School of Social Work Student Policy Handbook 2017/2018 Edition

School of Social Work Student Policy Handbook 2017/2018 Edition Revised August 30, 2017

2 Table of Contents ATTENDANCE... 5 Classroom Attendance... 5 Audits... 5 Religious Observance/Student Absence... 6 GRADING... 7 Grading Scale... 7 Grade Appeal of Final Course Grade... 8 Discussion with Instructor... 8 Basis of Grade Appeal... 8 Grade Appeal Process... 9 Process and Deadlines... 9 Non-Matriculation Grade Policy... 10 EXTENSIONS FOR ASSIGNMENTS... 10 REWRITING OF GRADED PAPERS (MSW STUDENTS)... 10 REGISTRATION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES... 11 Drop/Add... 11 Withdrawal from a course... 11 Drop/Withdrawal from Field Placement After the Add/Drop Period (For MSW Students)... 11 Internship Withdrawal Policy (For Education Students)... 12 Changing Sections of Two-Semester Courses (For MSW students)... 12 Courses that must be taken concurrently (for MSW students)... 12 Withdrawal from Simmons College... 13 Incomplete Policy... 13 Voluntary Leave of Absence... 13 Involuntary Leave of Absence... 14 Process for Returning to Simmons After an Involuntary Leave... 15 WAITLIST POLICY... 16 INDEPENDENT STUDIES... 16 For MSW students:... 16 For Education students:... 16 MSW DEGREE COMPLETION POLICY... 16

3 CHANGE OF PROGRAM STATUS/PROGRAM COMPLETION... 17 MSW TRANSFER AND WAIVER POLICIES... 17 Transfer Credits from another MSW program... 17 Transfer Students Applying to Simmons from other MSW Programs... 17 Transfer of an Elective Course Taken at Another Institution... 18 WAIVERS FOR STUDENTS WHO RECEIVE ADVANCED STANDING IN THE MSW PROGRAM... 18 WAIVER OF REQUIREMENT (RESEARCH OR ASSESSMENT AND DIAGNOSIS, MSW STUDENTS ONLY)... 19 EDUCATION PROGRAM TRANSFER AND WAIVER POLICIES... 19 GRADUATION POLICY... 19 Education Students... 19 MSW Students... 20 August Graduation... 20 SIMMONS COLLEGE HONOR CODE... 20 Honor Code Violations... 21 PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS... 21 Behavioral Analysis Professional Standards... 21 Social Work Professional Standards... 21 POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR REVIEW OF ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OR PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT ISSUES. 22 The Three Levels of Review... 22 Level 1... 22 Level 2... 23 Level 3... 24 Level 3 Reviews and Referral and/or Consultation with the Simmons College Associate Dean for Student Life... 25 Early Notification System (For MSW Students)... 25 ACADEMIC STANDING AND DISCIPLINE... 25 Course grades below a B... 25 When a Student is Required to Retake a Class... 26 ACADEMIC PROBATION... 26 Academic Probation or Dismissal Due to Field Education Grades (MSW)... 26 Academic Probation or Dismissal Due to Grades in Internships, Practica and other Community-Based Learning Courses (Education and Behavioral Analysis Students)... 26 Removal from Academic Probation... 27 PROGRAM PROGRESSION... 27

4 GPA REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION... 27 ACADEMIC AND CONDUCT ISSUES LEADING TO DISMISSAL... 27 Dismissal due to academic performance... 27 Dismissal due to academic performance for SSW students enrolled and registered as degree candidates for classes prior to Fall ( September) semester 2016... 27 Conduct issues leading to dismissal... 28 Notification of Dismissal... 28 Appeal of Dismissal... 28 COURSE EVALUATIONS... 28 TUITION REFUND... 29 Tuition Refund Schedule... 29 ADMISSIONS (FOR MSW STUDENTS)... 29 MSW Program Admission Criteria... 29 Advanced Standing for BSW Graduates... 29 Application for admission 2017... 29 Process and Procedure for Evaluating Applicants... 31 Other Admissions Requirements (for MSW Students)... 31 Statistics... 31 Final Transcripts... 31 Other Requirements... 31 HEALTH INSURANCE WHILE AT SCHOOL... 31 State Requirements... 31 STUDENT PARTICIPATION IN GOVERNANCE (FOR MSW STUDENTS)... 32 Committees and other Opportunities for Participation... 32 Social Work Student Leadership Council... 33 Student Organizations... 33 OTHER SIMMONS COLLEGE POLICIES... 33 APPENDIX... 34

