IMPORTANT UNIVERSITY AND SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK POLICIES

Applicants should be aware of the following important policies of the University of Washington and the School of Social Work, and are urged to read these policies carefully before completing the application packet.

Standards for Essential Abilities and Attributes for Admission and Continuance in the School of Social Work

Essential abilities and attributes for admission to and continuance in the School of Social Work, distinguished from academic standards, describe the physical, cognitive, emotional, and character requirements to provide reasonable assurance that students can complete the entire course of study and participate fully in all aspects of social work education and the practice of social work.

Acquisition of competence as a social worker is a lengthy and complex process that will be subverted by significant limitations of the student’s ability to participate in the full spectrum of the curriculum’s experiences and requirements.

Students in the School of Social Work at the University of Washington are expected to possess the following abilities and attributes at a level appropriate to their year in the program. They are expected to meet these standards in the classroom, in their practice, and elsewhere. Attention to these standards will be part of evaluations made by faculty responsible for evaluating applications for admission as well as by faculty responsible for evaluating students’ classroom and practicum performance.

Motor Abilities: The social work student must have sufficient motor abilities to attend class and practicum placement with or without technical accommodation. Reasonable accommodation through technology for limitations in motor abilities is allowed. The office of Disability Resources for Students may be consulted about reasonable accommodations.

Sensory Abilities: The social work student must have the ability through his or her senses to participate in classes and practicum placement. Students must acquire and integrate data through use of their senses with or without technical accommodation. Reasonable accommodation through technology for limitations in sensory abilities is allowed. The office of Disability Resources for Students may be consulted about reasonable accommodations.

Communication Skills: Social work students must communicate effectively and sensitively with other students, faculty, staff, clients, and other professionals. They must express their ideas and feelings clearly and demonstrate a willingness and ability to listen to others. They must have sufficient skills in spoken and written English to understand the content presented in the program.

Self-Awareness: The social work student must know how his or her values, attitudes, beliefs, emotions, and past experiences affect his or her thinking, behavior, and relationships. The student must be willing to examine and change his or her behavior when it interferes with working with clients and other professionals and must be able to work effectively with others in subordinate positions as well as with those in authority.

Professional Commitment: The social work student must have a strong commitment to the goals of social work and to the ethical standards of the profession. The student must be committed to the essential values of social work, which are the dignity and worth of every individual and his or her right to a just share of society’s resources.

Knowledge Base for Social Work Practice: The professional activities of social work students must be grounded in relevant social, behavioral, and biological science knowledge and research. This includes knowledge and skills in relationship-building, data-gathering, assessment, interventions, and evaluation of practice.

Objectivity: The social work student must be objective enough to systematically evaluate clients and their situations in an unbiased, factual way.

Empathy: The social work student must try to comprehend another individual’s way of life and values. She or he must be able to communicate this empathy and support to the client as a basis for a productive professional relationship.

Energy: The social work student must be resistant to the undesirable effects of stress, and avoid burnout by exercising appropriate self-care and developing cooperative and facilitative relationships with colleagues and peers.

Acceptance of Diversity: The social work student must appreciate the value of human diversity. He or she must serve in an appropriate manner all people in need of assistance, regardless of the person’s age, class, race, religious affiliation (or lack thereof), gender, disability, sexual orientation, and/or value system. Social work students must not impose their own personal, religious, sexual, or cultural values on their clients.

Interpersonal Skills: The social work student must demonstrate the interpersonal skills needed to relate effectively to other students, faculty, staff, clients, and other professionals. These include compassion, altruism, integrity, and the demonstration of respect for and consideration of others.

Professional Behavior. The social work student must behave professionally by knowing and practicing within the scope of social work, respecting others, being punctual and dependable, prioritizing responsibilities, and completing assignments on time.

Academic Performance and Conduct Which May Result in a Review and Possible Dismissal from the School of Social Work

Students may be terminated from the University of Washington School of Social Work for any of the following:

• Failure to meet or maintain academic grade-point requirements as established by the University of Washington and the School of Social Work. (This is automatic and may take place without a review or further procedure.)
• Academic cheating, lying, or plagiarism
• Behavior judged to be in violation of the NASW Code of Ethics or unprofessional conduct as specified by RCW 18.130.180, Unprofessional Conduct, set down in the Regulation of Health Professions—Uniform Disciplinary Act
• Documented evidence of conviction of a criminal act occurring during the course of study, or which occurred prior to admission to the School of Social Work and became known after admission
• Failure to meet the standards for essential abilities and attributes for admission and continuance in the School of Social Work.

Washington State RCW 18.130.180, Unprofessional Conduct

You will find the complete text of this law at http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=18.130.180

Other Important Policies

Our School is an academic community dedicated to the ideals of social justice. As part of that commitment, our School is working to ensure an environment in which discriminatory and harassing behavior does not occur to any person or property, based upon race, color, religion, sexual orientation, political orientation, gender, disability, or national origin. Procedures in the School and the University are designed to prevent and eliminate harassing and discriminatory behavior.

University of Washington Policy Prohibiting Sexual Harassment
Sex discrimination in the form of sexual harassment is a violation of the University of Washington human rights policy (UW Handbook, Vol. IV). Sexual harassment is defined as the use of one’s authority and power, either explicitly or implicitly, to coerce another into sexual relations or to punish another for his or her refusal. It is also the creation by a member of the University community of an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working or educational environment through verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.

University of Washington Policy Against Discrimination

As a standing policy, the University of Washington does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, or status as a disabled veteran or Vietnam-era veteran. Any discriminatory action can be a cause for disciplinary action. This policy applies to all University programs and facilities, including but not limited to admissions, educational programs, employment, and patient and hospital services. Such discrimination is prohibited by Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Age Discrimination in Employment Act Amendments of 1978, Vietnam-Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, other federal and state statutes and regulations, and University policy.

Coordination of the compliance efforts of the University with respect to all of these laws and regulations is under the direction of the Equal Employment Officer, Dr. Helen Remick, 126 Brooklyn Building, 4045 Brooklyn Avenue NE, Seattle, WA 98105-6021, 206-543-1830.

Major Principles of the National Association of Social Workers’ Code of Ethics
The NASW is the major professional organization for social workers. Students in our School’s professional programs are expected to adhere to major principles of the NASW Code of Ethics. This code is available on our School website (http://depts.washington.edu/sswweb) and the NASW website (www.naswdc.org).

More Information

For more information about the School’s programs and admissions requirements, please write to the Admissions Office, School of Social Work, 4101 15th Avenue NE, Seattle, WA 98105-6299, or phone 206-543-5676. Portions of this bulletin and other information about the University and the surrounding community are available at www.ssw.washington.edu.