MSW Academic Review Policy and Procedures

Satisfactory performance and progress toward completion of the degree

Admission to the Graduate School allows students to engage in graduate study and research at the University of Washington. Continuation in the Master of Social Work program at the University of Washington Tacoma occurs only if students maintain satisfactory performance and progress toward completion of the graduate degree program as outlined in Graduate School Memorandum No. 16. Students must also meet the requirements found in the University of Washington Student Conduct Code as amplified in the Essential Skills, Values and Standards of Professional Conduct. In addition to maintaining satisfactory academic performance, students must adhere to all behavioral standards as identified in the aforementioned code and standards. The MSW Program Chair in collaboration with the Graduate Program Advisor monitors graduate student academic progress on a quarterly basis.

Evaluation of student performance and progression

Good academic standing

In order to be in good academic standing, students must maintain a minimum cumulative University grade point average of 3.00 for all 400- and 500-level graded courses taken after attaining graduate status at the University of Washington. In addition, students must complete, and pass all required Social Work classes with a minimum grade of a 2.7 or higher or “S” or “CR.” Students who accumulate more than two incompletes on their transcripts or carry incompletes beyond one quarter will be reviewed for satisfactory progress.

Low scholarship

Failure to maintain a cumulative or quarterly grade point average of 3.00 or to earn at least a 2.7 or “S” or “CR” in a required class is considered low scholarship. Low scholarship may lead to a change-in-status action by the Graduate School, including Warning, Probation, Final Probation, or Drop. If a student falls below this standard of academic performance, s/he will be evaluated individually on a quarterly basis by the MSW Program Chair who may confer with the program’s Professional Standards Committee. The quarterly academic performance review will determine whether the student is progressing towards good academic standing, including 16 passing current classes and/or increasing their cumulative GPA. The Registrar will record only those actions recommending Probation, Final Probation, and Drop.

*Note that students who fail a required course for the MSW degree twice, will fall under the MSW Course Repeat Policy.

To determine satisfactory performance or progress, the following criteria is used:

1. Performance in the fulfillment of degree program requirements;
2. Performance during informal course work and seminars; and
3. Research capability, progress and achievements.

In addition to the grade performance, students with incompletes or “X” grades in the Generalist courses must successfully complete the courses prior to beginning the Specialization Curriculum.

Warning

A warning will be issued to a student when their cumulative or quarterly grade point average falls below 3.00. This status is initiated and documented by the Social Work program but is not reported to the Graduate School and does not appear on the student’s transcript. A warning may be issued for behavioral concerns as well. A student must be notified in writing, and documentation must be placed in the student’s file. If the deficiency is not corrected after one quarter, probation may be recommended.

Probation

Probation will be recommended to the Graduate School for any student who has not corrected the deficiency which resulted in the warning or who fails to earn at least a 2.7 or “S” or “CR” in a required class. For students who fail a required class, a previous warning is unnecessary. A student may not remain on probation for more than three consecutive quarters and will automatically be reviewed each quarter while on probation.

Final probation

After at least one quarter of probation, a student may be placed on final probation (for one quarter only). Final probation will be recommended for students who have not corrected the condition(s) that caused the probation recommendation or for students who may have corrected previous probation conditions but failed additional performance requirements and did not progress toward completion of the graduate program. The Graduate School will consider one additional quarter in extenuating circumstances.

Drop

After one quarter of final probation, a student may be dropped from the program if the student has not made sufficient academic progress. Exceptions to this policy will be considered by the Graduate School only in extenuating circumstances. If the Graduate School accepts a drop recommendation, the Registrar is notified by the Graduate School, and the student is immediately dropped from the MSW program. This final action is recommended for students who have not corrected the condition(s) that caused the final probation within the specified time limit.

Note: Action is taken for one quarter only and is reviewed each quarter. No action will appear on the transcript for any subsequent quarter unless a recommendation is made by the MSW Program to the Dean of the Graduate School.

In addition to the grade performance, students with incompletes or “x” grades in the Professional Generalist courses must successfully complete the courses prior to beginning the Specialization Curricula.

Appeals

Students may appeal changes in status directly to the MSW Program Chair. Appeals beyond this point must follow the process outlined in Graduate School Memorandum No. 33, Academic Grievance Procedure.

Approved by UW Tacoma Social Work Graduate Faculty, March 11, 2016

Effective Autumn 2016