a required course for your pathway
• There are no open alternatives
• All other open alternatives conflict with your practicum schedule and it cannot be changed

To submit a waitlist request, please fill out the NYU Silver MSW Waitlist & Closed Course Request Form. If you have multiple waitlisted or closed courses that meet the waitlist exception criteria you must submit a separate form for each course. Please do not reach out to the instructor of the class as they will not be able to assist with these requests.

Late Assignments

Students are expected to complete all course assignments on time. Instructors of each course may inform students of specific guidelines regarding the consequences of handing in assignments late.

Withdrawals and Refunds from Courses

The MSW program adheres to New York University’s policy on refunds that result from withdrawing from a course or complete term withdrawals. Students may appeal a decision determined by this policy by writing an appeal letter to the MSW Refund Appeals Committee that explains the reason(s) why the refund decision should be changed. The appeal letter must be submitted to the student's Academic Advisor within 5 working days of withdrawing from a course or requesting a term withdrawal.

Note that students can drop any course, with a full refund and without a W (withdrawal) grade on record, during the add/drop registration period at the beginning of each semester. Following this period, students can withdraw from a course until the 12th week of classes during the fall and spring semesters but will be held responsible for related tuition and fees according to the Bursar’s Refund Schedule. For the summer semester, the 12th week equivalent is used. A grade of W will be recorded if the withdrawal occurs after the add/drop registration deadline but before the 12th week or 12th week equivalent. After that deadline, students must receive a grade for the course, which could be F if they failed to attend any part of the course.

Students who are considering withdrawal from a course after the add/drop registration deadline should discuss it with the course instructor. The next step is to contact the Academic Advisor to facilitate the withdrawal process. Students who withdraw from a course cannot audit the same course at a later time; if it is a required course, it must be taken at another time at the student's own expense.

Withdrawals from Practice or Practicum Courses

Students who withdraw from or fail a Practice or Practicum course must re-enroll in both courses in a subsequent term.

If a student fails Social Work Practice I-IV, and passes the corresponding Practicum Instruction course, the student will have to retake the appropriate Social Work Practice course and withdraw from Practicum Instruction. No practicum hours accrued will be rolled over.

If a student fails Practicum Instruction and passes the corresponding Social Work Practice course, the student will repeat the Practicum Instruction course the next time it is offered by approval of the Assistant Dean of Practicum Education and will simultaneously audit the corresponding Social Work Practice course.

They must also meet with their academic advisor to discuss an appropriate plan for re-enrollment and to address any academic or personal concerns that may impact their progress in the program. Exceptions to this policy may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Students must submit a formal request to the Chair(s) of Practice and Practicum, including a rationale and supporting documentation for the exception. The decision of the Chairs is final.

Withdrawals and Refunds for One-Credit Electives, Including 3-credit Intensive Elective

Students must attend every hour of one-credit electives, including 3-credit intensive electives. Due to the brevity of one-credit electives/3-credit intensive electives and the condensing of course content, absence from one session is equivalent to missing multiple sessions of a semester-long course.

Students who need to withdraw from a one-credit elective or 3-credit intensive elective can get a full refund and no W (withdrawal) grade up until 24 hours after the start of the first class session. To request a withdrawal, students must email the Silver Enrollment Services Office at silver.registration@nyu.edu. After this deadline, students must receive a grade for a one-credit course which can be P, F, or W or a letter grade for a three-credit course.

Following the 24 hour deadline, if a student has an excused absence (see Expectations for Attendance) which prohibits them from attending a session after the first class, the student must contact the Enrollment Services Office and their Academic Advisor as soon as possible in order to withdraw from the course and receive a W. Excused absences include, but are not limited to: Religious and spiritual observations, health, economic, or social shocks (unexpected events). Medical documentation or other documentation may be required for a refund. In this scenario, the student will not be able to pass the class or continue taking the class due to the absence.

Guidelines for Student Leaves of Absence and Term Withdrawals

A leave of absence (LOA) is a temporary leave from the MSW Program. The minimum length is one semester. With the exception of military leaves, the maximum length is one academic year. Students can request a LOA until the end of the add/drop registration period. They will be dropped from all courses, and no W (withdrawal) grades will appear on the transcript. Students will be responsible for tuition and fees according to the NYU Bursar’s Refund Schedule. 

After the add/drop period ends, students can request a term withdrawal. A term withdrawal allows students to withdraw from their current semester courses but, in this case, they will receive W (withdrawal) grades on the transcript. Students will be responsible for tuition and fees according to the NYU Bursar’s Refund Schedule. Please refer to the Academic Calendar for the deadline to request a term withdrawal. After this deadline, term withdrawals for extenuating circumstances must be approved by the school Dean. 

A medical LOA or term withdrawal supported by NYU Wellness or Student Health will receive a 100% tuition and fee refund. A medical LOA or term withdrawal must be completed for the current semester and is not retroactive (applicable for past semesters). While NYU Wellness provides a recommendation for leave of absences, it is ultimately up to the MSW Program Director, with information gathered from academic advisors and other sources, to approve or deny a leave of absence as well as to dismiss the student from the program.

Voluntary vs. Involuntary Leaves of Absence

Most leaves and withdrawals are voluntary. Involuntary leaves and withdrawals are used in cases of academic/performance dismissal and as an option in cases of danger to self, others, or property.