5 Simmons School of Social Work Student Handbook 2017-2018 The Simmons School of Social Work Student Handbook is the student s guide to the Simmons School of Social Work. This Handbook applies to all Education degree programs, Behavioral Analysis degree programs, and the Master s in Social Work degree program. Students in the Bachelor s in Social Work program should consult the BSW Student Handbook. Students in the Social Work Doctoral Program should consult the Social Work Doctoral Program Handbook. Students in the SocialWork@Simmons online program should consult the SW@S Student Handbook. Students are responsible for knowing Simmons School of Social Work Policies and the Policies of Simmons College, which are available on the Simmons College Web site. The information in this handbook is subject to change, the SSW reserves the right to change any policy or procedure without notice. Students should also consult specific program information documents and the appropriate practicum, internship, or field placement manual for both on- and off-campus programs. ATTENDANCE Classroom Attendance Instructors are permitted to and will consider individual class attendance when determining a student s final grade for a course. In addition to lowering a grade, excessive absences may justify a failing grade for the entire course. At the SSW, excessive absence is typically defined as missing more than 20% of a course. When entire courses are compressed into a short period of time (as sometimes happen with courses delivered in the summer months), missing more than one class will constitute excessive absence and thereby result in a final grade of F a failing grade. Audits 1. Audits are permitted if there is space in a given class. Registration to audit a course in the SSW, may occur ONLY two weeks prior to the start of class, not before. 2. Only one class may be audited per semester. 3. The cost to audit is the equivalent of one credit tuition. 4. Auditing students are typically exempt from submitting papers and exams, but are expected to attend all class sessions, complete the readings, and meet any additional requirements at the discretion of the instructor. 5. The audit will appear on the student transcript; students receive no grade and no credit. Students may not register to audit a course in the SSW and then change the status from audit to enrolled. 6. Instructors cannot approve an audit for which a student has not registered. Students interested in auditing should contact:

6 Larissa Douglas, MSW Program Manager (for Social Work Students) Patrick Bryant, Education Department Coordinator (for Education Students) Sonal Desai, BA/BA@S Department Manager (for Behavior Analysis Students) Religious Observance/Student Absence Simmons abides by the Massachusetts law on Religious Observances. Students who are unable, because of their religious beliefs, to attend classes or to participate in an examination, class, or work requirement on a particular day shall be excused from the class, study, or work requirement and shall be provided with an opportunity to make up the examination, study, or work they may have missed consistent with Massachusetts General Law Chapter 151c, Section 2b. That law states: Any student in an educational or vocational training institution, other than a religious or a denominational education or vocational training institution, who is unable, because of his/her religious beliefs, to attend classes or to participate in any examination, study, or work requirement on a particular day shall be excused from any such examination or study or work requirement, and shall be provided with an opportunity to make up such examination, study, or work missed because of such absence on any particular day; provided, however, that such make-up examination or work shall not create an unreasonable burden upon such school. No fees of any kind shall be charged by the institution for making available to the said student such opportunity. No adverse or prejudicial effects shall result to any student because of his/her availing himself of the provisions of the sections. A student should inform the instructor prior to missing a class if he/she expects to miss class as a consequence of his/her religious observances. Students who need to be excused from field placement attendance due to religious observance should make arrangements with their field instructor prior to the anticipated absence. Students will be provided the opportunity to make up missed time at a later date. Questions about absences for religious observances should be directed to the Associate Dean or the Office of Student Life.

7 GRADING Students are expected to maintain a B (3.0) grade average throughout their program in the SSW. Courses are graded using the A-F grading system. School of Social Work students must take all classes for a letter grade with the exception of social work field education courses and Education internship and practica courses. In the case of social work field education courses Pass, Marginal Pass or Fail are used instead of a letter grade. For Education practicum and internship courses, both on- and off-campus, Satisfactory, Unsatisfactory, Pass, Fail, or the A- F grading system are used students should refer to the appropriate practicum handbook for the specific grading system. The numerical equivalent for each grade is as follows: Grading Scale Letter Grade GPA Equivalent 100 point scale equivalent A 4.0 100-94 A- 3.67 93-90 B+ 3.33 89-87 B 3.0 86-84 B- 2.67 83-80 C+ 2.33 79-77 C 2.00 76-74 C- 1.67 73-70 D+ 1.33 69-68 D 1 67-64 D-.67 63-60 F 0 59 or below

8 Grade Appeal of Final Course Grade Students have the right to be awarded grades that are calculated correctly and assigned based on a fair evaluation of work. Students have the right to understand how a grade was calculated and why the faculty member evaluated the work as s/he did. The College is guided by the principles of academic freedom and respects the integrity, expertise, and professional judgment of its faculty in the evaluation of students academic work. Faculty members right and obligation to evaluate students academic work and determine student grades are fundamental to this principle. Faculty members have the right to set grading standards in their courses and the responsibility to advise students of their grading standards at the outset of the course; to use their best judgment in applying those standards; and to assign grades based on methods of evaluation they deem appropriate so long as those methods are not arbitrary or capricious or the product of prejudice or discriminatory animus. Simmons faculty are strongly encouraged to advise students in writing of their grading methods and standards at the beginning of each term in each course they teach, preferably as part of the course syllabus. Students are encouraged to raise questions about how the instructor will calculate the final grade at the beginning of the semester. Discussion with Instructor Students should talk to their instructor about any grade concerns or questions before initiating the Grade Appeal Process described below. Within three weeks of the posting of the course grade, students should meet (or speak on the phone/email) with their instructor and express their concerns about their course grade, providing information the faculty member would need to reconsider the grade. If the faculty member agrees to change a grade, s/he will complete the Registrar s Change of Grade form. If, after the discussion, the faculty member decides to let the grade stand, a student may wish to initiate a formal grade appeal. Basis of Grade Appeal Simmons formal grade appeal process addresses situations in which a student believes a grade has been assigned for one of the following reasons: Computational or clerical error; Arbitrariness or capriciousness (including where grading criteria have changed after assignment submission and without explanation); Unlawful discrimination.

