Policy:
Social work is a self-regulating profession, based on knowledge and guided by professional values and ethics exemplified in the current National Association of Social Workers (“NASW”) Code of Ethics. Students enrolled in all School of Social Work (“School”) programs must demonstrate professional fitness for both study and a career in the profession. A student may be placed on probation and/or be dismissed from the program when, in the collective judgment of the faculty, the student’s behavior or academic problems conflict with the basic standards of professional social work practice or those standards set by the University.
- Student’s Academic Responsibilities.
Students have academic responsibilities for their performance in both the classroom and field practicum. A student’s conduct should conform at all times to the values and standards of the social work profession as set forth in the NASW Code of Ethics. Students are expected to be able to establish and maintain positive and constructive interpersonal relationships with faculty, fellow students, and others. This entails, among other things, the ability to deal effectively with conflict and to be assertive in non-hurtful and respectful ways. Due to the professional and human service function of the social work profession, these behaviors are part of the School’s academic requirements and standards. The code of conduct set out in the NASW Code of Ethics is used by the profession as a guide for sound professional judgment and conduct and is used by the School to assess student behavior that is deemed unethical or unprofessional for all students.
- Students in the School’s MSW programs who fail to meet acceptable academic performance as set forth in the Graduate Catalogue will be withdrawn from the program. A graduate student whose cumulative or semester grade point average (GPA) falls below 3.0 is placed on academic probation. Any graduate student who earns a cumulative GPA of less than 3.0 for two consecutive semesters is withdrawn from the MSW Program and academically disqualified for any further graduate level work unless reinstated by the MSW Program or readmitted by the Graduate College. Additionally, MSW students cannot count grades below C to meet any requirement of the MSW. If a student receives a final grade of C- or below in a required MSW course, the student may attempt to improve the grade by repeating the course only one time. If the student’s attempt to improve their final grade to a C or better is unsuccessful, the student is withdrawn from the MSW program and academically disqualified from any further graduate level work in the program.
- Students in the School’s BSW programs have academic responsibilities while enrolled in the program. A student may be placed on probation and/or be dismissed from the program when the student’s academic problems conflict with the basic standards of professional social work practice or those standards set by the University. Students who fail to meet acceptable academic performance as set forth in the University’s Undergraduate Catalog are at risk of being dismissed from the program. BSW students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 in their social work classes, including any transfer courses that are included in the student’s degree plan. If a student’s cumulative GPA is below 3.00 at the end of an enrolled semester (including summer), the student will be placed on an Academic Improvement Plan developed by the BSW Program Coordinator and Divisional Dean. At the end of the next enrolled semester (including summer), the BSW Program Coordinator will review the student’s progress and take one of the following actions:
- Mark the student’s Academic Improvement Plan as complete if the cumulative GPA is 3.00 or above.
- Extend or modify the Academic Improvement Plan if the cumulative GPA is below 3.00 and the semester GPA is 3.00 or above, and re-evaluate the following enrolled semester.
- Refer the BSW student to the Student Development Committee for additional review, which could include dismissal from the BSW program.
Students must repeat any course in which they received a final grade below a C-. To repeat a course, students must obtain permission from the BSW Program Coordinator. If a student’s final grade in a repeated course is below a C-, the School may withdraw the student from the BSW program.
2. Student’s Conduct Responsibilities. BSW and MSW students who fail to observe the University Code of Conduct, School of Social Work policies related to conduct and professionalism, the Student Handbook, Field Policies, and/or the NASW Code of Ethics may be reprimanded, disciplined, or terminated from the Program. The Student’s Bill of Rights as set forth in the Boise State University Student Handbook identifies those standards of conduct which govern a student’s participation in the academic community. The School of Social Work adheres to the policies and procedures of the University’s code of conduct as well as school level policies and the NASW Code of Ethics. Students charged with a grievance under these codes of conduct are subject to University proceedings described in the University Student and Administrative Handbooks, and are entitled through those policies and procedures to due process. The School’s Student Development Committee (“SDC”) articulates remediation processes that will be considered prior to moving to dismissal of a student.
Examples of non-professional conduct which may be grounds for dismissal:
• Resistant Attitude to Learning — Students who are overly or persistently defensive and/or have difficulty integrating new concepts, or responding constructively to criticism, may be asked to discontinue the program.