Psychological Medical Leave of Absence

Psychological medical leaves and/or withdrawals are warranted when students are: (a) psychologically unable to perform academically or live in the residence halls; (b) dangerous to themselves, others or property; or (c) in need of treatment that prevents their current or future continuation at the School. The psychological medical leave option requires approval from the NYU Wellness Center and is applicable for the current semester, not retroactively.

To return from a psychological medical leave of absence, students must fulfill certain conditions:

(a) sufficient time away from the School; (b) a course of treatment the entire time away from the School; (c) a Certificate of Readiness to Return Form sent from the outside therapist to the NYU Wellness Center; and (d) an evaluation with the NYU Wellness Center.

Students who plan to return must notify the University at least 2 months prior to the start of classes. The limit for consecutive leaves of absence is one academic year. If students need to extend their leave, they must formally request an extension by repeating the original request procedure.

Physical Medical Leave of Absence

An illness may prevent students from participating in class. Depending on when students become ill and how quickly they recover, they may not be able to make up missed work; in this case, a physical medical leave of absence is recommended. The physical medical leave option requires approval from the NYU Student Health Center.

To return from physical medical leave of absence, students must notify the University at least 2 months prior to the start of classes. The limit for consecutive leaves of absence is one academic year. If students need to extend their leave, they must formally request an extension by repeating the original request procedure. Students must complete an evaluation with the NYU Student Health Center before they can re-matriculate.

For non-medical leaves of absence and term withdrawals, the following conditions apply.

Non-Medical Leave of Absence or Maintenance of Matriculation

Students may be experiencing personal, family, or financial problems. Depending on the nature of these issues, students may request a non-medical leave of absence or Maintenance of Matriculation (MoM) for the current semester, and is not applicable for past semesters. Students must follow the procedure for a non-medical leave of absence or MoM for each semester of absence. Students are responsible for paying the MoM fee, which is determined by the NYU Office of the Bursar.

To return from a non-medical leave of absence or MoM, students must notify the University at least 2 months prior to the start of classes. The limit for consecutive leaves of absence is one academic year. If students need to extend their leave, they must formally request an extension by repeating the original request procedure.

Non-Sanctioned Leave and Deactivation

Students are responsible for returning from Leave of Absences and other periods of absences during their expected term as outlined and approved by their Academic Advisor. If this is not possible, proactive communication with advisors and relevant offices, ahead of their anticipated return term, is required to maintain an active status within the program. Students must contact their Academic Advisor at least two months before classes start. Students who do not officially extend their leave and/or do not enroll in courses for their expected return will not be able to register for future terms. Failure to return within a year may result in a discontinuation from the MSW program.

Redress of Grievances

Faculty Constructive Feedback and Resolution

As co-creators of the classroom environment and emerging professionals in the field of social work, it is important to be able to navigate classroom concerns with social work values and code of ethics, including respect, specificity and openness. We recognize the inherent power dynamic within classroom instructors and the barrier it can pose to reflection, restoration, and resolution. Students have the following options for support and feedback outside of the final course evaluation:

Feedback Protocols

Students are encouraged to speak with their instructor one-on-one. Typically, it is best to have a verbal conversation.

If the issue/concern is not resolved, students can reach out to the Lead Instructor first (if a Lead Instructor is not available, such as in Research, then the Chair is the next level of elevation). As a supportive measure, students may elect to engage with the Lead Instructor (or Chair first).

For anonymous feedback, students should email a letter, no more than one-page, detailing their concerns to their Academic Advisor. The Academic Advisor will send your concern to the course’s Lead Instructor, who will engage with the instructor to address the concerns raised. Students who submit feedback anonymously will be informed of the outcome by their Academic Advisor.

The letter should be as specific and clear as possible. In this letter, student(s) should detail: the nature of the concern(s), dated examples if applicable, and goals for the outcome (i.e. how might your feedback be used to create a positive resolution).

If the concern is not resolved, student(s) may request that their letter is shared with the Curriculum Chair as well.

Support and Resources 

For concerns related to bias, microaggressions, discrimination and harassment incidents, students may request a Silver Climate Support Team member for assistance with the Climate Support Protocol. The Director of Student Impact and Innovation can also assign a Peer Advocate to provide support and community care upon request (full details on p. 67).

The NYU Bias Response Line can also be used for any student that has experienced bias, discrimination, or harassing behavior within the classroom, practicum placement, or community. It is designed to help ensure that our University community is equitable and inclusive. In order to report an incident, students can call (212) 998-2277, email bias.response@nyu.edu, or complete a Bias Response Online Form.

For concerns about this policy or to share your experiences navigating the above path to resolution, you may reach out to the Associate Dean of the Silver Student Experience, Courtney O’Mealley at courtney.omealley@nyu.edu.

Student Course and Instructor Evaluations

At the end of each semester, students are emailed with links to electronic evaluations for each of the previous semester’s courses, including Practicum Instruction. These evaluations are extremely important for the shaping and restructuring of courses and the professional development of instructors. Because of the invaluable nature of student feedback, the School strongly encourages students to complete these evaluations. This is your opportunity to have your voice heard. Consider offering a constructive critique that identifies strengths of course material and pedagogical tools, while also noting and clarifying how the course and the teaching method can be improved.

