Admissions into the Social Work Program

 

Students wishing to major in social work may either declare a social work major when they enter Indiana State University, or later indicate their intention by completing an official university Change of Major Form. A two level process is in place for students interested in an undergraduate degree in social work:

First Level (Admission into the Program)

1. When a student declares an interest in pursuing social work as a major, an academic plan is developed between the Departmental Academic Advisement Coordinator and the student. The Advisement Coordinator meets with the student at least once a semester to discuss the student’s academic progress and to confirm an academic plan for the next semester. The student is required to meet with the Advisement Coordinator each semester.

2. By the end of the first semester in which a student has taken a social work course, the student is expected to complete the Application for Admission into the Social Work Program (refer to the Student Handbook or departmental web site (http://www.indstate.edu/socwork/home.html). All students must have applied to the major by the end of SOWK 270. Transfer students who are entering the Program at the SOWK 382/SOWK 384 sequence (junior year of social work courses) need to refer to the admission policy on “Transfer Students”. Students cannot continue with social work courses beyond SOWK 270 without being admitted to the major. The Admissions and Retention Committee (departmental faculty) review the completed application and the academic performance history of the student. Faculty also shares their knowledge of the student. A student may be asked to appear before the Committee to discuss her/his readiness for admission to the major. Through this process the Committee determines who is prepared to enter the social work major. The student will receive a letter from the Admission and Retention Committee pertaining to her/his acceptance to the major. The letter reflects the decision of the Committee, which may be that the student is:

a. Admitted to the Program

b. Admitted with Recommendations

c. Admitted on Probationary Status

i. Students who are admitted on probationary status must meet with the Departmental Admissions and Retention Committee to determine if the conditions have been met. Once conditions have been met, the Committee will send an Admission to the Program letter to the student.

d. Not Admitted

i. Students who are not admitted to the Program may re-apply after meeting with the Admissions and Retention Committee and demonstrating effective progress on areas of concern(s).

3. Student grades and progress are monitored each semester. Student’s with academic or personal issues that impinge on the student’s progress in the social work major are reviewed and discussed by the Admissions and Retention Committee. If deemed serious enough, a student will be asked to meet with the Admission and Retention Committee for review of her/his performance and situation.

Criteria for Admission into the Social Work Major.

To be accepted and retained in the Social Work Program a student must demonstrate the capacity to develop into a professional social worker. Students must address their views/positions on the following criteria in the application to the major which includes the values and ethics of the profession, along with the ability to obtain and integrate the knowledge, skills, and behaviors necessary to become a generalist social work practitioner by meeting the Program’s goals and Program’s objectives.

A student who desires to major in Social Work and continue in the Social Work Program is expected to have the capacity to continue developing the following qualities and behaviors.

1. Self Awareness. The student, as an aspiring generalist practitioner, must know her/himself reasonably well. The student must demonstrate the capacity to increasingly develop insight. The knowledge of her/his own personal strengths and weaknesses should allow the individual to focus on working effectively with others. (Goal # 2, 4/Objectives # 2, 3, 4, 9, 11)

2. Professional Commitment. The student should be willing to make and maintain a strong commitment to achieving the Program objectives and to the ethical standards of the social work profession (i.e., National Association of Social Workers [NASW] Code of Ethics). (Goals # 2, 6, 8/Objectives # 1- 12)

3. Professional Conduct. The student’s conduct must maintain the standards set forth within the NASW Code of Ethics. The student should work collaboratively with others to use professional knowledge, values, and skills to bring about change. (Goals # 1, 2, 6, 8/Objectives # 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12)

a. Integrity

b. Honesty

c. Ability to Communicate (Writing, Speaking, Reading, Listening)

d. Acceptance and use of supervision/feedback

e. Ability to function as a volunteer or employee

f. Meeting deadlines/organizational skills

4. Knowledge as a Base for Practice Skills. The student must understand the requirement for her/his practice to be grounded in relevant social, behavioral, and biological science and knowledge. There must be evidence of a commitment to ongoing learning. (Goals # 1, 2, 3, 7/Objectives # 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 11)

5. Objectivity. Objectivity involves being able to evaluate people and their situations systematically in an unprejudiced, factual way. The student needs to demonstrate the capacity to recognize her/his biases, refrain from behaving judgmentally, and demonstrate the professional use of self. The student must not reject people because of their situations or create barriers for those seeking help. (Goals # 2, 4/Objectives # 1, 2, 3, 4, 10, 12)

6. Empathy. The student must be able to demonstrate the capacity for empathy, which is the ability to comprehend another’s subjective reality and feelings. Empathy and support are necessary to enable the client to use professional and outside resources to develop and implement a solution to issues. (Goals # 2, 4/Objectives # 2, 3, 4, 10)

7. Energy. The student must have the ability to maintain the stamina to complete tasks and must develop cooperative and facilitating interactions with colleagues and users of services. The student needs to recognize that helping is a challenging activity. (Goals # 2, 5, 6, 8/Objectives # 1 - 12)

8. Acceptance of Diversity. The student must be able to learn to appreciate the value of human diversity. She/he must be open to learning how to practice with respect, knowledge, and skills related to all persons regardless of the person’s age, class, color, culture, disability, ethnicity, family structure, gender, marital status, national origin, race, religion/spirituality, sex and sexual orientation. The student must be able to practice without discrimination. (Goals # 2, 4, 6/Objectives # 2, 3, 4, 10, 12)

9. Ability to Apply Knowledge Learned in the Academic Setting to a Practice Situation. A student must be able to demonstrate critical, independent thinking skills and the ability to apply knowledge gained in course work to their generalist practice. (Goals # 1, 2, 3, 7/Objectives # 1 -12)

See Student Handbook for complete Admissions, Termination, and Appeals Policies and Procedures (pp 23-37)