9 If a student believes that one of these reasons applies to a grade s/he has received, s/he should follow the procedures and timelines outlined below. Only the final grade in a course is subject to this process. As a result of the process, the final grade may be raised, lowered, or stay the same. No new or revised course work can be requested by the student or accepted by the faculty member as part of the grade appeal process. Grade Appeal Process Overview As noted above, before initiating a formal grade appeal, students are encouraged to meet with their faculty member and discuss their concern and/or ask questions about the grade. Grade concerns are frequently resolved through these informal (i.e., before formal appeal) discussions, most often when there is a computational error. A grade appeal at Simmons has two stages: to the Program Administrator (program director, coordinator, or chair); and to the Dean. Appeals must be submitted within four (4) weeks of posting of the grade which is the subject of the appeal. At each level of appeal, a denial of the appeal means that the grade will not be reviewed or changed. Granting of an appeal may mean the final grade may be raised, lowered, or stay the same. Process and Deadlines If the student s discussion with the instructor has not reached a satisfactory conclusion, the following process and timeline are to be followed for a formal grade appeal: Step 1) Appeal to Program Administrator Obtain the link for the grade appeal form from the Program Administrator. Complete the Grade Appeal Form and submit the form with any supporting information to the "Program Administrator." (Program Administrators vary depending on the program. Consult the Dean s office to verify the Program Administrator for grade appeal purposes.) The Program Administrator will respond in writing within 2 weeks and indicate whether one of the bases for appeal (computational error; arbitrary or capricious; unlawful discrimination) appears to have been met. If the appeal proceeds, within 3 weeks of receiving the form, the Program Administrator will discuss the case with the instructor (and student, if necessary) and reach a determination. The Program Administrator is encouraged, but not required, to meet with the student and with the faculty member. The student and faculty member will be notified of the outcome in writing and, as appropriate to the outcome, the Program Administrator will complete and submit a Change of Grade form to the Registrar.

10 Step 2) Appeal to the Dean If the student is not satisfied with the response, within two weeks of receipt, s/he may appeal to the Dean of the School (or the Dean s designee). The Grade Appeal Form, faculty response, and Program Administrator outcome determination are then forwarded to the Dean. Within two weeks, the Dean will decide whether the appeal should move to the next stage. If the appeal is granted, the Dean will appoint a 3-person faculty panel to review the appeal and related information. The panel may seek additional information from the student and/or the instructor. The panel will forward a decision to the Dean who will inform the instructor and student of the outcome and, if the appeal results in a change of grade, complete and submit a Change of Grade form to the Registrar. The grade appeal policy respects the privacy of students and faculty. All parties are responsible for maintaining confidentiality. Non-Matriculation Grade Policy A non-matriculated student must receive a B or better in his or her first class to remain eligible to take a second class. EXTENSIONS FOR ASSIGNMENTS Students are expected to complete coursework assignments on time; instructors should clearly articulate policies regarding extensions on the course syllabus and their grading policy for work/assignments passed in after the deadline. An extension must be requested by a student prior to the due date of the assignment and a revised date for submission of work must be approved by the instructor. A student who submits work late even with the instructor s permission, may nonetheless receive a lesser grade from the instructor to reflect the missed deadline. Unless the extension of time is sought as a religious accommodation (which must be granted), the decision to grant an extension or to accept work late rests in the discretion of the faculty member. No extensions can be granted for final assignments (i.e. final assignments must be submitted by the stated deadline) except in the case of an instructor approved full course incomplete. REWRITING OF GRADED PAPERS (MSW STUDENTS) Students may, at the instructor s sole discretion, be given the option of rewriting a paper that has received a grade of B- or below. However, final course assignments may not be rewritten.