Participation is anonymous, meaning students’ identities are not collected. Finally, you should know that instructors do not receive evaluation results until after final grades are submitted. Students can review course evaluations from previous semesters at the Online Course Evaluation website.

Committee on Academic Integrity

The Committee on Academic Integrity (CAI) will consider matters pertaining to plagiarism, cheating, and fraud on the part of students enrolled in any of the School’s degree programs.

Parties concerned about a student’s academic integrity may consult with the Committee or file a formal complaint. If consultation is requested, the Committee will review relevant information and render an opinion to the consulting party or other appropriate disciplinary body if necessary. If a formal complaint is filed, the Committee will review relevant information and make a decision about the complaint.

Members of the Committee on Academic Integrity shall consist of three (3) full-time faculty members appointed by the Dean. The Dean will appoint a Chair from among the three members. All appointees will serve for two (2) year terms with the possibility of reappointment.

Procedures of The Committee on Academic Integrity

The purpose of the Committee on Academic Integrity (CAI) is to review and provide a disposition of problems or issues related to academic integrity among students. Faculty, students, and other parties may refer matters concerning academic integrity. All referring parties may consult or file a formal complaint with the Committee.

Consultation with the Committee

1. Parties who wish to consult with the Committee may do so by sending a memo to the chairperson of the CAI setting forth the basis for the request.
2. The CAI will review the memo requesting consultation within ten (10) working days.
3. The CAI will transmit an opinion to the party requesting consultation and any other relevant party in writing within ten (10) working days of their review.

Filing a Formal Complaint

1. A party who wishes to lodge a formal complaint may do so by sending a memo and documentation to the chairperson of the CAI. Formal complaints must be accompanied by documentation in support of the allegation concerning the violation of academic integrity.
2. The CAI Chair will share the allegation with the student within five (5) working days of its receipt. A student against whom a complaint is filed may submit a written response to the CAI Chair within five (5) working days.
3. The CAI will review the allegation and supporting documents, and it will make a decision within twenty (20) working days.
4. The decision will be sent to the student and the relevant program director, and it may be kept permanently in accordance with NYU’s Retention and Destruction of Records policy.

Appeal Process

Students may appeal the Committee’s decision in writing to the relevant program director within ten (10) working days. Grounds for an appeal are limited to: (1) a material procedural error; (2) previously unavailable relevant evidence that could affect the outcome; and/or (3) the sanction being substantially disproportionate to the violation.

Student Standing Committee

The Student Standing Committee (SSC) reviews complaints against students enrolled in the BS and MSW programs on the basis of reported unethical or unprofessional behavior in the classroom, Practicum setting, or school community at large, or violation of university or school policy. The SSC will serve a triaging role for all such complaints. If the SSC determines that the student may have violated a University policy, the complaint will be forwarded to the University Office of Student Conduct under the authority of the Senior Vice President for University Life.

In the absence of evidence that a University policy may have been violated, the SSC, through its procedures, will determine whether the student’s behavior meets the standards of unprofessional or unethical behavior or if any school policy was violated. The committee expects that before any party submits a complaint for consideration, they will have engaged in a problem-solving and/or conflict resolution process with the support of the appropriate Program Director, Chair, or office (e.g., Academic Affairs, Silver Student Experience).

The committee will exclude matters of academic integrity, which are appropriate for the Committee on Academic Integrity. If the decision regarding the appropriate committee (SSC or CAI) is not clear, the chairs of the CAI and SSC will consult in order to determine which committee will review the matter.

All members of the school community (faculty, Practicum instructor, students, and staff) can make a referral to the SSC.

The SSC Committee shall consist of five (5) elected faculty members (two tenured, one tenure track, two clinical full-time faculty members), three (3) student members (one MSW student, an alternate from the MSW program, and one BS student.) Silver Student Experience will coordinate selection of the students. Faculty members of the Committee shall serve staggered 2-year terms, and student members shall serve 1-year terms with the possibility of reappointment for an additional year.

In the event that a referral is made during the January or summer term, and should any of the Committee members be unavailable, the Dean may appoint ad hoc members of the faculty and student body to replace any unavailable member to serve for the duration of the referral under review. Appointed ad hoc members must agree to be available during the semester following the January or summer term in the event proceedings extend accordingly.

Procedures of the Student Standing Committee (SSC)

Purpose

The Student Standing Committee (SSC) reviews complaints against students enrolled in the BS and MSW programs on the basis of reported unethical or unprofessional behavior in the classroom, Practicum setting, or school community at large, or violation of University or school policy. The SSC will serve a triaging role for all such complaints. If the SSC determines that the student may have violated a University policy, the complaint will be forwarded to the University Office of Student Conduct under the authority of the Senior Vice President for University Life.

Rights and Responsibilities of Each Party

1. The Chair will inform the student that they have the right to exclude either or both student members from the hearing and that the exercise of that right must be made in writing to the Chair.
2. Any member of the SSC who has a conflict of interest or the appearance of such a conflict in a specific case should recuse themselves from that case.
3. The student will be given a copy of the written complaint in advance of the hearing.
4. The student has the right to submit a written response to the written complaint in advance of the meeting.

