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Advising Handbook for Full
Majors
School of Social Work
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2015-2016
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Advising Handbook for Full Majors
Table of Contents
SECTION I Welcome…………………………………………………………………………………..page 3
SECTION II General Information…………………………………………………………………pages 4-7
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







Bachelor of Arts Options
Academic Plan
Student Handbook
Social Work Classes
General Education
Transfer Students
Minors/Certificate Programs
Degree Audit Reporting System (DARS)
Field Placement
SECTION III Registration…………………………………………………………………………….pages 8-10





Add/Drop a Class
Errors
Holds
Applying for Graduation
Licensure
SECTION IV Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)………………………………………..page 11-12
SECTION V Contact List……………………………………………………………………………...pages 13-14



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School of Social Work
The University of Akron
Professional Organizations
Page 2
Advising Handbook for Full Majors
Section I- Welcome
Welcome to the School of Social Work and congratulations on your admission as a full social work
major. In response to student requests and our ongoing desire to provide our students with clear, concise,
and timely information to common academic advising issues, we created this handbook.
Students may find academic advising a difficult and challenging process. This information is designed to
help answer your questions and provide guidance.
The information provided is intended only for students admitted as full majors and assumes all pending
requirements have been completed. Again, we strongly recommend that you meet with your academic
advisor for additional information or clarification.
The email you received informing you of your admission as a full major in social work provided you with
the name and contact information for your academic advisor. Please contact the School of Social Work
office at 330-972-5974 for additional instructions.
Please Note:
1. This information does not preclude scheduling a meeting with your academic advisor.
2. Michele Thornton is the academic advisor for all Honors College students. Please contact
Michele Thornton at 330-972-8195 or mdt@uakron.edu for academic advising.
“Social advance depends
as much upon the
process through which it
is secured as upon the
result itself.”
Jane Addams
Section II - GENERAL INFORMATION
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Advising Handbook for Full Majors
Bachelor of Arts Options
The School of Social Work offers two (2) bachelor degrees in social work:


Bachelor of Arts (BA) - major in Social Work and
Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW)
Both degrees are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Both degrees require
students to complete 42 credit hours of general education as defined by University College and 46 credit
hours in Social Work. The University of Akron requires students to complete a minimum of 128 credit
hours to graduate with a bachelor’s degree. All students must complete her/his final 32 credit hours at
Akron to graduate.
Students interested in pursuing a BA in addition to completing the required general education and social
work classes, must complete a minimum of 14 credit hours in a single foreign language or American Sign
Language. Spanish is recommended. No foreign language is required for the BASW. We also recommend
those students interested in foreign language studies begin taking courses as early in their academic
career as possible to ensure sufficient time to complete the requirements.
Academic Plan
After your application to the school has been approved, you need to contact your academic advisor as
soon as possible to make an appointment. At the initial appointment you will discuss program
requirements, sign your Program of Study Agreement, and plan your course work through to graduation
(your academic plan).
STUDENT HANDBOOK
Students will receive an electronic copy of the Student Handbook after her/his initial appointment with
her/his advisor.
SOCIAL WORK CLASSES
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Advising Handbook for Full Majors
Social work majors must complete 46 credits in social work after admission as a full major to the School
of Social Work.
7750:401
7750:405
7750:402
7750:403
7750:404
7750:425
7750:430
7750:440
7750:441
7750:445
7750:4xx
7750:4xx
7750:493
7750:494
7750:421
7750:422
SWK Practice I (corequisite: 405)
SWK Practice I Skills Lab (corequisite: 401)
SWK Practice II (prerequisite: 401 & 405)
SWK Practice III (prerequisite: 401 & 405)
SWK Practice IV (prerequisite: 401 & 405)
SWK Ethics
Human Behavior & Social Environment II
SWK Research I
SWK Research II (prerequisite: 440)
Social Policy Analysis for Social Workers
SWK Elective
SWK Elective
Field Experience in a Social Agency – requires approval of Field Coordinator
Field Experience in a Social Agency –requires approval of Field Coordinator
[two consecutive semesters]
Introduction to Field Experience (prerequisite 402; corequisite: 493)
Field Experience Seminar (prerequisite: 421; corequisite: 494)
3 credits
3 credits
3 credits
3 credits
3 credits
3 credits
3 credits
3 credits
3 credits
3 credits
3 credits
3 credits
3 credits
3 credits
2 credits
2 credits
GENERAL EDUCATION
All students must complete 42 credits in eight categories in general education to graduate with a
bachelor’s degree.