11 REGISTRATION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES Drop/Add Prior to the start of classes and until the end of the second class, students may add or drop a class on AARC. Students are responsible for informing the instructor and for making up any missed course work in an added class. For courses dropped after week two, students must contact the following to drop a course: Larissa Douglas, MSW Program Manager (for Social Work Students) Patrick Bryant, Education Department Coordinator (for Education Students) Sonal, Desai, BA/BA@S Department Manager (for Behavior Analysis Students) Students may not add a class after the second class meeting. Students who change their schedule by dropping or adding a course should consult with an advisor to ensure that they will continue to meet degree and graduation requirements. MSW students should meet with the Academic Services Center (ASK) Coordinator. Students should also consult with Student Financial Services to be fully apprised of the impact of course changes on their financial aid. MSW students are only permitted to add a SW elective with instructor consent after the first session; consent should be obtained through the registration coordinator. It is not allowed to add an elective after the second-class session. Withdrawal from a course Student transcripts will show a W grade for withdrawn for any courses withdrawn from after the 4 th week and up to the end of the 8 th week. No withdrawals are permitted after week 8; if a student withdraws after week 8, the instructor will record the grade the student has earned up to that point. Students are not allowed to withdraw from the same course more than once. MSW students must meet with the ASK Coordinator before withdrawing from a course. Drop/Withdrawal from Field Placement After the Add/Drop Period (For MSW Students) To withdraw from Field Placement after the add/drop period, the student must receive approval from her/his advisor and the Director or Field Education. Students who perform poorly and/or are not making sufficient progress and withdraw after the add/drop period may be given a grade that reflects their performance at the time of their withdrawal. For additional information regarding withdrawal from Field Education, consult the SSW Field Manual.

12 Internship Withdrawal Policy (For Education Students) On rare occasions it becomes clear once a candidate has begun his or her internship or practicum that it would not be in the candidate s best interests to continue in the placement. This may be due to health, personal or financial issues on the part of the candidate, or the realization that teaching is not the career path the candidate had originally thought was the best match. In such cases, the director of the candidate s program and his or her advisor should be consulted and the withdrawal approval process should be initiated. A three-way meeting should then be held among the teacher candidate, the supervising practitioner, and the program supervisor to review the situation and agree on the most expedient exit strategy. If the candidate is receiving a stipend from the school or school district, the appropriate personnel from the school should be informed so that payment can be terminated. When a student who is receiving a stipend from a school or a school district is recommended for withdrawal, the Director of Clinical Programs in consultation with the Program Director will inform the designated personnel from that school/school district to initiate termination of payment to the student. If the candidate is an employee of the school and is withdrawn from the practicum, he or she may remain employed at the school s discretion but will not be permitted to count these hours toward licensure. If the withdrawal occurs within the first four weeks of the semester the internship or practicum will not appear on the candidate s transcript. If it occurs within the eight-week period a W will appear on the transcript. If it occurs after the eight-week period an F appears on the transcript and it can only be removed once the candidate s advisor has officially petitioned the dean for a removal of the F and requested that a W appear on the transcript. Changing Sections of Two-Semester Courses (For MSW students) Students are required to remain in the same section for the two semesters of year-long classes for which they registered (SW421 A&B, SW 424 A&B). Students must register for each class each semester (Fall and Spring). Courses that must be taken concurrently (for MSW students) Students are required to register for the appropriate field and practice courses concurrently. All students in SW-446A-01 and 02 must register for Social Work Practice: SW-421A All students in SW-447A-01 and 02 and SW-596-01 must register for: Advanced Practice: SW-424A All students in SW-446B-01 and 02 must register for Social Work Practice: SW-421B All students in SW-447A-01 and 02 must register for: Advanced Practice: SW-424B

13 Withdrawal from Simmons College Students who withdraw from Simmons should first meet with a program advisor. MSW students who voluntarily withdraw must meet with the ASK Coordinator for an exit interview as part of the withdrawal process. Students who withdraw from school and who wish to seek re-admission at some later time, must apply for readmission through the standard Admissions process applicable to all candidates seeking admission. Admission once does not guarantee that admission will be granted a second time. Incomplete Policy Completion of coursework including field education and other practica by the last day of the semester is essential. An instructor may use his/her discretion to grant an Incomplete when the majority of the course requirements and assignments have successfully been completed and when the student is unable to complete assignments due to extenuating circumstances. In permitting an Incomplete, the instructor must establish a completion date no later than three weeks after the last day of classes or by the first day of classes of the following semester (including summer)-whichever is earlier. Exceptions to these deadlines must be approved by the Program Director and an alternative deadline must be established. Incompletes for practica, field placements, and mentorships may be extended beyond the standard deadline with Field Director or Program Director approval. The instructor must attach the student s request to the Incomplete Form and forward to the program director (Education, Behavior Analysis, SW Doctoral) or Academic Services Center (MSW). If the student completes the requirement(s) by the extension date, the mark of Incomplete will be changed to a letter grade. If not, the student will be assigned a grade based on the work completed to date. Grades not submitted by the Instructor to the Office of the Registrar by the approved deadline will automatically be converted to a grade of F. Voluntary Leave of Absence From time to time, students may take a voluntary leave of absence from their studies as a result of medical, mental health, or other personal matters that compromise their ability to continue in an academic program. A student may apply for a Leave of Absence (LOA) at any time after enrolling at the College. To request a Leave of Absence, students should follow the process listed on the Registrar's web page and also contact their academic advisor. The maximum duration of a leave of absence is one year. http://www.simmons.edu/academics/registrar If the student chooses to take a voluntary leave of absence in order to receive intensive clinical health care treatment, the Associate Dean of Student Life or designee will assist with processing this request. In some instances the student may be asked to complete the Process for Returning from an Involuntary Leave of Absence as a requirement of returning to the College.