Procedures

1. All members of the school community (faculty, Practicum instructors, students, administrators, and staff) can make a referral to the SSC. A party who wishes to lodge a complaint may do so by sending a memo and documentation to the Chair of the SSC. Referrals must include any stated school/university policy or professional conduct violations and any attempts that have been made to resolve the issue.
2. The SSC Chair will inform the student, the complainant, and any other directly relevant parties regarding the referral, about information regarding the SSC procedures, and the rights and responsibilities of all parties. In addition, the Chair will encourage the student to seek support from the Associate Dean for the Silver Student Experience.
3. The SSC will convene to determine whether there is any evidence in the complaint that a University policy may have been violated. When there is such evidence, the Chair will forward the complaint to the University Office of Student Conduct under the authority of the Senior Vice President for University Life.
4. If no evidence of possible violation of a University policy is found, the Chair will convene a hearing as soon as it can be arranged, with every effort being made to convene it within ten (10) working days. The hearing will be attended by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. The Chair will invite relevant participants as necessary, which may include the Faculty Practicum Advisor, Practicum Instructor (if the alleged violation occurred in a Practicum setting), and/or course instructor (if the alleged violation occurred in a non-Practicum course). The Chair will inform the student that they have the right to exclude either or both student members from the hearing and that the exercise of that right must be made in writing to the Chair.
5. The student also shall be advised that they may invite a person to attend the hearing in an advisory or support capacity. The student shall not be permitted to bring an attorney or law student. The student’s invited supporter is not allowed to question, cross-examine, or voluntarily contribute directly in the SSC hearing. Participation as an advisor/supporter is voluntary and any faculty, student, or staff member can decline the student’s invitation to attend the meeting. The SSC Chair must be notified in advance if such a person will be present.
6. The student shall be given a copy of the written complaint in advance of the hearing and will be advised that they have the right to submit a written response to the complaint in advance of the hearing.
7. Any members of the SSC who have a conflict of interest or the appearance of such a conflict in a specific case should recuse themselves from that case.
8. Prior to the hearing, the SSC and the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs will review all material submitted.
9. The hearing will consist of oral presentations from the participating parties and questions by the SSC and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs as needed.
10. Immediately following the hearing, the SSC and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs will deliberate in private and determine whether the student’s behavior meets the standards of unprofessional or unethical behavior or a policy violation.
11. The Associate Dean for Academic Affairs will make the decision regarding the alleged violation, typically within fifteen (15) working days of the hearing. Copies of the decision will be sent to the SSC Chair, the student, the complainant (only as appropriate), the Dean, and relevant others (which may include the Assistant Dean for Practicum Education and Associate Dean for the Silver Student Experience.

Submission of Materials in Preparation for the Hearing

1. Materials pertaining to the student’s performance and prior behavioral conduct while enrolled at the School shall be assembled and made available to the SSC.
2. Written material for the hearing will be prepared and submitted by the student, the complainant and, when appropriate, by the Practicum instructor, classroom instructor, or other relevant parties.
3. All materials, except the student’s statement, must be submitted to the SSC at least five (5) working days before the hearing. Copies of written materials submitted to the SSC must be given to the student at least four (4) working days before the hearing. Student response statements must be submitted to the Chair at least two (2) working days before the hearing.
4. In order to protect confidentiality, all materials used by the SSC shall be returned to the Chair by all participants, including the student, with the exception that the student may retain their own notes. The Associate Dean for Academic Affairs will retain one (1) set of all material in a confidential file.

Appeal Process

The student may appeal the decision in writing to the Dean within ten (10) working days of its receipt. Grounds for an appeal are limited to: (1) a material procedural error; (2) previously unavailable relevant evidence that could affect the outcome; and/or (3) the sanction being substantially disproportionate to the violation.

Practicum Instruction

Practicum Education Curriculum

Practicum is an integral component of social work education, and anchors the Silver School of Social Work’s mission, goals, and educational program. Practicum is one of the five key curriculum areas. Practicum takes place in organizational settings, selected by the School, that reinforce students’ identification with the purposes, values, and ethics of the social work profession.

In accordance with approval from the New York State Education Department, NYU Silver has aligned Practicum placement hours from 1,200 hours to 900 starting in Fall 2024 for students beginning the first year of their Practicum experience. This change aligns Silver with the requirements of the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and with the majority of schools across the United States who have historically required 900 hours of practicum experience. Students who began Practicum prior to Fall 2024 will remain at 1,200 hours. Students who began Practicum after Fall 2024 will complete 450 hours per year, per practicum assignment for a total of 900 hours in practicum to complete the MSW degree.

Generalist Practice Curriculum

The Practice/Practicum Curriculum (Social Work Practice and Practicum Instruction I & II) courses are integrated; the Practice I and II Instructors serve as their students’ Faculty Advisor. Students remain with the same Practice Instructor/Faculty Advisor for both semesters in the Generalized Practice year. Students wishing to change their Practice/Practicum class between the fall and spring semesters must first obtain approval from the Chair of the Practice Department as well as the Assistant Dean of Practicum Education.

The purpose of the Integrated Practice/Practicum Curriculum (Social Work Practice and Practicum Instruction I & II) is to teach students the generalist perspective of social work practice which emphasizes the importance of working across a range of systems that includes individuals (older adults, adults, adolescents and children), couples, families, agencies and communities.

This approach maintains a focus on the interaction between systems, also known as the person- in-environment perspective. It is expected that students will develop a broad approach to social work practice through the use of different modalities, an understanding of the choice and application of intervention approaches, and an understanding of the link between theory and practice skills.