1. English Composition:
2. Mathematics:
3. Natural Science:
4. Oral Communication:
5. Social Science:
6. Humanities:
7. Area Studies & Cultural Diversity:
8. Physical Education/Wellness:
6 credits [2 courses; effective fall 2013]
3 credits
8 credits minimum [at least 2 courses, one of which must
be a lab, and from a minimum of 2 different sets]
3 credits
6 credits
10 credits [3 courses, one of which must be 3400:210 or
3400:221, and 2 additional courses from two different sets]
4 credits [2 classes]
1 credit
Only courses approved for general education may be counted toward general education credit. To find
a complete list of classes that meet general education requirements you can review the general
education curriculum guide at http://www.uakron.edu/advising/docs/General_Education_Guide.pdf
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Advising Handbook for Full Majors
the Undergraduate Bulletin at
http://www.uakron.edu/academics_majors/undergraduate_programs/ugrad.pdf; or your DARS report.
Transfer Students
Students who transfer from another college or university will have their completed course work evaluated
upon admission. To apply to The University of Akron please contact the Transfer Student Services Center
at 1-800-655-4884 or 330-972-7009 or transfer@uakron.edu. Please note: Only CSWE accredited transfer
social work courses may be applied toward full major social work requirements. Social work courses from
non CSWE accredited programs can be applied to social work pending coursework.
MINORS/CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS
Student may choose to pursue a Minor Area of Study or an Interdisciplinary and Certificate Program of
Study while taking classes for their degree. Common minors or certificates social work students take are
Addictions, Gerontology (aging), Pan-African Studies, and Victim Studies. For a complete list and
descriptions of available minors and certificates refer to the Undergraduate Bulletin
http://www.uakron.edu/academics_majors/undergraduate_programs/ugrad.pdf.
Degree Audit Reporting System (DARS)
DARS stands for Degree Audit Reporting System. DARS provides you with information about your GPA,
credits, needed classes, etc. DARS is used to determine you eligibility for graduation. Students can access
the DARS program through My Akron. While in DARS, the student can run a “report” which provides a
current summary of where the student is in relation to obtaining a specific degree, minor, or certificate.
1. Click on the DARS icon.
2. If your DARS allows you to click a “Run” button that correctly identifies your intended degree,
minor, or certificate, click run. If your option is not correct, use the drop down boxes to tell DARS
what report/audit you would like to run. For social work, pick Bachelor degree and then the
appropriate degree: BA or BASW [Remember: Students interested in pursuing a BA in addition to
completing the required general education and social work classes, must complete a minimum of 14 credit
hours in a single foreign language or American Sign Language. Spanish is recommended. No foreign
language is required for the BASW. ]
3. The report will open in a new window.
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Advising Handbook for Full Majors
4. We recommend using “Open All Sections” to review the most detailed information
Please review your DARS regularly. If you notice an error in your DARS report, please contact your
academic advisor. You should always review your DARS report before meeting with your academic
advisor and bring a copy to your advising appointment as needed.
FIELD PLACEMENT
Students are required to complete two consecutive semesters in the same agency of a field placement,
also known as a practicum or internship. The field placement should occur in the last two consecutive
semesters before graduation. Students must meet several prerequisites before entering their field
education experience.
Once curriculum prerequisites have been met and prior to entering field education, students are
required to attend a two-part Field Orientation. Students should not contact any agencies to secure a
field placement prior to completing Part I of their field orientation. These orientations successfully
prepare students to secure a field placement, increase awareness of field documentation, schedules,
requirements and ensure that each student realizes the role and significance of the term ‘Signature
Pedagogy ‘ in field education.
Students with a prior felony conviction or prior sanctions for unprofessional conduct may experience
challenges securing a field placement. Please inform the Field Coordinator if applicable during Part I of
the Field Education Orientation. The School of Social Work does not guarantee field placements.
For additional information about field placements please refer to the Field Education page for Social
Work at http://www.uakron.edu/socialwork/field-education/ or contact the Field Coordinator, Naomi
White, at 330-972-5978 or naomi1@uakron.edu.
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Section III- Registration
Registration Process
Students can identify when they are eligible to register for classes through My Akron.
1. Sign on to My Akron and click the “My Experience” tab.
2. Click on the “Student Center” link located on the left side of the page.
3. The Enrollment Dates are displayed on the right side of the screen. Click on the Details link to
view additional information regarding the enrollment dates. The enrollment appointment for
the selected term and career appears.
The Registrar will post a list of Registration Dates online. The list of dates will tell students the start
dates of registration by the number of completed credits.
Please note: In process credits are not used to calculate enrollment appointments.
For example, if your start date of registration is October 17th at 7pm then you can sign into My
Akron and register after 7pm on October 17th. If the time is 3pm on October 17th you are not
eligible to register yet and you must wait until at least 7pm.