14 Involuntary Leave of Absence Simmons College is committed to the safety and well-being of its community members and to the integrity of our living and learning environment. Our goals therefore are to maintain the health and safety of every member of the Simmons community and to enable all enrolled students to participate fully in the life of the College. As noted above, we recognize that from time to time, students may take a voluntary leave of absence from their studies as a result of medical, mental health, or other personal matters that compromise their ability to continue in an academic program. However, we also recognize that sometimes it will be necessary for Simmons to require a student to take an involuntary leave a leave, which Simmons has concluded, is in the best interest of the student but which the student may object to. In instances where a student's mental, emotional, or medical health pose a threat to themselves and/or others, or where health circumstances or conditions become a barrier to appropriate or prescribed levels of self-care, or when a student s health condition causes significant disruption to the activities of the College community, students may be required to take an involuntary leave of absence from the College for a specific period of time. In instances when a student's mental, physical or emotional health may pose a direct, imminent, threat to the safety and well-being of the Simmons community, or the student has been admitted to a healthcare setting to undergo medical or psychological treatment (hospitalization, intensive outpatient or inpatient program), the Associate Dean of Students or designee, as an interim measure, can place the student on an involuntary leave of absence from the College. When applicable, the student will be informed in writing of the actions that led to her/him being placed on leave and direct the student to the process for return. The student's parent/guardian/emergency contact person may also be notified that the student is in a potentially dangerous situation. Any student placed on an involuntary leave of absence will not be allowed to remain on campus. This includes living in residence, attending classes, and participating in Simmons sponsored events. In circumstances when the student has not met direct threat/inpatient criteria, the Associate Dean of Students or designee may, based on observable/recorded behavior, still require a student to undergo an individualized psychological and/or medical assessment to make an informed decision regarding the student's ability to meet the academic, social, and emotional requirements of a Simmons student. This evaluation can be conducted by a member of the College's clinical staff, or by an external health care provider who is treating the student. The student will be required to sign a release that gives permission to the College's designated clinical personnel to speak with her/his external evaluating health care provider and to allow for the release of any relevant medical reports as part of the assessment. If the student chooses not to engage in the process above, then she/he will be required to take an involuntary leave of absence and if applicable, an immediate removal from the residence halls.

15 If, following the evaluation, a leave is deemed unnecessary, the Associate Dean for Student Life or designee may impose other conditions and/or requirements which the student would be required to comply with as a condition of continued enrollment at the College. In any instance in which a leave is required, the Associate Dean for Student Life or designee will provide written notice to the student, including the specific requirements that must be met as a condition of eligibility for re-enrollment, the timeline for initiating and completing the return process, as well as the procedure for appealing the decision. When appropriate, the parent(s) or guardian(s) of the student will be included in this notice. Students are strongly encouraged to discuss the need for a voluntary or involuntary leave with their parent(s) or guardian(s) or significant other prior to and during the leave process. The duration of the leave is typically no fewer than six months, although the specific length of the leave will be based on the individualized assessment and determined by the Associate Dean of Student Life or designee on a case-by-case basis. The SSW Associate Dean will be consulted about the duration of the leave. When a student takes a leave before the end of a semester, whether voluntary or involuntary, Simmons' standard tuition and residence hall refund schedule applies. Process for Returning to Simmons After an Involuntary Leave Simmons College students who have been placed on an Involuntary Leave of Absence will be required to undergo an individualized assessment to be cleared to return to Simmons, prior to their return to the College. They are also required to sign an authorization form that enables the hospital, treatment facility, and/or all pertinent external healthcare providers to release information necessary for the review process. The review process will involve an interview with the appropriately licensed Simmons clinical staff member as well as the Dean of Student Life or designee. Following the interview with the clinical staff, a recommendation based on the student's report, his/ her treatment history, information gathered from the external treatment facility, and/or a student's personal health care provider, will be shared with the Associate Dean for Student Life or designee regarding the student's readiness to return. Then, on a case-by-case basis, the Associate Dean of Student Life or designee will make a determination if the student shall be permitted to return to the Simmons community. If it is determined that the student can return, the student will meet with the Associate Dean for Student Life or designee to establish a plan to return to the College and identify community resources. The appropriate academic program administrator (Dean, Associate Dean or Program Director) will be consulted for purposes of establishing the plan to return to active student status. As a condition of continued enrollment and, if applicable, as a condition of re-admittance to the residence halls, the following criteria must be met:

