MSU, MANKATO DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WORK
BSSW ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIORS
STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES & CONTRACT
A.
I N ORDER TO GRADUATE WITH A BSSW DEGREE FROM THE MSUM DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WORK ,
A STUDENT MUST :
 Be admitted to BSSW program and remain in ‘good standing’ in the BSSW program. The definition of “good standing” incorporates the student’s GPA, grade of a C- or better in all social work practice sequence and upper division courses in order to be allowed to register and complete each successive practice course. The student must follow all policies as outlined in the MSU Student
Handbook, The Right Stuff; the BSSW Handbook, NASW Code of Ethics and Minnesota Statute
148E.
Any violations may result in disciplinary actions by the BSSW Program, which can range from a written warning to dismissal from the program to a referral or University disciplinary action..
If a student is suspended or dismissed from the BSSW Program then the student will have to apply for re-admission.

Complete background checks at entry into SOWK 315 (old SOWK 312) Junior Field and SOWK
450/455, Senior Practicum.

Complete an Application to Practicum for permission to enter the SOWK 450 Senior Seminar and
SOWK 455 Senior Practicum.

Successfully complete SOWK 455, Senior Practicum, of 440 hours in a social service agency during their final semester. Agencies may have particular requirements or may require additional information from students to assure the safety of clients, the confidentiality of services, and the absence of conflicts with agency programs and policies. Students are expected to comply with agency requests that do not infringe on their individual rights.
B. A CCOMMODATIONS FOR D ISABILITIES
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that the University provide reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. Students with a disability should contact the Office of
Accessibility Resources (ML 132) early in the program and in each semester to discuss their needs and develop an accommodation plan. In addition, it is advisable, but not required, to inform instructors of your disability and how it may impact your education. This applies to classroom courses as well as field education courses. The instructor will make the necessary accommodations based upon the direction of the Office of Accessibility Resources.
C.
Academic Readiness and Professional Behavior and Attitudes
Applicants to the social work program should be committed to developing and enhancing their academic skills and professional behaviors and attitudes in all learning and fieldwork environments including a commitment to developing good written and oral communication skills. Academic and professional behaviors and attitudes that are not consistent with the University Student Handbook,
The Basic Stuff, Department and BSSW Program policies and procedures, or National Association of
Social Work’s (NASW) Code of Ethics or Minnesota State standards of practice may impact a student’s standing in the social work program.
For additional detail about student rights and responsibilities, read the information on the following Department and Institutional websites. You are required to sign at the end of this document that you have done so and that you understand the implications of these rights and responsibilities.

BSSW Student Handbook http://sbs.mnsu.edu/socialwork/undergraduate/studenthandbook.html
 MSU, Mankato’s Student Handbook, The Basic Stuff http://www.mnsu.edu/students/basicstuff/
1
BSSWProgram. Academic&ProfessionalBehaviorsContract. Jan2015.

For additional detail about the ethics and responsibilities of the profession, you are asked to read information on the following websites . You are required to sign at the end of this document that you have done so and that you understand the implications of these codes of ethics in your professional responsibilities.

Minnesota Board of Social Work URL: http://www.socialwork.state.mn.us

Minnesota State Statutes 2012, Chapter 148E, Board of Social Work Practice: http://bit.ly/1Hw6glT
( the bitly.com address is a direct link to the Minnesota Government website)

National Association of Social Work Code of Ethics http://www.socialworkers.org/pubs/code/code.asp

International Federation of Social Workers Code of Ethics http://www.ifsw.org/f38000032.html
D.
P ROFESSIONAL BEHAVIORS AND ATTITUDES AND THEIR IMPACT ON SOCIAL WORK LICENSING AND
EMPLOYMENT
Social workers and students in social work programs are expected to demonstrate high standards of academic, professional and personal behavior and attitudes. Your first obligation is to clients. A social worker’s academic, personal and/or professional behaviors or attitudes must not be allowed to interfere with or impair service to clients.
E. Barriers to Professional Service
Students admitted to the social work program must assume responsibility for recognizing and removing academic, personal, and professional barriers that may impact their success during coursework or may limit their ability to serve clients either during fieldwork, or future employment.
Difficulty with written and oral communication skills should be addressed prior to graduation. Other personal or professional behaviors that impact a student’s ability to function as a social worker should be recognized and responded to also. For example, chemical dependency, poor physical or mental health, emotional problems, and/or severe unrelieved stress may impair service to clients and should be identified and addressed throughout one’s academic and professional career.
F. Background Checks and Legal Records and Criminal and other type of Convictions
Because social workers work with many vulnerable populations, security background checks are required for MSUM Department of Social Work students when students apply to their fieldwork courses, SOWK 315 (formerly SOWK 312), Junior Field, and SOWK 455. Senior Practicum. In addition, background checks are often required for employment in human service fields.
Students should be aware that a history of past legal problems may negatively affect internship and employment opportunities. For example, driving offenses, substantiated complaints of maltreatment against children and vulnerable adults, convictions related to substance use/abuse may not only significantly limit internship/practicum and employment opportunities, but may also keep students from successfully completing the social work program or finding employment after graduation.
Previous termination from volunteer, internship, or paid positions because of sexual abuse or sexual harassment can also significantly limit fieldwork and employment opportunities. Students with past criminal conviction(s), active, or pending criminal case(s) should consult with their advisors and discuss the implications for required fieldwork and future employment.
Criminal convictions are also reviewed when application is made for social work licensure in
Minnesota. A conviction of a felony, gross misdemeanor, and some misdemeanors may keep graduates from being licensed and significantly limit employment options. Applicants with a history of violence, sexual harassment, or chemical dependency should have successfully completed treatment and resolved any legal concerns prior to search for employment as a social work professional.
2
BSSWProgram Academic&ProfessionalBehaviorsContract. Jan2015.

MSU, MANKATO DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WORK
BSSW ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIORS
STATEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING AND CONTRACT
P LEASE READ , SIGN , AND SUBMIT WITH YOUR BSSW P ROGRAM APPLICATION .
I have read and agree to abide by the guidelines as outlined in this document.
I have read the Minnesota State Mankato Department of Social Work BSSW
Student Handbook and the MSU, Mankato’s Student Handbook, The Basic
Stuff .
I have reviewed the Minnesota Board of Social Work Statutes and Practice Act,
148E and the NASW Code of Ethics, and the International Social Work Code of
Ethics.
I understand I am assuming professional obligations and attest that I will study and practice social work within the ethical boundaries of the profession. I expect to use my education to promote social justice, strengthen human relationships, uphold the dignity and worth of all people, and practice with the utmost of integrity.
I have read the information above about limitations to social work licensing and employment and my responsibility for addressing any academic concerns, personal and professional behaviors and attitudes, and/or legal/other impairment which may impact my ability to competently perform my duties as a social work student and/or as a future social work professional.
Further, I understand that failure to meet one or more of the conditions described in the contract above can negatively impact my student status as ‘a student in good standing’ in the MSUM Department of Social Work’ which may result in the inability to graduate from the social work program. I understand that violations of program, institutional, and professional practice and policies can result in disciplinary action.
Student Signature / Date
3
BSSWProgram Academic&ProfessionalBehaviorsContract. Jan2015.