You can register any time from your enrollment date until the start of classes. It is important to refer to
the Registrar’s webpage for up to date information about registration procedures and fees. Please keep
in mind that courses/sections may fill quickly. The School of Social Work does not maintain a waiting list
for closed classes. It is the students’ responsibility for verification of space availability for any course.
Add/Drop a class
Visit the Registrar’s website at http://www.uakron.edu/registrar for details on how to add/drop a class.
Please read this section carefully. The procedure you need to follow varies by the type of change and
date of change.
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



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Blank copies of add/drop forms can be picked up in Polsky 411 or Simmons Hall.
Students are encouraged to consider all possible consequences of deciding to add/drop a class
prior to making a change.
Students should consult with her/his academic advisor before making changes to discuss
possible impacts on your learning contract.
Students may also need to consider financial aid, employment, or any other area that may be
impacted by making a change to your schedule.
Students are subject to the university’s withdraw policy.
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Advising Handbook for Full Majors
This list is not inclusive and is not intended to be inclusive. This list is designed to stimulate your thinking about
the impact of changing your schedule. Please consider all potential ramifications of any change prior to
submission.
Errors
If you receive an “Error” message when attempting to register, click on “Error”. You will then be given a
reason for the error. Please follow the step(s) listed to resolve the issue. If after reading the detail of
the error message you are unsure of what to do, contact your academic advisor. Your academic advisor
needs to know the exact nature of the error to provide you with accurate assistance.
Holds
A “Hold” can be academic or non academic. If you have a Hold on your registration, click on “Hold” to
find out the nature of the hold. Holds can be placed on your account for a variety of reasons including
but not limited to nonpayment of fees and general education. Please follow the appropriate steps to
resolve the issue. If you need assistance resolving the hold please contact the appropriate
person/department listed in the hold message.
Please note: Holds may delay your opportunity to register. Students are encouraged to check their
accounts regularly to see if any hold exists so it can be addressed before your enrollment start date.
Please note: Additional information about enrollment appointments, add/drop/withdraw from classes,
errors, holds, and student account information can be found online at
http://www.uakron.edu/training/StudentV9.dot.
APPLYING FOR GRADUATION
All students must apply for graduation online. You can find step-by-step instructions to apply for
graduation at http://www.uakron.edu/registrar/graduation/ or your My Akron Student Center.
Please check for deadlines to apply for graduation in your Student Center, the Registrar’s webpage, or
DARS. It is general procedure for students to apply for graduation at the beginning of the second
semester prior to graduation. For example, the application period to graduate in fall 2015 ended July 1,
2015. If you miss the application period for graduation, you need to contact Graduation Services as
soon as possible.
Please note: An application for graduation is required to graduate from the University of Akron.
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Advising Handbook for Full Majors
LICENSURE
Students who earn an accredited bachelor degree in social work are eligible for a license in social work.
The Counselor, Social Work, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board govern licensure in the State of
Ohio. The bachelor level social work license is the Licensed Social Worker or LSW. To find out more
about the LSW please visit http://www.cswmft.ohio.gov/ or call 614-466-5465.
“Action indeed is the sole
medium of expression for
ethics.”
Jane Addams
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Advising Handbook for Full Majors
Section IV-Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who is my academic advisor?
The email you received informing you of your admission as a full major in social work provided
you with the name and contact information for your academic advisor. If you are unable to
locate your email or you are unsure who your academic advisor is, please contact the School of
Social Work and we will inform you of your assigned advisor. Please note: Your advisor’s name
may not appear in My Akron.
2. I plan to graduate this semester, but I only have 127 credits, can I graduate?
No, you may not graduate with a bachelor’s degree unless you complete at least 128 credits. If
you only take the minimum general education and social work classes you will not earn enough
credits to graduate. Please refer to your Student Center and/or DARS report to determine your
total credit count.
3. I have more than 128 credits, but I am still not eligible to graduate. Why?
In addition to a minimum number of credits, you also need to meet all degree requirements to
graduate. Having more than 128 credits at graduation is common especially if you transferred
schools, changed majors, or pursue 1 or more minors and/or certificates.
4. Who is considered a full-time student?
The university defines a student as full-time if she/he is currently enrolled in at least 12 credits.
Please note: Refer to the Registrar’s office for summer session requirements and any additional
questions.
5. Who is considered a part-time student?
The university defines a student as part-time if she/he is currently enrolled in at least 6 credits.
Please note: Refer to the Registrar’s office for summer session requirements and any additional
questions.