• Unprofessional Behavior — A pattern of unprofessional behavior, as identified in the Student Professional Conduct and Professional Standards Policy. This may include inappropriate or ineffective interaction with faculty, staff, peers, field instructors, or in other collegial relationships.
• Emotional Immaturity or Instability — Successful performance in social work education requires emotional maturity and stability and a readiness to assume professional responsibilities. Students who display a pattern of emotional immaturity or instability may be dismissed from the program.
• Unethical Behavior — Breaches of the NASW Code of Ethics or seemingly small infractions such as regularly leaving confidential files unlocked may be deemed to be serious enough to terminate a student from the program. The misuse of clients by involving them in staff conflicts, or gossiping about the agency or clients, are examples of behaviors which are inconsistent with professional social norms. Failure to comply with the NASW Code of Ethics may result in dismissal from the program. Any sexual interaction between a student and a client or other serious breach of ethical conduct will result in expulsion from the BSW and MSW Programs.
• Failure to Disclose or False Reporting — The failure to disclose pertinent data or giving false information in applying to a Social Work Program, or at any step in the application for specific field placements, is grounds for termination from field work and from the program. Students must follow the Background Check Policies of the School of Social Work and the College of Health Sciences.
3. Dissemination of Rules, Regulations, and Policies. Registration at the University implies a student’s acceptance of and willingness to abide by the published academic regulations and all other rules found in any official university publication or announcement. Those policies and procedures that govern a student’s academic and conduct responsibilities (BSU Student Handbook, BSU Graduate Catalog, MSW Field Work Manual, NASW Code of Ethics, and Program Dismissal Policy) are disseminated to and discussed with all incoming students at new student orientation and are published on the School’s website. Additionally, the standards for professional conduct identified in the NASW Code of Ethics are discussed extensively in the practice sequence courses as well as seminar courses.
4. Early Intervention/Remediation. A student’s progress is monitored by faculty throughout the semester. If a student moves into academic difficulty, the faculty member may consult with the appropriate Program Coordinator on possible early intervention or remediation for the student including options noted in the Student Development Committee policy. The Program Coordinator may meet with the student and/or the faculty member to discuss the difficulty and explore options to assist the student. Options that may be suggested to the student may include putting into place such supports as writing center referrals, tutors, and referrals to the University Counseling Services. Student progress in field practicum settings is monitored by seminar instructors and agency field instructors. If problems arise, the seminar instructor or agency field instructor consults the Director of Assistant Director of Field Education and field supervisor regarding corrective or remedial actions. The Director or Assistant Director of Field Education informs the appropriate Program Coordinator of a student’s problems and any corrective actions implemented.
5. Probation/Dismissal. The imposition of probation or dismissal is a very serious matter and cannot be recommended or imposed in the absence of substantiated reasons. Any request for the initiation of probation or dismissal against a student requires a formal written allegation of misconduct and a referral to the SDC. The use of early interventions or remediation actions prior to the initiation of probation or dismissal is supported by the School. Faculty and students are encouraged to use the appropriate Program Coordinator as a neutral mediator to resolve complaints or concerns. A student cannot graduate from the program while on probationary status.
Probation/Dismissal procedure:
A. A complaint or concern regarding a student’s misconduct may be filed by a faculty member or a fellow student. The individual bringing the complaint has 20 University business days from the occurrence of the alleged misconduct to put the complaint in writing, with any supporting documentation attached, and submit it to the SDC via the appropriate Program Coordinator or the Director or Assistant Director of Field Education.
B. The SDC will follow steps outlined in the Student Development policy and has the responsibility to consider the facts and to decide if limitations on the student’s enrollment in the program are warranted. If the SDC decides that limitations are warranted, it may recommend to the Divisional Dean of the School: (i) the imposition of a probationary status and set conditions prerequisite to the removal of that status; (ii) the temporary suspension or permanent dismissal of the student from the program; or (iii) the setting or other conditions and limitations related to the student’s enrollment which are deemed appropriate. The SDC will then forward a written summary of its findings and recommendations to the Divisional Dean as outlined in SDC policy.
Adopted and approved by faculty April, 2026