16 1. The consulting health care provider must find that the student has maintained a significant level of physical, mental, or emotional stability along with the skill set necessary to successfully engage in the student's academic program, including 2. clinical and professional internships, field placements, teaching practica and all activities associated with being a Simmons student. 3. The student and the consulting Simmons clinical staff member, in conjunction with all relevant external health care providers, must establish and agree upon a plan for continued managed care after returning to the College. 4. The student must commit to follow the recommended and established treatment plan. If, after reviewing all pertinent information, the Associate Dean of Student Life or designee denies a student's request to return from an involuntary leave of absence, or the student disagrees with the conditions established as part of the return process, the student can appeal the decision in writing to the Vice President of Student Affairs. WAITLIST POLICY Students must use the AARC automatic waitlist system when they wish to be placed in line for a closed/full class. Professors cannot override the system and add students to their classes. The student should not contact the professor to be put into the class. Waitlisted students should monitor their Simmons email for further information and for notification that they may enroll in an open seat. Students have 72 hours from when notified via Simmons email to make the change and register for the open seat or they will be automatically removed from the waitlist and the seat will be offered to the next student on the waitlist. INDEPENDENT STUDIES For MSW students: Due to limited faculty resources, independent study for course credit is not available to Master s students. For Education students: Students wishing to enroll in an independent study must seek approval from the Program Director. MSW DEGREE COMPLETION POLICY Students enroll in the full-time program or in the extended program. The full-time program is completed in 2 years. The extended program is completed in 2.5, 3, or 4 years. If a student chooses to change status from the full-time to the extended program, the

17 student s advisor must be consulted. The student should schedule a meeting with the ASK Coordinator or his or her advisor to create an alternative plan for program completion CHANGE OF PROGRAM STATUS/PROGRAM COMPLETION All degree requirements must be completed within five years of matriculation. At five years or more, prior academic coursework must be repeated. MSW TRANSFER AND WAIVER POLICIES Transfer Credits from another MSW program Students entering the MSW program may request to transfer up to 6 course credits taken as a non-matriculated student at a CSWE accredited MSW program. The student must provide an official transcript from that program and request transfer credits during the admissions process. Transfer credits will not be accepted after the first semester in the program. To be transferred, a grade of B or better must be received in the course. Courses for transfer must be at least 3 credits, and they must be taken on a graduate level. All degree requirements must be completed within 5 years of matriculation. At 5 years or more, prior academic coursework must be repeated. Syllabi and other support material are required for the review of transfer requests. Requests will be reviewed by the Associate Dean of SSW or his or her designee. The School Social Work does not accept transfer credits for courses taken in a program that is not an MSW degree program that is CSWE accredited. Neither certificate programs nor continuing education programs, even when taken in an MSW program, are eligible for transfer. Transfer Students Applying to Simmons from other MSW Programs Transfer students are those who apply to leave their current MSW program and matriculate as an MSW student at Simmons. Applicants must be in good standing with the school from which they are transferring and must have a minimum GPA of 3.0. Additional information for transfer applicants: A maximum of 32 credits may be requested for transfer The student must provide an official transcript and a letter of good standing from the Dean or Associate Dean of the MSW program A syllabus for each course must be submitted for transfer credit Courses in which the student receives a B- or lower will not be transferred A field evaluation for first year field education is required All coursework including transfer credits must be completed within 5 years

18 Transfer of an Elective Course Taken at Another Institution Matriculated students with special interests may be given permission to take one elective course at another institution if: it is a Master s level course at an accredited, degree-granting institution the course content shows clear relevance to the social work degree the course is not offered at SSW the course earns a minimum of 3 credits and meets for at least the equivalent classroom contact hours as the MSW course Students must notify their advisor of such a proposal prior to the registration period. The ASK Coordinator or Program Director/Chair must review and approve the plan prior to its submission in writing to the Associate Dean. If permission is granted, the student is responsible for the transfer of credit to Simmons at the end of the semester. Non-receipt of a transcript and the executed Transfer of Credit Form by the proper deadline in the final year could affect the student s ability to graduate on time. Students must receive a grade of B or better to transfer credit. The form can be obtained from the MSW Program Manager. Matriculated students may not take any required courses outside of the School of Social Work. WAIVERS FOR STUDENTS WHO RECEIVE ADVANCED STANDING IN THE MSW PROGRAM Advanced Standing students take advanced year courses and 28 credits are waived for the following foundation courses: Social Work Practice (SW 421A & B), 6 credits Social Policy (SW 401A), 3 credits Human Behavior in the Social Environment (SW 411A), 3 credits Racism (SW 409), 3 credits Research (SW 441), 3 credits Field Education (SW 446A), Fall only, 4 credits 2 Electives, 6 credits