6. How can I meet the foreign language requirement for the BA?
Students who complete a minimum of 14 credits in a single foreign language or American Sign
Language meet the foreign language graduation requirement for the BA. If you took foreign
language at another university, even if it is not a language offered at UA, the credits can be
evaluated for progress toward meeting the foreign language requirement. If you are proficient
in a language besides English and feel you meet the proficiency guidelines in that language,
please contact your advisor and/or the Department of Modern Languages for testing and credit
evaluation. Fees may be assessed for testing and related credits.
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Advising Handbook for Full Majors
7. What is the University Partnership Program (UPP)?
The mission of the UPP is to develop creative child welfare leaders, policy makers, managers, and
direct service practitioners who have the capacity for critical thinking and to promote best
practice and highest quality service to children, families, and communities. The UPP accomplishes
this through the coordinated and integrated provision of quality social work education and
training.
For additional program and contact information about UPP please go to
http://uppua.org/.
8. I have a criminal conviction. Can I still become a licensed social worker?
Students should be aware that having a prior felony conviction or prior sanctions for
unprofessional conduct may impact future potential for obtaining licensure, as well as field
placements and social work employment. For more information, please contact the Ohio
Counselor,
Social
Worker,
and Marriage
&
Family
Therapist
Board
at
http://www.cswmft.ohio.gov/.
9. What GPA (grade point average) do I need to graduate?
There are two GPA calculations used by the Registrar’s Office to determine a student’s eligibility
for graduation: Cumulative and Major.
Your cumulative GPA includes all courses completed at the University of Akron. Your cumulative
GPA of 2.75 or better is a requirement.
Your major GPA includes all 7750 [social work] courses completed at the University of Akron. Your
social work major GPA of 2.75 or better is a requirement.
Please note: Credits transfer to the university but grades do not transfer. Transfer GPA is used
for admission and placement only –after this point, the transfer GPA is not used in the university
calculation.
10. I was not assigned a new academic advisor when I was admitted as a full social work major.
Why?
You are probably an honor student and as an honor student, you have the same academic advisor
as a pending and full major social work student. Michele Thornton will be your academic advisor
while you are a social work pending and full major.
11. I am having difficulty using computer-based programs and services such as Springboard, My
Akron, and Microsoft Office. Where can I find help?
The university provides free web-based training resources for students
http://www.uakron.edu/training/. You can also contact the Computer Help Desk at
330-972-6888 for some technical issues.
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Advising Handbook for Full Majors
Section V- FREQUENTLY USED CONTACTS INFORMATION
School of Social Work
School of Social Work
Dr. Timothy
McCarragher, Director
Janice Cuddy,
Administrative
Assistant
Deloris Jarvis,
Secretary
The Polsky
Building
Room 411
The Polsky
Building
Room 411G
The Polsky
Building
Room 411F
330-972-5974
http://www.uakron.edu/socialwork/
330-972-5976
mccarra@uakron.edu
330-972-5275
jcuddy@uakron.edu
The Polsky
Building
Room 411
330-972-5974
djarvis@uakron.edu
Student Social Work
League, President
(SSWL)
sswlpresident@yahoo.com
The University of Akron
Admissions, Office of
Undergraduate
Simmons Hall
Room 109
330-972-7100
http://www.uakron.edu/admissions/
Accessibility, Office of
Simmons Hall
Room 105
Shrank Hall
North
Room 260
330-972-7928
http://www.uakron.edu/access/
330-972-5793
http://www.uakron.edu/uaaf/
330-972-6888
http://www.uakron.edu/its/hoss/helpdesk/index.php
330-972-6349
http://www.uakron.edu/oip/immigration/
Adult Focus
Computer Help Desk
International
Programs, Office of
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The Polsky
Building
Room 483
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Advising Handbook for Full Majors
Simmons Hall
Room 120
Simmons Hall
Room 120
330-972-7838
http://www.uakron.edu/veterans/
330-972-8300
http://www.uakron.edu/registrar/
Student Financial Aid,
Office of
Simmons Hall
330-972-7032
http://www.uakron.edu/finaid/
Transfer Students
Services Center
Simmons Hall
Room 109J
330-972-6415
http://www.uakron.edu/transferstudents/
Military Services
Registrar, Office of the
University
Professional Organizations
Council on Social Work
Education (CSWE)
www.cswe.org
International
Association for Social
Work with Groups
www.iaswg.org
National Association of
Social Workers (NASW)
National Chapter
www.naswdc.org
National Association of
Social Workers (NASW)
Ohio Chapter
www.naswoh.org
State of Ohio
Counselor, Social
Worker, & Marriage
and Family Therapist
Board
www.cswmft.ohio.gov
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