Specialized Practice Curriculum

Practicum Instruction III builds on the objectives achieved in the Practicum Instruction courses in the Generalized Practice year. Students move from a generalist perspective to specialized clinical practice with complex individual, family, group and larger community/organizational client systems. (See syllabus for Practicum Instruction III in NYU Brightspace).

Practicum Instruction IV builds on the objectives achieved in Practicum Instruction III. Students move to increasingly complex specialized clinical practice with individual, family, group and larger community/organizational client systems, developing as professional social work leaders and change agents. In addition, students demonstrate accountability for lifelong learning and professional development. (See syllabus for Practicum Instruction IV in NYU Brightspace).

Practicum Education - The “Open Classroom”

In contrast to the formal classroom at the School, Practicum Education takes place in the “open classroom” – in the organization setting. The Practicum curriculum is outlined in the respective syllabi and facilitates the student’s ability to implement social work values, knowledge, and skills to inform professional behaviors in the practice of social work.

Practicum Instruction is a course. As in any course there is a grade. Grades for Practicum Instruction are “Pass”, “Fail”, or “Incomplete.” A student achieves a grade of “Pass” by meeting all the required competencies outlined in this manual specific to the program year: by adhering to the National Association of Social Workers’ Code of Ethics, participating in faculty advisement, and demonstrating the Essential Abilities and Attributes for Performance in the School of Social Work.

32-Month Practicum Curriculum Deviations

The official curriculum plan for the 32-Month Pathway ensures that students are enrolled in at least one required course while in Practicum Instruction; this is inclusive of Social Work Practice I-IV. There are academic scenarios in which 32-Month Pathway students may have a semester(s) where they are only enrolled in Practicum Instruction, such as in cases of leave of absence or a revised curriculum plan. These deviations may be approved by the academic advisor as long as the Practicum Education & Community Partnerships Department is informed.

Expectations for Successful Completion of the Practicum Instruction Course: Evaluation and Grading

The grades for Practicum Instruction (Pass, Fail, Incomplete) are given at the end of each semester. The Practicum Instruction course grade is given by the Faculty Advisor and is based on the student’s professional conduct and full participation in Practicum at the organization, submission of process recordings, project assignments, reflective recordings, participation in individual meetings with the Faculty Advisor, as well as the Initial Educational Statement, Mid- Year Evaluation and Final Evaluation completed by the Practicum instructor. The Faculty Advisor is the course instructor and is responsible for the grade. 

Initial Educational Statement

The Initial Educational Statement is completed by the Practicum instructor after the first 7 weeks of the Practicum, shared with the student, and signed by both. The signed statement is emailed to the student’s Faculty Advisor and silver.practicum@nyu.edu. The statement offers an early indicator of learning objectives specific to the organization, a learning plan including practice tasks related to the learning objectives, and student performance in Practicum.

Mid-Year Evaluation

A Mid-Year Evaluation is completed at the end of Practicum I or Practicum III. This online evaluation is completed and submitted by the Practicum instructor; the student then receives their evaluation via email and indicates electronically that it was reviewed. Finally, the Faculty Advisor receives the evaluation via email. The Faculty Advisor reviews the Mid-Year Evaluation as a major component of the process of assigning a grade for Practicum Instruction. The Faculty Advisor will not be able to give a grade without a completed evaluation.

Final Evaluation

The Final Evaluation is completed at the end of Practicum II or Practicum IV. This online evaluation is completed and submitted by the Practicum instructor; the student then receives it via email and indicates electronically that it was reviewed; and finally the Faculty Advisor receives it via email. The Faculty Advisor reviews the Final Evaluation as a major component of the process of assigning a grade for Practicum Instruction II or IV. The Faculty Advisor will not be able to give a grade without a completed evaluation.

Attendance at the Practicum Education Site – The Organization Setting

Students who began Practicum prior to Fall 2024 are expected to be in the organization for a total of 1200 hours over the course of the Generalized and Specialized Practice years and as per organization requirements (schedule to be worked out with the Practicum instructor at the beginning of each semester with final approval of the Faculty Advisor). Incoming students will complete 900 hours over the course of the Generalized and Specialized Practice years. Students may not participate in Practicum more than 8 hours per day (with a meal break), or more than 4 days per week. If a student is out of Practicum for jury duty or religious observance, the time must be made up. In the event of inclement weather, students should check with their organization/Practicum instructor to see if they are operating on a normal schedule, and use their own discretion on whether it is safe to travel. 

NOTE: Students are expected to contact both the Practicum Instructor and the Faculty Advisor immediately (via e-mail or phone) if, for some reason, they are not able to be in attendance at their organization.

If a student is absent for more than 3 days (21 hours) during the academic year, the time must be made up. Arrangement for making up such missed time must be coordinated with the Practicum instructor and the Faculty Advisor and approved by the Assistant Dean of Practicum Education (please refer to the Required Hours Form in Appendix B and posted on NYU Brightspace). In case the student has not completed the required hours at the end of the semester, or has not fulfilled all the requirements for Practicum Instruction, the student must request an I (Incomplete grade) and should follow the procedure outlined in this manual.

Should a student leave school, either voluntarily or by request, a Final Evaluation should be submitted by the Practicum instructor. The Faculty Advisor will then write a final summary for the student record.