19 WAIVER OF REQUIREMENT (RESEARCH OR ASSESSMENT AND DIAGNOSIS, MSW STUDENTS ONLY) On occasion, a student may petition the Associate Dean to waive a requirement in Research (SW441) or Assessment and Diagnosis (SW414) due to a graduate level course(s) taken in these areas in a non-social work program. The course(s) must have been taken within 5 years of admission and be closely equivalent to Research (SW441) and Assessment and Diagnosis (SW414). The course syllabi and/or any other documents requested by the Associate Dean must be presented for review. If the course requirement is waived, then the student must take another course of their choice in place of the waived requirement. These requirement waivers will only be considered at the time of admission until the end of the first semester of a student s matriculation into the program. EDUCATION PROGRAM TRANSFER AND WAIVER POLICIES Under special circumstances, a student may receive credit for graduate work completed at another accredited institution. Between four and eight semester hours are normally granted, but never more than eight. The regulations are as follows: 1. Credit is generally not granted for more than the face value credit assigned by the host institution. Courses valued at a minimum of three (3) credits will have one credit waived toward the degree with approval. 2. The lowest grade normally accepted for transfer of credit is a B. 3. Quarter-hour credits transfer at two-thirds of a semester hour. 4. No credit is given for courses completed toward another degree. 5. Students must submit a Petition for Transfer of Credit. No credit is given for courses taken more than 5 years before the date of the Petition. GRADUATION POLICY Education Students Students who will have completed all degree requirements must submit a Petition to Graduate form to the Department Coordinator by the appropriate deadline prior to degree conferral (graduation). Failure to complete the required paperwork, or selecting the incorrect graduation date, could affect participation in the May graduation ceremony, diploma availability, and the student s conferral (graduation) date. Students who plan to graduate in May, August, October, or January must complete coursework by the official grade deadline provided by the Registrar s Office. Education students in first initial licensure programs must verify eligibility for the Sheltered

20 English Instruction (SEI) endorsement prior to their last semester of study. For example, Fall semester for students who plan to graduate in May. MSW Students Students who have completed all degree requirements must submit a Petition to Graduate form, course credit checklist, and unofficial copy of their transcript (available on AARC) by the indicated deadline to the MSW Program Manager. Failure to complete the required paperwork, or selecting the incorrect graduation date, could affect participation in the May graduation ceremony, diploma availability, and the student s conferral (graduation) date. Students who plan to graduate in May, August, October, or January must complete coursework by the official grade deadline provided by the Registrar s Office. A student who will complete all coursework by August may walk in the May SSW Commencement Ceremony if: 1. The student has no more than 2 courses left of the course requirements and these courses will be completed and graded no later than the August graduation grade submission deadline. 2. The student will finish the field placement by the end of the second week in August. 3. The student is an Advanced Standing student and is registered to complete coursework and field placement by the end of the second week in August. (No more than 2 courses and field education for a total of 10 credits) August Graduation All grades for August graduates must be posted no later than 7 days prior to the August degree conferral date. Degree conferral is the last day of the month. Upon satisfactory completion of all degree requirements as noted above, those who participate in May Commencement will have their degree conferred in August and will receive their diplomas in September. SIMMONS COLLEGE HONOR CODE All SSW students are expected to adhere to the Honor System of Simmons College, which can be found at: https://www.simmons.edu/student-life/handbook/rights-responsibilities/honor-system

21 Honor Code Violations Violations of the Simmons College Honor Code, specifically, academic dishonesty, plagiarism and cheating are referred to the Associate Dean for Student Life and the College Honor Board. Also referred are situations involving sexual misconduct, the damage or destruction of University property, and conduct that endangers the health or safety of any College student, employee, or campus visitor. PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS Social Work, Education and Behavioral Analysis students are expected to abide by their respective profession s standards for ethical practice. Behavioral Analysis Professional Standards Behavior Analysis Certification Board (BACB) Professional and Ethical Compliance Code for Behavior Analysts http://bacb.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/160321-compliance-code-english.pdf Students are expected to adhere to the BACB s Professional and Ethical Compliance Code for Behavior Analysts, in their workplace and classroom. The BACB s code of ethics outlines behaviors and responsibilities expected of behavior analysts. Students are considered behavior analysts in training and as such are subject to this code of ethical behavior. Students should obtain a copy of the BACB s Professional and Ethical Compliance Code for Behavior Analysts and become familiar with its contents. Social Work Professional Standards Students are expected to adhere to the NASW Code of Ethics and established norms, values, and behavior both during their field placement and while earning their Social Work degree. The NASW Code of Ethics outlines behaviors and responsibilities expected of all professional social workers. The NASW considers students to be professional social workers from the time they enroll into a social work program. Students should obtain a copy of the NASW code of ethics and become familiar with its contents. Social Work students are also expected to be familiar with and abide by the Simmons School of Social Work Standards of Professional Practice (See Appendix). Failure to meet generally accepted standards for professional conduct, ethics and personal integrity requisite for professional social work practice, as outlined in the NASW Code of Ethics and the SSW Social Work Standards for Professional Practice Education, may constitute grounds for a Level Three Review or a referral to the Simmons College Honor Board and could result in dismissal or other academic sanctions.

