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Eberly College of Arts & Sciences School of Social Work
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Standards for Academic and Professional Behavior

One of the primary goals of the BSW program in the School of Social Work is to model ethical and professional behavior in social work practice. It is crucial that our graduates adhere to the academic and professional standards required for professional practice and that are described in the NASW Code of Ethics. Because of the importance we place on ethical and professional

conduct, admission to the BSW program at WVU does not guarantee continuance, especially if concerns are raised regarding a student’s ability to adhere to our standards of academic or professional conduct.

The school has delineated specific policies for intervention and consequences with students for times when there are concerns about academic or professional behavior. These

interventions/consequences can include meetings to determine corrective action plans with advisors, field liaisons, and/or field instructors, academic probation, suspension, or dismissal from the program.

A student’s academic performance or conduct may be reviewed, and could potentially result in probation, suspension, and/or termination from the program, if a faculty member or field instructor expresses concerns about serious and persistent deficits in academic performance or violations of the  NASW Standards for Ethical Conduct. Examples of reasons why a student may be terminated from the program include (but are not limited to) the following:

  • Failure to maintain the minimum GPA required by the program (2.0)
  • Inadequate interpersonal or helping skills
  • Violations of client confidentiality
  • Sexual or romantic relationships with clients or constituents
  • Lack of respect for differences based on gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, race or ethnicity, religion, disability status, or others not listed here
  • Inability to keep personal values from interfering with practice decisions
  • Substance abuse
  • Criminal charges/convictions
  • Violence/aggression towards others
  • Excessive absenteeism
  • Persistent inadequate performance on field or classroom assignments/projects
  • Academic Dishonesty/Plagiarism

Computer/Technology Proficiency

It is expected that all incoming students have proficiency with the technological devices listed above. Students are responsible for having computer/technology skills sufficient to accomplish the academic tasks that will be expected of them. Tutorials are available through WVU for the WVU-specific platforms, such as  eCampus. Students must have sufficient ability to operate computers, cell phones, Internet browsers, webcams, and related technology used in the modern workforce. Students should come to class with a willingness to learn new technology platforms to prepare them for a dynamic and evolving professional landscape. Students with disabilities can contact the  Office of Student Accommodations (OSA) regarding their technology-related needs.

Instructors are not responsible for teaching computer/technology skills within the course. If you do not possess sufficient computer/technology skills, you should gain the necessary training in computer/technology skills prior to applying to the online program.

Examples of essential computer/technology skills include the following:

    1. Knowledge of computer terminologies, such as browser, operating system, application, software, files, documents, and icon.
    2. Understanding of basic computer hardware and software with the ability to perform computer operations, such as:
    3. Using keyboard and mouse
    4. Managing files and folders: save, name, copy, move, backup, rename, delete, check properties
    5. Software installation, security, and virus protection
    6. Using software applications, such as Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and email
    7. Knowledge of copying and pasting, spell-checking, and saving files in different formats
    8. Uploading and downloading attachments 
    9. Internet skills (connecting, accessing sites, using browsers)
    10. Ability to use online communication tools, such as email (create, send, receive, reply, print, send/receive attachments), discussion boards (read, search, post, reply, follow threads), chats, and messengers
    11. Performing online research using various search engines and library databases
    12. Creating online accounts

    Technology Requirements

    To successfully complete coursework in the WVU School of Social Work programs, all students—especially those in online courses—must have reliable internet access and a laptop (PC or Mac) with at least 8-16 GB of RAM. A tablet or iPad alone will not be sufficient for completing assignments and participating in course activities. Proficiency with basic technology, including accessing online learning platforms and using productivity software, is also essential.

     

    Additionally, your computer should have the following:

    • Consistent access to high-speed internet/wifi/broadband
    • Keyboard and mouse
    • Speakers and a microphone
    • A web camera capable of video web conferencing
    • Recent operating system
      • Microsoft Windows 10 or newer
      • Apple macOS 10.12 or newer
    • Google Chrome or Firefox web browser, latest version recommended

    All students will also need access to:

    • Cell phone or other  dual sign-in device (i.e. tablet)
    • Scanner/Printer
    • Headphones

    Academic Dishonesty/Plagiarism

    “Academic Dishonesty” refers to cheating or dishonest practices in connection with examinations, papers, and/or projects. It also includes forgery, misrepresentation, or fraud as it relates to academic or educational matters. “Academic dishonesty” in the SSW refers to any of the following:

    1. “Plagiarism” ‐ The use, by paraphrase or direct quotation, of the published or unpublished work of another person without full and clear acknowledgment, including but not limited to, the unacknowledged use of materials prepared by another individual or generative AI program (such as ChatGPT, Grammarly, etc.).
    2. “Cheating and dishonest practices in connection with examinations, papers, and/or projects” ‐ Include (but not limited to):
      • Giving or receiving of any unauthorized assistance in taking quizzes, tests, examinations, or any other assignment for a grade. Unauthorized assistance includes artificial intelligence systems such as ChatGPT or other natural language generators wherever disallowed by instructors as per the course syllabus.
      • Depending upon the aid of sources beyond those authorized by the instructor or supervisor in quizzes, tests, examinations, writing papers, preparing reports, solving problems, or carrying out other assignments.
      • The acquisition or use, without permission, of tests or other academic material belonging to a member of the University faculty or staff.
      • Engaging in any behavior specifically prohibited by a faculty member in the course syllabus or class discussion.
    1. “Forgery, misrepresentation, or fraud as it relates to academic or educational matters” ‐ includes, but is not limited to:
      • Wrongfully altering, or causing to be altered, any records
      • Use of University documents or instruments of identification with the intent to defraud
      • Presenting false data or information or intentionally misrepresenting records
      • Furnishing the results of research projects or experiments for the inclusion in another’s work without proper citation furnishing false statements in any University academic proceeding
      • Providing false or misleading information to gain an academic advantage

    BSW students who engage in academic dishonesty will be subject to one or more of the following academic penalties:

    1. Course-level academic penalties: When academic dishonesty occurs within the context of a BSW course (including independent study courses), examples of the penalties the instructor may impose include (but are not limited to):
      • Change in assignment or test grade.
      • A lower final grade, including failure of a course.
      • A final grade of unforgivable failure (UF). The UF penalty can be recommended by the course instructor but must be reported to the appropriate office by the dean of the college or school offering the course after the time limit for a student appeal has expired or the appeal process has been completed, upholding the UF penalty. The student may repeat the course.
      • Required repetition or revision of the assignment or test.
      • Exclusion from further participation in class.
    1. Other academic penalties. Depending on the severity and context, other penalties for academic dishonesty in the BSW program can include:
      • Academic Review
      • Probation, suspension or dismissal from field placement
      • Academic probation or suspension from the BSW program
      • Dismissal from the BSW program

    Student Success

    The BSW Program faculty and advisors regularly monitor student performance to ensure students are meeting the requirements of the degree and are in compliance with the BSW Student Handbook. If a student is struggling to be successful in class or field placement or is having initial difficulty with compliance with the BSW Student Handbook, any faculty member or advisor may call a Student Success Meeting. These meetings are not penalizing in nature. Rather, they are supportive and are designed to help the student overcome any obstacles to their success in the BSW Program. Sometimes, a Student Success Meeting is held in order to help the student avoid the Disciplinary Review Process, as outlined below. However, not all Student Success Meetings are a precursor to the Disciplinary Review Process. They may simply be enacted to help a student identify resources, identify behaviors that need to be altered, or identify ways to communicate their needs in a more effective way. A Student Success Meeting is not required for a student to be subject to the Disciplinary Review Process.

    Disciplinary Review Process

    Three Level Review Process

    All students are expected to maintain a certain level of academic and professional standards in their coursework, engagement with faculty and other students, and in their field placements. Any behavior that is considered a violation of the NASW Code of Ethics (see Appendix A) is grounds for review within the program, as are any charges of academic dishonesty/plagiarism.

    When concerns about a student’s academic and/or professional behavior are raised, the SSW follows a three-level review process:

    Level 1

    If concerns arise related to academic performance or conduct within the classroom, the faculty member who has concerns should first communicate these directly to the student and work with the student to implement a corrective action plan. They may also notify the student’s faculty advisor of the issue and plan. If concerns arise during field placement regarding a student’s behavior or conduct, the agency field instructor should first raise these concerns directly with the student and work jointly with the student to implement a corrective action plan. The field liaison may notify the field director as well.

    Level 2

    If concerns persist despite the corrective action plan, the faculty member or field instructor should then coordinate a meeting with the student and the academic advisor (for academic concerns) or SSW faculty field liaison (for field-related concerns) to discuss the student’s behavior and determine whether the current action plan should be modified or whether the student’s case should be referred directly to the BSW committee for an academic review (see section on academic reviews). In cases involving field, the field director may be involved in this meeting as well.

    Level 3: Academic Review

    If concerns about the student’s behavior persist after the revised action plan determined during the Level 2 meeting has been implemented, the student’s case will then be referred to the BSW committee for an Academic Review (see section on Academic Reviews). If the concerns are related to the student’s placement, the student will not be allowed to continue with placement or field seminar until the academic review is completed. The student may be asked to refrain from attending and/or withdraw from other BSW courses as well.

    Academic Reviews

    In situations in which a student’s case requires an academic review, the BSW program director will coordinate a meeting time during which the BSW committee members will meet to review the various information regarding a student’s progress in the program and any concerns that have prompted the review. The student will be informed, in writing, of the time and date of the review and invited to attend a portion of the meeting in order to provide the committee with any additional information they feel is important. The student is invited to bring 1-2 support person(s) as well. This can include family members, significant others, or anyone else who the student feels may be a support and advocate through the process.

    After the committee reviews the available information and hears the student’s statement, it will decide on an action plan regarding the student’s continuance in the program. The student will be notified of this plan in writing via a letter from the BSW program director within one week of the review meeting. Students have the right to a copy of the written minutes from the academic review committee meeting.