• For 21-hour per week students, 10 hours of their usual employment activities may be counted, and 11 hours must be in a new experience.
• For 15-hour per week students, 7 hours of their usual employment activities may be counted, and 8 hours must be a new experience. 

4. The student’s assignment is a learning experience, and must meet the school’s requirements for professional skill development:

• Addressing the student’s educational needs,
• Providing adequate time for instruction (60 minutes per week minimum),
• Reviewing process recordings, and
• Offering other opportunities for learning (e.g., case conferences, staff meetings).

5. The level of the Employment Based Practicum Education assignment must provide macro-related responsibilities or direct practice with individuals, families, groups and/or communities and be commensurate with that of specialized practice graduate work as outlined by the following:

• Criteria for Practicum Education Performance:

1. Build on generalist practice skills to deepen knowledge and interventions to achieve a beginning level of mastering in direct practice with individuals, families, communities and groups.
2. Demonstrate advanced skill in initiating a sustaining empathy, exploration, contracting, treatment planning, assessment, and different techniques in providing direct practice to clients.
3. Demonstrate the capacity to listen with understanding, to convey sensitivity to difference and acceptance of clients, and to tolerate a range of feelings and affect.
4. Be able to elicit and utilize knowledge about historical, cognitive, behavioral, affective and interpersonal data and the range of factors impacting upon clients to develop biopsychosocial assessments with some independence.
5. Clearly and consistently demonstrate the capacity for critical thinking in relation to the work, integration of theories and practice knowledge and self-reflection.
6. Appreciate the impact of policy on clients and communities, anticipate service needs and issues of prospective clients and seek ways to promote social and economic justice.
7. Demonstrate a capacity for refined, differential use of an agency’s resources and other community resources as necessary and an understanding of an agency’s place in a service network.
8. Understand and practice in accordance with the NASW Code of Ethics.
9. Recognize and evaluate ethical issues and dilemmas in direct service and in agency policies and practice, formulate choices and appropriately seek consultation.
10. Appreciate the role of scientific inquiry and research, understand various approaches to the evaluation of practice and demonstrate a beginning ability to apply them.
11. Other requirements as outlined in the MSW Student Manual.

Practicum Instruction Requirements:

1. A qualified Practicum instructor must be provided by the agency to give instruction to the student.

• The practicum education experience must be under the instruction of one primary Practicum instructor.
• The Practicum instructor may not be the student's current employment supervisor.
• This Practicum instructor must be someone who has not previously instructed the student.
• A “qualified” Practicum instructor must have an MSW from a CSWE-accredited school of social work plus at least two years of post-MSW experience. In addition, the Practicum instructor must have completed or be concurrently enrolled in the Seminar in Field Instruction (SIFI). The SIFI course is offered at no cost by NYU each semester (it may also be taken at other area schools).

Application Requirements:

Employment Based Practicum Education must be approved by both the appropriate administrators in your agency AND the Department of Practicum Education.

Required application materials:

1. Application for Employment Based Practicum Education (including clear description of change in assignment and Practicum instructor).
2. Curriculum Vitae on proposed Practicum Instructor (to be completed by proposed Practicum Instructor) inclusive of social work licensure date.
3. Copy of SIFI certificate or letter of completion, or proof of SIFI registration.

Applicants to the Hybrid MSW pathway submit Employment-Based Practicum Education application materials with their MSW program application. All other students must submit their application materials to the Department of Practicum Education.

The School’s Responsibilities in Relation to Practicum Instruction

The School seeks to provide each student with a stimulating and relevant Practicum experience. To accomplish this objective, the Practicum learning staff works closely with our community partnerships to establish the educational opportunities for students at the Practicum site. Faculty Advisors serve as liaisons with the student’s Practicum site organization and as consultants to students and Practicum Instructors. Faculty in Practicum Education closely with Faculty Advisors and students to monitor students’ experience in Practicum learning.

Responsibilities assumed by the School include:

• Providing student’s resume as a guide for the Practicum instructor.
• Consulting with the Practicum instructor in defining the student’s educational needs and preparing the Initial Educational statement, Mid-Year and Final Evaluations.
• Providing guidelines for Practicum Instruction content and for evaluating students’ skill, development, and performance.
• Providing required seminars for new Practicum Instructors, and special seminars and workshops for all Practicum Instructors.
• Providing appropriate feedback to the organization and Practicum Instructors. The organization’s Educational Coordinator initiates and evaluates the motivation and effectiveness of the Practicum instructor in collaboration with the School.
• Providing the Practicum instructor with relevant materials in order to enhance the integration of classroom and Practicum learning.
• Providing the organization with information about school policies and programs, as they affect Practicum Instruction.
• Initiating the student review process when an educational problem requiring faculty consultation arises in the Practicum.

School Policies in Relation to Practicum Education

Schedule and Attendance

• Students’ schedules at the Practicum site are determined by the particular program in which they are enrolled. The practicum for all programs, except the Extended One-Year Residence Program (OYR), consists of 450 hours of Practicum Instruction in each year. The OYR Program requires one Practicum of 900 hours during the third year of residence.

• Students are generally placed in an organization two days a week. To provide continuity, instructors provide Practicum Instruction for the academic year. Full-time students are generally in the Practicum on Mondays and one or two other weekdays depending on the program pathway.