22 POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR REVIEW OF ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OR PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT ISSUES The SSW is committed to supporting student success and the achievement of academic and practice proficiency while also upholding professional standards and the expectations set forth by the college-wide code of conduct. A three-level review process is used to address student academic performance and professional conduct issues. The specific level of review depends upon the severity of the concern. Information shared by the student with faculty and school administrators related to the concerns being reviewed will not be treated as confidential if the information shared raises concerns about professional performance or student safety. Students are advised that faculty or administrators will share pertinent information with each other on a need to know basis for the purpose of identifying student issues and enhancing problem solving about those issue and concerns. A student will be reviewed at the level (1, 2 or 3) that is appropriate to the concern. Reviews of Students can occur under any of the following circumstances: To identify need for academic support To determine a remediation plan for an Honor Board violation If a student fails to meet or maintain academic requirements If a student is terminated from a field placement or internship either by the placement site or by SSW administrators due to performance issues If a student is rejected by three agencies during field placement process (SW) in one term If a student exhibits behavior judged by faculty to be in violation of professional ethics and/or Simmons College and SSW policies If a student exhibits consistent pattern of unprofessional behavior in the classroom or in field placements The Three Levels of Review In the SSW, there are three levels of review to address student academic performance and conduct issues. A student can be reviewed at any level, and consecutive level review is not required. Specifically, a student may have undergone a Level 1 review and then may be asked to engage in a Level 3 review, without having engaged in Level 2 review. Level 1 Student/Instructor Consultation A Level 1 review involves a consultation between a faculty member and a student, typically at the request of the faculty member. When a faculty member has concerns about a student meeting any of the academic criteria, whether related to professional behavior or academic performance, that faculty member will: Discuss those concerns directly with the student and seek to work with the student to resolve the difficulties.

23 Apprise the ASK Coordinator (MSW students) or the appropriate program director or advisor of the concerns Summarize plans and or recommendations in an email to the student If a problem arises in an external training site the supervisor is expected to discuss promptly concerns directly with the student and with the Simmons College faculty liaison. It is the responsibility of the faculty liaison to apprise the appropriate school administrator of the concerns. The purpose of the Level 1 review is to provide the student an opportunity to receive feedback from their instructor about areas of concern and suggestions for addressing the concerns. The outcome of many Level 1 consultations is that, together, the faculty and student resolve the concerns and no further reviews are desired or required. Examples of situations triggering a Level 1 review are attendance issues, a poor grade or missed assignment. Level 2 A Level 2 meeting can be convened when concerns have not been resolved at Level 1 or when a student appears to be developing a pattern of not following academic or program standards, policies, or procedures. All students on academic probation will have a Level 2 review meeting. A Level 2 review usually involves a meeting with the appropriate faculty member, student, and appropriate program administrator and the student s advisor, if an advisor is assigned. If a problem arises in an external training site, the external supervisor and liaison can also be included. The student will be informed of the Level 2 review by their advisor or their instructor. In preparation for the Level 2 meeting, the advisor or program director will gather information about the nature of the concern. The meeting will be used to discuss the concerns and to develop a Corrective Plan to address that concern. If the outcome of the meeting is that no further action is needed, the meeting will be documented to the student and the program director but no Corrective Plan will be created. When a Corrective Plan is determined to be the appropriate next step, the Corrective Plan may address the need for the student to modify his or her behavior and/or seek appropriate help or academic assistance. All parties to the Level 2 meeting, including the student, shall receive a copy of the Corrective Plan. The purpose of a Level 2 review is to assist students in fully understanding and addressing the academic or behavioral concerns that are negatively impacting their success in the program. Examples of issues that may lead to a Level 2 review are repeated attendance problems, poor grades, other difficulties meeting the standards and expectations of a course The administrator overseeing the Level 2 review may consult with the Dean or Associate Dean

24 for Academic Affairs to determine if the Level 2 assessment is sufficient or whether it would be in the Student s and Simmons s best interests to conduct a more comprehensive review, pursuant to Level 3. Level 3 A Level 3 review involves the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and the Program Director, members of the Academic Standards Committee and the student. Generally, the Level 3 review is called when serious or complex problematic patterns are identified with students or when the issues are serious enough to require formal consultation with faculty and the student. The Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, in consultation with the committee, decides whether or not a Level 3 meeting shall be convened. The Associate Dean informs the Simmons College Associate Dean for Student Life about the decision to convene a Level 3 review. A Level 3 review may be conducted when concerns have not been fully resolved at prior Level 1 or Level 2 meetings; when a student continues to not meet the criteria for academic performance or when a student exhibits unprofessional or unethical behaviors in a classroom, field placement or other clinical setting. When a Level 3 review is called, the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs will convene a meeting with the appropriate faculty and the student. The Associate Dean will attend the Level 3 review. Information will be provided by the student and by appropriate faculty to determine the nature of the problem and to identify alternatives for its remediation. The student will be notified in writing of the concerns and meeting date by the Associate Dean, with sufficient time to prepare for and attend the meeting. If a student chooses not to attend, a finding can be made with the available information in the student s absence. Once an understanding has been reached, the student will be excused from the meeting. Faculty conducting the Level 3 review will confer and agree on recommendations, which will then be made to the Associate Dean who will implement a course of action based on the recommendations. The Associate Dean or designee will inform the student of the decision, which can include one of the following: Continue the student in the program with no conditions. Establish written conditions for the student's continuance in the program. Consult with or referral to the Simmons College Associate Dean for Student Life Dismiss student from the program Counsel student to change majors (for undergraduates) In any Level 3 review, there must be clear, concise documentation of the problem areas as well as verification that the concerns have been discussed with the student and attempted to