Academic standards for remaining a student “in good academic standing” in the MSW Program include both the student’s GPA and demonstration of professional social work ethics in their course work and field work.
Students who do not meet these criteria may be subject to academic review, academic probation, dismissal from the program, and/or other disciplinary consequences. Standards for the required GPA and professional social work ethics are defined below.
GPA Requirements:
Students are required to have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in all MSW courses to remain in good academic standing and to graduate from the program. Students whose GPA falls below a cumulative GPA of 3.0 may be placed on academic probation, asked to attend an academic success meeting, or to participate in an academic review. Failure to maintain the required GPA may result in dismissal from the program.
Standards for Academic and Professional Behavior:
The primary goal of the MSW program in the School of Social Work is to prepare helping professionals that can provide the highest possible quality of service to their clients, which often include some of the most vulnerable members of society. As such, 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 MSW 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 potentially result in 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 behavior. 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 (3.0)
- 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, sexual orientation, or race/ethnicity
- 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