• Students in the Extended pathway must be available at least one weekday for their Practicum site. Practicums with evening and weekend hours are limited and cannot be guaranteed.

• In the 32 Month Program, the student will complete 65 credits within a learning community cohort that remains the same over the course of the program option. The student is placed in Practicum sites during evenings and weekends with 3-4 hours during any weekday arranged with the organization. The purpose of the weekday schedule is for the student to be able to participate in critical organization meetings.

• In the third residency year of the Extended OYR Program, the student will be required to be in Practicum 28 hours (4 days) or 21 hours (3 days). Students completing the 21-hour (3 days) schedule will remain in their Practicum site through the summer to complete the required 900 hours.

• Students may not complete more than 8 hours per day (with a meal break) or more than 28 hours per week in Practicum.

• On Practicum days, students will observe the organization’s calendar in addition to the NYU holidays with the exception of students placed in school settings. In this instance, the students will observe the public school recess rather than the NYU spring recess.

• Regular attendance in Practicum is required. Students may not be absent from class to fulfill any organization obligation.

• When a student is unable to report to the organization because of illness or an emergency, the Practicum instructor and the Faculty Advisor must be notified immediately. If a student is absent more than three days during the academic year because of illness, emergency or other personal business, the time must be made up. The time made up must be worked out with the Practicum instructor and the Faculty Advisor and approved by the Assistant Dean. (Please refer to the Required Hours Form in Appendix B and posted on NYU Brightspace).

• If a student is out of Practicum for jury duty or religious observance, the time (exceeding three days (21 hours) must be made up.

• In the event of inclement weather, students should check with their organization/Practicum instructor to see if they are operating on a normal schedule and should use their own discretion on whether it is safe to travel.

• At the Practicum Instructor’s discretion, students may attend professional meetings during Practicum hours.

Excused Absence for Common Day and Career Fair

The Graduate Student Association (GSA) organizes Common Days each academic year. These are mandatory days for students, and they are therefore excused from their Practicum. In the Specialized Practice Year, students are also excused from Practicum and class (with instructor knowledge) to attend the Career Fair scheduled in the spring semester. Practicum Calendars are available on the NYU Silver School of Social Work website.

1. Review criteria for participation in the particular program and ensure eligibility.

2. Contact Faculty Advisor and Practicum instructor to discuss the feasibility of participation in a study abroad program in the context of the student’s responsibilities at the Practicum site.

3. Complete a Required Hours form (see Appendix B, or NYU Brightspace) that clearly states how the student will make up the hours that they will miss during the study abroad program. The Required Hours form must be signed by student, Practicum instructor, and Faculty Advisor and submitted to the Assistant Dean of Practicum Education for approval.

Regulations & Procedures Governing Practicum and The Practicum Process

• The student’s status in the organization should be made clear at all times (i.e., graduate social work student/social work intern).

• In the event of a strike involving the organization's social work staff, students should report to the Assistant Dean of Practicum Education for substitute assignments instead of going to the organization.

• Any requests for change of Practicum site must first be discussed between the student and the Faculty Advisor. After examining the challenges that the student is encountering in Practicum, the Faculty Advisor will determine if a further assessment is needed by the student, Practicum Instructor, and Faculty Advisor. If so, the Faculty Advisor will arrange to visit the organization, and a three-way conference will be held. The Faculty Advisor will then consult with Practicum Education team regarding the assessment, and a determination will be made if a change in Practicum is warranted. Any changes must be approved by the Assistant Dean of Practicum Education.

• The student is expected to pay travel-related costs to their practicum site. Every effort will be made to place students within a one-hour commute from home. Students should be reimbursed by the organization for any other expenses incurred in carrying out organization assignments.

• Students should observe professional confidentiality by disguising any identifying data in organization material used for class assignment and process recording. Video tapes, audio tapes, cameras, or other material should not be used unless express permission is given by the organization for such use.

• Students must follow all organizational policies and procedures.

• If a Student Declines a Practicum opportunity:

  • For Generalist Practice students, students are expected to accept the Practicum that is offered to them. If a student declines or leaves a Practicum without discussion with the Department of Practicum Education and Community Partnerships, there will be a mandatory meeting scheduled as soon as possible. Depending on the outcome of the meeting, only one additional Practicum opportunity will be offered. If a student declines the second Practicum, this may result in the student’s dismissal.

  • For Specialized Practice Students, declining a Practicum once confirmed is not allowed. If a student declines or leaves a Practicum without discussion with the Department of Practicum Education and Community Partnerships, there will be a mandatory meeting scheduled as soon as possible. Depending on the outcome of the meeting, only one additional Practicum opportunity will be offered. This replacement process may result in a delay in being placed. If a student declines the second Practicum, this may be grounds for dismissal.

• If an organization declines to offer a Practicum following an interview, a meeting with the Department of Practicum Education and Community Partnerships will be held with the student. After two unsuccessful interviews, the student may be permitted to interview one additional time only. If the third Practicum interview does not result in an offer, the student’s program status will be reviewed collaboratively by the Department of Practicum Education and Community Partnerships, the Office of Academic Affairs, and the Office of the Silver Student Experience in order to determine the next steps.

