Program Requirements

Academic Standing

Students whose GPA falls below 3.0 will be placed on academic probation and are given two consecutive courses to satisfactorily raise their GPA. The GPA is reviewed after the second course, and if it has been successfully raised, the probationary status is removed. Academic suspension will result if the student's GPA is not successfully raised.

Academic suspension will result if a student fails to clear the academic probationary status within the probationary period of two consecutive courses. The suspension will occur once the grades have been recorded in the Registrar's Office. Students will be notified of the academic suspension in writing. Application for readmission may be made after six months. The application must be made in writing to the MSW Program Director.

Upon a second academic suspension in the MSW program, a student is dismissed from the university, and no longer eligible to earn the MSW degree. 

Gatekeeping and Performance Review

Gatekeeping and professional performance review in the MSW program occurs throughout the program. While each part of the curriculum is designed to evaluate knowledge, skills, values and behaviors there are several points at which particular focused evaluation occurs.

Review Points:

• Application to the Social Work program.
• Social Work Field Education Application for each practicum year (Foundation year and Advanced year) is initiated by the Director of Field Experiences approximately three months prior to each field experience. Successful completion of this application process gives the student permission to continue into that field placement.
• The student must demonstrate competency in their field experience in all courses in order to graduate with the MSW degree. Competency is measured by the Agency Field Instructor Evaluation and the projects completed as part of the Field Education Seminars. The student must pass their Field Evaluation to pass Seminar.

Evaluators will identify strengths, evolving interests, issues, areas of improvement, or recommend resources at each gatekeeping point. Students are responsible for demonstrating follow-through at the subsequent application/ interview/presentation points.

Continuation in and Policy for Termination from the Social Work Program

To remain in the MSW program, students must maintain a 3.0 GPA, must pass all courses with a minimum of a "C," successfully pass all the seminar courses, complete required field hours and pass the field performance evaluation based on required established scores indicated in the manual for field education. If a student receives below a "C" in a course he or she may re-take the course but may not move on in the program until successfully passing the course.

It is the desire of the MSW faculty that students admitted to the program will continue in the program and graduate. However, there are circumstances that could lead to dismissal from the MSW program. Some violations may include but are not limited to:

• Failure to meet or maintain academic grade point requirement as established by the University (3.0 overall) and a minimum of a "C" in all courses.
• Failure to pass any of the gatekeeping and performance review points. 
• Behavior judged to be in violation of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics.
• Behavior judged to be in violation of University Expectations of Professional Conduct.
• Academic cheating, lying or plagiarism (see Honesty, Cheating, Plagiarism, and Forgery).

• Unresolved personal issues that, in the professional judgment of the social work faculty, could impair the effective quality provision of services to future clients.

• Evidence of chemical dependency documented as occurring during the course of study.

• Recurring or habitual absenteeism.

• Inappropriate behavior and/or an inability to develop the appropriate interpersonal skills necessary for effective social work practice.

• Repeated failure to demonstrate professional work habits and professional behavior.

In the event of any of the above violations, the MSW Program Director in consultation with Social Work faculty may require outside evaluations and/or opinions of professionals as is deemed necessary to determine the most appropriate course of actions. Each situation is treated individually, and the student may appeal any decision that is made.

Academic Grievance Procedures

Students may contest academic and professional review decisions through the grievance process. The purpose of the grievance procedure is to ensure that students are being treated fairly and that their rights have not been violated. In accordance with the academic grievance policies outlined in the University Catalog and established by the University and College of Adult and Professional Studies (CAPS), within which the MSW program is housed, students may use the following appeal and grievance procedures if they feel their rights have been violated: Grade Appeal and Academic Policy Grievance.

MSW Program Grievance Policy Internal Grievance Steps

Within the MSW program, students may also report a grievance of any kind according to the following process.

• When appropriate, and or possible, the student shall attempt a satisfactory reconciliation directly with the MSW faculty member involved.

• In situations of unsatisfactory resolution or incidences not directly involving a faculty member, the student may petition the IWU MSW Program Director in writing. The Director will then hold a conference with the student within ten working days of the request.

• If a student is not satisfied with the outcome of the above meeting, he or she may submit a written request for a hearing with the Chair of the Behavioral Sciences Department. The hearing shall be held no later than ten days after the student’s written request for a hearing in keeping with the University grievance process as stated in the Catalog.

• Direct request for further hearing or petition may be made to the Academic Dean per University Academic Grievance policy described above.