• If a student is dismissed from Practicum, the student will meet with the Department of Practicum Education and Community Partnerships and their Faculty Advisor to determine the next steps. If the student receives an F for Practicum (which is possible even if the student received a passing evaluation), they will be placed on academic concern. The student will also need to repeat the Practicum Instruction course, and there will be only one more opportunity to pass before the student is dismissed from the program.

• At the discretion of the Department of Practicum Education and Community Partnerships, when a student is dismissed from a Practicum a second time during their enrollment in the MSW program, they will be referred to the Student Standing Committee for review.

• If a student terminates Practicum without any due process with the organization, Faculty Advisor, or the Department of Practicum Education and Community Partnerships, they will receive a grade of F for Practicum even if they previously received a passing Initial Educational Statement or evaluation, and they must repeat the Practicum course, with only one more opportunity to pass. The student also will be required to meet with the Department of Practicum Education and Community Partnerships prior to repeating Practicum. If a student ends their Practicum twice without any due process during their enrollment in the MSW program, this will be grounds for dismissal.

• If a student placed in an Employment-Based Practicum experiences a change in employment status during their placement (e.g., terminations, resignations, leaves of absence), the student must inform the Department of Practicum Education and Community Partnerships immediately. The Department of Practicum Education and Community Partnerships will consult with the Office of Academic Affairs and the MSW Program Director as needed to collaboratively review the student's program status and evaluate options. A mandatory meeting with the Department of Practicum Education and Community Partnerships and the student's Faculty Advisor will be held to discuss potential options for continuing Practicum, which may include changes to the student's academic course plan and pathway.

• Additional note: If a Practicum situation arises that is not addressed by one of the policies outlined above, the Department of Practicum Education and Community Partnerships, at its discretion and in consultation with the MSW Program Director, will outline for the student the next steps to be taken with Practicum, and may also include changes to the student’s academic course plan.

Organization Responsibility to Practicum Learning

Practicum Instructors are an integral part of the student’s learning community. The organization has a formal agreement with the Silver School to host student(s) as social work interns. The organization agrees to provide a Practicum instructor (supervisor) for each student as well as other learning opportunities including, but not limited to, participation on a team, attending case conferences and organizational meetings. Practicum Instructors have at least two years of post-master’s experience and have either successfully completed a Seminar in Field Instruction (SIFI) or are currently participating in the SIFI course in a social work accredited program. Practicum Instructors commit to carrying out the learning goals set forth by the Silver School’s curriculum guidelines as well as providing written evaluations on students in the following format: Initial Educational Assessment, Mid-Year Evaluation and Final Evaluation (refer to the section on Selection of Practicum Instructors and Seminar in Field Instruction for more detailed information).

Handling Questions, Concerns and Difficulties in Practicum

If the student has questions, concerns, or difficulties at the organization, the Practicum learning site, the student may first discuss this with the Practicum Instructor. If the student is uncertain how to handle the particular issue, they may contact the Faculty Advisor for consultation, guidance and advice. In the event that the Faculty Advisor is unavailable, the student may contact the Practicum Education Office directly. In addition to the formal resources in place for the student (Practicum instructor and Faculty Advisor), the student may also contact the student-organized peer support system, the Office of the Silver Student Experience, or attend any of the drop-in meetings with the Assistant Dean of Practicum Education along with other Deans.

The student’s Faculty Advisor is available to answer all questions about Practicum for students, Practicum Instructors, and other organization staff. Concerns and potential problems should be brought to the advisor’s attention for review and advice. The Faculty Advisor will contact a staff member in the Practicum Education Office who oversees the particular Practicum of practice in which the student is placed. The Practicum Education staff member will meet with the Assistant Dean to review and assess with the student and/or organization the issues at hand and to develop an educational plan. The student may be asked to meet with the appropriate Faculty and/or the Assistant Dean of Practicum Education to review and evaluate the student’s overall educational plan.

If a Practicum Instructor has concerns about a student’s performance after having attempted to work with a student around a set of practice and learning issues and has seen little progress in resolving them, the Faculty Advisor should be contacted immediately. The Faculty Advisor will intervene with both the student and the Practicum instructor, sometimes jointly in a three-way meeting, to clarify the problem and suggest ways to resolve the issue.

If the problem continues, the Faculty Advisor will bring the matter to the Department of Practicum Education as outlined in the process above.

Can a Student Request a Change in Practicum Site?

A change in a Practicum site can take place. However, this is not done lightly and is not considered without a series of discussions between the student, Practicum Instructor, Faculty Advisor, and Practicum Education office. If a student is in a Practicum site that they feel is not meeting their educational needs, the student should first address this concern with the Practicum instructor. The student may also contact their Faculty Advisor for guidance and advice. The Faculty Advisor will review the student’s educational goals and objectives in the context of the goals and objectives for either the Generalized Practice Year or the Specialized Practice Year. If, upon review and reflection, the student and Faculty Advisor feel that the learning needs are not being met, a plan will be developed to address the situation. The student, the Faculty Advisor, and the Practicum instructor and/or a member of the Faculty in Practicum Education will collaborate to find a solution.

Practicum Instruction (Supervision) Definitions and Expectations

Primary Practicum Instructor

Every student is assigned a primary social work Practicum Instructor in the organization who has completed a Seminar in Field Instruction (SIFI) or is currently participating in the SIFI course in a social work accredited program. This primary Practicum instructor carries the responsibility for the student’s overall training at the Practicum learning site.